* gdb.texinfo (ARM): Document arguments to "target sim".
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,
3 @c 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
4 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c
6 @c %**start of header
7 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
8 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
9 @setfilename gdb.info
10 @c
11 @include gdb-cfg.texi
12 @c
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
15 @c %**end of header
16
17 @iftex
18 @c @smallbook
19 @c @cropmarks
20 @end iftex
21
22 @finalout
23 @syncodeindex ky cp
24 @syncodeindex tp cp
25
26 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
27 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
28 @syncodeindex vr cp
29 @syncodeindex fn cp
30
31 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
32 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
33 @set EDITION Ninth
34
35 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
36 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
37
38 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
39
40 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
41 @c manuals to an info tree.
42 @dircategory Software development
43 @direntry
44 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
45 @end direntry
46
47 @copying
48 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
49 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
50 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
51
52 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
53 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
54 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
55 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
56 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
57 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
58
59 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
60 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
61 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
62 @end copying
63
64 @ifnottex
65 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
66
67 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
68 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
69 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
70 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
71 @end ifset
72 Version @value{GDBVN}.
73
74 @insertcopying
75 @end ifnottex
76
77 @titlepage
78 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
79 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
80 @sp 1
81 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
82 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
83 @sp 1
84 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
85 @end ifset
86 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
87 @page
88 @tex
89 {\parskip=0pt
90 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
91 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
92 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
93 }
94 @end tex
95
96 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
97 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
98 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
99 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
100 ISBN 1-882114-77-9 @*
101
102 @insertcopying
103 @page
104 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
105 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
106 software in general. We will miss him.
107 @end titlepage
108 @page
109
110 @ifnottex
111 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
112
113 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
114
115 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
116
117 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
118 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
119 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
120 @end ifset
121 Version @value{GDBVN}.
122
123 Copyright (C) 1988-2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
124
125 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
126 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
127 software in general. We will miss him.
128
129 @menu
130 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
131 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
132
133 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
134 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
135 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
136 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
137 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
138 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
139 * Stack:: Examining the stack
140 * Source:: Examining source files
141 * Data:: Examining data
142 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
143 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
144 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
145 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
146
147 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
148
149 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
150 * Altering:: Altering execution
151 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
152 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
153 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
154 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
155 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
156 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
157 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
158 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
159 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
160 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
161 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
162 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
163
164 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
165
166 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
167 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
168 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
169 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
170 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
171 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
172 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
173 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
174 @value{GDBN}
175 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
176 the operating system
177 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
178 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
179 how you can copy and share GDB
180 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
181 * Index:: Index
182 @end menu
183
184 @end ifnottex
185
186 @contents
187
188 @node Summary
189 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
190
191 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
192 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
193 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
194
195 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
196 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
197
198 @itemize @bullet
199 @item
200 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
201
202 @item
203 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
204
205 @item
206 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
207
208 @item
209 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
210 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
211 @end itemize
212
213 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
214 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
215 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
216
217 @cindex Modula-2
218 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
219 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
220
221 @cindex Pascal
222 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
223 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
224 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
225 syntax.
226
227 @cindex Fortran
228 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
229 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
230 underscore.
231
232 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
233 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
234
235 @menu
236 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
237 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
238 @end menu
239
240 @node Free Software
241 @unnumberedsec Free Software
242
243 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
244 General Public License
245 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
246 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
247 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
248 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
249 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
250 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
251
252 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
253 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
254 from anyone else.
255
256 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
257
258 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
259 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
260 include with the free software. Many of our most important
261 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
262 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
263 when an important free software package does not come with a free
264 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
265 gaps today.
266
267 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
268 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
269 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
270 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
271 them from the free software world.
272
273 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
274 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
275 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
276 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
277 contract to make it non-free.
278
279 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
280 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
281 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
282 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
283 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
284 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
285 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
286
287 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
288 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
289 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
290 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
291
292 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
293 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
294 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
295 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
296 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
297 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
298 community.
299
300 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
301 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
302 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
303 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
304 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
305 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
306 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
307 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
308 of the manual.
309
310 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
311 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
312 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
313 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
314 manual to replace it.
315
316 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
317 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
318 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
319 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
320 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
321 the free software community.
322
323 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
324 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
325 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
326 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
327 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
328 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
329 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
330 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
331 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
332
333 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
334 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
335 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
336 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
337 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
338 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
339 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
340 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
341
342 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
343 published by other publishers, at
344 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
345
346 @node Contributors
347 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
348
349 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
350 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
351 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
352 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
353 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
354 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
355 blow-by-blow account.
356
357 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
358
359 @quotation
360 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
361 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
362 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
363 @end quotation
364
365 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
366 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
367 releases:
368 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
369 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
370 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
371 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
372 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
373 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
374 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
375 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
376 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
377
378 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
379 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
380
381 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
382 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
383 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
384 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
385 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
386
387 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
388 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
389 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
390
391 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
392 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
393
394 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
395
396 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
397 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
398 support.
399 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
400 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
401 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
402 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
403 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
404 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
405 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
406 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
407 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
408 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
409 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
410 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
411 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
412 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
413 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
414 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
415
416 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
417
418 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
419 libraries.
420
421 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
422 about several machine instruction sets.
423
424 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
425 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
426 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
427 and RDI targets, respectively.
428
429 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
430 command-line editing and command history.
431
432 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
433 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
434
435 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
436 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
437 symbols.
438
439 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
440 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
441
442 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
443
444 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
445 processors.
446
447 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
448
449 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
450
451 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
452
453 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
454 watchpoints.
455
456 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
457
458 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
459
460 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
461 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
462
463 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
464 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
465 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
466 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
467 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
468 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
469 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
470
471 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
472 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
473
474 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
475 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
476 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
477 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
478 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
479 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
480 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
481 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
482 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
483 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
484 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
485 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
486 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
487 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
488 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
489
490 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
491 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
492
493 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
494 Hat.
495
496 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
497 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
498 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
499 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
500 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
501 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
502
503 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
504 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
505 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
506 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
507 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
508 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
509 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
510 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
511 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
512 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
513 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
514 Weigand.
515
516 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
517 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
518 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
519 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
520
521 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
522 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
523
524 @node Sample Session
525 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
526
527 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
528 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
529 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
530
531 @iftex
532 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
533 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
534 @end iftex
535
536 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
537 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
538
539 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
540 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
541 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
542 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
543 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
544 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
545 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
546 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
547 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
548
549 @smallexample
550 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
551 $ @b{./m4}
552 @b{define(foo,0000)}
553
554 @b{foo}
555 0000
556 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
557
558 @b{bar}
559 0000
560 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
561
562 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
563 @b{baz}
564 @b{Ctrl-d}
565 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
566 @end smallexample
567
568 @noindent
569 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
570
571 @smallexample
572 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
573 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
574 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
575 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
576 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
577 the conditions.
578 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
579 for details.
580
581 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
582 (@value{GDBP})
583 @end smallexample
584
585 @noindent
586 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
587 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
588 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
589 that examples fit in this manual.
590
591 @smallexample
592 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
593 @end smallexample
594
595 @noindent
596 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
597 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
598 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
599 @code{break} command.
600
601 @smallexample
602 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
603 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
604 @end smallexample
605
606 @noindent
607 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
608 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
609 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
610
611 @smallexample
612 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
613 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
614 @b{define(foo,0000)}
615
616 @b{foo}
617 0000
618 @end smallexample
619
620 @noindent
621 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
622 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
623 context where it stops.
624
625 @smallexample
626 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
627
628 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
629 at builtin.c:879
630 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
631 @end smallexample
632
633 @noindent
634 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
635 the next line of the current function.
636
637 @smallexample
638 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
639 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
640 : nil,
641 @end smallexample
642
643 @noindent
644 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
645 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
646 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
647 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
648
649 @smallexample
650 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
651 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
652 at input.c:530
653 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
654 @end smallexample
655
656 @noindent
657 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
658 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
659 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
660 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
661 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
662 stack frame for each active subroutine.
663
664 @smallexample
665 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
666 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
667 at input.c:530
668 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
669 at builtin.c:882
670 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
671 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
672 at macro.c:71
673 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
674 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
675 @end smallexample
676
677 @noindent
678 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
679 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
680 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
681
682 @smallexample
683 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
684 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
685 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
686 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
687 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
688 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
689 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
690 : xstrdup(rq);
691 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
692 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
693 @end smallexample
694
695 @noindent
696 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
697 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
698 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
699 (@code{print}) to see their values.
700
701 @smallexample
702 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
703 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
704 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
705 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
706 @end smallexample
707
708 @noindent
709 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
710 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
711 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
712
713 @smallexample
714 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
715 533 xfree(rquote);
716 534
717 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
718 : xstrdup (lq);
719 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
720 : xstrdup (rq);
721 537
722 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
723 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
724 540 @}
725 541
726 542 void
727 @end smallexample
728
729 @noindent
730 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
731 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
732
733 @smallexample
734 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
735 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
736 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
737 540 @}
738 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
739 $3 = 9
740 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
741 $4 = 7
742 @end smallexample
743
744 @noindent
745 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
746 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
747 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
748 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
749 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
750 assignments.
751
752 @smallexample
753 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
754 $5 = 7
755 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
756 $6 = 9
757 @end smallexample
758
759 @noindent
760 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
761 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
762 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
763 example that caused trouble initially:
764
765 @smallexample
766 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
767 Continuing.
768
769 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
770
771 baz
772 0000
773 @end smallexample
774
775 @noindent
776 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
777 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
778 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
779
780 @smallexample
781 @b{Ctrl-d}
782 Program exited normally.
783 @end smallexample
784
785 @noindent
786 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
787 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
788 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
789
790 @smallexample
791 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
792 @end smallexample
793
794 @node Invocation
795 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
796
797 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
798 The essentials are:
799 @itemize @bullet
800 @item
801 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
802 @item
803 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
804 @end itemize
805
806 @menu
807 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
808 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
809 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
810 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
811 @end menu
812
813 @node Invoking GDB
814 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
815
816 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
817 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
818
819 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
820 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
821
822 The command-line options described here are designed
823 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
824 options may effectively be unavailable.
825
826 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
827 specifying an executable program:
828
829 @smallexample
830 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
831 @end smallexample
832
833 @noindent
834 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
835 specified:
836
837 @smallexample
838 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
839 @end smallexample
840
841 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
842 to debug a running process:
843
844 @smallexample
845 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
846 @end smallexample
847
848 @noindent
849 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
850 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
851
852 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
853 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
854 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
855 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
856 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
857
858 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
859 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
860 option processing.
861 @smallexample
862 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
863 @end smallexample
864 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
865 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
866
867 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
868 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
869
870 @smallexample
871 @value{GDBP} -silent
872 @end smallexample
873
874 @noindent
875 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
876 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
877
878 @noindent
879 Type
880
881 @smallexample
882 @value{GDBP} -help
883 @end smallexample
884
885 @noindent
886 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
887 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
888
889 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
890 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
891 @samp{-x} option is used.
892
893
894 @menu
895 * File Options:: Choosing files
896 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
897 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
898 @end menu
899
900 @node File Options
901 @subsection Choosing Files
902
903 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
904 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
905 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
906 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
907 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
908 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
909 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
910 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
911 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
912 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
913 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
914 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
915 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
916
917 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
918 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
919 argument and ignore it.
920
921 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
922 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
923 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
924 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
925 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
926
927 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
928 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
929 @c it.
930
931 @table @code
932 @item -symbols @var{file}
933 @itemx -s @var{file}
934 @cindex @code{--symbols}
935 @cindex @code{-s}
936 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
937
938 @item -exec @var{file}
939 @itemx -e @var{file}
940 @cindex @code{--exec}
941 @cindex @code{-e}
942 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
943 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
944
945 @item -se @var{file}
946 @cindex @code{--se}
947 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
948 file.
949
950 @item -core @var{file}
951 @itemx -c @var{file}
952 @cindex @code{--core}
953 @cindex @code{-c}
954 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
955
956 @item -pid @var{number}
957 @itemx -p @var{number}
958 @cindex @code{--pid}
959 @cindex @code{-p}
960 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
961
962 @item -command @var{file}
963 @itemx -x @var{file}
964 @cindex @code{--command}
965 @cindex @code{-x}
966 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
967 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
968 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
969
970 @item -eval-command @var{command}
971 @itemx -ex @var{command}
972 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
973 @cindex @code{-ex}
974 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
975
976 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
977 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
978
979 @smallexample
980 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
981 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
982 @end smallexample
983
984 @item -directory @var{directory}
985 @itemx -d @var{directory}
986 @cindex @code{--directory}
987 @cindex @code{-d}
988 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
989
990 @item -r
991 @itemx -readnow
992 @cindex @code{--readnow}
993 @cindex @code{-r}
994 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
995 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
996 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
997
998 @end table
999
1000 @node Mode Options
1001 @subsection Choosing Modes
1002
1003 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1004 batch mode or quiet mode.
1005
1006 @table @code
1007 @item -nx
1008 @itemx -n
1009 @cindex @code{--nx}
1010 @cindex @code{-n}
1011 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1012 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1013 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1014 Files}.
1015
1016 @item -quiet
1017 @itemx -silent
1018 @itemx -q
1019 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1020 @cindex @code{--silent}
1021 @cindex @code{-q}
1022 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1023 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1024
1025 @item -batch
1026 @cindex @code{--batch}
1027 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1028 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1029 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1030 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1031 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination;
1032 @pxref{Screen Size} and acts as if @kbd{set confirm off} were in
1033 effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1034
1035 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1036 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1037 make this more useful, the message
1038
1039 @smallexample
1040 Program exited normally.
1041 @end smallexample
1042
1043 @noindent
1044 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1045 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1046 mode.
1047
1048 @item -batch-silent
1049 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1050 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1051 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1052 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1053 for an interactive session.
1054
1055 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1056 messages, for example.
1057
1058 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1059 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1060
1061 @item -return-child-result
1062 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1063 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1064 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1065
1066 @itemize @bullet
1067 @item
1068 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1069 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1070 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1071 @item
1072 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1073 @item
1074 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1075 the exit code will be -1.
1076 @end itemize
1077
1078 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1079 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1080 interface.
1081
1082 @item -nowindows
1083 @itemx -nw
1084 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1085 @cindex @code{-nw}
1086 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1087 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1088 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1089
1090 @item -windows
1091 @itemx -w
1092 @cindex @code{--windows}
1093 @cindex @code{-w}
1094 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1095 used if possible.
1096
1097 @item -cd @var{directory}
1098 @cindex @code{--cd}
1099 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1100 instead of the current directory.
1101
1102 @item -fullname
1103 @itemx -f
1104 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1105 @cindex @code{-f}
1106 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1107 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1108 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1109 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1110 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1111 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1112 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1113 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1114 frame.
1115
1116 @item -epoch
1117 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1118 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1119 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1120 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1121 separate window.
1122
1123 @item -annotate @var{level}
1124 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1125 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1126 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1127 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1128 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1129 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1130 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1131 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1132 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1133
1134 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1135 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1136
1137 @item --args
1138 @cindex @code{--args}
1139 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1140 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1141 This option stops option processing.
1142
1143 @item -baud @var{bps}
1144 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1145 @cindex @code{--baud}
1146 @cindex @code{-b}
1147 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1148 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1149
1150 @item -l @var{timeout}
1151 @cindex @code{-l}
1152 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1153 for remote debugging.
1154
1155 @item -tty @var{device}
1156 @itemx -t @var{device}
1157 @cindex @code{--tty}
1158 @cindex @code{-t}
1159 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1160 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1161
1162 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1163 @item -tui
1164 @cindex @code{--tui}
1165 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1166 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1167 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1168 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Alternatively, the
1169 Text User Interface can be enabled by invoking the program
1170 @samp{@value{GDBTUI}}. Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from
1171 Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1172
1173 @c @item -xdb
1174 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1175 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1176 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1177 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1178 @c systems.
1179
1180 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1181 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1182 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1183 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1184 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1185 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1186
1187 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1188 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1189 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1190 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1191 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1192 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1193
1194 @item -write
1195 @cindex @code{--write}
1196 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1197 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1198 (@pxref{Patching}).
1199
1200 @item -statistics
1201 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1202 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1203 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1204
1205 @item -version
1206 @cindex @code{--version}
1207 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1208 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1209
1210 @end table
1211
1212 @node Startup
1213 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1214 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1215
1216 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1217
1218 @enumerate
1219 @item
1220 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1221 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1222
1223 @item
1224 @cindex init file
1225 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1226 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1227 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1228 that file.
1229
1230 @item
1231 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1232 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1233 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1234 that file.
1235
1236 @item
1237 Processes command line options and operands.
1238
1239 @item
1240 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1241 working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1242 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1243 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1244 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1245 @value{GDBN}.
1246
1247 @item
1248 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option. @xref{Command
1249 Files}, for more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1250
1251 @item
1252 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1253 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1254 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1255 @end enumerate
1256
1257 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1258 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1259 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1260 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1261 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1262 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1263
1264 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1265 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1266
1267 @cindex init file name
1268 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1269 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1270 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1271 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1272 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1273 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1274 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1275 the file to the standard name.
1276
1277
1278 @node Quitting GDB
1279 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1280 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1281 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1282
1283 @table @code
1284 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1285 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1286 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1287 @itemx q
1288 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1289 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1290 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1291 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1292 error code.
1293 @end table
1294
1295 @cindex interrupt
1296 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1297 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1298 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1299 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1300 until a time when it is safe.
1301
1302 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1303 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1304 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1305
1306 @node Shell Commands
1307 @section Shell Commands
1308
1309 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1310 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1311 just use the @code{shell} command.
1312
1313 @table @code
1314 @kindex shell
1315 @cindex shell escape
1316 @item shell @var{command string}
1317 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1318 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1319 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1320 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1321 @end table
1322
1323 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1324 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1325 @value{GDBN}:
1326
1327 @table @code
1328 @kindex make
1329 @cindex calling make
1330 @item make @var{make-args}
1331 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1332 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1333 @end table
1334
1335 @node Logging Output
1336 @section Logging Output
1337 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1338 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1339
1340 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1341 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1342
1343 @table @code
1344 @kindex set logging
1345 @item set logging on
1346 Enable logging.
1347 @item set logging off
1348 Disable logging.
1349 @cindex logging file name
1350 @item set logging file @var{file}
1351 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1352 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1353 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1354 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1355 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1356 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1357 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1358 @kindex show logging
1359 @item show logging
1360 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1361 @end table
1362
1363 @node Commands
1364 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1365
1366 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1367 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1368 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1369 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1370 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1371
1372 @menu
1373 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1374 * Completion:: Command completion
1375 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1376 @end menu
1377
1378 @node Command Syntax
1379 @section Command Syntax
1380
1381 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1382 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1383 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1384 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1385 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1386 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1387
1388 @cindex abbreviation
1389 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1390 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1391 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1392 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1393 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1394 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1395 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1396
1397 @cindex repeating commands
1398 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1399 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1400 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1401 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1402 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1403 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1404 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1405
1406 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1407 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1408 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1409
1410 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1411 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1412 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1413 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1414 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1415
1416 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1417 @cindex comment
1418 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1419 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1420 Files,,Command Files}).
1421
1422 @cindex repeating command sequences
1423 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1424 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1425 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1426 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1427 for editing.
1428
1429 @node Completion
1430 @section Command Completion
1431
1432 @cindex completion
1433 @cindex word completion
1434 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1435 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1436 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1437 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1438
1439 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1440 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1441 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1442 enter it). For example, if you type
1443
1444 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1445 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1446 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1447 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1448 @smallexample
1449 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1450 @end smallexample
1451
1452 @noindent
1453 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1454 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1455
1456 @smallexample
1457 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1458 @end smallexample
1459
1460 @noindent
1461 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1462 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1463 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1464 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1465 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1466 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1467
1468 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1469 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1470 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1471 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1472 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1473 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1474 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1475 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1476 example:
1477
1478 @smallexample
1479 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1480 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1481 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1482 make_abs_section make_function_type
1483 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1484 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1485 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1486 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1487 @end smallexample
1488
1489 @noindent
1490 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1491 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1492 command.
1493
1494 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1495 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1496 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1497 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1498 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1499
1500 @cindex quotes in commands
1501 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1502 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1503 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1504 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1505 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1506 @value{GDBN} commands.
1507
1508 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1509 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1510 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1511 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1512 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1513 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1514 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1515 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1516 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1517 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1518 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1519
1520 @smallexample
1521 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1522 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1523 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1524 @end smallexample
1525
1526 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1527 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1528 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1529 place:
1530
1531 @smallexample
1532 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1533 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1534 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1535 @end smallexample
1536
1537 @noindent
1538 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1539 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1540 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1541
1542 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1543 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1544 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1545 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1546
1547 @cindex completion of structure field names
1548 @cindex structure field name completion
1549 @cindex completion of union field names
1550 @cindex union field name completion
1551 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1552 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1553 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1554 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1555 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1556 left-hand-side:
1557
1558 @smallexample
1559 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1560 magic to_delete to_fputs to_put to_rewind
1561 to_data to_flush to_isatty to_read to_write
1562 @end smallexample
1563
1564 @noindent
1565 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1566 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1567 follows:
1568
1569 @smallexample
1570 struct ui_file
1571 @{
1572 int *magic;
1573 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1574 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1575 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1576 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1577 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1578 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1579 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1580 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1581 void *to_data;
1582 @}
1583 @end smallexample
1584
1585
1586 @node Help
1587 @section Getting Help
1588 @cindex online documentation
1589 @kindex help
1590
1591 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1592 using the command @code{help}.
1593
1594 @table @code
1595 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1596 @item help
1597 @itemx h
1598 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1599 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1600
1601 @smallexample
1602 (@value{GDBP}) help
1603 List of classes of commands:
1604
1605 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1606 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1607 data -- Examining data
1608 files -- Specifying and examining files
1609 internals -- Maintenance commands
1610 obscure -- Obscure features
1611 running -- Running the program
1612 stack -- Examining the stack
1613 status -- Status inquiries
1614 support -- Support facilities
1615 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1616 stopping the program
1617 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1618
1619 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1620 commands in that class.
1621 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1622 documentation.
1623 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1624 (@value{GDBP})
1625 @end smallexample
1626 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1627
1628 @item help @var{class}
1629 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1630 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1631 help display for the class @code{status}:
1632
1633 @smallexample
1634 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1635 Status inquiries.
1636
1637 List of commands:
1638
1639 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1640 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1641 info -- Generic command for showing things
1642 about the program being debugged
1643 show -- Generic command for showing things
1644 about the debugger
1645
1646 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1647 documentation.
1648 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1649 (@value{GDBP})
1650 @end smallexample
1651
1652 @item help @var{command}
1653 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1654 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1655
1656 @kindex apropos
1657 @item apropos @var{args}
1658 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1659 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1660 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1661
1662 @smallexample
1663 apropos reload
1664 @end smallexample
1665
1666 @noindent
1667 results in:
1668
1669 @smallexample
1670 @c @group
1671 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1672 multiple times in one run
1673 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1674 multiple times in one run
1675 @c @end group
1676 @end smallexample
1677
1678 @kindex complete
1679 @item complete @var{args}
1680 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1681 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1682 command you want completed. For example:
1683
1684 @smallexample
1685 complete i
1686 @end smallexample
1687
1688 @noindent results in:
1689
1690 @smallexample
1691 @group
1692 if
1693 ignore
1694 info
1695 inspect
1696 @end group
1697 @end smallexample
1698
1699 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1700 @end table
1701
1702 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1703 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1704 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1705 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1706 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1707 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1708
1709 @c @group
1710 @table @code
1711 @kindex info
1712 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1713 @item info
1714 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1715 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1716 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1717 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1718 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1719 @w{@code{help info}}.
1720
1721 @kindex set
1722 @item set
1723 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1724 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1725 @code{set prompt $}.
1726
1727 @kindex show
1728 @item show
1729 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1730 @value{GDBN} itself.
1731 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1732 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1733 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1734 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1735
1736 @kindex info set
1737 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1738 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1739 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1740 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1741 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1742 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1743 @end table
1744 @c @end group
1745
1746 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1747 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1748
1749 @table @code
1750 @kindex show version
1751 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1752 @item show version
1753 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1754 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1755 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1756 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1757 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1758 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1759 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1760 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1761 @value{GDBN}.
1762
1763 @kindex show copying
1764 @kindex info copying
1765 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1766 @item show copying
1767 @itemx info copying
1768 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1769
1770 @kindex show warranty
1771 @kindex info warranty
1772 @item show warranty
1773 @itemx info warranty
1774 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1775 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1776
1777 @end table
1778
1779 @node Running
1780 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1781
1782 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1783 debugging information when you compile it.
1784
1785 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1786 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1787 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1788 kill a child process.
1789
1790 @menu
1791 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1792 * Starting:: Starting your program
1793 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1794 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1795
1796 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1797 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1798 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1799 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1800
1801 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1802 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1803 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1804 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1805 @end menu
1806
1807 @node Compilation
1808 @section Compiling for Debugging
1809
1810 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1811 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1812 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1813 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1814 and addresses in the executable code.
1815
1816 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1817 the compiler.
1818
1819 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1820 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1821 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1822 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1823 executables containing debugging information.
1824
1825 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1826 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1827 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1828 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1829 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1830
1831 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1832 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1833 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1834
1835 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1836 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1837 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1838 the @option{-g} flag alone, because this information is rather large.
1839 Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
1840 provides macro information if you specify the options
1841 @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1842 debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1843 ``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact
1844 ways to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1845 @option{-g} alone.
1846
1847 @need 2000
1848 @node Starting
1849 @section Starting your Program
1850 @cindex starting
1851 @cindex running
1852
1853 @table @code
1854 @kindex run
1855 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1856 @item run
1857 @itemx r
1858 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1859 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1860 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1861 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1862 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1863
1864 @end table
1865
1866 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1867 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1868 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1869 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1870 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1871 message like this one:
1872
1873 @smallexample
1874 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1875 Try "help target" or "continue".
1876 @end smallexample
1877
1878 @noindent
1879 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1880 first (@pxref{load}).
1881
1882 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1883 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1884 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1885 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1886 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1887 divided into four categories:
1888
1889 @table @asis
1890 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1891 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1892 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1893 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1894 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1895 the arguments.
1896 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1897 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1898 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1899
1900 @item The @emph{environment.}
1901 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1902 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1903 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1904 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1905
1906 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1907 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1908 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1909 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1910
1911 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1912 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1913 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1914 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1915 set a different device for your program.
1916 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
1917
1918 @cindex pipes
1919 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1920 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1921 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1922 wrong program.
1923 @end table
1924
1925 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1926 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
1927 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1928 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1929 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1930
1931 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1932 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1933 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1934 your current breakpoints.
1935
1936 @table @code
1937 @kindex start
1938 @item start
1939 @cindex run to main procedure
1940 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
1941 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
1942 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
1943 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
1944 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
1945 procedure, depending on the language used.
1946
1947 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
1948 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
1949 the @samp{run} command.
1950
1951 @cindex elaboration phase
1952 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
1953 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
1954 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
1955 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
1956 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
1957 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
1958 will remain to halt execution.
1959
1960 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
1961 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
1962 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
1963 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
1964 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
1965
1966 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
1967 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
1968 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
1969 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
1970 elaboration code before running your program.
1971
1972 @kindex set exec-wrapper
1973 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
1974 @itemx show exec-wrapper
1975 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
1976 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
1977 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
1978 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
1979 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
1980 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
1981 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
1982 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
1983
1984 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
1985 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
1986 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
1987 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
1988
1989 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
1990 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
1991 environment:
1992
1993 @smallexample
1994 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
1995 (@value{GDBP}) run
1996 @end smallexample
1997
1998 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
1999 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2000
2001 @kindex set disable-randomization
2002 @item set disable-randomization
2003 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2004 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2005 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2006 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2007 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2008
2009 This feature is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux. You can get the same
2010 behavior using
2011
2012 @smallexample
2013 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2014 @end smallexample
2015
2016 @item set disable-randomization off
2017 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2018 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2019 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2020 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2021 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2022 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2023
2024 The virtual address space randomization is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2025 It protects the programs against some kinds of security attacks. In these
2026 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2027 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2028 a code at its expected addresses.
2029
2030 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2031 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2032 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2033 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2034 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2035 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2036 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2037 a randomly chosen address.
2038
2039 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2040 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2041 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2042 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2043 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2044
2045 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2046 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2047
2048 @item show disable-randomization
2049 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2050 the virtual address space of the started program.
2051
2052 @end table
2053
2054 @node Arguments
2055 @section Your Program's Arguments
2056
2057 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2058 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2059 @code{run} command.
2060 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2061 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2062 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2063 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2064 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2065
2066 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2067 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2068 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2069 the program, not by the shell.
2070
2071 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2072 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2073
2074 @table @code
2075 @kindex set args
2076 @item set args
2077 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2078 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2079 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2080 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2081 it again without arguments.
2082
2083 @kindex show args
2084 @item show args
2085 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2086 @end table
2087
2088 @node Environment
2089 @section Your Program's Environment
2090
2091 @cindex environment (of your program)
2092 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2093 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2094 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2095 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2096 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2097 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2098 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2099
2100 @table @code
2101 @kindex path
2102 @item path @var{directory}
2103 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2104 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2105 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2106 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2107 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2108 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2109 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2110
2111 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2112 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2113 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2114 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2115 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2116 @var{directory} to the search path.
2117 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2118 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2119
2120 @kindex show paths
2121 @item show paths
2122 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2123 environment variable).
2124
2125 @kindex show environment
2126 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2127 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2128 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2129 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2130 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2131
2132 @kindex set environment
2133 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2134 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2135 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2136 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2137 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2138 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2139 null value.
2140 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2141 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2142
2143 For example, this command:
2144
2145 @smallexample
2146 set env USER = foo
2147 @end smallexample
2148
2149 @noindent
2150 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2151 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2152 are not actually required.)
2153
2154 @kindex unset environment
2155 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2156 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2157 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2158 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2159 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2160 @end table
2161
2162 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2163 the shell indicated
2164 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2165 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2166 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2167 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2168 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2169 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2170 @file{.profile}.
2171
2172 @node Working Directory
2173 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2174
2175 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2176 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2177 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2178 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2179 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2180 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2181
2182 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2183 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2184 Specify Files}.
2185
2186 @table @code
2187 @kindex cd
2188 @cindex change working directory
2189 @item cd @var{directory}
2190 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2191
2192 @kindex pwd
2193 @item pwd
2194 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2195 @end table
2196
2197 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2198 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2199 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2200 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2201 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2202 current working directory of the debuggee.
2203
2204 @node Input/Output
2205 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2206
2207 @cindex redirection
2208 @cindex i/o
2209 @cindex terminal
2210 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2211 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2212 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2213 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2214 running your program.
2215
2216 @table @code
2217 @kindex info terminal
2218 @item info terminal
2219 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2220 program is using.
2221 @end table
2222
2223 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2224 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2225
2226 @smallexample
2227 run > outfile
2228 @end smallexample
2229
2230 @noindent
2231 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2232
2233 @kindex tty
2234 @cindex controlling terminal
2235 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2236 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2237 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2238 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2239 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2240
2241 @smallexample
2242 tty /dev/ttyb
2243 @end smallexample
2244
2245 @noindent
2246 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2247 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2248 that as their controlling terminal.
2249
2250 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2251 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2252 terminal.
2253
2254 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2255 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2256 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2257 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2258
2259 @cindex inferior tty
2260 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2261 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2262 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2263 program.
2264
2265 @table @code
2266 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2267 @kindex set inferior-tty
2268 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2269
2270 @item show inferior-tty
2271 @kindex show inferior-tty
2272 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2273 @end table
2274
2275 @node Attach
2276 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2277 @kindex attach
2278 @cindex attach
2279
2280 @table @code
2281 @item attach @var{process-id}
2282 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2283 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2284 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2285 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2286 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2287
2288 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2289 executing the command.
2290 @end table
2291
2292 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2293 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2294 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2295 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2296
2297 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2298 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2299 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2300 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2301 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2302 Specify Files}.
2303
2304 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2305 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2306 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2307 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2308 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2309 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2310 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2311
2312 @table @code
2313 @kindex detach
2314 @item detach
2315 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2316 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2317 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2318 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2319 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2320 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2321 executing the command.
2322 @end table
2323
2324 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2325 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2326 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2327 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2328 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2329 Messages}).
2330
2331 @node Kill Process
2332 @section Killing the Child Process
2333
2334 @table @code
2335 @kindex kill
2336 @item kill
2337 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2338 @end table
2339
2340 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2341 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2342 is running.
2343
2344 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2345 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2346 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2347 outside the debugger.
2348
2349 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2350 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2351 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2352 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2353 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2354 breakpoint settings).
2355
2356 @node Inferiors and Programs
2357 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2358
2359 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2360 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2361 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2362 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2363 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2364 from multiple executables.
2365
2366 @cindex inferior
2367 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2368 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2369 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2370 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2371 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2372 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2373 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2374 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2375 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2376 threads running in it.
2377
2378 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2379 inferiors}}:
2380
2381 @table @code
2382 @kindex info inferiors
2383 @item info inferiors
2384 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2385
2386 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2387
2388 @enumerate
2389 @item
2390 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2391
2392 @item
2393 the target system's inferior identifier
2394
2395 @item
2396 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2397
2398 @end enumerate
2399
2400 @noindent
2401 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2402 indicates the current inferior.
2403
2404 For example,
2405 @end table
2406 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2407
2408 @smallexample
2409 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2410 Num Description Executable
2411 2 process 2307 hello
2412 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2413 @end smallexample
2414
2415 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2416
2417 @table @code
2418 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2419 @item inferior @var{infno}
2420 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2421 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2422 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2423 @end table
2424
2425
2426 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2427 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2428 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2429 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2430 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2431 @w{@code{remove-inferior}} command.
2432
2433 @table @code
2434 @kindex add-inferior
2435 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2436 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2437 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2438 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2439 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2440 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2441
2442 @kindex clone-inferior
2443 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2444 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2445 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2446 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2447 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2448
2449 @smallexample
2450 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2451 Num Description Executable
2452 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2453 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2454 Added inferior 2.
2455 1 inferiors added.
2456 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2457 Num Description Executable
2458 2 <null> helloworld
2459 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2460 @end smallexample
2461
2462 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2463
2464 @kindex remove-inferior
2465 @item remove-inferior @var{infno}
2466 Removes the inferior @var{infno}. It is not possible to remove an
2467 inferior that is running with this command. For those, use the
2468 @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2469
2470 @end table
2471
2472 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2473 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2474 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2475 using the @w{@code{kill inferior}} command:
2476
2477 @table @code
2478 @kindex detach inferior @var{infno}
2479 @item detach inferior @var{infno}
2480 Detach from the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2481 @var{infno}, and remove it from the inferior list.
2482
2483 @kindex kill inferior @var{infno}
2484 @item kill inferior @var{infno}
2485 Kill the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2486 @var{infno}, and remove it from the inferior list.
2487 @end table
2488
2489 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2490 @code{detach inferior}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferior}, or after
2491 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2492 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2493
2494
2495 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2496 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2497
2498 @table @code
2499 @kindex set print inferior-events
2500 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2501 @item set print inferior-events
2502 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2503 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2504 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2505 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2506 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2507 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2508
2509 @kindex show print inferior-events
2510 @item show print inferior-events
2511 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2512 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2513 @end table
2514
2515 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2516 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2517 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2518
2519
2520 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2521 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2522 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2523 info program-spaces}} command.
2524
2525 @table @code
2526 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2527 @item maint info program-spaces
2528 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2529 @value{GDBN}.
2530
2531 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2532
2533 @enumerate
2534 @item
2535 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2536
2537 @item
2538 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2539 the @code{file} command.
2540
2541 @end enumerate
2542
2543 @noindent
2544 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2545 indicates the current program space.
2546
2547 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2548 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2549 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2550
2551 @smallexample
2552 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2553 Id Executable
2554 2 goodbye
2555 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2556 * 1 hello
2557 @end smallexample
2558
2559 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2560 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2561 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2562 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2563 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2564
2565 @smallexample
2566 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2567 Id Executable
2568 * 1 vfork-test
2569 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2570 @end smallexample
2571
2572 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2573 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2574 @end table
2575
2576 @node Threads
2577 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2578
2579 @cindex threads of execution
2580 @cindex multiple threads
2581 @cindex switching threads
2582 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2583 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2584 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2585 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2586 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2587 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2588 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2589
2590 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2591 programs:
2592
2593 @itemize @bullet
2594 @item automatic notification of new threads
2595 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2596 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2597 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2598 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2599 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2600 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2601 messages on thread start and exit.
2602 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2603 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2604 isn't compatible with the program.
2605 @end itemize
2606
2607 @quotation
2608 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2609 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2610 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2611 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2612 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2613 like this:
2614
2615 @smallexample
2616 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2617 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2618 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2619 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2620 @end smallexample
2621 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2622 @c doesn't support threads"?
2623 @end quotation
2624
2625 @cindex focus of debugging
2626 @cindex current thread
2627 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2628 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2629 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2630 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2631 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2632
2633 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2634 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2635 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2636 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2637 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2638 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2639 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2640 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2641 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2642 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2643
2644 @smallexample
2645 [New Thread 46912507313328 (LWP 25582)]
2646 @end smallexample
2647
2648 @noindent
2649 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2650 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2651 further qualifier.
2652
2653 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2654 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2655 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2656 @c program?
2657 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2658 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2659 @c threads ab initio?
2660
2661 @cindex thread number
2662 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2663 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2664 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2665
2666 @table @code
2667 @kindex info threads
2668 @item info threads
2669 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2670 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2671
2672 @enumerate
2673 @item
2674 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2675
2676 @item
2677 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2678
2679 @item
2680 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2681 @end enumerate
2682
2683 @noindent
2684 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2685 indicates the current thread.
2686
2687 For example,
2688 @end table
2689 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2690
2691 @smallexample
2692 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2693 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2694 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2695 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2696 at threadtest.c:68
2697 @end smallexample
2698
2699 On HP-UX systems:
2700
2701 @cindex debugging multithreaded programs (on HP-UX)
2702 @cindex thread identifier (GDB), on HP-UX
2703 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2704 number---a small integer assigned in thread-creation order---with each
2705 thread in your program.
2706
2707 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message, on HP-UX
2708 @cindex thread identifier (system), on HP-UX
2709 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2710 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2711 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2712 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2713 both @value{GDBN}'s thread number and the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2714 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2715 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2716 HP-UX, you see
2717
2718 @smallexample
2719 [New thread 2 (system thread 26594)]
2720 @end smallexample
2721
2722 @noindent
2723 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread.
2724
2725 @table @code
2726 @kindex info threads (HP-UX)
2727 @item info threads
2728 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2729 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2730
2731 @enumerate
2732 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2733
2734 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2735
2736 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2737 @end enumerate
2738
2739 @noindent
2740 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2741 indicates the current thread.
2742
2743 For example,
2744 @end table
2745 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2746
2747 @smallexample
2748 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2749 * 3 system thread 26607 worker (wptr=0x7b09c318 "@@") \@*
2750 at quicksort.c:137
2751 2 system thread 26606 0x7b0030d8 in __ksleep () \@*
2752 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2753 1 system thread 27905 0x7b003498 in _brk () \@*
2754 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2755 @end smallexample
2756
2757 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2758 Solaris-specific command:
2759
2760 @table @code
2761 @item maint info sol-threads
2762 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2763 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2764 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2765 @end table
2766
2767 @table @code
2768 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2769 @item thread @var{threadno}
2770 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2771 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2772 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2773 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2774 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2775
2776 @smallexample
2777 @c FIXME!! This example made up; find a @value{GDBN} w/threads and get real one
2778 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2779 [Switching to process 35 thread 23]
2780 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2781 @end smallexample
2782
2783 @noindent
2784 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2785 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2786 threads.
2787
2788 @kindex thread apply
2789 @cindex apply command to several threads
2790 @item thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{command}
2791 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2792 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2793 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2794 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2795 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2796 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2797 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2798
2799 @kindex set print thread-events
2800 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2801 @item set print thread-events
2802 @itemx set print thread-events on
2803 @itemx set print thread-events off
2804 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2805 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2806 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2807 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2808 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2809
2810 @kindex show print thread-events
2811 @item show print thread-events
2812 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2813 have started and exited.
2814 @end table
2815
2816 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2817 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2818 programs with multiple threads.
2819
2820 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2821 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2822
2823 @table @code
2824 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2825 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2826 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2827 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2828 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2829 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2830 an empty list.
2831
2832 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2833 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2834 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2835 to find @code{libthread_db}. If that fails, @value{GDBN} will continue
2836 with default system shared library directories, and finally the directory
2837 from which @code{libpthread} was loaded in the inferior process.
2838
2839 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2840 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2841 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2842 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2843 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2844 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2845 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2846
2847 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2848 only on some platforms.
2849
2850 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2851 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2852 Display current libthread_db search path.
2853 @end table
2854
2855 @node Forks
2856 @section Debugging Forks
2857
2858 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2859 @cindex multiple processes
2860 @cindex processes, multiple
2861 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2862 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2863 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2864 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2865 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2866 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2867 will cause it to terminate.
2868
2869 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2870 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2871 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2872 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2873 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2874 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2875 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2876 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2877 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2878 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2879
2880 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2881 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2882 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2883 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2884
2885 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2886 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2887
2888 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2889 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2890
2891 @table @code
2892 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2893 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2894 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2895 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2896 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2897
2898 @table @code
2899 @item parent
2900 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2901 unimpeded. This is the default.
2902
2903 @item child
2904 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2905 unimpeded.
2906
2907 @end table
2908
2909 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
2910 @item show follow-fork-mode
2911 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2912 @end table
2913
2914 @cindex debugging multiple processes
2915 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2916 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2917
2918 @table @code
2919 @kindex set detach-on-fork
2920 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
2921 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
2922 retain debugger control over them both.
2923
2924 @table @code
2925 @item on
2926 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
2927 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
2928 independently. This is the default.
2929
2930 @item off
2931 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2932 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
2933 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
2934 is held suspended.
2935
2936 @end table
2937
2938 @kindex show detach-on-fork
2939 @item show detach-on-fork
2940 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
2941 @end table
2942
2943 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
2944 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
2945 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
2946 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
2947 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
2948 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
2949
2950 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
2951 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferior}} command (allowing it
2952 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferior}}
2953 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
2954 and Programs}.
2955
2956 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2957 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2958 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2959 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2960 the child process's @code{main}.
2961
2962 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
2963 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
2964
2965 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
2966 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
2967 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
2968 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
2969 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
2970 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
2971 command.
2972
2973 @table @code
2974 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
2975 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
2976
2977 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
2978 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
2979
2980 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
2981
2982 @table @code
2983 @item new
2984 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
2985 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
2986 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
2987 original inferior.
2988
2989 For example:
2990
2991 @smallexample
2992 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2993 (gdb) info inferior
2994 Id Description Executable
2995 * 1 <null> prog1
2996 (@value{GDBP}) run
2997 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
2998 Program exited normally.
2999 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3000 Id Description Executable
3001 * 2 <null> prog2
3002 1 <null> prog1
3003 @end smallexample
3004
3005 @item same
3006 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3007 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3008 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3009 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3010 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3011
3012 For example:
3013
3014 @smallexample
3015 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3016 Id Description Executable
3017 * 1 <null> prog1
3018 (@value{GDBP}) run
3019 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3020 Program exited normally.
3021 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3022 Id Description Executable
3023 * 1 <null> prog2
3024 @end smallexample
3025
3026 @end table
3027 @end table
3028
3029 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3030 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3031 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3032
3033 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3034 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3035
3036 @cindex checkpoint
3037 @cindex restart
3038 @cindex bookmark
3039 @cindex snapshot of a process
3040 @cindex rewind program state
3041
3042 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3043 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3044 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3045 later.
3046
3047 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3048 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3049 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3050 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3051 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3052
3053 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3054 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3055 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3056 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3057 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3058 start again from there.
3059
3060 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3061 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3062
3063 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3064
3065 @table @code
3066 @kindex checkpoint
3067 @item checkpoint
3068 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3069 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3070 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3071
3072 @kindex info checkpoints
3073 @item info checkpoints
3074 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3075 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3076 listed:
3077
3078 @table @code
3079 @item Checkpoint ID
3080 @item Process ID
3081 @item Code Address
3082 @item Source line, or label
3083 @end table
3084
3085 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3086 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3087 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3088 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3089 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3090 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3091 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3092
3093 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3094 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3095 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3096 the debugger.
3097
3098 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3099 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3100 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3101
3102 @end table
3103
3104 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3105 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3106 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3107 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3108 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3109 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3110 previously read data can be read again.
3111
3112 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3113 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3114 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3115 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3116 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3117 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3118
3119 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3120 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3121 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3122 different execution path this time.
3123
3124 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3125 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3126 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3127 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3128 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3129 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3130 potentially pose a problem.
3131
3132 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3133
3134 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3135 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3136 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3137 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3138 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3139 next.
3140
3141 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3142 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3143 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3144 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3145 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3146
3147 @node Stopping
3148 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3149
3150 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3151 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3152 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3153
3154 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3155 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3156 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3157 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3158 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3159 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3160 explicitly request this information at any time.
3161
3162 @table @code
3163 @kindex info program
3164 @item info program
3165 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3166 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3167 @end table
3168
3169 @menu
3170 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3171 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3172 * Signals:: Signals
3173 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3174 @end menu
3175
3176 @node Breakpoints
3177 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3178
3179 @cindex breakpoints
3180 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3181 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3182 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3183 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3184 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3185 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3186 program.
3187
3188 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3189 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3190 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3191 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3192 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3193 call).
3194
3195 @cindex watchpoints
3196 @cindex data breakpoints
3197 @cindex memory tracing
3198 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3199 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3200 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3201 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3202 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3203 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3204 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3205 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3206 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3207 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3208 same commands.
3209
3210 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3211 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3212 Automatic Display}.
3213
3214 @cindex catchpoints
3215 @cindex breakpoint on events
3216 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3217 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3218 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3219 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3220 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3221 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3222 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3223
3224 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3225 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3226 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3227 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3228 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3229 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3230 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3231 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3232 enable it again.
3233
3234 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3235 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3236 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3237 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3238 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3239 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3240 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3241
3242 @menu
3243 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3244 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3245 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3246 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3247 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3248 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3249 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3250 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3251 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3252 @end menu
3253
3254 @node Set Breaks
3255 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3256
3257 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3258 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3259 @c
3260 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3261
3262 @kindex break
3263 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3264 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3265 @cindex latest breakpoint
3266 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3267 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3268 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3269 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3270 convenience variables.
3271
3272 @table @code
3273 @item break @var{location}
3274 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3275 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3276 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3277 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3278 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3279
3280 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3281 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3282 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3283 that situation.
3284
3285 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3286 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3287 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3288
3289 @item break
3290 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3291 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3292 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3293 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3294 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3295 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3296 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3297 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3298 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3299 inside loops.
3300
3301 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3302 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3303 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3304 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3305 existed when your program stopped.
3306
3307 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3308 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3309 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3310 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3311 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3312 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3313 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3314
3315 @kindex tbreak
3316 @item tbreak @var{args}
3317 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3318 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3319 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3320 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3321
3322 @kindex hbreak
3323 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3324 @item hbreak @var{args}
3325 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3326 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3327 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3328 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3329 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3330 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3331 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3332 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3333 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3334 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3335 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3336 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3337 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3338 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3339 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3340 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3341 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3342 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3343
3344 @kindex thbreak
3345 @item thbreak @var{args}
3346 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3347 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3348 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3349 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3350 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3351 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3352 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3353 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3354
3355 @kindex rbreak
3356 @cindex regular expression
3357 @cindex breakpoints in functions matching a regexp
3358 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3359 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3360 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3361 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3362 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3363 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3364 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3365 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3366
3367 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3368 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3369 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3370 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3371 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3372 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3373
3374 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3375 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3376 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3377 classes.
3378
3379 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3380 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3381 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3382
3383 @smallexample
3384 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3385 @end smallexample
3386
3387 @kindex info breakpoints
3388 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3389 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3390 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3391 @itemx info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3392 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3393 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3394 about the specified breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint). For
3395 each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3396
3397 @table @emph
3398 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3399 @item Type
3400 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3401 @item Disposition
3402 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3403 @item Enabled or Disabled
3404 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3405 that are not enabled.
3406 @item Address
3407 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3408 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3409 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3410 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3411 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3412 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3413 @item What
3414 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3415 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3416 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3417 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3418 @end table
3419
3420 @noindent
3421 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
3422 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
3423 are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
3424 specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
3425 library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
3426 valid location.
3427
3428 @noindent
3429 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3430 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3431 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3432 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3433 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3434
3435 @noindent
3436 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3437 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3438 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3439 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3440 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3441 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3442 @end table
3443
3444 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3445 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3446 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3447 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3448
3449 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3450 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3451 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3452 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3453
3454 @itemize @bullet
3455 @item
3456 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3457 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3458
3459 @item
3460 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3461 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3462
3463 @item
3464 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3465 several places where that function is inlined.
3466 @end itemize
3467
3468 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3469 the relevant locations@footnote{
3470 As of this writing, multiple-location breakpoints work only if there's
3471 line number information for all the locations. This means that they
3472 will generally not work in system libraries, unless you have debug
3473 info with line numbers for them.}.
3474
3475 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3476 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3477 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3478 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3479 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3480 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3481 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3482
3483 For example:
3484
3485 @smallexample
3486 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3487 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3488 stop only if i==1
3489 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3490 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3491 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3492 @end smallexample
3493
3494 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3495 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3496 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3497 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3498 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3499 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3500 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3501 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3502 that belong to that breakpoint.
3503
3504 @cindex pending breakpoints
3505 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3506 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3507 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3508 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3509 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3510 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3511 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3512 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3513 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3514 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3515 is not yet resolved.
3516
3517 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3518 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3519 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3520 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3521 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3522 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3523
3524 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3525 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3526 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3527 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3528
3529 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3530 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3531 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3532
3533 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3534 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3535 address specification to an address:
3536
3537 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3538 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3539 @table @code
3540 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3541 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3542 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3543
3544 @item set breakpoint pending on
3545 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3546 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3547
3548 @item set breakpoint pending off
3549 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3550 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3551 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3552
3553 @item show breakpoint pending
3554 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3555 @end table
3556
3557 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3558 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3559 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3560
3561 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3562 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3563 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3564 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3565 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3566 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3567 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3568 breakpoints.
3569
3570 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3571
3572 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3573 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3574 @table @code
3575 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3576 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3577 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3578 breakpoint must be used.
3579
3580 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3581 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3582 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3583 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3584 @end table
3585
3586 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3587 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3588 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3589 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3590 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3591 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3592 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3593 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3594 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3595
3596 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3597 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3598 @table @code
3599 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3600 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3601 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3602 removed from the target when it stops.
3603
3604 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3605 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3606 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3607 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3608 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3609
3610 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3611 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3612 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3613 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3614 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3615 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3616 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3617 @end table
3618
3619 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3620 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3621 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3622 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3623 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3624 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3625 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3626 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3627
3628
3629 @node Set Watchpoints
3630 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3631
3632 @cindex setting watchpoints
3633 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3634 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3635 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3636 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3637 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3638
3639 @itemize @bullet
3640 @item
3641 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3642
3643 @item
3644 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3645 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3646 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3647
3648 @item
3649 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3650 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3651 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3652 @end itemize
3653
3654 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3655 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3656 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3657 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3658 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3659 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3660 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3661 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3662 the expression changes.
3663
3664 @cindex software watchpoints
3665 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3666 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3667 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3668 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3669 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3670 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3671 culprit.)
3672
3673 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3674 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3675 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3676
3677 @table @code
3678 @kindex watch
3679 @item watch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3680 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3681 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3682 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3683 to watch the value of a single variable:
3684
3685 @smallexample
3686 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3687 @end smallexample
3688
3689 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3690 clause, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3691 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3692 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3693 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3694 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3695
3696 @kindex rwatch
3697 @item rwatch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3698 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3699 by the program.
3700
3701 @kindex awatch
3702 @item awatch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3703 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3704 or written into by the program.
3705
3706 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3707 @item info watchpoints
3708 This command prints a list of watchpoints, breakpoints, and catchpoints;
3709 it is the same as @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3710 @end table
3711
3712 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3713 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3714 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3715 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3716 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3717 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3718
3719 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3720 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3721 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3722 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3723 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3724 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3725 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3726 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3727
3728 @table @code
3729 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3730 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3731 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3732
3733 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3734 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3735 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3736 @end table
3737
3738 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3739 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3740 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3741
3742 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3743
3744 @smallexample
3745 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3746 @end smallexample
3747
3748 @noindent
3749 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3750
3751 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3752 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3753 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3754 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3755 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3756 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3757 will print a message like this:
3758
3759 @smallexample
3760 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3761 @end smallexample
3762
3763 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3764 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3765 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3766 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3767 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3768 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3769 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3770 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3771
3772 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3773 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3774 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3775 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3776 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3777 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3778
3779 @smallexample
3780 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3781 @end smallexample
3782
3783 @noindent
3784 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3785
3786 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3787 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3788 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3789 expression with separately allocated resources.
3790
3791 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3792 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3793 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3794
3795 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3796 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3797 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3798 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3799 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3800 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3801 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3802 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3803 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3804
3805 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3806 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3807 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
3808 watched expression from every thread.
3809
3810 @quotation
3811 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
3812 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3813 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3814 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3815 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3816 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3817 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3818 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3819 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3820 @end quotation
3821
3822 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3823
3824 @node Set Catchpoints
3825 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
3826 @cindex catchpoints, setting
3827 @cindex exception handlers
3828 @cindex event handling
3829
3830 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3831 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3832 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3833
3834 @table @code
3835 @kindex catch
3836 @item catch @var{event}
3837 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3838 @table @code
3839 @item throw
3840 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3841 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3842
3843 @item catch
3844 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3845
3846 @item exception
3847 @cindex Ada exception catching
3848 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
3849 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
3850 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
3851 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
3852 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
3853
3854 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
3855 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
3856 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
3857 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
3858 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
3859 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
3860 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
3861 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
3862
3863 @item exception unhandled
3864 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
3865
3866 @item assert
3867 A failed Ada assertion.
3868
3869 @item exec
3870 @cindex break on fork/exec
3871 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3872 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3873
3874 @item syscall
3875 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
3876 @cindex break on a system call.
3877 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
3878 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
3879 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
3880 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
3881 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
3882 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
3883 will be caught.
3884
3885 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
3886 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
3887 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
3888 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
3889
3890 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
3891 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
3892 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
3893 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
3894
3895 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
3896 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
3897 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
3898 available choices.
3899
3900 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
3901 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
3902 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
3903 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
3904 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
3905 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
3906 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
3907 behind the OS upgrades).
3908
3909 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
3910 arguments to it:
3911
3912 @smallexample
3913 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
3914 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
3915 (@value{GDBP}) r
3916 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3917
3918 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
3919 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3920 (@value{GDBP}) c
3921 Continuing.
3922
3923 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
3924 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3925 (@value{GDBP})
3926 @end smallexample
3927
3928 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
3929
3930 @smallexample
3931 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
3932 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
3933 (@value{GDBP}) r
3934 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3935
3936 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
3937 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3938 (@value{GDBP}) c
3939 Continuing.
3940
3941 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
3942 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3943 (@value{GDBP})
3944 @end smallexample
3945
3946 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
3947 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
3948 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
3949
3950 @smallexample
3951 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
3952 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
3953 (@value{GDBP}) r
3954 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3955
3956 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
3957 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3958 (@value{GDBP}) c
3959 Continuing.
3960
3961 Program exited normally.
3962 (@value{GDBP})
3963 @end smallexample
3964
3965 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
3966 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
3967 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
3968 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
3969
3970 @smallexample
3971 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
3972 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
3973 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
3974 (@value{GDBP})
3975 @end smallexample
3976
3977 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
3978 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
3979 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
3980 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
3981 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
3982 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
3983
3984 @smallexample
3985 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
3986 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
3987 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
3988 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
3989 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
3990 (@value{GDBP})
3991 @end smallexample
3992
3993 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
3994
3995 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
3996 number. In this case, you would see something like:
3997
3998 @smallexample
3999 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4000 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4001 @end smallexample
4002
4003 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4004
4005 @item fork
4006 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4007 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4008
4009 @item vfork
4010 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4011 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4012
4013 @end table
4014
4015 @item tcatch @var{event}
4016 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4017 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4018
4019 @end table
4020
4021 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4022
4023 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4024 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4025
4026 @itemize @bullet
4027 @item
4028 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4029 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4030 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4031 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4032 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4033 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4034 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4035 disabled within interactive calls.
4036
4037 @item
4038 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4039
4040 @item
4041 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4042 @end itemize
4043
4044 @cindex raise exceptions
4045 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4046 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4047 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4048 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4049 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4050 out where the exception was raised.
4051
4052 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4053 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4054 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4055 which has the following ANSI C interface:
4056
4057 @smallexample
4058 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4059 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4060 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4061 @end smallexample
4062
4063 @noindent
4064 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4065 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4066 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4067
4068 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4069 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4070 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4071 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4072 raised.
4073
4074
4075 @node Delete Breaks
4076 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4077
4078 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4079 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4080 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4081 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4082 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4083 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4084
4085 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4086 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4087 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4088 their breakpoint numbers.
4089
4090 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4091 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4092 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4093
4094 @table @code
4095 @kindex clear
4096 @item clear
4097 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4098 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4099 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4100 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4101
4102 @item clear @var{location}
4103 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4104 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4105 most useful ones are listed below:
4106
4107 @table @code
4108 @item clear @var{function}
4109 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4110 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4111
4112 @item clear @var{linenum}
4113 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4114 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4115 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4116 @end table
4117
4118 @cindex delete breakpoints
4119 @kindex delete
4120 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4121 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4122 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4123 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4124 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4125 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4126 @end table
4127
4128 @node Disabling
4129 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4130
4131 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4132 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4133 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4134 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4135 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4136
4137 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4138 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying one
4139 or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} or
4140 @code{info watch} to print a list of breakpoints, watchpoints, and
4141 catchpoints if you do not know which numbers to use.
4142
4143 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4144 affects all of its locations.
4145
4146 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
4147 states of enablement:
4148
4149 @itemize @bullet
4150 @item
4151 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4152 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4153 @item
4154 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4155 @item
4156 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4157 disabled.
4158 @item
4159 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4160 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4161 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4162 @end itemize
4163
4164 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4165 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4166
4167 @table @code
4168 @kindex disable
4169 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4170 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4171 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4172 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4173 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4174 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4175 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4176
4177 @kindex enable
4178 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4179 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4180 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4181
4182 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4183 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4184 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4185
4186 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4187 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4188 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4189 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4190 @end table
4191
4192 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4193 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4194 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4195 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4196 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4197 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4198 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4199 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4200 Stepping}.)
4201
4202 @node Conditions
4203 @subsection Break Conditions
4204 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4205 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4206
4207 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4208 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4209 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4210 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4211 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4212 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4213 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4214 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4215
4216 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4217 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4218 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4219 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4220 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4221
4222 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4223 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4224 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4225 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4226 one.
4227
4228 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4229 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4230 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4231 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4232 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4233 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4234 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4235 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4236 conditions for the
4237 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4238 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4239
4240 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4241 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4242 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4243 with the @code{condition} command.
4244
4245 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4246 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4247 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4248 catchpoint.
4249
4250 @table @code
4251 @kindex condition
4252 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4253 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4254 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4255 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4256 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4257 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4258 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4259 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4260 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4261 prints an error message:
4262
4263 @smallexample
4264 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4265 @end smallexample
4266
4267 @noindent
4268 @value{GDBN} does
4269 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4270 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4271 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4272
4273 @item condition @var{bnum}
4274 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4275 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4276 @end table
4277
4278 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4279 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4280 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4281 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4282 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4283 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4284 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4285 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4286 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4287 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4288 your program reaches it.
4289
4290 @table @code
4291 @kindex ignore
4292 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4293 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4294 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4295 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4296 takes no action.
4297
4298 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4299 a count of zero.
4300
4301 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4302 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4303 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4304 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4305
4306 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4307 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4308 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4309
4310 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4311 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4312 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4313 Variables}.
4314 @end table
4315
4316 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4317
4318
4319 @node Break Commands
4320 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4321
4322 @cindex breakpoint commands
4323 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4324 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4325 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4326 enable other breakpoints.
4327
4328 @table @code
4329 @kindex commands
4330 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4331 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4332 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4333 @itemx end
4334 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4335 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4336 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4337
4338 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4339 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4340
4341 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4342 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4343 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4344 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4345 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4346 @code{rbreak}, and also breakpoints set with @code{break} that have
4347 multiple locations.
4348 @end table
4349
4350 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4351 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4352
4353 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4354 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4355 that resumes execution.
4356
4357 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4358 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4359 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4360 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4361 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4362
4363 @kindex silent
4364 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4365 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4366 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4367 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4368 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4369 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4370
4371 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4372 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4373 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4374
4375 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4376 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4377
4378 @smallexample
4379 break foo if x>0
4380 commands
4381 silent
4382 printf "x is %d\n",x
4383 cont
4384 end
4385 @end smallexample
4386
4387 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4388 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4389 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4390 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4391 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4392 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4393 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4394
4395 @smallexample
4396 break 403
4397 commands
4398 silent
4399 set x = y + 4
4400 cont
4401 end
4402 @end smallexample
4403
4404 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4405 @node Error in Breakpoints
4406 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4407
4408 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4409 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4410
4411 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4412 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4413 @smallexample
4414 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4415 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4416 @end smallexample
4417
4418 @noindent
4419 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4420 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4421 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4422
4423 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4424 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4425
4426 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4427 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4428 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4429
4430 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4431 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4432 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4433 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4434
4435 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4436 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4437 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4438 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4439 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4440 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4441 first in the bundle.
4442
4443 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4444 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4445 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4446 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4447 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4448 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4449 is hit.
4450
4451 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4452 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4453
4454 @smallexample
4455 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4456 @end smallexample
4457
4458 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4459 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4460 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4461 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4462 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4463 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4464 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4465 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4466
4467 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4468 adjusted breakpoints:
4469
4470 @smallexample
4471 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4472 to 0x00010410.
4473 @end smallexample
4474
4475 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4476 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4477 frequently than expected.
4478
4479 @node Continuing and Stepping
4480 @section Continuing and Stepping
4481
4482 @cindex stepping
4483 @cindex continuing
4484 @cindex resuming execution
4485 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4486 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4487 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4488 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4489 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4490 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4491 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4492 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4493
4494 @table @code
4495 @kindex continue
4496 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4497 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4498 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4499 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4500 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4501 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4502 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4503 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4504 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4505 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4506
4507 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4508 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4509 @code{continue} is ignored.
4510
4511 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4512 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4513 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4514 @code{continue}.
4515 @end table
4516
4517 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4518 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4519 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4520 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4521
4522 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4523 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4524 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4525 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4526 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4527 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4528
4529 @table @code
4530 @kindex step
4531 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4532 @item step
4533 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4534 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4535 abbreviated @code{s}.
4536
4537 @quotation
4538 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4539 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4540 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4541 @c distinction here.
4542 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4543 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4544 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4545 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4546 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4547 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4548 below.
4549 @end quotation
4550
4551 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4552 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4553 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4554 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4555 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4556 called within the line.
4557
4558 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4559 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4560 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4561 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4562 was any debugging information about the routine.
4563
4564 @item step @var{count}
4565 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4566 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4567 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4568
4569 @kindex next
4570 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4571 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4572 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
4573 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
4574 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
4575 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
4576 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
4577 is abbreviated @code{n}.
4578
4579 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
4580
4581
4582 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
4583 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
4584 @c
4585 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
4586 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
4587 @c function are executed without stopping.
4588
4589 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
4590 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4591 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
4592
4593 @kindex set step-mode
4594 @item set step-mode
4595 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
4596 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
4597 @itemx set step-mode on
4598 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
4599 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
4600 information rather than stepping over it.
4601
4602 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
4603 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
4604 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
4605
4606 @item set step-mode off
4607 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
4608 debug information. This is the default.
4609
4610 @item show step-mode
4611 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
4612 source line debug information.
4613
4614 @kindex finish
4615 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
4616 @item finish
4617 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
4618 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
4619 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
4620
4621 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
4622 ,Returning from a Function}).
4623
4624 @kindex until
4625 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
4626 @cindex run until specified location
4627 @item until
4628 @itemx u
4629 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
4630 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
4631 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
4632 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
4633 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
4634 than the address of the jump.
4635
4636 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
4637 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
4638 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
4639 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
4640 through the next iteration.
4641
4642 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
4643 stack frame.
4644
4645 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
4646 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
4647 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
4648 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
4649 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4650
4651 @smallexample
4652 (@value{GDBP}) f
4653 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4654 206 expand_input();
4655 (@value{GDBP}) until
4656 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4657 @end smallexample
4658
4659 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4660 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4661 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4662 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4663 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4664 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4665 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4666
4667 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4668 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4669 argument.
4670
4671 @item until @var{location}
4672 @itemx u @var{location}
4673 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4674 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4675 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
4676 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
4677 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4678 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4679 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4680 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4681 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4682 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
4683 invocations have returned.
4684
4685 @smallexample
4686 94 int factorial (int value)
4687 95 @{
4688 96 if (value > 1) @{
4689 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
4690 98 @}
4691 99 return (value);
4692 100 @}
4693 @end smallexample
4694
4695
4696 @kindex advance @var{location}
4697 @itemx advance @var{location}
4698 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4699 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
4700 @ref{Specify Location}.
4701 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4702 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4703 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4704 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4705
4706
4707 @kindex stepi
4708 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4709 @item stepi
4710 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
4711 @itemx si
4712 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4713
4714 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4715 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4716 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4717 Display,, Automatic Display}.
4718
4719 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4720
4721 @need 750
4722 @kindex nexti
4723 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4724 @item nexti
4725 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
4726 @itemx ni
4727 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4728 proceed until the function returns.
4729
4730 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4731 @end table
4732
4733 @node Signals
4734 @section Signals
4735 @cindex signals
4736
4737 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
4738 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
4739 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
4740 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
4741 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
4742 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
4743 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
4744 requested an alarm).
4745
4746 @cindex fatal signals
4747 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
4748 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
4749 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
4750 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
4751 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
4752 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
4753
4754 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
4755 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
4756 signal.
4757
4758 @cindex handling signals
4759 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
4760 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
4761 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
4762 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
4763 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
4764
4765 @table @code
4766 @kindex info signals
4767 @kindex info handle
4768 @item info signals
4769 @itemx info handle
4770 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
4771 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
4772 the defined types of signals.
4773
4774 @item info signals @var{sig}
4775 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
4776
4777 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
4778
4779 @kindex handle
4780 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
4781 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
4782 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
4783 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
4784 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
4785 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
4786 say what change to make.
4787 @end table
4788
4789 @c @group
4790 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
4791 Their full names are:
4792
4793 @table @code
4794 @item nostop
4795 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
4796 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
4797
4798 @item stop
4799 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
4800 the @code{print} keyword as well.
4801
4802 @item print
4803 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
4804
4805 @item noprint
4806 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
4807 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
4808
4809 @item pass
4810 @itemx noignore
4811 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
4812 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
4813 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
4814
4815 @item nopass
4816 @itemx ignore
4817 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
4818 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
4819 @end table
4820 @c @end group
4821
4822 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
4823 program until you
4824 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
4825 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
4826 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
4827 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
4828 program sees that signal when you continue.
4829
4830 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
4831 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
4832 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
4833 erroneous signals.
4834
4835 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
4836 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
4837 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
4838 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
4839 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
4840 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
4841 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
4842 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4843 Program a Signal}.
4844
4845 @cindex extra signal information
4846 @anchor{extra signal information}
4847
4848 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
4849 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
4850 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
4851 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
4852 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
4853 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
4854 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
4855 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
4856 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
4857 system header.
4858
4859 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
4860 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
4861
4862 @smallexample
4863 @group
4864 (@value{GDBP}) continue
4865 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
4866 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
4867 69 *(int *)p = 0;
4868 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
4869 type = struct @{
4870 int si_signo;
4871 int si_errno;
4872 int si_code;
4873 union @{
4874 int _pad[28];
4875 struct @{...@} _kill;
4876 struct @{...@} _timer;
4877 struct @{...@} _rt;
4878 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
4879 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
4880 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
4881 @} _sifields;
4882 @}
4883 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
4884 type = struct @{
4885 void *si_addr;
4886 @}
4887 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
4888 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
4889 @end group
4890 @end smallexample
4891
4892 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
4893
4894 @node Thread Stops
4895 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
4896
4897 @cindex stopped threads
4898 @cindex threads, stopped
4899
4900 @cindex continuing threads
4901 @cindex threads, continuing
4902
4903 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
4904 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
4905 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
4906 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
4907 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
4908 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
4909 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
4910 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
4911 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
4912
4913 @menu
4914 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
4915 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
4916 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
4917 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
4918 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
4919 @end menu
4920
4921 @node All-Stop Mode
4922 @subsection All-Stop Mode
4923
4924 @cindex all-stop mode
4925
4926 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
4927 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
4928 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
4929 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
4930 underfoot.
4931
4932 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
4933 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
4934 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
4935
4936 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
4937 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
4938 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
4939 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
4940 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
4941 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
4942 stops.
4943
4944 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
4945 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
4946 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
4947 first thread completes whatever you requested.
4948
4949 @cindex automatic thread selection
4950 @cindex switching threads automatically
4951 @cindex threads, automatic switching
4952 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
4953 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
4954 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
4955 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
4956 thread.
4957
4958 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
4959 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
4960
4961 @table @code
4962 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
4963 @cindex scheduler locking mode
4964 @cindex lock scheduler
4965 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
4966 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
4967 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
4968 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
4969 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
4970 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
4971 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
4972 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
4973 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
4974 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
4975 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
4976 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
4977
4978 @item show scheduler-locking
4979 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
4980 @end table
4981
4982 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
4983 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
4984 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
4985 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
4986 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
4987 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
4988 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
4989 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
4990 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
4991 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
4992 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
4993 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
4994 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
4995 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
4996
4997 @table @code
4998 @kindex set schedule-multiple
4999 @item set schedule-multiple
5000 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5001 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5002 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5003 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5004 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5005 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5006
5007 @item show schedule-multiple
5008 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5009 multiple processes.
5010 @end table
5011
5012 @node Non-Stop Mode
5013 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5014
5015 @cindex non-stop mode
5016
5017 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5018 @c with more details.
5019
5020 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5021 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5022 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5023 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5024 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5025 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5026
5027 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5028 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5029 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5030 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5031 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5032 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5033 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5034 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5035 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5036 independently and simultaneously.
5037
5038 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5039 or attach to your program:
5040
5041 @smallexample
5042 # Enable the async interface.
5043 set target-async 1
5044
5045 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5046 set pagination off
5047
5048 # Finally, turn it on!
5049 set non-stop on
5050 @end smallexample
5051
5052 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5053
5054 @table @code
5055 @kindex set non-stop
5056 @item set non-stop on
5057 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5058 @item set non-stop off
5059 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5060 @kindex show non-stop
5061 @item show non-stop
5062 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5063 @end table
5064
5065 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5066 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5067 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5068 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5069 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5070 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5071 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5072 default.
5073
5074 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5075 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5076 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5077
5078 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5079 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5080 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5081 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5082 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5083
5084 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5085 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5086 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5087 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5088 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5089
5090 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5091
5092 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5093 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5094 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5095 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5096 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5097 previously current thread.
5098
5099 @node Background Execution
5100 @subsection Background Execution
5101
5102 @cindex foreground execution
5103 @cindex background execution
5104 @cindex asynchronous execution
5105 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5106
5107 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5108 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5109 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5110 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5111 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5112 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5113
5114 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5115 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5116 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5117
5118 @table @code
5119 @kindex set target-async
5120 @item set target-async on
5121 Enable asynchronous mode.
5122 @item set target-async off
5123 Disable asynchronous mode.
5124 @kindex show target-async
5125 @item show target-async
5126 Show the current target-async setting.
5127 @end table
5128
5129 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5130 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5131
5132 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5133 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5134 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5135 are:
5136
5137 @table @code
5138 @kindex run&
5139 @item run
5140 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5141
5142 @item attach
5143 @kindex attach&
5144 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5145
5146 @item step
5147 @kindex step&
5148 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5149
5150 @item stepi
5151 @kindex stepi&
5152 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5153
5154 @item next
5155 @kindex next&
5156 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5157
5158 @item nexti
5159 @kindex nexti&
5160 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5161
5162 @item continue
5163 @kindex continue&
5164 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5165
5166 @item finish
5167 @kindex finish&
5168 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5169
5170 @item until
5171 @kindex until&
5172 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5173
5174 @end table
5175
5176 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5177 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5178 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5179 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5180 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5181 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5182
5183 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5184 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5185
5186 @table @code
5187 @kindex interrupt
5188 @item interrupt
5189 @itemx interrupt -a
5190
5191 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5192 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5193 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5194 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5195 @end table
5196
5197 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5198 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5199
5200 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5201 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5202 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5203
5204 @table @code
5205 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5206 @cindex thread breakpoints
5207 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5208 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5209 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5210 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5211 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5212 specify some source line.
5213
5214 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5215 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5216 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5217 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5218 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5219
5220 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5221 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5222 program.
5223
5224 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5225 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5226 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5227
5228 @smallexample
5229 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5230 @end smallexample
5231
5232 @end table
5233
5234 @node Interrupted System Calls
5235 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5236
5237 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5238 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5239 @cindex premature return from system calls
5240 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5241 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5242 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5243 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5244 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5245 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5246 stop execution.
5247
5248 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5249 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5250 style anyways.
5251
5252 For example, do not write code like this:
5253
5254 @smallexample
5255 sleep (10);
5256 @end smallexample
5257
5258 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5259 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5260
5261 Instead, write this:
5262
5263 @smallexample
5264 int unslept = 10;
5265 while (unslept > 0)
5266 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5267 @end smallexample
5268
5269 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5270 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5271 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5272 @value{GDBN}.
5273
5274 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5275 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5276 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5277 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5278
5279
5280 @node Reverse Execution
5281 @chapter Running programs backward
5282 @cindex reverse execution
5283 @cindex running programs backward
5284
5285 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5286 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5287 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5288 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5289
5290 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5291 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5292 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5293 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5294 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5295 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5296
5297 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5298 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5299 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5300 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5301 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5302 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5303 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5304 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5305 prior values@footnote{
5306 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5307 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5308 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5309
5310 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5311 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5312 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5313 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5314 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5315 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5316 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5317 }.
5318
5319 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5320 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5321
5322 @table @code
5323 @kindex reverse-continue
5324 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5325 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5326 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5327 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5328 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5329 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5330 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5331
5332 @kindex reverse-step
5333 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5334 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5335 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5336 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5337
5338 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5339 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5340 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5341 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5342 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5343 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5344
5345 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5346 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5347
5348 @kindex reverse-stepi
5349 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5350 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5351 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5352 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5353 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5354 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5355 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5356
5357 @kindex reverse-next
5358 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5359 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5360 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5361 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5362 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5363 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5364 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5365 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5366 line of a function back to its return to its caller
5367 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5368
5369 @kindex reverse-nexti
5370 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
5371 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5372 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
5373 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
5374 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
5375 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
5376 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
5377 frame) is reached.
5378
5379 @kindex reverse-finish
5380 @item reverse-finish
5381 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
5382 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
5383 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
5384 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
5385
5386 @kindex set exec-direction
5387 @item set exec-direction
5388 Set the direction of target execution.
5389 @itemx set exec-direction reverse
5390 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
5391 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
5392 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
5393 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
5394 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
5395 @item set exec-direction forward
5396 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
5397 This is the default.
5398 @end table
5399
5400
5401 @node Process Record and Replay
5402 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
5403 @cindex process record and replay
5404 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
5405
5406 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
5407 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
5408 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
5409
5410 @cindex replay mode
5411 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
5412 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
5413 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
5414 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
5415 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
5416 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
5417 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
5418 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
5419 execution log.
5420
5421 @cindex record mode
5422 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
5423 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
5424 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
5425 for future replay.
5426
5427 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
5428 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
5429 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
5430 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
5431 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
5432 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
5433
5434 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
5435 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
5436 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
5437 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
5438
5439 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
5440 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
5441
5442 @table @code
5443 @kindex target record
5444 @kindex record
5445 @kindex rec
5446 @item target record
5447 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
5448 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
5449 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
5450 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
5451 the @kbd{target record} command.
5452
5453 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
5454
5455 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
5456 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
5457 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
5458 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
5459 doesn't support displaced stepping.
5460
5461 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
5462 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
5463 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
5464 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
5465 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
5466 support these two modes.
5467
5468 @kindex record stop
5469 @kindex rec s
5470 @item record stop
5471 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
5472 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
5473 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
5474
5475 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
5476 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
5477 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
5478 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
5479 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
5480
5481 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
5482 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
5483 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
5484 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
5485 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
5486
5487 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
5488 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
5489
5490 @kindex set record insn-number-max
5491 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
5492 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
5493
5494 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
5495 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
5496 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
5497 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
5498 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
5499 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
5500 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
5501 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
5502
5503 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
5504 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
5505 instructions is unlimited in this case.
5506
5507 @kindex show record insn-number-max
5508 @item show record insn-number-max
5509 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
5510
5511 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
5512 @item set record stop-at-limit
5513 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
5514 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
5515 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
5516 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
5517 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
5518 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
5519
5520 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
5521 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
5522
5523 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
5524 @item show record stop-at-limit
5525 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
5526
5527 @kindex info record
5528 @item info record
5529 Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
5530 in-memory execution log buffer, including:
5531
5532 @itemize @bullet
5533 @item
5534 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
5535 @item
5536 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
5537 @item
5538 Highest recorded instruction number.
5539 @item
5540 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
5541 @item
5542 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
5543 @item
5544 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
5545 @end itemize
5546
5547 @kindex record delete
5548 @kindex rec del
5549 @item record delete
5550 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
5551 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
5552 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
5553 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
5554 @end table
5555
5556
5557 @node Stack
5558 @chapter Examining the Stack
5559
5560 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
5561 stopped and how it got there.
5562
5563 @cindex call stack
5564 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
5565 is generated.
5566 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
5567 the arguments of the call,
5568 and the local variables of the function being called.
5569 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
5570 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
5571 stack}.
5572
5573 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
5574 stack allow you to see all of this information.
5575
5576 @cindex selected frame
5577 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
5578 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
5579 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
5580 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
5581 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
5582 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5583
5584 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
5585 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
5586 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
5587
5588 @menu
5589 * Frames:: Stack frames
5590 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
5591 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
5592 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
5593
5594 @end menu
5595
5596 @node Frames
5597 @section Stack Frames
5598
5599 @cindex frame, definition
5600 @cindex stack frame
5601 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
5602 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
5603 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
5604 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
5605 which the function is executing.
5606
5607 @cindex initial frame
5608 @cindex outermost frame
5609 @cindex innermost frame
5610 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
5611 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
5612 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
5613 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
5614 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
5615 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
5616 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
5617 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
5618
5619 @cindex frame pointer
5620 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
5621 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
5622 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
5623 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
5624 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
5625 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
5626
5627 @cindex frame number
5628 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
5629 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
5630 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
5631 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
5632 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
5633
5634 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
5635 @c underflow problems.
5636 @cindex frameless execution
5637 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
5638 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
5639 @smallexample
5640 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
5641 @end smallexample
5642 generates functions without a frame.)
5643 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
5644 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
5645 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
5646 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
5647 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
5648 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
5649 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
5650
5651 @table @code
5652 @kindex frame@r{, command}
5653 @cindex current stack frame
5654 @item frame @var{args}
5655 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
5656 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
5657 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
5658 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
5659
5660 @kindex select-frame
5661 @cindex selecting frame silently
5662 @item select-frame
5663 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
5664 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
5665 @code{frame}.
5666 @end table
5667
5668 @node Backtrace
5669 @section Backtraces
5670
5671 @cindex traceback
5672 @cindex call stack traces
5673 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
5674 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
5675 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
5676 stack.
5677
5678 @table @code
5679 @kindex backtrace
5680 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
5681 @item backtrace
5682 @itemx bt
5683 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
5684 frames in the stack.
5685
5686 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
5687 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
5688
5689 @item backtrace @var{n}
5690 @itemx bt @var{n}
5691 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
5692
5693 @item backtrace -@var{n}
5694 @itemx bt -@var{n}
5695 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
5696
5697 @item backtrace full
5698 @itemx bt full
5699 @itemx bt full @var{n}
5700 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
5701 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
5702 number of frames to print, as described above.
5703 @end table
5704
5705 @kindex where
5706 @kindex info stack
5707 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
5708 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
5709
5710 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
5711 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
5712 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
5713 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
5714 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
5715 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
5716 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
5717 multi-threaded program.
5718
5719 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
5720 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
5721 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
5722 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
5723 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
5724 line number.
5725
5726 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
5727 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
5728
5729 @smallexample
5730 @group
5731 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5732 at builtin.c:993
5733 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
5734 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
5735 at macro.c:71
5736 (More stack frames follow...)
5737 @end group
5738 @end smallexample
5739
5740 @noindent
5741 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
5742 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
5743 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
5744
5745 @noindent
5746 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
5747 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
5748 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
5749 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
5750 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
5751
5752 @cindex value optimized out, in backtrace
5753 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
5754 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
5755 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
5756 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
5757 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
5758 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
5759 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
5760 such a backtrace might look like:
5761
5762 @smallexample
5763 @group
5764 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5765 at builtin.c:993
5766 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<value optimized out>) at macro.c:242
5767 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<value optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
5768 at macro.c:71
5769 (More stack frames follow...)
5770 @end group
5771 @end smallexample
5772
5773 @noindent
5774 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
5775 shown as @samp{<value optimized out>}.
5776
5777 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
5778 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
5779 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
5780
5781 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
5782 @cindex program entry point
5783 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
5784 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
5785 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
5786 @code{main}@footnote{
5787 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
5788 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
5789 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
5790 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
5791 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
5792 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
5793
5794 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
5795 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
5796
5797 @table @code
5798 @item set backtrace past-main
5799 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
5800 @kindex set backtrace
5801 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
5802
5803 @item set backtrace past-main off
5804 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
5805 default.
5806
5807 @item show backtrace past-main
5808 @kindex show backtrace
5809 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
5810
5811 @item set backtrace past-entry
5812 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
5813 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
5814 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
5815 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
5816
5817 @item set backtrace past-entry off
5818 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
5819 application. This is the default.
5820
5821 @item show backtrace past-entry
5822 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
5823
5824 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
5825 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
5826 @cindex backtrace limit
5827 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
5828 unlimited.
5829
5830 @item show backtrace limit
5831 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
5832 @end table
5833
5834 @node Selection
5835 @section Selecting a Frame
5836
5837 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
5838 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
5839 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
5840 of the stack frame just selected.
5841
5842 @table @code
5843 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
5844 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
5845 @item frame @var{n}
5846 @itemx f @var{n}
5847 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
5848 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
5849 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
5850 @code{main}.
5851
5852 @item frame @var{addr}
5853 @itemx f @var{addr}
5854 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
5855 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
5856 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
5857 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
5858 switches between them.
5859
5860 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
5861 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
5862
5863 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
5864 pointer and a program counter.
5865
5866 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
5867 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
5868
5869 @kindex up
5870 @item up @var{n}
5871 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
5872 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
5873 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
5874
5875 @kindex down
5876 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
5877 @item down @var{n}
5878 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
5879 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
5880 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
5881 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
5882 @end table
5883
5884 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
5885 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
5886 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
5887 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
5888
5889 @need 1000
5890 For example:
5891
5892 @smallexample
5893 @group
5894 (@value{GDBP}) up
5895 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
5896 at env.c:10
5897 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
5898 @end group
5899 @end smallexample
5900
5901 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
5902 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
5903 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
5904 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
5905 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
5906 for details.
5907
5908 @table @code
5909 @kindex down-silently
5910 @kindex up-silently
5911 @item up-silently @var{n}
5912 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
5913 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
5914 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
5915 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
5916 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
5917 distracting.
5918 @end table
5919
5920 @node Frame Info
5921 @section Information About a Frame
5922
5923 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
5924 stack frame.
5925
5926 @table @code
5927 @item frame
5928 @itemx f
5929 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
5930 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
5931 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
5932 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
5933 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5934
5935 @kindex info frame
5936 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
5937 @item info frame
5938 @itemx info f
5939 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
5940 including:
5941
5942 @itemize @bullet
5943 @item
5944 the address of the frame
5945 @item
5946 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
5947 @item
5948 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
5949 @item
5950 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
5951 @item
5952 the address of the frame's arguments
5953 @item
5954 the address of the frame's local variables
5955 @item
5956 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
5957 @item
5958 which registers were saved in the frame
5959 @end itemize
5960
5961 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
5962 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
5963 the usual conventions.
5964
5965 @item info frame @var{addr}
5966 @itemx info f @var{addr}
5967 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
5968 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
5969 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
5970 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
5971 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5972
5973 @kindex info args
5974 @item info args
5975 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
5976
5977 @item info locals
5978 @kindex info locals
5979 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
5980 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
5981 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
5982
5983 @kindex info catch
5984 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
5985 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
5986 @item info catch
5987 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
5988 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
5989 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
5990 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
5991 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
5992
5993 @end table
5994
5995
5996 @node Source
5997 @chapter Examining Source Files
5998
5999 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6000 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6001 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6002 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6003 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6004 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6005 source files by explicit command.
6006
6007 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6008 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6009 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6010
6011 @menu
6012 * List:: Printing source lines
6013 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6014 * Edit:: Editing source files
6015 * Search:: Searching source files
6016 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6017 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6018 @end menu
6019
6020 @node List
6021 @section Printing Source Lines
6022
6023 @kindex list
6024 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6025 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6026 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6027 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6028 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6029
6030 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6031
6032 @table @code
6033 @item list @var{linenum}
6034 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6035 current source file.
6036
6037 @item list @var{function}
6038 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6039 @var{function}.
6040
6041 @item list
6042 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6043 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6044 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6045 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6046 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6047
6048 @item list -
6049 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6050 @end table
6051
6052 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6053 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6054 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6055
6056 @table @code
6057 @kindex set listsize
6058 @item set listsize @var{count}
6059 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6060 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6061
6062 @kindex show listsize
6063 @item show listsize
6064 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6065 @end table
6066
6067 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6068 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6069 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6070 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6071 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6072
6073 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6074 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6075 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6076 to specify some source line.
6077
6078 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6079
6080 @table @code
6081 @item list @var{linespec}
6082 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6083
6084 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6085 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6086 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6087 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6088 the same source file as the first linespec.
6089
6090 @item list ,@var{last}
6091 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6092
6093 @item list @var{first},
6094 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6095
6096 @item list +
6097 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6098
6099 @item list -
6100 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6101
6102 @item list
6103 As described in the preceding table.
6104 @end table
6105
6106 @node Specify Location
6107 @section Specifying a Location
6108 @cindex specifying location
6109 @cindex linespec
6110
6111 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6112 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6113 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6114 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6115
6116 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6117 @value{GDBN} understands:
6118
6119 @table @code
6120 @item @var{linenum}
6121 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6122
6123 @item -@var{offset}
6124 @itemx +@var{offset}
6125 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6126 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6127 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6128 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6129 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6130 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6131 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6132 linespec.
6133
6134 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6135 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6136
6137 @item @var{function}
6138 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6139 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6140
6141 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6142 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6143 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6144 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6145 functions in different source files.
6146
6147 @item *@var{address}
6148 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6149 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6150 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6151 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6152 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6153 source files.
6154
6155 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6156 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6157 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6158 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6159 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6160 of @var{address}:
6161
6162 @table @code
6163 @item @var{expression}
6164 Any expression valid in the current working language.
6165
6166 @item @var{funcaddr}
6167 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6168 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6169 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6170 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6171 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6172 (although the Pascal form also works).
6173
6174 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6175 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6176
6177 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6178 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6179 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6180 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6181 functions with identical names in different source files.
6182 @end table
6183
6184 @end table
6185
6186
6187 @node Edit
6188 @section Editing Source Files
6189 @cindex editing source files
6190
6191 @kindex edit
6192 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6193 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6194 The editing program of your choice
6195 is invoked with the current line set to
6196 the active line in the program.
6197 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6198 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6199
6200 @table @code
6201 @item edit @var{location}
6202 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6203 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6204 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6205 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6206 command most commonly used:
6207
6208 @table @code
6209 @item edit @var{number}
6210 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6211
6212 @item edit @var{function}
6213 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6214 @end table
6215
6216 @end table
6217
6218 @subsection Choosing your Editor
6219 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6220 @footnote{
6221 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6222 following command-line syntax:
6223 @smallexample
6224 ex +@var{number} file
6225 @end smallexample
6226 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6227 the file where to start editing.}.
6228 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6229 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6230 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6231 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6232 @smallexample
6233 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
6234 export EDITOR
6235 gdb @dots{}
6236 @end smallexample
6237 or in the @code{csh} shell,
6238 @smallexample
6239 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6240 gdb @dots{}
6241 @end smallexample
6242
6243 @node Search
6244 @section Searching Source Files
6245 @cindex searching source files
6246
6247 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6248 regular expression.
6249
6250 @table @code
6251 @kindex search
6252 @kindex forward-search
6253 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
6254 @itemx search @var{regexp}
6255 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6256 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
6257 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
6258 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
6259 @code{fo}.
6260
6261 @kindex reverse-search
6262 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
6263 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
6264 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
6265 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
6266 this command as @code{rev}.
6267 @end table
6268
6269 @node Source Path
6270 @section Specifying Source Directories
6271
6272 @cindex source path
6273 @cindex directories for source files
6274 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
6275 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
6276 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
6277 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
6278 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
6279 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
6280 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
6281
6282 For example, suppose an executable references the file
6283 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
6284 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
6285 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
6286 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
6287 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
6288 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
6289 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
6290 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
6291 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
6292 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
6293
6294 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
6295 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
6296 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
6297 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
6298 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
6299 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
6300
6301 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
6302 source files.
6303
6304 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
6305 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
6306 each line is in the file.
6307
6308 @kindex directory
6309 @kindex dir
6310 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
6311 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
6312 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
6313
6314 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
6315 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
6316
6317 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
6318 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
6319 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
6320 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
6321 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
6322 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
6323 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
6324 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
6325 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
6326 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
6327 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
6328 name to look up the sources.
6329
6330 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
6331 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
6332 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
6333 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
6334 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
6335 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
6336 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
6337 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
6338
6339 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
6340 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
6341 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
6342 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
6343 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
6344 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
6345 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
6346
6347 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
6348 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
6349 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
6350 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
6351 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
6352 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
6353 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
6354 command.
6355
6356 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
6357 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
6358 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
6359 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
6360 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
6361 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
6362 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
6363
6364 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
6365 @cindex default source path substitution
6366 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
6367 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
6368 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
6369 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
6370 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
6371 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
6372 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
6373 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
6374 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
6375 together.
6376
6377 @table @code
6378 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
6379 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
6380 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
6381 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
6382 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
6383 part of absolute file names) or
6384 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
6385 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
6386
6387 @kindex cdir
6388 @kindex cwd
6389 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
6390 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
6391 @cindex compilation directory
6392 @cindex current directory
6393 @cindex working directory
6394 @cindex directory, current
6395 @cindex directory, compilation
6396 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
6397 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
6398 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
6399 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
6400 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
6401 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
6402
6403 @item directory
6404 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
6405
6406 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
6407 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
6408
6409 @item show directories
6410 @kindex show directories
6411 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
6412
6413 @anchor{set substitute-path}
6414 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
6415 @kindex set substitute-path
6416 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
6417 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
6418 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
6419
6420 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
6421 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
6422
6423 @smallexample
6424 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
6425 @end smallexample
6426
6427 @noindent
6428 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
6429 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
6430 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
6431
6432 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
6433 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
6434 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
6435 the substitution.
6436
6437 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
6438
6439 @smallexample
6440 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
6441 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
6442 @end smallexample
6443
6444 @noindent
6445 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
6446 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
6447 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
6448 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
6449
6450
6451 @item unset substitute-path [path]
6452 @kindex unset substitute-path
6453 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
6454 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
6455 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
6456
6457 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
6458
6459 @item show substitute-path [path]
6460 @kindex show substitute-path
6461 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
6462 which would rewrite that path, if any.
6463
6464 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
6465 rules.
6466
6467 @end table
6468
6469 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
6470 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
6471 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
6472
6473 @enumerate
6474 @item
6475 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
6476
6477 @item
6478 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
6479 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
6480 directories in one command.
6481 @end enumerate
6482
6483 @node Machine Code
6484 @section Source and Machine Code
6485 @cindex source line and its code address
6486
6487 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
6488 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
6489 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
6490 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
6491 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
6492 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
6493 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
6494 well as hex.
6495
6496 @table @code
6497 @kindex info line
6498 @item info line @var{linespec}
6499 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
6500 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
6501 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
6502 @end table
6503
6504 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
6505 the object code for the first line of function
6506 @code{m4_changequote}:
6507
6508 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
6509 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
6510 @smallexample
6511 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
6512 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
6513 @end smallexample
6514
6515 @noindent
6516 @cindex code address and its source line
6517 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
6518 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
6519 @smallexample
6520 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
6521 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
6522 @end smallexample
6523
6524 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
6525 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
6526 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
6527 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
6528 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
6529 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
6530 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
6531 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
6532 Variables}).
6533
6534 @table @code
6535 @kindex disassemble
6536 @cindex assembly instructions
6537 @cindex instructions, assembly
6538 @cindex machine instructions
6539 @cindex listing machine instructions
6540 @item disassemble
6541 @itemx disassemble /m
6542 @itemx disassemble /r
6543 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
6544 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
6545 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
6546 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
6547 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
6548 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
6549 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
6550 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
6551 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
6552 arguments specify a range of addresses (first inclusive, second exclusive)
6553 to dump. In that case, the name of the function is also printed (since
6554 there could be several functions in the given range).
6555
6556 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
6557 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
6558
6559 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
6560 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
6561 @end table
6562
6563 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
6564 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
6565
6566 @smallexample
6567 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
6568 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
6569 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
6570 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
6571 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6572 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
6573 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
6574 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
6575 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
6576 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6577 End of assembler dump.
6578 @end smallexample
6579
6580 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
6581 program is stopped just after function prologue:
6582
6583 @smallexample
6584 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
6585 Dump of assembler code for function main:
6586 5 @{
6587 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
6588 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
6589 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
6590 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
6591 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
6592
6593 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
6594 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
6595 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
6596
6597 7 return 0;
6598 8 @}
6599 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
6600 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
6601 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
6602
6603 End of assembler dump.
6604 @end smallexample
6605
6606 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
6607 mnemonics or other syntax.
6608
6609 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
6610 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
6611 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
6612 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
6613 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
6614
6615 @table @code
6616 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
6617 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
6618 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
6619 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
6620 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
6621 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
6622
6623 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
6624 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
6625 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
6626 assemblers for x86-based targets.
6627
6628 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
6629 @item show disassembly-flavor
6630 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
6631 @end table
6632
6633 @table @code
6634 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
6635 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
6636 @item set disassemble-next-line
6637 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
6638 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
6639 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
6640 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
6641 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
6642 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
6643 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
6644 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
6645 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
6646 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
6647 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
6648 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
6649 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
6650 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
6651 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
6652 instruction.
6653 @end table
6654
6655
6656 @node Data
6657 @chapter Examining Data
6658
6659 @cindex printing data
6660 @cindex examining data
6661 @kindex print
6662 @kindex inspect
6663 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
6664 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
6665 @c different window or something like that.
6666 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
6667 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
6668 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
6669 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
6670 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
6671 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
6672
6673 @table @code
6674 @item print @var{expr}
6675 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
6676 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
6677 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
6678 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
6679 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
6680 Formats}.
6681
6682 @item print
6683 @itemx print /@var{f}
6684 @cindex reprint the last value
6685 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
6686 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
6687 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
6688 @end table
6689
6690 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
6691 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
6692 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
6693
6694 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
6695 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
6696 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
6697 Table}.
6698
6699 @menu
6700 * Expressions:: Expressions
6701 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
6702 * Variables:: Program variables
6703 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
6704 * Output Formats:: Output formats
6705 * Memory:: Examining memory
6706 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
6707 * Print Settings:: Print settings
6708 * Value History:: Value history
6709 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
6710 * Registers:: Registers
6711 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
6712 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
6713 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
6714 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
6715 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
6716 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
6717 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
6718 character set than GDB does
6719 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
6720 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
6721 @end menu
6722
6723 @node Expressions
6724 @section Expressions
6725
6726 @cindex expressions
6727 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
6728 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
6729 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
6730 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
6731 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
6732 you compiled your program to include this information; see
6733 @ref{Compilation}.
6734
6735 @cindex arrays in expressions
6736 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
6737 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
6738 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
6739 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
6740 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
6741 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
6742
6743 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
6744 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
6745 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
6746 languages.
6747
6748 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
6749 expressions regardless of your programming language.
6750
6751 @cindex casts, in expressions
6752 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
6753 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
6754 at that address in memory.
6755 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
6756
6757 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
6758 to programming languages:
6759
6760 @table @code
6761 @item @@
6762 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
6763 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
6764
6765 @item ::
6766 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
6767 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
6768
6769 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
6770 @cindex type casting memory
6771 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
6772 @cindex casts, to view memory
6773 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
6774 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
6775 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
6776 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
6777 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
6778 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
6779 @end table
6780
6781 @node Ambiguous Expressions
6782 @section Ambiguous Expressions
6783 @cindex ambiguous expressions
6784
6785 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
6786 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
6787 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
6788 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
6789 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
6790 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
6791 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
6792
6793 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
6794 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
6795 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
6796 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
6797 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
6798 as well.
6799
6800 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
6801 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
6802 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
6803 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
6804 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
6805 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
6806 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
6807 choices.
6808
6809 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
6810 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
6811 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
6812
6813 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
6814 @smallexample
6815 @group
6816 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
6817 [0] cancel
6818 [1] all
6819 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
6820 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
6821 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
6822 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
6823 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
6824 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
6825 > 2 4 6
6826 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
6827 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
6828 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
6829 Multiple breakpoints were set.
6830 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
6831 breakpoints.
6832 (@value{GDBP})
6833 @end group
6834 @end smallexample
6835
6836 @table @code
6837 @kindex set multiple-symbols
6838 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
6839 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
6840
6841 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
6842 is ambiguous.
6843
6844 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
6845 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
6846 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
6847 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
6848 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
6849 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
6850 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
6851 in the use of the menu.
6852
6853 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
6854 when an ambiguity is detected.
6855
6856 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
6857 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
6858
6859 @kindex show multiple-symbols
6860 @item show multiple-symbols
6861 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
6862 @end table
6863
6864 @node Variables
6865 @section Program Variables
6866
6867 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
6868 in your program.
6869
6870 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
6871 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
6872
6873 @itemize @bullet
6874 @item
6875 global (or file-static)
6876 @end itemize
6877
6878 @noindent or
6879
6880 @itemize @bullet
6881 @item
6882 visible according to the scope rules of the
6883 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
6884 @end itemize
6885
6886 @noindent This means that in the function
6887
6888 @smallexample
6889 foo (a)
6890 int a;
6891 @{
6892 bar (a);
6893 @{
6894 int b = test ();
6895 bar (b);
6896 @}
6897 @}
6898 @end smallexample
6899
6900 @noindent
6901 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
6902 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
6903 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
6904 the block where @code{b} is declared.
6905
6906 @cindex variable name conflict
6907 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
6908 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
6909 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
6910 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
6911 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
6912 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
6913 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
6914
6915 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
6916 @ifnotinfo
6917 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
6918 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
6919 @end ifnotinfo
6920 @smallexample
6921 @var{file}::@var{variable}
6922 @var{function}::@var{variable}
6923 @end smallexample
6924
6925 @noindent
6926 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
6927 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
6928 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
6929 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
6930
6931 @smallexample
6932 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
6933 @end smallexample
6934
6935 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
6936 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
6937 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
6938 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
6939 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
6940 @c conflict?? --mew
6941
6942 @cindex wrong values
6943 @cindex variable values, wrong
6944 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
6945 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
6946 @quotation
6947 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
6948 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
6949 scope, and just before exit.
6950 @end quotation
6951 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
6952 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
6953 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
6954 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
6955 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
6956 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
6957 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
6958 variable definitions may be gone.
6959
6960 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
6961 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
6962 when compiling.
6963
6964 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
6965 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
6966 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
6967 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
6968 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
6969 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
6970 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
6971
6972 @smallexample
6973 No symbol "foo" in current context.
6974 @end smallexample
6975
6976 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
6977 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
6978 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
6979 usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
6980 produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
6981 COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
6982 an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
6983 for Debugging Your Program or GCC, gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu}
6984 Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
6985 @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug info formats
6986 that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
6987
6988 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
6989 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
6990 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
6991 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
6992
6993 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
6994 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
6995 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
6996 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
6997 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
6998 For program code
6999
7000 @smallexample
7001 char var0[] = "A";
7002 signed char var1[] = "A";
7003 @end smallexample
7004
7005 You get during debugging
7006 @smallexample
7007 (gdb) print var0
7008 $1 = "A"
7009 (gdb) print var1
7010 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7011 @end smallexample
7012
7013 @node Arrays
7014 @section Artificial Arrays
7015
7016 @cindex artificial array
7017 @cindex arrays
7018 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7019 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7020 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7021 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7022 program.
7023
7024 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7025 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7026 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7027 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7028 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7029 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7030 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7031 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
7032 example. If a program says
7033
7034 @smallexample
7035 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
7036 @end smallexample
7037
7038 @noindent
7039 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
7040
7041 @smallexample
7042 p *array@@len
7043 @end smallexample
7044
7045 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
7046 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
7047 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
7048 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7049 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
7050
7051 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
7052 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
7053 The value need not be in memory:
7054 @smallexample
7055 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
7056 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7057 @end smallexample
7058
7059 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
7060 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
7061 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
7062 @smallexample
7063 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
7064 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7065 @end smallexample
7066
7067 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
7068 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
7069 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
7070 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
7071 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7072 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
7073 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
7074 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
7075 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
7076 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
7077
7078 @smallexample
7079 set $i = 0
7080 p dtab[$i++]->fv
7081 @key{RET}
7082 @key{RET}
7083 @dots{}
7084 @end smallexample
7085
7086 @node Output Formats
7087 @section Output Formats
7088
7089 @cindex formatted output
7090 @cindex output formats
7091 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
7092 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
7093 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
7094 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
7095 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
7096
7097 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
7098 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
7099 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
7100 letters supported are:
7101
7102 @table @code
7103 @item x
7104 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
7105 hexadecimal.
7106
7107 @item d
7108 Print as integer in signed decimal.
7109
7110 @item u
7111 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
7112
7113 @item o
7114 Print as integer in octal.
7115
7116 @item t
7117 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
7118 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
7119 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
7120 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
7121
7122 @item a
7123 @cindex unknown address, locating
7124 @cindex locate address
7125 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
7126 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
7127 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
7128
7129 @smallexample
7130 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
7131 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
7132 @end smallexample
7133
7134 @noindent
7135 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
7136 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
7137
7138 @item c
7139 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
7140 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
7141 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
7142 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
7143
7144 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
7145 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
7146 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
7147 data.
7148
7149 @item f
7150 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
7151 using typical floating point syntax.
7152
7153 @item s
7154 @cindex printing strings
7155 @cindex printing byte arrays
7156 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
7157 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
7158 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
7159 natural types.
7160
7161 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
7162 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
7163 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
7164 array.
7165
7166 @item r
7167 @cindex raw printing
7168 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
7169 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
7170 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
7171 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
7172 pretty-printer which might exist.
7173 @end table
7174
7175 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
7176
7177 @smallexample
7178 p/x $pc
7179 @end smallexample
7180
7181 @noindent
7182 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
7183 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
7184
7185 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
7186 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
7187 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
7188
7189 @node Memory
7190 @section Examining Memory
7191
7192 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
7193 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
7194
7195 @cindex examining memory
7196 @table @code
7197 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
7198 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
7199 @itemx x @var{addr}
7200 @itemx x
7201 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
7202 @end table
7203
7204 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
7205 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
7206 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
7207 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
7208 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
7209
7210 @table @r
7211 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
7212 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
7213 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
7214 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
7215 @c 4.1.2.
7216
7217 @item @var{f}, the display format
7218 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
7219 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
7220 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
7221 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
7222 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
7223
7224 @item @var{u}, the unit size
7225 The unit size is any of
7226
7227 @table @code
7228 @item b
7229 Bytes.
7230 @item h
7231 Halfwords (two bytes).
7232 @item w
7233 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
7234 @item g
7235 Giant words (eight bytes).
7236 @end table
7237
7238 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
7239 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. (For the @samp{s} and
7240 @samp{i} formats, the unit size is ignored and is normally not written.)
7241
7242 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
7243 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
7244 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
7245 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
7246 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
7247 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
7248 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
7249 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
7250 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
7251 a value from memory).
7252 @end table
7253
7254 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
7255 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
7256 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
7257 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
7258 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
7259
7260 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
7261 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
7262 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
7263 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
7264 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
7265
7266 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
7267 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
7268 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
7269 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
7270 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
7271 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
7272 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
7273 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
7274 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
7275
7276 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
7277 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
7278 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
7279 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
7280 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
7281 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
7282 for successive uses of @code{x}.
7283
7284 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
7285 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
7286
7287 @smallexample
7288 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
7289 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
7290 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
7291 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
7292 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
7293 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
7294 @end smallexample
7295
7296 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
7297 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
7298 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
7299 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
7300 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
7301 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
7302 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
7303 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
7304 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
7305
7306 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
7307 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
7308 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
7309
7310 @cindex remote memory comparison
7311 @cindex verify remote memory image
7312 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
7313 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
7314 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
7315 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
7316 situations.
7317
7318 @table @code
7319 @kindex compare-sections
7320 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
7321 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
7322 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
7323 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
7324 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
7325 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
7326 remote request.
7327 @end table
7328
7329 @node Auto Display
7330 @section Automatic Display
7331 @cindex automatic display
7332 @cindex display of expressions
7333
7334 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
7335 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
7336 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
7337 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
7338 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
7339 The automatic display looks like this:
7340
7341 @smallexample
7342 2: foo = 38
7343 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
7344 @end smallexample
7345
7346 @noindent
7347 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
7348 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
7349 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
7350 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
7351 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
7352 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
7353
7354 @table @code
7355 @kindex display
7356 @item display @var{expr}
7357 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
7358 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
7359
7360 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
7361
7362 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
7363 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
7364 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
7365 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
7366 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
7367
7368 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
7369 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
7370 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
7371 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
7372 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7373 @end table
7374
7375 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
7376 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
7377 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7378
7379 @table @code
7380 @kindex delete display
7381 @kindex undisplay
7382 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
7383 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7384 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
7385
7386 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
7387 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
7388
7389 @kindex disable display
7390 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7391 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
7392 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
7393 enabled again later.
7394
7395 @kindex enable display
7396 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7397 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
7398 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
7399
7400 @item display
7401 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
7402 done when your program stops.
7403
7404 @kindex info display
7405 @item info display
7406 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
7407 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
7408 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
7409 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
7410 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
7411 @end table
7412
7413 @cindex display disabled out of scope
7414 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
7415 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
7416 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
7417 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
7418 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
7419 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
7420 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
7421 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
7422 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
7423 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
7424
7425 @node Print Settings
7426 @section Print Settings
7427
7428 @cindex format options
7429 @cindex print settings
7430 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
7431 and symbols are printed.
7432
7433 @noindent
7434 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
7435
7436 @table @code
7437 @kindex set print
7438 @item set print address
7439 @itemx set print address on
7440 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
7441 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
7442 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
7443 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
7444 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
7445 @code{set print address on}:
7446
7447 @smallexample
7448 @group
7449 (@value{GDBP}) f
7450 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
7451 at input.c:530
7452 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7453 @end group
7454 @end smallexample
7455
7456 @item set print address off
7457 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
7458 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
7459
7460 @smallexample
7461 @group
7462 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
7463 (@value{GDBP}) f
7464 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
7465 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7466 @end group
7467 @end smallexample
7468
7469 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
7470 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
7471 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
7472 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
7473
7474 @kindex show print
7475 @item show print address
7476 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
7477 @end table
7478
7479 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
7480 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
7481 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
7482 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
7483 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
7484 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
7485 it prints a symbolic address:
7486
7487 @table @code
7488 @item set print symbol-filename on
7489 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
7490 @cindex symbol, source file and line
7491 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
7492 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7493
7494 @item set print symbol-filename off
7495 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
7496 default.
7497
7498 @item show print symbol-filename
7499 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
7500 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7501 @end table
7502
7503 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
7504 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
7505 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
7506
7507 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
7508 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
7509
7510 @table @code
7511 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
7512 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
7513 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
7514 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
7515 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
7516 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
7517
7518 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
7519 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
7520 symbolic address.
7521 @end table
7522
7523 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
7524 @cindex pointer, finding referent
7525 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
7526 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
7527 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
7528 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
7529 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
7530 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
7531
7532 @smallexample
7533 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
7534 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
7535 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
7536 @end smallexample
7537
7538 @quotation
7539 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
7540 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
7541 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
7542 @end quotation
7543
7544 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
7545
7546 @table @code
7547 @item set print array
7548 @itemx set print array on
7549 @cindex pretty print arrays
7550 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
7551 but uses more space. The default is off.
7552
7553 @item set print array off
7554 Return to compressed format for arrays.
7555
7556 @item show print array
7557 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
7558 arrays.
7559
7560 @cindex print array indexes
7561 @item set print array-indexes
7562 @itemx set print array-indexes on
7563 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
7564 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
7565 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
7566
7567 @item set print array-indexes off
7568 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
7569
7570 @item show print array-indexes
7571 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
7572 arrays.
7573
7574 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
7575 @cindex number of array elements to print
7576 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
7577 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
7578 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
7579 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
7580 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
7581 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
7582 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
7583
7584 @item show print elements
7585 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
7586 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
7587
7588 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
7589 @kindex set print frame-arguments
7590 @cindex printing frame argument values
7591 @cindex print all frame argument values
7592 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
7593 @cindex do not print frame argument values
7594 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
7595 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
7596 values are:
7597
7598 @table @code
7599 @item all
7600 The values of all arguments are printed.
7601
7602 @item scalars
7603 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
7604 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
7605 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
7606 only scalar arguments are shown:
7607
7608 @smallexample
7609 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
7610 at frame-args.c:23
7611 @end smallexample
7612
7613 @item none
7614 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
7615 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
7616
7617 @smallexample
7618 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
7619 at frame-args.c:23
7620 @end smallexample
7621 @end table
7622
7623 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
7624 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
7625 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
7626 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
7627 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
7628 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
7629 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
7630 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
7631 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
7632 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
7633
7634 @item show print frame-arguments
7635 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
7636
7637 @item set print repeats
7638 @cindex repeated array elements
7639 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
7640 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
7641 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
7642 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
7643 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
7644 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
7645 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
7646
7647 @item show print repeats
7648 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
7649 elements.
7650
7651 @item set print null-stop
7652 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
7653 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
7654 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
7655 contain only short strings.
7656 The default is off.
7657
7658 @item show print null-stop
7659 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
7660 @sc{null} character.
7661
7662 @item set print pretty on
7663 @cindex print structures in indented form
7664 @cindex indentation in structure display
7665 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
7666 per line, like this:
7667
7668 @smallexample
7669 @group
7670 $1 = @{
7671 next = 0x0,
7672 flags = @{
7673 sweet = 1,
7674 sour = 1
7675 @},
7676 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
7677 @}
7678 @end group
7679 @end smallexample
7680
7681 @item set print pretty off
7682 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
7683
7684 @smallexample
7685 @group
7686 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
7687 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
7688 @end group
7689 @end smallexample
7690
7691 @noindent
7692 This is the default format.
7693
7694 @item show print pretty
7695 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
7696
7697 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
7698 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
7699 @cindex octal escapes in strings
7700 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
7701 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
7702 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
7703 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
7704 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
7705
7706 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
7707 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
7708 international character sets, and is the default.
7709
7710 @item show print sevenbit-strings
7711 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
7712
7713 @item set print union on
7714 @cindex unions in structures, printing
7715 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
7716 and other unions. This is the default setting.
7717
7718 @item set print union off
7719 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
7720 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
7721 instead.
7722
7723 @item show print union
7724 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
7725 structures and other unions.
7726
7727 For example, given the declarations
7728
7729 @smallexample
7730 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
7731 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
7732 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
7733 Bug_forms;
7734
7735 struct thing @{
7736 Species it;
7737 union @{
7738 Tree_forms tree;
7739 Bug_forms bug;
7740 @} form;
7741 @};
7742
7743 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
7744 @end smallexample
7745
7746 @noindent
7747 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
7748
7749 @smallexample
7750 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
7751 @end smallexample
7752
7753 @noindent
7754 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
7755
7756 @smallexample
7757 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
7758 @end smallexample
7759
7760 @noindent
7761 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
7762 and in Pascal.
7763 @end table
7764
7765 @need 1000
7766 @noindent
7767 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
7768
7769 @table @code
7770 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
7771 @item set print demangle
7772 @itemx set print demangle on
7773 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
7774 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
7775 linkage. The default is on.
7776
7777 @item show print demangle
7778 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
7779
7780 @item set print asm-demangle
7781 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
7782 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
7783 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
7784 The default is off.
7785
7786 @item show print asm-demangle
7787 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
7788 or demangled form.
7789
7790 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
7791 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
7792 @kindex set demangle-style
7793 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
7794 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
7795 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
7796
7797 @table @code
7798 @item auto
7799 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
7800
7801 @item gnu
7802 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
7803 This is the default.
7804
7805 @item hp
7806 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
7807
7808 @item lucid
7809 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
7810
7811 @item arm
7812 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
7813 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
7814 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
7815 require further enhancement to permit that.
7816
7817 @end table
7818 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
7819
7820 @item show demangle-style
7821 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
7822
7823 @item set print object
7824 @itemx set print object on
7825 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
7826 @cindex display derived types
7827 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
7828 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
7829 the virtual function table.
7830
7831 @item set print object off
7832 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
7833 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
7834
7835 @item show print object
7836 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
7837
7838 @item set print static-members
7839 @itemx set print static-members on
7840 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
7841 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
7842
7843 @item set print static-members off
7844 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
7845
7846 @item show print static-members
7847 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
7848
7849 @item set print pascal_static-members
7850 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
7851 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
7852 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
7853 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
7854
7855 @item set print pascal_static-members off
7856 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
7857
7858 @item show print pascal_static-members
7859 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
7860
7861 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
7862 @item set print vtbl
7863 @itemx set print vtbl on
7864 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
7865 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
7866 @cindex VTBL display
7867 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
7868 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
7869 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
7870
7871 @item set print vtbl off
7872 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
7873
7874 @item show print vtbl
7875 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
7876 @end table
7877
7878 @node Value History
7879 @section Value History
7880
7881 @cindex value history
7882 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
7883 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
7884 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
7885 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
7886 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
7887 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
7888 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
7889 symbol table.
7890
7891 @cindex @code{$}
7892 @cindex @code{$$}
7893 @cindex history number
7894 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
7895 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
7896 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
7897 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
7898 history number.
7899
7900 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
7901 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
7902 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
7903 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
7904 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
7905 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
7906 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
7907
7908 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
7909 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
7910
7911 @smallexample
7912 p *$
7913 @end smallexample
7914
7915 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
7916 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
7917
7918 @smallexample
7919 p *$.next
7920 @end smallexample
7921
7922 @noindent
7923 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
7924 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
7925
7926 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
7927 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
7928
7929 @smallexample
7930 print x
7931 set x=5
7932 @end smallexample
7933
7934 @noindent
7935 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
7936 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
7937
7938 @table @code
7939 @kindex show values
7940 @item show values
7941 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
7942 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
7943 values} does not change the history.
7944
7945 @item show values @var{n}
7946 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
7947
7948 @item show values +
7949 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
7950 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
7951 @end table
7952
7953 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
7954 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
7955
7956 @node Convenience Vars
7957 @section Convenience Variables
7958
7959 @cindex convenience variables
7960 @cindex user-defined variables
7961 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
7962 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
7963 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
7964 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
7965 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
7966
7967 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
7968 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
7969 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7970 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
7971 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
7972
7973 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
7974 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
7975 For example:
7976
7977 @smallexample
7978 set $foo = *object_ptr
7979 @end smallexample
7980
7981 @noindent
7982 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
7983 @code{object_ptr}.
7984
7985 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
7986 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
7987 value with another assignment at any time.
7988
7989 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
7990 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
7991 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
7992 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
7993
7994 @table @code
7995 @kindex show convenience
7996 @cindex show all user variables
7997 @item show convenience
7998 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
7999 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
8000
8001 @kindex init-if-undefined
8002 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
8003 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
8004 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
8005 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
8006 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
8007 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
8008 override default values used in a command script.
8009
8010 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
8011 any side-effects do not occur.
8012 @end table
8013
8014 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
8015 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
8016 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
8017
8018 @smallexample
8019 set $i = 0
8020 print bar[$i++]->contents
8021 @end smallexample
8022
8023 @noindent
8024 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
8025
8026 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
8027 values likely to be useful.
8028
8029 @table @code
8030 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
8031 @item $_
8032 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
8033 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
8034 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
8035 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
8036 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
8037 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
8038 to the type of @code{$__}.
8039
8040 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
8041 @item $__
8042 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
8043 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
8044 to match the format in which the data was printed.
8045
8046 @item $_exitcode
8047 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
8048 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
8049 the program being debugged terminates.
8050
8051 @item $_siginfo
8052 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
8053 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
8054 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
8055 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
8056 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
8057 @end table
8058
8059 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
8060 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
8061 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
8062
8063 @cindex convenience functions
8064 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
8065 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
8066 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
8067 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
8068 @value{GDBN}.
8069
8070 @table @code
8071 @item help function
8072 @kindex help function
8073 @cindex show all convenience functions
8074 Print a list of all convenience functions.
8075 @end table
8076
8077 @node Registers
8078 @section Registers
8079
8080 @cindex registers
8081 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
8082 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
8083 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
8084 your machine.
8085
8086 @table @code
8087 @kindex info registers
8088 @item info registers
8089 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
8090 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8091
8092 @kindex info all-registers
8093 @cindex floating point registers
8094 @item info all-registers
8095 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
8096 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8097
8098 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
8099 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
8100 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
8101 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
8102 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
8103 @end table
8104
8105 @cindex stack pointer register
8106 @cindex program counter register
8107 @cindex process status register
8108 @cindex frame pointer register
8109 @cindex standard registers
8110 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
8111 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
8112 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
8113 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
8114 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
8115 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
8116 register that contains the processor status. For example,
8117 you could print the program counter in hex with
8118
8119 @smallexample
8120 p/x $pc
8121 @end smallexample
8122
8123 @noindent
8124 or print the instruction to be executed next with
8125
8126 @smallexample
8127 x/i $pc
8128 @end smallexample
8129
8130 @noindent
8131 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
8132 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
8133 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
8134 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
8135 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
8136 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
8137 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
8138
8139 @smallexample
8140 set $sp += 4
8141 @end smallexample
8142
8143 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
8144 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
8145 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
8146 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
8147 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
8148 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
8149 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
8150
8151 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
8152 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
8153 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
8154 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
8155 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
8156 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
8157 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
8158
8159 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
8160 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
8161 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
8162 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
8163 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
8164 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
8165 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
8166 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
8167 prints the data in both formats.
8168
8169 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
8170 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
8171 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
8172 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
8173 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
8174 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
8175 registers in @code{struct} notation:
8176
8177 @smallexample
8178 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
8179 $1 = @{
8180 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
8181 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
8182 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
8183 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
8184 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
8185 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
8186 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
8187 @}
8188 @end smallexample
8189
8190 @noindent
8191 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
8192 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
8193 value to a @code{struct} member:
8194
8195 @smallexample
8196 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
8197 @end smallexample
8198
8199 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
8200 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
8201 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
8202 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
8203 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
8204 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
8205
8206 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
8207 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
8208 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
8209 frame makes no difference.
8210
8211 @node Floating Point Hardware
8212 @section Floating Point Hardware
8213 @cindex floating point
8214
8215 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
8216 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
8217
8218 @table @code
8219 @kindex info float
8220 @item info float
8221 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
8222 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
8223 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
8224 the ARM and x86 machines.
8225 @end table
8226
8227 @node Vector Unit
8228 @section Vector Unit
8229 @cindex vector unit
8230
8231 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
8232 more information about the status of the vector unit.
8233
8234 @table @code
8235 @kindex info vector
8236 @item info vector
8237 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
8238 layout vary depending on the hardware.
8239 @end table
8240
8241 @node OS Information
8242 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
8243 @cindex OS information
8244
8245 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
8246 you debug your program.
8247
8248 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
8249 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
8250 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
8251 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
8252 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
8253 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
8254 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
8255 structure.
8256
8257 @table @code
8258 @item info udot
8259 @kindex info udot
8260 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
8261 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
8262 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
8263 the @code{examine} command.
8264 @end table
8265
8266 @cindex auxiliary vector
8267 @cindex vector, auxiliary
8268 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
8269 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
8270 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
8271 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
8272 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
8273 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
8274 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
8275 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
8276 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
8277 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
8278 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
8279
8280 @table @code
8281 @kindex info auxv
8282 @item info auxv
8283 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
8284 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
8285 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
8286 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
8287 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
8288 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
8289 an unrecognized tag.
8290 @end table
8291
8292 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating-system-specific information
8293 and display it to user, without interpretation. For remote targets,
8294 this functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
8295 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
8296
8297 @table @code
8298 @kindex info os processes
8299 @item info os processes
8300 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
8301 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, and
8302 the command corresponding to the process.
8303 @end table
8304
8305 @node Memory Region Attributes
8306 @section Memory Region Attributes
8307 @cindex memory region attributes
8308
8309 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
8310 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
8311 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
8312 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
8313 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
8314 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
8315 user can override the fetched regions.
8316
8317 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
8318 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
8319 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
8320 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
8321 all memory.
8322
8323 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
8324 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
8325
8326 @table @code
8327 @kindex mem
8328 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
8329 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
8330 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
8331 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
8332 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
8333 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
8334
8335 @item mem auto
8336 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
8337 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
8338
8339 @kindex delete mem
8340 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8341 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
8342 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
8343
8344 @kindex disable mem
8345 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8346 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8347 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
8348 It may be enabled again later.
8349
8350 @kindex enable mem
8351 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8352 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8353
8354 @kindex info mem
8355 @item info mem
8356 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
8357 for each region:
8358
8359 @table @emph
8360 @item Memory Region Number
8361 @item Enabled or Disabled.
8362 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
8363 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
8364
8365 @item Lo Address
8366 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
8367
8368 @item Hi Address
8369 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
8370
8371 @item Attributes
8372 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
8373 @end table
8374 @end table
8375
8376
8377 @subsection Attributes
8378
8379 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
8380 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
8381 write accesses to a memory region.
8382
8383 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
8384 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
8385 etc.@: from accessing memory.
8386
8387 @table @code
8388 @item ro
8389 Memory is read only.
8390 @item wo
8391 Memory is write only.
8392 @item rw
8393 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
8394 @end table
8395
8396 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
8397 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
8398 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
8399 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
8400 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
8401
8402 @table @code
8403 @item 8
8404 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
8405 @item 16
8406 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
8407 @item 32
8408 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
8409 @item 64
8410 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
8411 @end table
8412
8413 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
8414 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8415 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
8416 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
8417 @c
8418 @c @table @code
8419 @c @item hwbreak
8420 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
8421 @c @item swbreak (default)
8422 @c @end table
8423
8424 @subsubsection Data Cache
8425 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
8426 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
8427 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
8428 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
8429 registers.
8430
8431 @table @code
8432 @item cache
8433 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
8434 @item nocache
8435 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
8436 @end table
8437
8438 @subsection Memory Access Checking
8439 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
8440 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
8441 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
8442 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
8443
8444 @table @code
8445 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
8446 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
8447 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
8448 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
8449 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
8450 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
8451 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
8452 The default value is @code{on}.
8453 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
8454 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
8455 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
8456 @end table
8457
8458
8459 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
8460 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8461 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
8462 @c
8463 @c @table @code
8464 @c @item verify
8465 @c @item noverify (default)
8466 @c @end table
8467
8468 @node Dump/Restore Files
8469 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
8470 @cindex dump/restore files
8471 @cindex append data to a file
8472 @cindex dump data to a file
8473 @cindex restore data from a file
8474
8475 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
8476 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
8477 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
8478 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
8479 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
8480 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
8481 files.
8482
8483 @table @code
8484
8485 @kindex dump
8486 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8487 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8488 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8489 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
8490
8491 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
8492 @table @code
8493 @item binary
8494 Raw binary form.
8495 @item ihex
8496 Intel hex format.
8497 @item srec
8498 Motorola S-record format.
8499 @item tekhex
8500 Tektronix Hex format.
8501 @end table
8502
8503 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
8504 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
8505 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
8506 form.
8507
8508 @kindex append
8509 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8510 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8511 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8512 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
8513 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
8514
8515 @kindex restore
8516 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
8517 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
8518 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
8519 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
8520 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
8521
8522 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
8523 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
8524 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
8525 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
8526 from that location.
8527
8528 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
8529 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
8530 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
8531 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
8532
8533 @end table
8534
8535 @node Core File Generation
8536 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
8537 @cindex dump core from inferior
8538
8539 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
8540 image of a running process and its process status (register values
8541 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
8542 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
8543 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
8544 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
8545 the post-mortem debugging mode.
8546
8547 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
8548 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
8549 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
8550
8551 @table @code
8552 @kindex gcore
8553 @kindex generate-core-file
8554 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
8555 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
8556 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
8557 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
8558 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
8559 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
8560
8561 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
8562 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
8563 @end table
8564
8565 @node Character Sets
8566 @section Character Sets
8567 @cindex character sets
8568 @cindex charset
8569 @cindex translating between character sets
8570 @cindex host character set
8571 @cindex target character set
8572
8573 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
8574 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
8575 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
8576 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
8577 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
8578 @dfn{target character set}.
8579
8580 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
8581 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
8582 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
8583 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
8584 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
8585 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
8586 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
8587 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
8588 character and string literals in expressions.
8589
8590 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
8591 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
8592 target-charset} command, described below.
8593
8594 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
8595 support:
8596
8597 @table @code
8598 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
8599 @kindex set target-charset
8600 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
8601 list of supported target character sets, type
8602 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
8603
8604 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
8605 @kindex set host-charset
8606 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
8607
8608 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
8609 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
8610 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
8611 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
8612 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
8613
8614 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
8615 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
8616 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
8617
8618 @item set charset @var{charset}
8619 @kindex set charset
8620 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
8621 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
8622 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
8623 for both host and target.
8624
8625 @item show charset
8626 @kindex show charset
8627 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
8628
8629 @item show host-charset
8630 @kindex show host-charset
8631 Show the name of the current host character set.
8632
8633 @item show target-charset
8634 @kindex show target-charset
8635 Show the name of the current target character set.
8636
8637 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
8638 @kindex set target-wide-charset
8639 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
8640 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
8641 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
8642 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
8643
8644 @item show target-wide-charset
8645 @kindex show target-wide-charset
8646 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
8647 @end table
8648
8649 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
8650 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
8651 @file{charset-test.c}:
8652
8653 @smallexample
8654 #include <stdio.h>
8655
8656 char ascii_hello[]
8657 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
8658 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
8659 char ibm1047_hello[]
8660 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
8661 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
8662
8663 main ()
8664 @{
8665 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
8666 @}
8667 @end smallexample
8668
8669 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
8670 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
8671 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
8672
8673 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
8674
8675 @smallexample
8676 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
8677 $ gdb -nw charset-test
8678 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
8679 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
8680 @dots{}
8681 (@value{GDBP})
8682 @end smallexample
8683
8684 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
8685 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
8686 strings:
8687
8688 @smallexample
8689 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8690 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
8691 (@value{GDBP})
8692 @end smallexample
8693
8694 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
8695 initial character set:
8696 @smallexample
8697 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
8698 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8699 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
8700 (@value{GDBP})
8701 @end smallexample
8702
8703 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
8704 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
8705 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
8706 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
8707 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
8708
8709 @smallexample
8710 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
8711 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
8712 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
8713 $2 = 72 'H'
8714 (@value{GDBP})
8715 @end smallexample
8716
8717 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
8718 literals you use in expressions:
8719
8720 @smallexample
8721 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
8722 $3 = 43 '+'
8723 (@value{GDBP})
8724 @end smallexample
8725
8726 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
8727 character.
8728
8729 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
8730 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
8731 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
8732
8733 @smallexample
8734 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
8735 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
8736 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
8737 $5 = 200 '\310'
8738 (@value{GDBP})
8739 @end smallexample
8740
8741 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
8742 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
8743
8744 @smallexample
8745 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
8746 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
8747 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
8748 @end smallexample
8749
8750 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
8751 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
8752 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
8753 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
8754 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
8755
8756 @smallexample
8757 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
8758 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8759 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
8760 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
8761 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
8762 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
8763 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
8764 $7 = 72 '\110'
8765 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
8766 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
8767 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
8768 $9 = 200 'H'
8769 (@value{GDBP})
8770 @end smallexample
8771
8772 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
8773 string literals you use in expressions:
8774
8775 @smallexample
8776 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
8777 $10 = 78 '+'
8778 (@value{GDBP})
8779 @end smallexample
8780
8781 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
8782 character.
8783
8784 @node Caching Remote Data
8785 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
8786 @cindex caching data of remote targets
8787
8788 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
8789 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
8790 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
8791 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
8792 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
8793 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
8794 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
8795 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
8796 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
8797 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
8798 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
8799 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
8800 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
8801 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
8802 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
8803
8804 @table @code
8805 @kindex set remotecache
8806 @item set remotecache on
8807 @itemx set remotecache off
8808 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
8809 with old scripts.
8810
8811 @kindex show remotecache
8812 @item show remotecache
8813 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
8814
8815 @kindex set stack-cache
8816 @item set stack-cache on
8817 @itemx set stack-cache off
8818 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
8819 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
8820
8821 @kindex show stack-cache
8822 @item show stack-cache
8823 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
8824
8825 @kindex info dcache
8826 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
8827 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
8828 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
8829 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
8830 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
8831 operation.
8832
8833 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
8834 printed in hex.
8835 @end table
8836
8837 @node Searching Memory
8838 @section Search Memory
8839 @cindex searching memory
8840
8841 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
8842 @code{find} command.
8843
8844 @table @code
8845 @kindex find
8846 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
8847 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
8848 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
8849 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
8850 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
8851 @end table
8852
8853 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
8854 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
8855
8856 @table @r
8857 @item @var{s}, search query size
8858 The size of each search query value.
8859
8860 @table @code
8861 @item b
8862 bytes
8863 @item h
8864 halfwords (two bytes)
8865 @item w
8866 words (four bytes)
8867 @item g
8868 giant words (eight bytes)
8869 @end table
8870
8871 All values are interpreted in the current language.
8872 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
8873 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
8874
8875 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
8876 value's type in the current language.
8877 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
8878 pattern as a mixture of types.
8879 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
8880 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
8881 which is typically four bytes.
8882
8883 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
8884 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
8885 @end table
8886
8887 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
8888 (@code{"}).
8889 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
8890 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
8891
8892 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
8893 number of matches found.
8894
8895 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
8896 @samp{$_}.
8897 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
8898
8899 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
8900
8901 @smallexample
8902 void
8903 hello ()
8904 @{
8905 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
8906 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
8907 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
8908 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
8909 printf ("%s\n", hello);
8910 @}
8911 @end smallexample
8912
8913 @noindent
8914 you get during debugging:
8915
8916 @smallexample
8917 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
8918 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
8919 1 pattern found
8920 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
8921 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
8922 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
8923 2 patterns found
8924 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
8925 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
8926 1 pattern found
8927 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
8928 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
8929 1 pattern found
8930 (gdb) print $numfound
8931 $1 = 1
8932 (gdb) print $_
8933 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
8934 @end smallexample
8935
8936 @node Optimized Code
8937 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
8938 @cindex optimized code, debugging
8939 @cindex debugging optimized code
8940
8941 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
8942 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
8943 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
8944 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
8945 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
8946 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
8947 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
8948
8949 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
8950 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
8951 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
8952 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
8953
8954 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
8955 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
8956 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
8957 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
8958 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
8959 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
8960
8961 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
8962 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
8963 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
8964 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
8965 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
8966
8967 @menu
8968 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
8969 @end menu
8970
8971 @node Inline Functions
8972 @section Inline Functions
8973 @cindex inline functions, debugging
8974
8975 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
8976 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
8977 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
8978 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
8979 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
8980 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
8981 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
8982 @code{info frame} command.
8983
8984 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
8985 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
8986 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
8987 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
8988 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
8989 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
8990 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
8991 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
8992 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
8993 local variables in the caller.
8994
8995 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
8996 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
8997 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
8998 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
8999 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
9000 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
9001 instructions are executed.
9002
9003 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
9004 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
9005 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
9006 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
9007
9008 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
9009 function calls are the same as normal calls:
9010
9011 @itemize @bullet
9012 @item
9013 You cannot set breakpoints on inlined functions. @value{GDBN}
9014 either reports that there is no symbol with that name, or else sets the
9015 breakpoint only on non-inlined copies of the function. This limitation
9016 will be removed in a future version of @value{GDBN}; until then,
9017 set a breakpoint by line number on the first line of the inlined
9018 function instead.
9019
9020 @item
9021 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
9022 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
9023 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
9024 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
9025 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
9026 or inside the inlined function instead.
9027
9028 @item
9029 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
9030 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
9031 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
9032 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
9033
9034 @end itemize
9035
9036
9037 @node Macros
9038 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
9039
9040 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
9041 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
9042 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
9043 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
9044 where it was defined.
9045
9046 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
9047 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
9048 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
9049 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
9050
9051 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
9052 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
9053 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
9054 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
9055 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
9056 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
9057 see @ref{List}.
9058
9059 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
9060 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
9061 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
9062
9063 @table @code
9064
9065 @kindex macro expand
9066 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
9067 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
9068 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
9069 @item macro expand @var{expression}
9070 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
9071 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
9072 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
9073 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
9074 it can be any string of tokens.
9075
9076 @kindex macro exp1
9077 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
9078 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
9079 @cindex expand macro once
9080 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
9081 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
9082 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
9083 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
9084 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
9085 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
9086 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
9087 can be any string of tokens.
9088
9089 @kindex info macro
9090 @cindex macro definition, showing
9091 @cindex definition, showing a macro's
9092 @item info macro @var{macro}
9093 Show the definition of the macro named @var{macro}, and describe the
9094 source location or compiler command-line where that definition was established.
9095
9096 @kindex macro define
9097 @cindex user-defined macros
9098 @cindex defining macros interactively
9099 @cindex macros, user-defined
9100 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
9101 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
9102 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
9103 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
9104 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
9105 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
9106 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
9107 @var{arglist}.
9108
9109 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
9110 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
9111 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
9112 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
9113 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
9114
9115 @kindex macro undef
9116 @item macro undef @var{macro}
9117 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
9118 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
9119 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
9120 in the program being debugged.
9121
9122 @kindex macro list
9123 @item macro list
9124 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
9125 @end table
9126
9127 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
9128 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
9129 show our source files:
9130
9131 @smallexample
9132 $ cat sample.c
9133 #include <stdio.h>
9134 #include "sample.h"
9135
9136 #define M 42
9137 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9138
9139 main ()
9140 @{
9141 #define N 28
9142 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9143 #undef N
9144 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9145 #define N 1729
9146 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9147 @}
9148 $ cat sample.h
9149 #define Q <
9150 $
9151 @end smallexample
9152
9153 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
9154 We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
9155 compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
9156 information.
9157
9158 @smallexample
9159 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
9160 $
9161 @end smallexample
9162
9163 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
9164
9165 @smallexample
9166 $ gdb -nw sample
9167 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
9168 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9169 GDB is free software, @dots{}
9170 (@value{GDBP})
9171 @end smallexample
9172
9173 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
9174 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
9175 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
9176
9177 @smallexample
9178 (@value{GDBP}) list main
9179 3
9180 4 #define M 42
9181 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9182 6
9183 7 main ()
9184 8 @{
9185 9 #define N 28
9186 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9187 11 #undef N
9188 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9189 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
9190 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
9191 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9192 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
9193 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
9194 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
9195 #define Q <
9196 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
9197 expands to: (42 + 1)
9198 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
9199 expands to: once (M + 1)
9200 (@value{GDBP})
9201 @end smallexample
9202
9203 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
9204 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
9205 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
9206 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
9207
9208 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
9209 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
9210
9211 @smallexample
9212 (@value{GDBP}) break main
9213 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
9214 (@value{GDBP}) run
9215 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
9216
9217 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
9218 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9219 (@value{GDBP})
9220 @end smallexample
9221
9222 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
9223
9224 @smallexample
9225 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9226 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
9227 #define N 28
9228 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9229 expands to: 28 < 42
9230 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9231 $1 = 1
9232 (@value{GDBP})
9233 @end smallexample
9234
9235 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
9236 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
9237 thereof) in force at each point:
9238
9239 @smallexample
9240 (@value{GDBP}) next
9241 Hello, world!
9242 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9243 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9244 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
9245 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
9246 (@value{GDBP}) next
9247 We're so creative.
9248 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9249 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9250 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
9251 #define N 1729
9252 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9253 expands to: 1729 < 42
9254 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9255 $2 = 0
9256 (@value{GDBP})
9257 @end smallexample
9258
9259 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
9260 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
9261 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
9262 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
9263
9264 @smallexample
9265 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
9266 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
9267 -D__STDC__=1
9268 (@value{GDBP})
9269 @end smallexample
9270
9271
9272 @node Tracepoints
9273 @chapter Tracepoints
9274 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
9275 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
9276
9277 @cindex tracepoints
9278 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
9279 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
9280 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
9281 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
9282 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
9283 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
9284 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
9285
9286 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
9287 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
9288 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
9289 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
9290 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
9291 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
9292 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
9293 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
9294 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
9295 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
9296 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
9297
9298 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
9299 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
9300 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
9301 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
9302 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
9303 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
9304 Packets}.
9305
9306 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
9307 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
9308 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
9309
9310 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
9311
9312 @menu
9313 * Set Tracepoints::
9314 * Analyze Collected Data::
9315 * Tracepoint Variables::
9316 * Trace Files::
9317 @end menu
9318
9319 @node Set Tracepoints
9320 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
9321
9322 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
9323 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
9324 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
9325 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
9326 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
9327 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
9328 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
9329
9330 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
9331 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
9332 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
9333 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
9334 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
9335 tracepoint was hit.
9336
9337 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Conditional
9338 expressions and ignore counts on tracepoints have no effect, and
9339 tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN} commands when they are
9340 hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific either.
9341
9342 @cindex fast tracepoints
9343 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
9344 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
9345 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
9346
9347 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
9348 conditions and actions.
9349
9350 @menu
9351 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
9352 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
9353 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
9354 * Tracepoint Conditions::
9355 * Trace State Variables::
9356 * Tracepoint Actions::
9357 * Listing Tracepoints::
9358 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
9359 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
9360 @end menu
9361
9362 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
9363 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
9364
9365 @table @code
9366 @cindex set tracepoint
9367 @kindex trace
9368 @item trace @var{location}
9369 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
9370 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
9371 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
9372 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
9373 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
9374 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
9375 changing its actions doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
9376 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
9377 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts.
9378
9379 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
9380
9381 @smallexample
9382 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
9383
9384 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
9385
9386 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
9387
9388 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
9389
9390 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
9391 @end smallexample
9392
9393 @noindent
9394 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
9395
9396 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
9397 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
9398 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
9399 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
9400 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
9401 information on tracepoint conditions.
9402
9403 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9404 @cindex set fast tracepoint
9405 @kindex ftrace
9406 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
9407 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
9408 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
9409 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
9410 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
9411 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
9412 message.
9413
9414 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
9415 @code{trace}.
9416
9417 @vindex $tpnum
9418 @cindex last tracepoint number
9419 @cindex recent tracepoint number
9420 @cindex tracepoint number
9421 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
9422 of the most recently set tracepoint.
9423
9424 @kindex delete tracepoint
9425 @cindex tracepoint deletion
9426 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9427 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
9428 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
9429 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
9430
9431 Examples:
9432
9433 @smallexample
9434 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
9435
9436 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
9437 @end smallexample
9438
9439 @noindent
9440 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
9441 @end table
9442
9443 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9444 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9445
9446 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
9447
9448 @table @code
9449 @kindex disable tracepoint
9450 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9451 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
9452 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
9453 the next trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
9454 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
9455
9456 @kindex enable tracepoint
9457 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9458 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. The enabled
9459 tracepoints will become effective the next time a trace experiment is
9460 run.
9461 @end table
9462
9463 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
9464 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
9465
9466 @table @code
9467 @kindex passcount
9468 @cindex tracepoint pass count
9469 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
9470 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
9471 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
9472 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
9473 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
9474 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
9475 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
9476 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
9477 user.
9478
9479 Examples:
9480
9481 @smallexample
9482 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
9483 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
9484
9485 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
9486 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
9487 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
9488 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
9489 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
9490 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
9491 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
9492 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
9493 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
9494 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
9495 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
9496 @end smallexample
9497 @end table
9498
9499 @node Tracepoint Conditions
9500 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
9501 @cindex conditional tracepoints
9502 @cindex tracepoint conditions
9503
9504 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
9505 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
9506 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
9507 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
9508 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
9509 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
9510 is true.
9511
9512 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
9513 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
9514 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
9515 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
9516 just as with breakpoints.
9517
9518 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
9519 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
9520 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions}
9521 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
9522 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
9523 accesses, and so forth.
9524
9525 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
9526 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
9527 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
9528 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
9529 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
9530 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
9531 search through.
9532
9533 @smallexample
9534 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
9535 @end smallexample
9536
9537 @node Trace State Variables
9538 @subsection Trace State Variables
9539 @cindex trace state variables
9540
9541 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
9542 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
9543 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
9544 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
9545 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
9546 integers.
9547
9548 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
9549 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
9550 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
9551 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
9552
9553 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
9554 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
9555 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
9556 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
9557 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
9558 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
9559 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
9560 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
9561 variable with the same name.
9562
9563 @table @code
9564
9565 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
9566 @kindex tvariable
9567 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
9568 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
9569 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
9570 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
9571 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
9572 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
9573 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
9574 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
9575 value. The default initial value is 0.
9576
9577 @item info tvariables
9578 @kindex info tvariables
9579 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
9580 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
9581 currently running.
9582
9583 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
9584 @kindex delete tvariable
9585 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
9586 are specified.
9587
9588 @end table
9589
9590 @node Tracepoint Actions
9591 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
9592
9593 @table @code
9594 @kindex actions
9595 @cindex tracepoint actions
9596 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9597 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
9598 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
9599 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
9600 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
9601 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
9602 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
9603 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
9604 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect} and
9605 @code{while-stepping}.
9606
9607 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
9608 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
9609 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
9610
9611 @smallexample
9612 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
9613
9614 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
9615
9616 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
9617 @end smallexample
9618
9619 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
9620 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
9621 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
9622 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
9623 followed by the list of things to be collected while stepping. The
9624 @code{while-stepping} command is terminated by its own separate
9625 @code{end} command. Lastly, the action list is terminated by an
9626 @code{end} command.
9627
9628 @smallexample
9629 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
9630 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
9631 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
9632 > collect bar,baz
9633 > collect $regs
9634 > while-stepping 12
9635 > collect $fp, $sp
9636 > end
9637 end
9638 @end smallexample
9639
9640 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
9641 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
9642 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
9643 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
9644 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
9645 special arguments are supported:
9646
9647 @table @code
9648 @item $regs
9649 collect all registers
9650
9651 @item $args
9652 collect all function arguments
9653
9654 @item $locals
9655 collect all local variables.
9656 @end table
9657
9658 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
9659 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
9660 arguments separated by commas: the effect is the same.
9661
9662 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
9663 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
9664
9665 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
9666 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
9667 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
9668 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
9669 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
9670 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
9671 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
9672 action were used.
9673
9674 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
9675 @item while-stepping @var{n}
9676 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
9677 collecting new data at each instruction. The @code{while-stepping}
9678 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
9679 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
9680
9681 @smallexample
9682 > while-stepping 12
9683 > collect $regs, myglobal
9684 > end
9685 >
9686 @end smallexample
9687
9688 @noindent
9689 You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
9690 @code{stepping}.
9691
9692 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
9693 @kindex set default-collect
9694 @cindex default collection action
9695 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
9696 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
9697 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
9698 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
9699 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
9700 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
9701
9702 @item show default-collect
9703 @kindex show default-collect
9704 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
9705 tracepoint hit.
9706
9707 @end table
9708
9709 @node Listing Tracepoints
9710 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
9711
9712 @table @code
9713 @kindex info tracepoints
9714 @kindex info tp
9715 @cindex information about tracepoints
9716 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9717 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
9718 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
9719 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
9720 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
9721 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
9722
9723 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
9724 tracing:
9725
9726 @itemize @bullet
9727 @item
9728 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
9729 @item
9730 its step count as given by the @code{while-stepping @var{n}} command
9731 @item
9732 its action list as given by the @code{actions} command. The actions
9733 are prefixed with an @samp{A} so as to distinguish them from commands.
9734 @end itemize
9735
9736 @smallexample
9737 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
9738 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
9739 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
9740 pass count 1200
9741 step count 20
9742 A while-stepping 20
9743 A collect globfoo, $regs
9744 A end
9745 A collect globfoo2
9746 A end
9747 (@value{GDBP})
9748 @end smallexample
9749
9750 @noindent
9751 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
9752 @end table
9753
9754 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
9755 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
9756
9757 @table @code
9758 @kindex tstart
9759 @cindex start a new trace experiment
9760 @cindex collected data discarded
9761 @item tstart
9762 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
9763 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
9764 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
9765 experiment.
9766
9767 @kindex tstop
9768 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
9769 @item tstop
9770 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
9771 stops collecting data.
9772
9773 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
9774 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
9775 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
9776
9777 @kindex tstatus
9778 @cindex status of trace data collection
9779 @cindex trace experiment, status of
9780 @item tstatus
9781 This command displays the status of the current trace data
9782 collection.
9783 @end table
9784
9785 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
9786
9787 @smallexample
9788 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
9789 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
9790 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
9791 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
9792 > while-stepping 11
9793 > collect $regs
9794 > end
9795 > end
9796 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
9797 [time passes @dots{}]
9798 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
9799 @end smallexample
9800
9801 @cindex disconnected tracing
9802 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
9803 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
9804 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
9805 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
9806 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
9807 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
9808 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
9809 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
9810
9811 @table @code
9812 @item set disconnected-tracing on
9813 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
9814 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
9815 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
9816 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
9817 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
9818 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
9819 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
9820
9821 @item show disconnected-tracing
9822 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
9823 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
9824
9825 @end table
9826
9827 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
9828 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
9829 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
9830 it will continue after reconnection.
9831
9832 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
9833 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
9834 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
9835 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
9836 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
9837 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
9838 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
9839 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
9840 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
9841 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
9842
9843 @cindex circular trace buffer
9844 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
9845 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
9846 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
9847 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
9848 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
9849 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
9850 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
9851 @samp{circular_trace_buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
9852 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
9853 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
9854 the next run.
9855
9856 @table @code
9857 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
9858 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
9859 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
9860 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
9861 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
9862 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
9863 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
9864
9865 @item show circular-trace-buffer
9866 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
9867 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
9868 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
9869 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
9870 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
9871
9872 @end table
9873
9874 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
9875 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
9876
9877 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
9878 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
9879 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
9880 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
9881 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
9882 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
9883 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
9884 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
9885 mentioned here.
9886
9887 @itemize @bullet
9888
9889 @item
9890 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
9891 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
9892 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
9893 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
9894 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
9895 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
9896 cannot be collected either.
9897
9898 @item
9899 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
9900 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
9901 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
9902 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
9903 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
9904 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
9905 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
9906 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
9907 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
9908 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
9909
9910 @item
9911 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
9912 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
9913 in a misleading way.
9914
9915 @item
9916 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
9917 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
9918 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
9919 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
9920 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
9921 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
9922 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
9923 by @code{ptr}.
9924
9925 @item
9926 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
9927 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
9928 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*$esp@@300}
9929 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
9930 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
9931 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
9932 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
9933 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
9934 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
9935 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
9936 invalid address.
9937
9938 @end itemize
9939
9940 @node Analyze Collected Data
9941 @section Using the Collected Data
9942
9943 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
9944 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
9945 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
9946 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
9947 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
9948 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
9949 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
9950 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
9951 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
9952 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
9953 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
9954 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
9955 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
9956 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
9957 the buffer will fail.
9958
9959 @menu
9960 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
9961 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
9962 * save-tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
9963 @end menu
9964
9965 @node tfind
9966 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
9967
9968 @kindex tfind
9969 @cindex select trace snapshot
9970 @cindex find trace snapshot
9971 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
9972 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
9973 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
9974 snapshot is selected.
9975
9976 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
9977
9978 @table @code
9979 @item tfind start
9980 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
9981 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
9982
9983 @item tfind none
9984 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
9985
9986 @item tfind end
9987 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
9988
9989 @item tfind
9990 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
9991
9992 @item tfind -
9993 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
9994 retracing earlier steps.
9995
9996 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
9997 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
9998 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
9999 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
10000 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
10001
10002 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
10003 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
10004 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
10005 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
10006 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
10007
10008 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10009 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
10010 addresses (exclusive).
10011
10012 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10013 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
10014 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
10015
10016 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
10017 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
10018 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
10019 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
10020 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
10021 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
10022 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
10023 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
10024 @end table
10025
10026 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
10027 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
10028 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
10029 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
10030 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
10031 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
10032 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
10033 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
10034 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
10035 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
10036 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
10037 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
10038 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
10039 tracepoint as the current one.
10040
10041 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
10042 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
10043 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
10044 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
10045 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
10046
10047 @smallexample
10048 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10049 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10050 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
10051 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
10052 > tfind
10053 > end
10054
10055 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
10056 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
10057 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
10058 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
10059 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
10060 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
10061 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
10062 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
10063 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
10064 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
10065 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
10066 @end smallexample
10067
10068 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
10069 the buffer:
10070
10071 @smallexample
10072 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10073 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10074 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
10075 > tfind line
10076 > end
10077
10078 Frame 0, X = 1
10079 Frame 7, X = 2
10080 Frame 13, X = 255
10081 @end smallexample
10082
10083 @node tdump
10084 @subsection @code{tdump}
10085 @kindex tdump
10086 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
10087 @cindex tracepoint data, display
10088
10089 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
10090 the current trace snapshot.
10091
10092 @smallexample
10093 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
10094 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10095 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
10096 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
10097 > end
10098
10099 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10100
10101 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
10102 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
10103 at gdb_test.c:444
10104 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
10105
10106 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
10107 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
10108 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
10109 d1 0x18 24
10110 d2 0x80 128
10111 d3 0x33 51
10112 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
10113 d5 0x22 34
10114 d6 0xe0 224
10115 d7 0x380035 3670069
10116 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
10117 a1 0x3000668 50333288
10118 a2 0x100 256
10119 a3 0x322000 3284992
10120 a4 0x3000698 50333336
10121 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
10122 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
10123 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
10124 ps 0x0 0
10125 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
10126 fpcontrol 0x0 0
10127 fpstatus 0x0 0
10128 fpiaddr 0x0 0
10129 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
10130 p1 = (void *) 0x11
10131 p2 = (void *) 0x22
10132 p3 = (void *) 0x33
10133 p4 = (void *) 0x44
10134 p5 = (void *) 0x55
10135 p6 = (void *) 0x66
10136 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
10137
10138 (@value{GDBP})
10139 @end smallexample
10140
10141 @node save-tracepoints
10142 @subsection @code{save-tracepoints @var{filename}}
10143 @kindex save-tracepoints
10144 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
10145
10146 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
10147 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
10148 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
10149 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
10150 Files}).
10151
10152 @node Tracepoint Variables
10153 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
10154 @cindex tracepoint variables
10155 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
10156
10157 @table @code
10158 @vindex $trace_frame
10159 @item (int) $trace_frame
10160 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
10161 snapshot is selected.
10162
10163 @vindex $tracepoint
10164 @item (int) $tracepoint
10165 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
10166
10167 @vindex $trace_line
10168 @item (int) $trace_line
10169 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
10170
10171 @vindex $trace_file
10172 @item (char []) $trace_file
10173 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
10174
10175 @vindex $trace_func
10176 @item (char []) $trace_func
10177 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
10178 @end table
10179
10180 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
10181 use @code{output} instead.
10182
10183 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
10184 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
10185 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
10186 which are managed by the target.
10187
10188 @smallexample
10189 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10190
10191 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
10192 > output $trace_file
10193 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
10194 > tfind
10195 > end
10196 @end smallexample
10197
10198 @node Trace Files
10199 @section Using Trace Files
10200 @cindex trace files
10201
10202 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
10203 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
10204 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
10205 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
10206 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
10207
10208 @table @code
10209
10210 @kindex tsave
10211 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
10212 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
10213 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
10214 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
10215 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
10216 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
10217 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
10218 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
10219 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
10220
10221 @kindex target tfile
10222 @kindex tfile
10223 @item target tfile @var{filename}
10224 Use the file named @var{filename} as a source of trace data. Commands
10225 that examine data work as they do with a live target, but it is not
10226 possible to run any new trace experiments. @code{tstatus} will report
10227 the state of the trace run at the moment the data was saved, as well
10228 as the current trace frame you are examining. @var{filename} must be
10229 on a filesystem accessible to the host.
10230
10231 @end table
10232
10233 @node Overlays
10234 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
10235 @cindex overlays
10236
10237 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
10238 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
10239 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
10240 use overlays.
10241
10242 @menu
10243 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
10244 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
10245 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
10246 mapped by asking the inferior.
10247 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
10248 @end menu
10249
10250 @node How Overlays Work
10251 @section How Overlays Work
10252 @cindex mapped overlays
10253 @cindex unmapped overlays
10254 @cindex load address, overlay's
10255 @cindex mapped address
10256 @cindex overlay area
10257
10258 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
10259 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
10260 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
10261 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
10262 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
10263
10264 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
10265 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
10266 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
10267 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
10268 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
10269 largest overlay as well.
10270
10271 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
10272 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
10273 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
10274 there.
10275
10276 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
10277 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
10278 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
10279
10280 @smallexample
10281 @group
10282 Data Instruction Larger
10283 Address Space Address Space Address Space
10284 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
10285 | | | | | |
10286 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
10287 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
10288 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
10289 | and heap | | | | | |
10290 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
10291 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
10292 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
10293 | | | | | |
10294 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
10295 address | | | | | |
10296 | overlay | <-' | | |
10297 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
10298 | | <---. | | load address
10299 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
10300 | | | |
10301 +-----------+ | |
10302 +-----------+
10303 | |
10304 +-----------+
10305
10306 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
10307 @end group
10308 @end smallexample
10309
10310 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
10311 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
10312 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
10313 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
10314 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
10315 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
10316 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
10317 program and the overlay area.
10318
10319 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
10320 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
10321 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
10322 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
10323 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
10324 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
10325 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
10326
10327 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
10328 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
10329 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
10330
10331 @itemize @bullet
10332
10333 @item
10334 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
10335 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
10336 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
10337 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
10338
10339 @item
10340 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
10341 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
10342 your program's performance.
10343
10344 @item
10345 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
10346 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
10347 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
10348 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
10349 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
10350 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
10351 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
10352
10353 @item
10354 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
10355 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
10356 instruction and data spaces.
10357
10358 @end itemize
10359
10360 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
10361 improved in many ways:
10362
10363 @itemize @bullet
10364
10365 @item
10366 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
10367 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
10368 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
10369 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
10370 area in the usual way.
10371
10372 @item
10373 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
10374 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
10375
10376 @item
10377 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
10378 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
10379 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
10380 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
10381 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
10382 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
10383 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
10384
10385 @end itemize
10386
10387
10388 @node Overlay Commands
10389 @section Overlay Commands
10390
10391 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
10392 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
10393 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
10394 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
10395 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
10396 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
10397
10398 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
10399 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
10400
10401 @table @code
10402 @item overlay off
10403 @kindex overlay
10404 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
10405 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
10406 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
10407 overlay support is disabled.
10408
10409 @item overlay manual
10410 @cindex manual overlay debugging
10411 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
10412 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
10413 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
10414 commands described below.
10415
10416 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
10417 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
10418 @cindex map an overlay
10419 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
10420 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
10421 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
10422 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
10423 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
10424 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
10425
10426 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
10427 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
10428 @cindex unmap an overlay
10429 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
10430 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
10431 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
10432 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
10433
10434 @item overlay auto
10435 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
10436 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
10437 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
10438 Overlay Debugging}.
10439
10440 @item overlay load-target
10441 @itemx overlay load
10442 @cindex reloading the overlay table
10443 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
10444 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
10445 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
10446 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
10447 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
10448
10449 @item overlay list-overlays
10450 @itemx overlay list
10451 @cindex listing mapped overlays
10452 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
10453 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
10454
10455 @end table
10456
10457 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
10458 of the function the address falls in:
10459
10460 @smallexample
10461 (@value{GDBP}) print main
10462 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
10463 @end smallexample
10464 @noindent
10465 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
10466 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
10467 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
10468 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
10469
10470 @smallexample
10471 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
10472 No sections are mapped.
10473 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
10474 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
10475 @end smallexample
10476 @noindent
10477 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
10478 name normally:
10479
10480 @smallexample
10481 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
10482 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
10483 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
10484 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
10485 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
10486 @end smallexample
10487
10488 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
10489 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
10490 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
10491 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
10492 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
10493
10494 @itemize @bullet
10495 @item
10496 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
10497 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
10498 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
10499 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
10500 @item
10501 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
10502 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
10503 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
10504 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
10505 breakpoints properly.
10506 @end itemize
10507
10508
10509 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
10510 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
10511 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
10512
10513 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
10514 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
10515 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
10516 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
10517 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
10518 current state of the overlays.
10519
10520 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
10521 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
10522
10523 @table @asis
10524
10525 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
10526 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
10527
10528 @smallexample
10529 struct
10530 @{
10531 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
10532 unsigned long vma;
10533
10534 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
10535 unsigned long size;
10536
10537 /* The overlay's load address. */
10538 unsigned long lma;
10539
10540 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
10541 zero otherwise. */
10542 unsigned long mapped;
10543 @}
10544 @end smallexample
10545
10546 @item @code{_novlys}:
10547 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
10548 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
10549
10550 @end table
10551
10552 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
10553 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
10554 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
10555 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
10556 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
10557 currently mapped.
10558
10559 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
10560 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
10561 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
10562 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
10563 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
10564 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
10565 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
10566 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
10567 are not being executed.
10568
10569 @node Overlay Sample Program
10570 @section Overlay Sample Program
10571 @cindex overlay example program
10572
10573 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
10574 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
10575 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
10576 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
10577 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
10578 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
10579 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
10580
10581 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
10582 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
10583 suite. The program consists of the following files from
10584 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
10585
10586 @table @file
10587 @item overlays.c
10588 The main program file.
10589 @item ovlymgr.c
10590 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
10591 @item foo.c
10592 @itemx bar.c
10593 @itemx baz.c
10594 @itemx grbx.c
10595 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
10596 @item d10v.ld
10597 @itemx m32r.ld
10598 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
10599 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
10600 @end table
10601
10602 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
10603 cross-compiler like this:
10604
10605 @smallexample
10606 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
10607 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
10608 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
10609 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
10610 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
10611 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
10612 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
10613 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
10614 @end smallexample
10615
10616 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
10617 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
10618 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
10619
10620
10621 @node Languages
10622 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
10623 @cindex languages
10624
10625 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
10626 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
10627 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
10628 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
10629 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
10630 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
10631
10632 @cindex working language
10633 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
10634 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
10635 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
10636 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
10637 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
10638 language}.
10639
10640 @menu
10641 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
10642 * Show:: Displaying the language
10643 * Checks:: Type and range checks
10644 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
10645 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
10646 @end menu
10647
10648 @node Setting
10649 @section Switching Between Source Languages
10650
10651 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
10652 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
10653 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
10654 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
10655 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
10656 are printed, etc.
10657
10658 In addition to the working language, every source file that
10659 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
10660 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
10661 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
10662 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
10663 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
10664 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
10665 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
10666 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
10667 Displaying the Language}.
10668
10669 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
10670 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
10671 another language. In that case, make the
10672 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
10673 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
10674 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
10675
10676 @menu
10677 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
10678 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
10679 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
10680 @end menu
10681
10682 @node Filenames
10683 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
10684
10685 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
10686 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
10687
10688 @table @file
10689 @item .ada
10690 @itemx .ads
10691 @itemx .adb
10692 @itemx .a
10693 Ada source file.
10694
10695 @item .c
10696 C source file
10697
10698 @item .C
10699 @itemx .cc
10700 @itemx .cp
10701 @itemx .cpp
10702 @itemx .cxx
10703 @itemx .c++
10704 C@t{++} source file
10705
10706 @item .m
10707 Objective-C source file
10708
10709 @item .f
10710 @itemx .F
10711 Fortran source file
10712
10713 @item .mod
10714 Modula-2 source file
10715
10716 @item .s
10717 @itemx .S
10718 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
10719 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
10720 @end table
10721
10722 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
10723 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
10724
10725 @node Manually
10726 @subsection Setting the Working Language
10727
10728 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
10729 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
10730 your program.
10731
10732 @kindex set language
10733 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
10734 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
10735 a language, such as
10736 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
10737 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
10738
10739 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
10740 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
10741 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
10742 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
10743 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
10744 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
10745 command such as:
10746
10747 @smallexample
10748 print a = b + c
10749 @end smallexample
10750
10751 @noindent
10752 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
10753 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
10754 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
10755 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
10756
10757 @node Automatically
10758 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
10759
10760 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
10761 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
10762 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
10763 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
10764 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
10765 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
10766 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
10767 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
10768 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
10769
10770 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
10771 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
10772 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
10773 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
10774 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
10775
10776 @node Show
10777 @section Displaying the Language
10778
10779 The following commands help you find out which language is the
10780 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
10781
10782 @table @code
10783 @item show language
10784 @kindex show language
10785 Display the current working language. This is the
10786 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
10787 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
10788
10789 @item info frame
10790 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
10791 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
10792 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
10793 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
10794 information listed here.
10795
10796 @item info source
10797 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
10798 Display the source language of this source file.
10799 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
10800 information listed here.
10801 @end table
10802
10803 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
10804 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
10805 with a language explicitly:
10806
10807 @table @code
10808 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
10809 @kindex set extension-language
10810 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
10811 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
10812
10813 @item info extensions
10814 @kindex info extensions
10815 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
10816 @end table
10817
10818 @node Checks
10819 @section Type and Range Checking
10820
10821 @quotation
10822 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
10823 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
10824 section documents the intended facilities.
10825 @end quotation
10826 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
10827
10828 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
10829 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
10830 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
10831 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
10832 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
10833 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
10834 errors when your program is running.
10835
10836 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
10837 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
10838 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
10839 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
10840 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
10841 automatically based on your program's source language.
10842 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
10843 settings of supported languages.
10844
10845 @menu
10846 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
10847 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
10848 @end menu
10849
10850 @cindex type checking
10851 @cindex checks, type
10852 @node Type Checking
10853 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
10854
10855 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
10856 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
10857 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
10858 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
10859
10860 @smallexample
10861 1 + 2 @result{} 3
10862 @exdent but
10863 @error{} 1 + 2.3
10864 @end smallexample
10865
10866 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
10867 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
10868
10869 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
10870 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
10871 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
10872 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
10873 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
10874 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
10875 also issues a warning.
10876
10877 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
10878 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
10879 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
10880 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
10881 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
10882 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
10883
10884 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
10885 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
10886 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
10887 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
10888 operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
10889 details on specific languages.
10890
10891 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
10892
10893 @kindex set check type
10894 @kindex show check type
10895 @table @code
10896 @item set check type auto
10897 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
10898 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
10899 each language.
10900
10901 @item set check type on
10902 @itemx set check type off
10903 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
10904 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
10905 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
10906 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
10907 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
10908
10909 @item set check type warn
10910 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
10911 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
10912 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
10913 numbers and structures.
10914
10915 @item show type
10916 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
10917 is setting it automatically.
10918 @end table
10919
10920 @cindex range checking
10921 @cindex checks, range
10922 @node Range Checking
10923 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
10924
10925 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
10926 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
10927 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
10928 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
10929 not exceed the bounds of the array.
10930
10931 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
10932 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
10933 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
10934 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
10935
10936 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
10937 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
10938 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
10939 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
10940 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
10941 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
10942
10943 @smallexample
10944 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
10945 @end smallexample
10946
10947 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
10948 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
10949 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
10950
10951 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
10952
10953 @kindex set check range
10954 @kindex show check range
10955 @table @code
10956 @item set check range auto
10957 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
10958 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
10959 each language.
10960
10961 @item set check range on
10962 @itemx set check range off
10963 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
10964 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
10965 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
10966 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
10967
10968 @item set check range warn
10969 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
10970 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
10971 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
10972 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
10973 systems).
10974
10975 @item show range
10976 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
10977 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
10978 @end table
10979
10980 @node Supported Languages
10981 @section Supported Languages
10982
10983 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, Pascal,
10984 assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
10985 @c This is false ...
10986 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
10987 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
10988 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
10989 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
10990 language.
10991
10992 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
10993 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
10994 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
10995 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
10996 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
10997 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
10998 language reference or tutorial.
10999
11000 @menu
11001 * C:: C and C@t{++}
11002 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
11003 * Fortran:: Fortran
11004 * Pascal:: Pascal
11005 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
11006 * Ada:: Ada
11007 @end menu
11008
11009 @node C
11010 @subsection C and C@t{++}
11011
11012 @cindex C and C@t{++}
11013 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
11014
11015 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
11016 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
11017 together.
11018
11019 @cindex C@t{++}
11020 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
11021 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
11022 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
11023 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
11024 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
11025 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
11026 compiler (@code{aCC}).
11027
11028 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
11029 format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
11030 format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
11031 command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
11032 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
11033 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
11034
11035 @menu
11036 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
11037 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
11038 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
11039 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
11040 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
11041 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
11042 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
11043 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
11044 @end menu
11045
11046 @node C Operators
11047 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
11048
11049 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
11050
11051 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11052 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
11053 often defined on groups of types.
11054
11055 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
11056
11057 @itemize @bullet
11058
11059 @item
11060 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
11061 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
11062
11063 @item
11064 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
11065 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
11066
11067 @item
11068 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
11069
11070 @item
11071 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
11072
11073 @end itemize
11074
11075 @noindent
11076 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
11077 in order of increasing precedence:
11078
11079 @table @code
11080 @item ,
11081 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
11082 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
11083 expression being the last expression evaluated.
11084
11085 @item =
11086 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
11087 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
11088
11089 @item @var{op}=
11090 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
11091 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
11092 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
11093 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
11094 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
11095
11096 @item ?:
11097 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
11098 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
11099 integral type.
11100
11101 @item ||
11102 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11103
11104 @item &&
11105 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11106
11107 @item |
11108 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11109
11110 @item ^
11111 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11112
11113 @item &
11114 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11115
11116 @item ==@r{, }!=
11117 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
11118 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
11119
11120 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
11121 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
11122 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
11123 and non-zero for true.
11124
11125 @item <<@r{, }>>
11126 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
11127
11128 @item @@
11129 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
11130
11131 @item +@r{, }-
11132 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
11133 pointer types.
11134
11135 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
11136 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
11137 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
11138 integral types.
11139
11140 @item ++@r{, }--
11141 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
11142 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
11143 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
11144 operation takes place.
11145
11146 @item *
11147 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
11148 @code{++}.
11149
11150 @item &
11151 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
11152
11153 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
11154 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
11155 to examine the address
11156 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
11157 stored.
11158
11159 @item -
11160 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
11161 precedence as @code{++}.
11162
11163 @item !
11164 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11165 @code{++}.
11166
11167 @item ~
11168 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11169 @code{++}.
11170
11171
11172 @item .@r{, }->
11173 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
11174 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
11175 pointer based on the stored type information.
11176 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
11177
11178 @item .*@r{, }->*
11179 Dereferences of pointers to members.
11180
11181 @item []
11182 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
11183 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11184
11185 @item ()
11186 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11187
11188 @item ::
11189 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
11190 and @code{class} types.
11191
11192 @item ::
11193 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
11194 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
11195 above.
11196 @end table
11197
11198 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
11199 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
11200 predefined meaning.
11201
11202 @node C Constants
11203 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
11204
11205 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
11206
11207 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
11208 following ways:
11209
11210 @itemize @bullet
11211 @item
11212 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
11213 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
11214 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
11215 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
11216 @code{long} value.
11217
11218 @item
11219 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
11220 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
11221 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
11222 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
11223 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
11224 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
11225 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
11226 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
11227 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
11228 constant.
11229
11230 @item
11231 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
11232 integral equivalents.
11233
11234 @item
11235 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
11236 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
11237 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
11238 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
11239 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
11240 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
11241 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
11242 @samp{\n} for newline.
11243
11244 @item
11245 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
11246 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
11247 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
11248 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
11249 characters.
11250
11251 @item
11252 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
11253 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
11254
11255 @item
11256 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
11257 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
11258 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
11259 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
11260 @end itemize
11261
11262 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
11263 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
11264
11265 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
11266 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
11267
11268 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
11269 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
11270 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
11271 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
11272 @quotation
11273 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
11274 proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
11275 works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
11276 @value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
11277 @option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
11278 stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
11279 stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
11280 specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
11281 are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
11282 C@t{++} code.
11283 @end quotation
11284
11285 @enumerate
11286
11287 @cindex member functions
11288 @item
11289 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
11290
11291 @smallexample
11292 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
11293 @end smallexample
11294
11295 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
11296 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
11297 @item
11298 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
11299 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
11300 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
11301 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
11302
11303 @cindex call overloaded functions
11304 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
11305 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
11306 @item
11307 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
11308 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
11309 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
11310 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
11311 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
11312 default arguments.
11313
11314 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
11315 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
11316 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
11317 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
11318 number of function arguments.
11319
11320 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
11321 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
11322 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
11323
11324 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
11325 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
11326 @smallexample
11327 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
11328 @end smallexample
11329
11330 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
11331 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
11332
11333 @cindex reference declarations
11334 @item
11335 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
11336 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
11337 dereferenced.
11338
11339 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
11340 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
11341 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
11342 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
11343 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
11344
11345 @item
11346 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
11347 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
11348 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
11349 necessary, for example in an expression like
11350 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
11351 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
11352 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
11353 @end enumerate
11354
11355 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
11356 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
11357 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
11358 invoking user-defined operators.
11359
11360 @node C Defaults
11361 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
11362
11363 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
11364
11365 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
11366 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
11367 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
11368 selects the working language.
11369
11370 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
11371 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
11372 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
11373 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
11374 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
11375 for further details.
11376
11377 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
11378 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
11379 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
11380
11381 @node C Checks
11382 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
11383
11384 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
11385
11386 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
11387 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
11388 considers two variables type equivalent if:
11389
11390 @itemize @bullet
11391 @item
11392 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
11393 enumerated tag.
11394
11395 @item
11396 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
11397 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
11398
11399 @ignore
11400 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
11401 @c FIXME--beers?
11402 @item
11403 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
11404 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
11405 compilers.)
11406 @end ignore
11407 @end itemize
11408
11409 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
11410 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
11411 that is not itself an array.
11412
11413 @node Debugging C
11414 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
11415
11416 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
11417 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
11418 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
11419 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
11420
11421 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
11422 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
11423 ,Expressions}.
11424
11425 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
11426 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
11427
11428 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
11429
11430 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
11431 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
11432
11433 @table @code
11434 @cindex break in overloaded functions
11435 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
11436 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
11437 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
11438 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
11439 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
11440
11441 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
11442 @item rbreak @var{regex}
11443 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
11444 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
11445 classes.
11446 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
11447
11448 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
11449 @item catch throw
11450 @itemx catch catch
11451 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
11452 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
11453
11454 @cindex inheritance
11455 @item ptype @var{typename}
11456 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
11457 @var{typename}.
11458 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
11459
11460 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
11461 @item set print demangle
11462 @itemx show print demangle
11463 @itemx set print asm-demangle
11464 @itemx show print asm-demangle
11465 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
11466 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
11467 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11468
11469 @item set print object
11470 @itemx show print object
11471 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
11472 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11473
11474 @item set print vtbl
11475 @itemx show print vtbl
11476 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
11477 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11478 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
11479 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
11480
11481 @kindex set overload-resolution
11482 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
11483 @item set overload-resolution on
11484 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
11485 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
11486 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
11487 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
11488 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
11489 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
11490
11491 @item set overload-resolution off
11492 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
11493 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
11494 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
11495 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
11496 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
11497 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
11498 argument types.
11499
11500 @kindex show overload-resolution
11501 @item show overload-resolution
11502 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
11503
11504 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
11505 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
11506 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
11507 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
11508 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
11509 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
11510 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
11511 @end table
11512
11513 @node Decimal Floating Point
11514 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
11515 @cindex decimal floating point format
11516
11517 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
11518 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
11519 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
11520 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
11521
11522 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
11523 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
11524 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
11525 target.
11526
11527 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
11528 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
11529 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
11530
11531 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
11532 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
11533 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
11534
11535 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
11536 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
11537 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
11538
11539 @node Objective-C
11540 @subsection Objective-C
11541
11542 @cindex Objective-C
11543 This section provides information about some commands and command
11544 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
11545 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
11546 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
11547
11548 @menu
11549 * Method Names in Commands::
11550 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
11551 @end menu
11552
11553 @node Method Names in Commands
11554 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
11555
11556 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
11557 names as line specifications:
11558
11559 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
11560 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
11561 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
11562 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
11563 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
11564 @itemize
11565 @item @code{clear}
11566 @item @code{break}
11567 @item @code{info line}
11568 @item @code{jump}
11569 @item @code{list}
11570 @end itemize
11571
11572 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
11573
11574 @smallexample
11575 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
11576 @end smallexample
11577
11578 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
11579 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
11580 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
11581 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
11582 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
11583 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
11584 debugged, enter:
11585
11586 @smallexample
11587 break -[Fruit create]
11588 @end smallexample
11589
11590 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
11591 enter:
11592
11593 @smallexample
11594 list +[NSText initialize]
11595 @end smallexample
11596
11597 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
11598 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
11599 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
11600 is also possible to specify just a method name:
11601
11602 @smallexample
11603 break create
11604 @end smallexample
11605
11606 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
11607 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
11608 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
11609 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
11610 none apply.
11611
11612 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
11613 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
11614
11615 @smallexample
11616 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
11617 @end smallexample
11618
11619 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
11620 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
11621 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
11622 @kindex print-object
11623 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
11624
11625 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
11626
11627 @smallexample
11628 print -[@var{object} hash]
11629 @end smallexample
11630
11631 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
11632 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
11633 @noindent
11634 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
11635 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
11636 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
11637 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
11638 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
11639 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
11640
11641 @node Fortran
11642 @subsection Fortran
11643 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
11644
11645 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
11646 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
11647
11648 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
11649 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
11650 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
11651 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
11652 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
11653 underscore.
11654
11655 @menu
11656 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
11657 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
11658 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
11659 @end menu
11660
11661 @node Fortran Operators
11662 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
11663
11664 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
11665
11666 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11667 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
11668 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
11669
11670 @table @code
11671 @item **
11672 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
11673 of the second one.
11674
11675 @item :
11676 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
11677 represent a section of array.
11678
11679 @item %
11680 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
11681 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
11682 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
11683 union type.
11684 @end table
11685
11686 @node Fortran Defaults
11687 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
11688
11689 @cindex Fortran Defaults
11690
11691 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
11692 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
11693 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
11694 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
11695
11696 @node Special Fortran Commands
11697 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
11698
11699 @cindex Special Fortran commands
11700
11701 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
11702 such as displaying common blocks.
11703
11704 @table @code
11705 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
11706 @kindex info common
11707 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
11708 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
11709 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
11710 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
11711 printed.
11712 @end table
11713
11714 @node Pascal
11715 @subsection Pascal
11716
11717 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
11718 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
11719 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
11720 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
11721 syntax.
11722
11723 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
11724 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
11725 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
11726
11727 @node Modula-2
11728 @subsection Modula-2
11729
11730 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
11731
11732 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
11733 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
11734 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
11735 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
11736 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
11737 table.
11738
11739 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
11740 @menu
11741 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
11742 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
11743 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
11744 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
11745 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
11746 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
11747 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
11748 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
11749 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
11750 @end menu
11751
11752 @node M2 Operators
11753 @subsubsection Operators
11754 @cindex Modula-2 operators
11755
11756 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11757 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
11758 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
11759 following definitions hold:
11760
11761 @itemize @bullet
11762
11763 @item
11764 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
11765 their subranges.
11766
11767 @item
11768 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
11769
11770 @item
11771 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
11772
11773 @item
11774 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
11775 @var{type}}.
11776
11777 @item
11778 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
11779
11780 @item
11781 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
11782
11783 @item
11784 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
11785 @end itemize
11786
11787 @noindent
11788 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
11789 increasing precedence:
11790
11791 @table @code
11792 @item ,
11793 Function argument or array index separator.
11794
11795 @item :=
11796 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
11797 @var{value}.
11798
11799 @item <@r{, }>
11800 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
11801 types.
11802
11803 @item <=@r{, }>=
11804 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
11805 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
11806 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
11807
11808 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
11809 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
11810 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
11811 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
11812 comment character.
11813
11814 @item IN
11815 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
11816 Same precedence as @code{<}.
11817
11818 @item OR
11819 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
11820
11821 @item AND@r{, }&
11822 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
11823
11824 @item @@
11825 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
11826
11827 @item +@r{, }-
11828 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
11829 and difference on set types.
11830
11831 @item *
11832 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
11833 on set types.
11834
11835 @item /
11836 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
11837 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
11838
11839 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
11840 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
11841 precedence as @code{*}.
11842
11843 @item -
11844 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
11845
11846 @item ^
11847 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
11848
11849 @item NOT
11850 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
11851 @code{^}.
11852
11853 @item .
11854 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
11855 precedence as @code{^}.
11856
11857 @item []
11858 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
11859
11860 @item ()
11861 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
11862 as @code{^}.
11863
11864 @item ::@r{, }.
11865 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
11866 @end table
11867
11868 @quotation
11869 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
11870 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
11871 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
11872 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
11873 @end quotation
11874
11875
11876 @node Built-In Func/Proc
11877 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
11878 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
11879
11880 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
11881 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
11882
11883 @table @var
11884
11885 @item a
11886 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
11887
11888 @item c
11889 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
11890
11891 @item i
11892 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
11893
11894 @item m
11895 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
11896 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
11897 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
11898
11899 @item n
11900 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
11901
11902 @item r
11903 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
11904
11905 @item t
11906 represents a type.
11907
11908 @item v
11909 represents a variable.
11910
11911 @item x
11912 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
11913 explanation of the function for details.
11914 @end table
11915
11916 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
11917
11918 @table @code
11919 @item ABS(@var{n})
11920 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
11921
11922 @item CAP(@var{c})
11923 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
11924 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
11925
11926 @item CHR(@var{i})
11927 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
11928
11929 @item DEC(@var{v})
11930 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
11931
11932 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
11933 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
11934 new value.
11935
11936 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
11937 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
11938 set.
11939
11940 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
11941 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
11942
11943 @item HIGH(@var{a})
11944 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
11945
11946 @item INC(@var{v})
11947 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
11948
11949 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
11950 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
11951 new value.
11952
11953 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
11954 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
11955 there. Returns the new set.
11956
11957 @item MAX(@var{t})
11958 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
11959
11960 @item MIN(@var{t})
11961 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
11962
11963 @item ODD(@var{i})
11964 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
11965
11966 @item ORD(@var{x})
11967 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
11968 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
11969 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
11970 integral, character and enumerated types.
11971
11972 @item SIZE(@var{x})
11973 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
11974
11975 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
11976 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
11977
11978 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
11979 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
11980
11981 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
11982 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
11983 @end table
11984
11985 @quotation
11986 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
11987 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
11988 an error.
11989 @end quotation
11990
11991 @cindex Modula-2 constants
11992 @node M2 Constants
11993 @subsubsection Constants
11994
11995 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
11996 ways:
11997
11998 @itemize @bullet
11999
12000 @item
12001 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
12002 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
12003 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
12004 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
12005
12006 @item
12007 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
12008 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
12009 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
12010 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
12011 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
12012 digits.
12013
12014 @item
12015 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
12016 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
12017 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
12018 followed by a @samp{C}.
12019
12020 @item
12021 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
12022 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
12023 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
12024 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
12025 sequences.
12026
12027 @item
12028 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
12029
12030 @item
12031 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
12032 @code{FALSE}.
12033
12034 @item
12035 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
12036
12037 @item
12038 Set constants are not yet supported.
12039 @end itemize
12040
12041 @node M2 Types
12042 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
12043 @cindex Modula-2 types
12044
12045 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
12046 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
12047 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
12048 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
12049 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
12050 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
12051
12052 The first example contains the following section of code:
12053
12054 @smallexample
12055 VAR
12056 s: SET OF CHAR ;
12057 r: [20..40] ;
12058 @end smallexample
12059
12060 @noindent
12061 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
12062 @code{r} and @code{s}.
12063
12064 @smallexample
12065 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12066 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
12067 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12068 SET OF CHAR
12069 (@value{GDBP}) print r
12070 21
12071 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
12072 [20..40]
12073 @end smallexample
12074
12075 @noindent
12076 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
12077
12078 @smallexample
12079 VAR
12080 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
12081 @end smallexample
12082
12083 @noindent
12084 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
12085
12086 @smallexample
12087 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12088 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
12089 @end smallexample
12090
12091 @noindent
12092 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
12093 expressions using the debugger.
12094
12095 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
12096 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
12097
12098 @smallexample
12099 VAR
12100 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
12101 @end smallexample
12102
12103 @smallexample
12104 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12105 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
12106 @end smallexample
12107
12108 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
12109 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
12110 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
12111 above.
12112
12113 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
12114
12115 @smallexample
12116 TYPE
12117 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
12118 t = [blue..yellow] ;
12119 VAR
12120 s: t ;
12121 BEGIN
12122 s := blue ;
12123 @end smallexample
12124
12125 @noindent
12126 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
12127 and value of a variable.
12128
12129 @smallexample
12130 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12131 $1 = blue
12132 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
12133 type = [blue..yellow]
12134 @end smallexample
12135
12136 @noindent
12137 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
12138 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
12139 their @code{C} counterparts.
12140
12141 @smallexample
12142 VAR
12143 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12144 BEGIN
12145 s[1] := 1 ;
12146 @end smallexample
12147
12148 @smallexample
12149 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12150 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
12151 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12152 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12153 @end smallexample
12154
12155 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
12156 pointer types as shown in this example:
12157
12158 @smallexample
12159 VAR
12160 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12161 BEGIN
12162 NEW(s) ;
12163 s^[1] := 1 ;
12164 @end smallexample
12165
12166 @noindent
12167 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
12168
12169 @smallexample
12170 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12171 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12172 @end smallexample
12173
12174 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
12175 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
12176 types:
12177
12178 @smallexample
12179 TYPE
12180 foo = RECORD
12181 f1: CARDINAL ;
12182 f2: CHAR ;
12183 f3: myarray ;
12184 END ;
12185
12186 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
12187 myrange = [-2..2] ;
12188 VAR
12189 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
12190 @end smallexample
12191
12192 @noindent
12193 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
12194 below.
12195
12196 @smallexample
12197 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12198 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
12199 f1 : CARDINAL;
12200 f2 : CHAR;
12201 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
12202 END
12203 @end smallexample
12204
12205 @node M2 Defaults
12206 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
12207 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
12208
12209 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
12210 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
12211 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12212 selected the working language.
12213
12214 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
12215 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
12216 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
12217 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
12218
12219 @node Deviations
12220 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
12221 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
12222
12223 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
12224 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
12225
12226 @itemize @bullet
12227 @item
12228 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
12229 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
12230 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
12231 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
12232 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
12233 returned a pointer.)
12234
12235 @item
12236 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
12237 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
12238 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
12239 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
12240
12241 @item
12242 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
12243 argument.
12244
12245 @item
12246 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
12247 @end itemize
12248
12249 @node M2 Checks
12250 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
12251 @cindex Modula-2 checks
12252
12253 @quotation
12254 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
12255 range checking.
12256 @end quotation
12257 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
12258
12259 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
12260
12261 @itemize @bullet
12262 @item
12263 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
12264 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
12265
12266 @item
12267 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
12268 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
12269 @end itemize
12270
12271 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
12272 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
12273
12274 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
12275 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
12276
12277 @node M2 Scope
12278 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12279 @cindex scope
12280 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
12281 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
12282 @ifinfo
12283 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
12284 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
12285 @end ifinfo
12286 @ifnotinfo
12287 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
12288 @end ifnotinfo
12289
12290 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
12291 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
12292 similar syntax:
12293
12294 @smallexample
12295
12296 @var{module} . @var{id}
12297 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
12298 @end smallexample
12299
12300 @noindent
12301 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
12302 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
12303 identifier within your program, except another module.
12304
12305 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
12306 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
12307 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
12308 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
12309
12310 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
12311 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
12312 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
12313 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
12314 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
12315 @var{module}.
12316
12317 @node GDB/M2
12318 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
12319
12320 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
12321 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
12322 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
12323 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
12324 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
12325 analogue in Modula-2.
12326
12327 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
12328 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
12329 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
12330 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
12331 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
12332 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
12333
12334 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
12335 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
12336 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
12337
12338 @node Ada
12339 @subsection Ada
12340 @cindex Ada
12341
12342 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
12343 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
12344 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
12345 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
12346 to be difficult.
12347
12348
12349 @cindex expressions in Ada
12350 @menu
12351 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
12352 and semantics supported by Ada mode
12353 in @value{GDBN}.
12354 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
12355 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
12356 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
12357 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
12358 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
12359 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
12360 @end menu
12361
12362 @node Ada Mode Intro
12363 @subsubsection Introduction
12364 @cindex Ada mode, general
12365
12366 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
12367 syntax, with some extensions.
12368 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
12369
12370 @itemize @bullet
12371 @item
12372 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
12373 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
12374 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
12375 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
12376
12377 @item
12378 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
12379 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
12380
12381 @item
12382 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
12383 @end itemize
12384
12385 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
12386 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
12387 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
12388 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
12389 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
12390
12391 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
12392 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
12393 was translated from an Ada source file.
12394
12395 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
12396 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
12397 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
12398 middle (to allow based literals).
12399
12400 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
12401 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
12402 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
12403 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
12404 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
12405 functions to procedures elsewhere.
12406
12407 @node Omissions from Ada
12408 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
12409 @cindex Ada, omissions from
12410
12411 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
12412
12413 @itemize @bullet
12414 @item
12415 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
12416
12417 @itemize @minus
12418 @item
12419 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
12420 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
12421
12422 @item
12423 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
12424
12425 @item
12426 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
12427
12428 @item
12429 @t{'Tag}.
12430
12431 @item
12432 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
12433 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
12434
12435 @item
12436 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
12437 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
12438
12439 @item
12440 @t{'Address}.
12441 @end itemize
12442
12443 @item
12444 The names in
12445 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
12446 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
12447 not currently available.
12448
12449 @item
12450 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
12451 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
12452 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
12453 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
12454 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
12455 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
12456 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
12457 indeterminate values.
12458
12459 @item
12460 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
12461 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
12462 are not implemented.
12463
12464 @item
12465 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
12466 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
12467 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
12468 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
12469 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
12470
12471 @smallexample
12472 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
12473 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
12474 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
12475 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
12476 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
12477 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
12478 @end smallexample
12479
12480 Changing a
12481 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
12482 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
12483 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
12484 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
12485 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
12486 declared to have a type such as:
12487
12488 @smallexample
12489 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
12490 Id : Integer;
12491 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
12492 end record;
12493 @end smallexample
12494
12495 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
12496 assignments:
12497
12498 @smallexample
12499 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
12500 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
12501 @end smallexample
12502
12503 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
12504 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
12505 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
12506 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
12507 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
12508 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
12509 redundant component associations, although which component values are
12510 assigned in such cases is not defined.
12511
12512 @item
12513 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
12514
12515 @item
12516 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
12517 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
12518 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
12519 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
12520 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
12521 the proper resolution.
12522
12523 @item
12524 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
12525
12526 @item
12527 Entry calls are not implemented.
12528
12529 @item
12530 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
12531 formats are not supported.
12532
12533 @item
12534 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
12535
12536 @item
12537 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
12538 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
12539 context.
12540 Should your program
12541 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
12542 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
12543 @end itemize
12544
12545 @node Additions to Ada
12546 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
12547 @cindex Ada, deviations from
12548
12549 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
12550 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
12551
12552 @itemize @bullet
12553 @item
12554 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
12555 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
12556 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
12557 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
12558 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
12559 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
12560 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
12561 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
12562
12563 @item
12564 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
12565 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
12566 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
12567
12568 @item
12569 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
12570 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
12571
12572 @item
12573 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
12574 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
12575 @end itemize
12576
12577 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
12578 additions specific to Ada:
12579
12580 @itemize @bullet
12581 @item
12582 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
12583 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
12584
12585 @smallexample
12586 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
12587 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
12588 @end smallexample
12589
12590 @item
12591 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
12592 the value of its right-hand operand.
12593 This allows, for example,
12594 complex conditional breaks:
12595
12596 @smallexample
12597 (@value{GDBP}) break f
12598 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
12599 @end smallexample
12600
12601 @item
12602 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
12603 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
12604 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
12605 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
12606 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
12607 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
12608 in strings. For example,
12609 @smallexample
12610 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
12611 @end smallexample
12612 @noindent
12613 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
12614 after each period.
12615
12616 @item
12617 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
12618 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
12619 to write
12620
12621 @smallexample
12622 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
12623 @end smallexample
12624
12625 @item
12626 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
12627 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
12628 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
12629 of 3 might print as
12630
12631 @smallexample
12632 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
12633 @end smallexample
12634
12635 @noindent
12636 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
12637 clause.
12638
12639 @item
12640 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
12641 multi-character subsequence of
12642 their names (an exact match gets preference).
12643 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
12644 in place of @t{a'length}.
12645
12646 @item
12647 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
12648 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
12649 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
12650 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
12651 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
12652 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
12653 For example,
12654 @smallexample
12655 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
12656 @end smallexample
12657
12658 @item
12659 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
12660 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
12661 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
12662 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
12663 object.
12664
12665 @end itemize
12666
12667 @node Stopping Before Main Program
12668 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
12669
12670 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
12671 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
12672 before reaching the main procedure.
12673 As defined in the Ada Reference
12674 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
12675 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
12676 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
12677 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
12678
12679 @node Ada Tasks
12680 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
12681 @cindex Ada, tasking
12682
12683 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
12684 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
12685
12686 @table @code
12687 @kindex info tasks
12688 @item info tasks
12689 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
12690
12691
12692 @smallexample
12693 @iftex
12694 @leftskip=0.5cm
12695 @end iftex
12696 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12697 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12698 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12699 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
12700 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
12701 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
12702
12703 @end smallexample
12704
12705 @noindent
12706 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
12707 task currently being inspected.
12708
12709 @table @asis
12710 @item ID
12711 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
12712
12713 @item TID
12714 The Ada task ID.
12715
12716 @item P-ID
12717 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
12718
12719 @item Pri
12720 The base priority of the task.
12721
12722 @item State
12723 Current state of the task.
12724
12725 @table @code
12726 @item Unactivated
12727 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
12728 executing.
12729
12730 @item Runnable
12731 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
12732 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
12733
12734 @item Terminated
12735 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
12736 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
12737 terminated themselves.
12738
12739 @item Child Activation Wait
12740 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
12741
12742 @item Accept Statement
12743 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
12744
12745 @item Waiting on entry call
12746 The task is waiting on an entry call.
12747
12748 @item Async Select Wait
12749 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
12750 select statement.
12751
12752 @item Delay Sleep
12753 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
12754 alternative open.
12755
12756 @item Child Termination Wait
12757 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
12758 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
12759 waiting on a terminate Phase.
12760
12761 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
12762 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
12763 finish terminating.
12764
12765 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
12766 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
12767 @end table
12768
12769 @item Name
12770 Name of the task in the program.
12771
12772 @end table
12773
12774 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
12775 @item info task @var{taskno}
12776 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
12777 the following example:
12778 @smallexample
12779 @iftex
12780 @leftskip=0.5cm
12781 @end iftex
12782 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12783 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12784 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12785 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
12786 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
12787 Ada Task: 0x807c468
12788 Name: task_1
12789 Thread: 0x807f378
12790 Parent: 1 (main_task)
12791 Base Priority: 15
12792 State: Runnable
12793 @end smallexample
12794
12795 @item task
12796 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
12797 @cindex current Ada task ID
12798 This command prints the ID of the current task.
12799
12800 @smallexample
12801 @iftex
12802 @leftskip=0.5cm
12803 @end iftex
12804 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12805 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12806 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12807 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
12808 (@value{GDBP}) task
12809 [Current task is 2]
12810 @end smallexample
12811
12812 @item task @var{taskno}
12813 @cindex Ada task switching
12814 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
12815 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
12816 from the current task to the given task.
12817
12818 @smallexample
12819 @iftex
12820 @leftskip=0.5cm
12821 @end iftex
12822 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12823 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12824 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12825 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
12826 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
12827 [Switching to task 1]
12828 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
12829 (@value{GDBP}) bt
12830 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
12831 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
12832 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
12833 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
12834 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
12835 @end smallexample
12836
12837 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
12838 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
12839 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
12840 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
12841 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
12842 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
12843 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
12844 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
12845 in @ref{Specify Location}.
12846
12847 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
12848 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
12849 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
12850 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
12851 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
12852
12853 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
12854 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
12855 program.
12856
12857 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
12858 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
12859 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
12860
12861 For example,
12862
12863 @smallexample
12864 @iftex
12865 @leftskip=0.5cm
12866 @end iftex
12867 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12868 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12869 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12870 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
12871 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
12872 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
12873 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
12874 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
12875 (@value{GDBP}) cont
12876 Continuing.
12877 task # 1 running
12878 task # 2 running
12879
12880 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
12881 15 flush;
12882 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12883 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12884 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12885 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
12886 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
12887 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
12888 @end smallexample
12889 @end table
12890
12891 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
12892 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
12893 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
12894
12895 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
12896 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
12897 the platform being used.
12898 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
12899 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
12900 as usual.
12901
12902 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
12903 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
12904 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
12905 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
12906 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
12907 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
12908
12909 @node Ada Glitches
12910 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
12911 @cindex Ada, problems
12912
12913 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
12914 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
12915 @value{GDBN},
12916 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
12917 and the GNU Ada compiler.
12918
12919 @itemize @bullet
12920 @item
12921 Currently, the debugger
12922 has insufficient information to determine whether certain pointers represent
12923 pointers to objects or the objects themselves.
12924 Thus, the user may have to tack an extra @code{.all} after an expression
12925 to get it printed properly.
12926
12927 @item
12928 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
12929 storage are invisible to the debugger.
12930
12931 @item
12932 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
12933 argument lists are treated as positional).
12934
12935 @item
12936 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
12937
12938 @item
12939 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
12940 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
12941 the host machine.
12942
12943 @item
12944 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
12945 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
12946 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
12947 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
12948 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
12949 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
12950 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
12951 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
12952 you can usually resolve the confusion
12953 by qualifying the problematic names with package
12954 @code{Standard} explicitly.
12955 @end itemize
12956
12957 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
12958 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
12959 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
12960 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
12961 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
12962 enabled.
12963
12964 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
12965 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
12966 @table @code
12967
12968 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
12969 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
12970 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
12971 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
12972 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
12973 This is the default.
12974
12975 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
12976 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
12977 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
12978 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
12979 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
12980 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
12981 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
12982
12983 @end table
12984
12985 @node Unsupported Languages
12986 @section Unsupported Languages
12987
12988 @cindex unsupported languages
12989 @cindex minimal language
12990 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
12991 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
12992 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
12993 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
12994 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
12995 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
12996
12997 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
12998 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
12999 language.
13000
13001 @node Symbols
13002 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
13003
13004 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
13005 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
13006 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
13007 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
13008 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
13009 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
13010 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
13011
13012 @cindex symbol names
13013 @cindex names of symbols
13014 @cindex quoting names
13015 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
13016 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
13017 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
13018 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
13019 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
13020 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
13021 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
13022 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
13023
13024 @smallexample
13025 p 'foo.c'::x
13026 @end smallexample
13027
13028 @noindent
13029 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
13030
13031 @table @code
13032 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
13033 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
13034 @kindex set case-sensitive
13035 @item set case-sensitive on
13036 @itemx set case-sensitive off
13037 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
13038 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
13039 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
13040 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
13041 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
13042 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
13043 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
13044 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
13045 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
13046 case-insensitive matches.
13047
13048 @kindex show case-sensitive
13049 @item show case-sensitive
13050 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
13051 lookups.
13052
13053 @kindex info address
13054 @cindex address of a symbol
13055 @item info address @var{symbol}
13056 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
13057 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
13058 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
13059 is always stored.
13060
13061 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
13062 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
13063 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
13064
13065 @kindex info symbol
13066 @cindex symbol from address
13067 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
13068 @item info symbol @var{addr}
13069 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
13070 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
13071 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
13072
13073 @smallexample
13074 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
13075 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
13076 @end smallexample
13077
13078 @noindent
13079 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
13080 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
13081
13082 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
13083 library containing the symbol is also printed:
13084
13085 @smallexample
13086 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
13087 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
13088 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
13089 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
13090 @end smallexample
13091
13092 @kindex whatis
13093 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
13094 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression or
13095 a data type. With no argument, print the data type of @code{$}, the
13096 last value in the value history. If @var{arg} is an expression, it is
13097 not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
13098 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place. If
13099 @var{arg} is a type name, it may be the name of a type or typedef, or
13100 for C code it may have the form @samp{class @var{class-name}},
13101 @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
13102 @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
13103 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13104
13105 @kindex ptype
13106 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
13107 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
13108 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
13109 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13110
13111 For example, for this variable declaration:
13112
13113 @smallexample
13114 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
13115 @end smallexample
13116
13117 @noindent
13118 the two commands give this output:
13119
13120 @smallexample
13121 @group
13122 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
13123 type = struct complex
13124 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
13125 type = struct complex @{
13126 double real;
13127 double imag;
13128 @}
13129 @end group
13130 @end smallexample
13131
13132 @noindent
13133 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
13134 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
13135
13136 @cindex incomplete type
13137 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
13138 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
13139 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
13140 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
13141 given these declarations:
13142
13143 @smallexample
13144 struct foo;
13145 struct foo *fooptr;
13146 @end smallexample
13147
13148 @noindent
13149 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
13150
13151 @smallexample
13152 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
13153 $1 = <incomplete type>
13154 @end smallexample
13155
13156 @noindent
13157 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
13158 completely specified.
13159
13160 @kindex info types
13161 @item info types @var{regexp}
13162 @itemx info types
13163 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
13164 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
13165 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
13166 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
13167 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
13168 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
13169 name is @code{value}.
13170
13171 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
13172 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
13173 lists all source files where a type is defined.
13174
13175 @kindex info scope
13176 @cindex local variables
13177 @item info scope @var{location}
13178 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
13179 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
13180 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
13181 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
13182 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
13183
13184 @smallexample
13185 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
13186 Scope for command_line_handler:
13187 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
13188 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
13189 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
13190 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
13191 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
13192 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
13193 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
13194 @end smallexample
13195
13196 @noindent
13197 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
13198 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
13199 collect}.
13200
13201 @kindex info source
13202 @item info source
13203 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
13204 the function containing the current point of execution:
13205 @itemize @bullet
13206 @item
13207 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
13208 @item
13209 the directory it was compiled in,
13210 @item
13211 its length, in lines,
13212 @item
13213 which programming language it is written in,
13214 @item
13215 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
13216 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
13217 @item
13218 whether the debugging information includes information about
13219 preprocessor macros.
13220 @end itemize
13221
13222
13223 @kindex info sources
13224 @item info sources
13225 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
13226 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
13227 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
13228
13229 @kindex info functions
13230 @item info functions
13231 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
13232
13233 @item info functions @var{regexp}
13234 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
13235 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
13236 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
13237 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
13238 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
13239 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
13240 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
13241
13242 @kindex info variables
13243 @item info variables
13244 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
13245 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
13246
13247 @item info variables @var{regexp}
13248 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
13249 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
13250 @var{regexp}.
13251
13252 @kindex info classes
13253 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
13254 @item info classes
13255 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
13256 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
13257 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13258 expression.
13259
13260 @kindex info selectors
13261 @item info selectors
13262 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
13263 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
13264 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13265 expression.
13266
13267 @ignore
13268 This was never implemented.
13269 @kindex info methods
13270 @item info methods
13271 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
13272 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
13273 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
13274 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
13275 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
13276 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
13277 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
13278 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
13279 @end ignore
13280
13281 @cindex reloading symbols
13282 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
13283 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
13284 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
13285 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
13286 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
13287
13288 @table @code
13289 @kindex set symbol-reloading
13290 @item set symbol-reloading on
13291 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
13292 object file with a particular name is seen again.
13293
13294 @item set symbol-reloading off
13295 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
13296 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
13297 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
13298 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
13299 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
13300 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
13301 name.
13302
13303 @kindex show symbol-reloading
13304 @item show symbol-reloading
13305 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
13306 @end table
13307
13308 @cindex opaque data types
13309 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
13310 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
13311 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
13312 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
13313 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
13314 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
13315 another source file. The default is on.
13316
13317 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
13318 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
13319
13320 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
13321 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
13322 is printed as follows:
13323 @smallexample
13324 @{<no data fields>@}
13325 @end smallexample
13326
13327 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
13328 @item show opaque-type-resolution
13329 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
13330
13331 @kindex maint print symbols
13332 @cindex symbol dump
13333 @kindex maint print psymbols
13334 @cindex partial symbol dump
13335 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
13336 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
13337 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
13338 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
13339 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
13340 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
13341 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
13342 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
13343 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
13344 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
13345 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
13346 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
13347 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
13348 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
13349 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
13350 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
13351 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
13352
13353 @kindex maint info symtabs
13354 @kindex maint info psymtabs
13355 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
13356 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13357 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13358 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13359 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
13360 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
13361
13362 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
13363 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
13364 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
13365 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
13366 structure in more detail. For example:
13367
13368 @smallexample
13369 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
13370 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
13371 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
13372 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
13373 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
13374 readin no
13375 fullname (null)
13376 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
13377 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
13378 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
13379 dependencies (none)
13380 @}
13381 @}
13382 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
13383 (@value{GDBP})
13384 @end smallexample
13385 @noindent
13386 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
13387 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
13388 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
13389 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
13390 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
13391
13392 @smallexample
13393 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
13394 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
13395 line 1574.
13396 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
13397 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
13398 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
13399 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
13400 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
13401 dirname (null)
13402 fullname (null)
13403 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
13404 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
13405 debugformat DWARF 2
13406 @}
13407 @}
13408 (@value{GDBP})
13409 @end smallexample
13410 @end table
13411
13412
13413 @node Altering
13414 @chapter Altering Execution
13415
13416 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
13417 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
13418 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
13419 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
13420 program.
13421
13422 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
13423 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
13424 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
13425
13426 @menu
13427 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
13428 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
13429 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
13430 * Returning:: Returning from a function
13431 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
13432 * Patching:: Patching your program
13433 @end menu
13434
13435 @node Assignment
13436 @section Assignment to Variables
13437
13438 @cindex assignment
13439 @cindex setting variables
13440 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
13441 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
13442
13443 @smallexample
13444 print x=4
13445 @end smallexample
13446
13447 @noindent
13448 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
13449 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
13450 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
13451 information on operators in supported languages.
13452
13453 @kindex set variable
13454 @cindex variables, setting
13455 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
13456 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
13457 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
13458 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
13459 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
13460
13461 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
13462 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
13463 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
13464 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
13465 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
13466 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
13467 command @code{set width}:
13468
13469 @smallexample
13470 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
13471 type = double
13472 (@value{GDBP}) p width
13473 $4 = 13
13474 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
13475 Invalid syntax in expression.
13476 @end smallexample
13477
13478 @noindent
13479 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
13480 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
13481
13482 @smallexample
13483 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
13484 @end smallexample
13485
13486 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
13487 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
13488 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
13489 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
13490 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
13491 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
13492
13493 @smallexample
13494 @group
13495 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
13496 type = double
13497 (@value{GDBP}) p g
13498 $1 = 1
13499 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
13500 (@value{GDBP}) p g
13501 $2 = 1
13502 (@value{GDBP}) r
13503 The program being debugged has been started already.
13504 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
13505 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
13506 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
13507 Invalid bfd target.
13508 (@value{GDBP}) show g
13509 The current BFD target is "=4".
13510 @end group
13511 @end smallexample
13512
13513 @noindent
13514 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
13515 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
13516 @code{g}, use
13517
13518 @smallexample
13519 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
13520 @end smallexample
13521
13522 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
13523 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
13524 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
13525 same length or shorter.
13526 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
13527 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
13528
13529 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
13530 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
13531 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
13532 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
13533 and representation in memory), and
13534
13535 @smallexample
13536 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
13537 @end smallexample
13538
13539 @noindent
13540 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
13541
13542 @node Jumping
13543 @section Continuing at a Different Address
13544
13545 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
13546 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
13547 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
13548
13549 @table @code
13550 @kindex jump
13551 @item jump @var{linespec}
13552 @itemx jump @var{location}
13553 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
13554 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
13555 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
13556 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
13557 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
13558 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
13559
13560 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
13561 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
13562 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
13563 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
13564 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
13565 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
13566 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
13567 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
13568 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
13569 @end table
13570
13571 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
13572 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
13573 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
13574 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
13575 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
13576 example,
13577
13578 @smallexample
13579 set $pc = 0x485
13580 @end smallexample
13581
13582 @noindent
13583 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
13584 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
13585 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
13586
13587 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
13588 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
13589 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
13590 detail.
13591
13592 @c @group
13593 @node Signaling
13594 @section Giving your Program a Signal
13595 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
13596
13597 @table @code
13598 @kindex signal
13599 @item signal @var{signal}
13600 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
13601 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
13602 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
13603 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
13604
13605 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
13606 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
13607 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
13608 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
13609 signal.
13610
13611 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
13612 after executing the command.
13613 @end table
13614 @c @end group
13615
13616 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
13617 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
13618 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
13619 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
13620 passes the signal directly to your program.
13621
13622
13623 @node Returning
13624 @section Returning from a Function
13625
13626 @table @code
13627 @cindex returning from a function
13628 @kindex return
13629 @item return
13630 @itemx return @var{expression}
13631 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
13632 command. If you give an
13633 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
13634 value.
13635 @end table
13636
13637 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
13638 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
13639 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
13640 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
13641
13642 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
13643 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
13644 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
13645 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
13646 of functions.
13647
13648 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
13649 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
13650 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
13651 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
13652 selected stack frame returns naturally.
13653
13654 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
13655 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
13656 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
13657 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
13658 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
13659 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
13660 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
13661 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
13662 assignment into the right register(s).
13663
13664 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
13665 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
13666 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
13667 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
13668 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
13669 into a @code{long long int}:
13670
13671 @smallexample
13672 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
13673 29 return 31;
13674 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
13675 Make func return now? (y or n) y
13676 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
13677 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
13678 (@value{GDBP})
13679 @end smallexample
13680
13681 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
13682 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
13683 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
13684 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
13685 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
13686 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
13687 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
13688 an appropriate cast explicitly:
13689
13690 @smallexample
13691 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
13692 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
13693 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
13694 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
13695 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
13696 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
13697 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
13698 (@value{GDBP})
13699 @end smallexample
13700
13701 @node Calling
13702 @section Calling Program Functions
13703
13704 @table @code
13705 @cindex calling functions
13706 @cindex inferior functions, calling
13707 @item print @var{expr}
13708 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
13709 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
13710 debugged.
13711
13712 @kindex call
13713 @item call @var{expr}
13714 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
13715 returned values.
13716
13717 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
13718 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
13719 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
13720 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
13721 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
13722 value history.
13723 @end table
13724
13725 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
13726 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
13727 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
13728 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
13729
13730 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
13731 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
13732 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
13733 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
13734 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
13735 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
13736 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
13737 in that case is controlled by the
13738 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
13739
13740 @table @code
13741 @item set unwindonsignal
13742 @kindex set unwindonsignal
13743 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
13744 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
13745 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
13746 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
13747 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
13748 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
13749 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
13750 received.
13751
13752 @item show unwindonsignal
13753 @kindex show unwindonsignal
13754 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
13755 @value{GDBN}.
13756
13757 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
13758 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
13759 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
13760 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
13761 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
13762 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
13763 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
13764 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
13765 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
13766 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
13767
13768 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
13769 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
13770 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
13771 @value{GDBN}.
13772
13773 @end table
13774
13775 @cindex weak alias functions
13776 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
13777 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
13778 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
13779 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
13780 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
13781 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
13782 function instead.
13783
13784 @node Patching
13785 @section Patching Programs
13786
13787 @cindex patching binaries
13788 @cindex writing into executables
13789 @cindex writing into corefiles
13790
13791 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
13792 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
13793 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
13794 patching your program's binary.
13795
13796 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
13797 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
13798 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
13799 repairs.
13800
13801 @table @code
13802 @kindex set write
13803 @item set write on
13804 @itemx set write off
13805 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
13806 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
13807 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
13808
13809 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
13810 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
13811 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
13812
13813 @item show write
13814 @kindex show write
13815 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
13816 as well as reading.
13817 @end table
13818
13819 @node GDB Files
13820 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
13821
13822 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
13823 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
13824 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
13825 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
13826
13827 @menu
13828 * Files:: Commands to specify files
13829 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
13830 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
13831 * Data Files:: GDB data files
13832 @end menu
13833
13834 @node Files
13835 @section Commands to Specify Files
13836
13837 @cindex symbol table
13838 @cindex core dump file
13839
13840 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
13841 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
13842 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
13843 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
13844
13845 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
13846 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
13847 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
13848 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
13849 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
13850 new files are useful.
13851
13852 @table @code
13853 @cindex executable file
13854 @kindex file
13855 @item file @var{filename}
13856 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
13857 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
13858 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
13859 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
13860 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
13861 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
13862 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
13863 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
13864
13865 @cindex unlinked object files
13866 @cindex patching object files
13867 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
13868 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
13869 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
13870 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
13871 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
13872 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
13873 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
13874 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
13875
13876 @item file
13877 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
13878 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
13879
13880 @kindex exec-file
13881 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
13882 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
13883 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
13884 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
13885 discard information on the executable file.
13886
13887 @kindex symbol-file
13888 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
13889 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
13890 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
13891 table and program to run from the same file.
13892
13893 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
13894 program's symbol table.
13895
13896 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
13897 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
13898 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
13899 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
13900 @value{GDBN}.
13901
13902 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
13903 executing it once.
13904
13905 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
13906 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
13907 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
13908 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
13909 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
13910 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
13911 optimized code.
13912
13913 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
13914 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
13915 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
13916 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
13917 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
13918
13919 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
13920 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
13921 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
13922 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
13923 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
13924 Warnings and Messages}.)
13925
13926 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
13927 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
13928 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
13929 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
13930 in stabs format.
13931
13932 @kindex readnow
13933 @cindex reading symbols immediately
13934 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
13935 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
13936 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
13937 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
13938 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
13939 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
13940 entire symbol table available.
13941
13942 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
13943 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
13944 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
13945 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
13946 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
13947 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
13948 @c files.
13949
13950 @kindex core-file
13951 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
13952 @itemx core
13953 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
13954 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
13955 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
13956 executable file itself for other parts.
13957
13958 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
13959 to be used.
13960
13961 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
13962 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
13963 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
13964 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
13965 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
13966
13967 @kindex add-symbol-file
13968 @cindex dynamic linking
13969 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
13970 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
13971 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
13972 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
13973 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
13974 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
13975 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
13976 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
13977 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
13978 of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
13979 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
13980 @var{address} as an expression.
13981
13982 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
13983 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
13984 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
13985 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
13986 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
13987
13988 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
13989 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
13990 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
13991 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
13992 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
13993 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
13994 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
13995 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
13996 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
13997
13998 @itemize @bullet
13999 @item
14000 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
14001 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
14002 @item
14003 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
14004 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
14005 @item
14006 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
14007 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
14008 @end itemize
14009
14010 @noindent
14011 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
14012 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
14013 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
14014 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
14015 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
14016 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
14017 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
14018 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
14019 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
14020 way.
14021
14022 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
14023
14024 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
14025 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
14026 @cindex load symbols from memory
14027 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
14028 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
14029 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
14030 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
14031 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
14032 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
14033 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
14034 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
14035 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
14036
14037 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
14038 @kindex assf
14039 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
14040 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
14041 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
14042 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
14043 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
14044 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
14045 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
14046 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
14047 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
14048 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
14049
14050 @kindex section
14051 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
14052 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
14053 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
14054 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
14055 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
14056 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
14057 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
14058 their addresses.
14059
14060 @kindex info files
14061 @kindex info target
14062 @item info files
14063 @itemx info target
14064 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
14065 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
14066 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
14067 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
14068 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
14069 current ones.
14070
14071 @kindex maint info sections
14072 @item maint info sections
14073 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
14074 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
14075 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
14076 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
14077 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
14078 may be arbitrarily combined):
14079
14080 @table @code
14081 @item ALLOBJ
14082 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
14083 @item @var{sections}
14084 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
14085 @item @var{section-flags}
14086 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
14087 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
14088 @table @code
14089 @item ALLOC
14090 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
14091 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
14092 @item LOAD
14093 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
14094 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
14095 @item RELOC
14096 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
14097 @item READONLY
14098 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
14099 @item CODE
14100 Section contains executable code only.
14101 @item DATA
14102 Section contains data only (no executable code).
14103 @item ROM
14104 Section will reside in ROM.
14105 @item CONSTRUCTOR
14106 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
14107 @item HAS_CONTENTS
14108 Section is not empty.
14109 @item NEVER_LOAD
14110 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
14111 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
14112 A notification to the linker that the section contains
14113 COFF shared library information.
14114 @item IS_COMMON
14115 Section contains common symbols.
14116 @end table
14117 @end table
14118 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
14119 @cindex read-only sections
14120 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
14121 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
14122 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
14123 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
14124 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
14125 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
14126 enhancement to debugging performance.
14127
14128 The default is off.
14129
14130 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
14131 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
14132 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
14133 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
14134
14135 @item show trust-readonly-sections
14136 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
14137 @end table
14138
14139 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
14140 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
14141 name and remembers it that way.
14142
14143 @cindex shared libraries
14144 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
14145 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
14146 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
14147
14148 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
14149 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
14150
14151 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
14152 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
14153 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
14154 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
14155 debugging a core file).
14156
14157 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
14158 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
14159
14160 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
14161 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
14162 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
14163
14164 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
14165 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
14166 particularly large or there are many of them.
14167
14168 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
14169 commands:
14170
14171 @table @code
14172 @kindex set auto-solib-add
14173 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
14174 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
14175 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
14176 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
14177 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
14178 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
14179 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
14180
14181 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
14182 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
14183 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
14184 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
14185 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
14186 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
14187 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
14188 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
14189 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
14190
14191 @kindex show auto-solib-add
14192 @item show auto-solib-add
14193 Display the current autoloading mode.
14194 @end table
14195
14196 @cindex load shared library
14197 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
14198 command:
14199
14200 @table @code
14201 @kindex info sharedlibrary
14202 @kindex info share
14203 @item info share @var{regex}
14204 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14205 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
14206 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
14207 all shared libraries that are loaded.
14208
14209 @kindex sharedlibrary
14210 @kindex share
14211 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14212 @itemx share @var{regex}
14213 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
14214 Unix regular expression.
14215 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
14216 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
14217 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
14218 loaded.
14219
14220 @item nosharedlibrary
14221 @kindex nosharedlibrary
14222 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
14223 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
14224 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
14225 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
14226 discarded.
14227 @end table
14228
14229 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
14230 when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
14231 stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
14232
14233 @table @code
14234 @item set stop-on-solib-events
14235 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
14236 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
14237 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
14238 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
14239 shared library.
14240
14241 @item show stop-on-solib-events
14242 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
14243 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
14244 library events happen.
14245 @end table
14246
14247 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
14248 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
14249 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
14250 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
14251 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
14252 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
14253 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
14254 not.
14255
14256 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
14257 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
14258 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
14259 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
14260 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
14261
14262 @table @code
14263 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
14264 @cindex system root, alternate
14265 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
14266 @kindex set sysroot
14267 @item set sysroot @var{path}
14268 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
14269 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
14270 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
14271 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
14272 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
14273 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
14274 under @var{path}.
14275
14276 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
14277 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
14278 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
14279 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
14280 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
14281 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
14282 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
14283 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
14284 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
14285
14286 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
14287 sysroot}.
14288
14289 @cindex default system root
14290 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
14291 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
14292 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
14293 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
14294 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
14295 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
14296 location.
14297
14298 @kindex show sysroot
14299 @item show sysroot
14300 Display the current shared library prefix.
14301
14302 @kindex set solib-search-path
14303 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
14304 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
14305 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
14306 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
14307 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
14308 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
14309 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
14310 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
14311 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
14312 of shared library symbols.
14313
14314 @kindex show solib-search-path
14315 @item show solib-search-path
14316 Display the current shared library search path.
14317 @end table
14318
14319
14320 @node Separate Debug Files
14321 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
14322 @cindex separate debugging information files
14323 @cindex debugging information in separate files
14324 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
14325 @cindex debugging information directory, global
14326 @cindex global debugging information directory
14327 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
14328 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
14329
14330 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
14331 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
14332 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
14333 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
14334 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
14335 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
14336 install only when they need to debug a problem.
14337
14338 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
14339 file:
14340
14341 @itemize @bullet
14342 @item
14343 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
14344 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
14345 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
14346 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
14347 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
14348 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
14349 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
14350 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
14351
14352 @item
14353 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
14354 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
14355 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
14356 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
14357 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
14358 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
14359 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
14360 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
14361 below.
14362 @end itemize
14363
14364 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
14365 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
14366
14367 @itemize @bullet
14368 @item
14369 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
14370 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
14371 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under the global debug
14372 directory, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
14373 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
14374
14375 @item
14376 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
14377 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of the global debug directory for a file
14378 named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
14379 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
14380 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
14381 hex characters, not 10.)
14382 @end itemize
14383
14384 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
14385 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
14386 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
14387 @code{abcdef1234}. If the global debug directory is
14388 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
14389 debug information files, in the indicated order:
14390
14391 @itemize @minus
14392 @item
14393 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
14394 @item
14395 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
14396 @item
14397 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
14398 @item
14399 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
14400 @end itemize
14401
14402 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
14403 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
14404
14405 @table @code
14406
14407 @kindex set debug-file-directory
14408 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
14409 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
14410 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple directory components can be set
14411 concatenating them by a directory separator.
14412
14413 @kindex show debug-file-directory
14414 @item show debug-file-directory
14415 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
14416 information files.
14417
14418 @end table
14419
14420 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
14421 @cindex debug link sections
14422 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
14423 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
14424
14425 @itemize
14426 @item
14427 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
14428 a zero byte,
14429 @item
14430 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
14431 boundary within the section, and
14432 @item
14433 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
14434 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
14435 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
14436 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
14437 @end itemize
14438
14439 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
14440 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
14441 described above.
14442
14443 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
14444 @cindex build ID sections
14445 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
14446 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
14447 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
14448 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
14449 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
14450 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
14451 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
14452 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
14453 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
14454
14455 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
14456 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
14457 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
14458 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
14459 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
14460 in an ordinary executable.
14461
14462 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
14463 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
14464 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
14465 following commands:
14466
14467 @smallexample
14468 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
14469 @kbd{strip -g foo}
14470 @end smallexample
14471
14472 @noindent
14473 These commands remove the debugging
14474 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
14475 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
14476 two files:
14477
14478 @itemize @bullet
14479 @item
14480 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
14481 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
14482
14483 @smallexample
14484 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
14485 @end smallexample
14486
14487 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
14488 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
14489 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
14490 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
14491
14492 @item
14493 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
14494 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
14495 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
14496 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
14497 @end itemize
14498
14499 @noindent
14500
14501 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
14502 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
14503 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
14504
14505 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
14506 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
14507 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
14508 @c different ways!
14509 @ifhtml
14510 @display
14511 @html
14512 <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>
14513 + <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
14514 @end html
14515 @end display
14516 @end ifhtml
14517 @ifnothtml
14518 @display
14519 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
14520 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
14521 @end display
14522 @end ifnothtml
14523
14524 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
14525 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
14526 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
14527 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
14528 CRC.
14529
14530 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
14531 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
14532 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
14533 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
14534 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
14535 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
14536
14537 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
14538 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
14539 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
14540 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
14541 @code{0xffffffff}.
14542
14543 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
14544 @smallexample
14545 unsigned long
14546 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
14547 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
14548 @{
14549 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
14550 @{
14551 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
14552 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
14553 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
14554 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
14555 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
14556 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
14557 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
14558 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
14559 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
14560 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
14561 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
14562 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
14563 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
14564 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
14565 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
14566 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
14567 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
14568 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
14569 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
14570 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
14571 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
14572 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
14573 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
14574 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
14575 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
14576 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
14577 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
14578 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
14579 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
14580 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
14581 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
14582 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
14583 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
14584 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
14585 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
14586 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
14587 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
14588 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
14589 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
14590 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
14591 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
14592 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
14593 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
14594 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
14595 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
14596 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
14597 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
14598 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
14599 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
14600 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
14601 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
14602 0x2d02ef8d
14603 @};
14604 unsigned char *end;
14605
14606 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
14607 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
14608 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
14609 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
14610 @}
14611 @end smallexample
14612
14613 @noindent
14614 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
14615
14616
14617 @node Symbol Errors
14618 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
14619
14620 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
14621 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
14622 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
14623 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
14624 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
14625 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
14626 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
14627 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
14628 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
14629 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
14630 Messages}).
14631
14632 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
14633
14634 @table @code
14635 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
14636
14637 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
14638 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
14639 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
14640 in its outer scope blocks.
14641
14642 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
14643 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
14644 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
14645 function.
14646
14647 @item block at @var{address} out of order
14648
14649 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
14650 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
14651 do so.
14652
14653 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
14654 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
14655 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
14656 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
14657 Messages}.)
14658
14659 @item bad block start address patched
14660
14661 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
14662 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
14663 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
14664
14665 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
14666 starting on the previous source line.
14667
14668 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
14669
14670 @cindex foo
14671 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
14672 larger than the size of the string table.
14673
14674 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
14675 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
14676 with this name.
14677
14678 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
14679
14680 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
14681 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
14682 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
14683
14684 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
14685 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
14686 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
14687 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
14688 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
14689 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
14690
14691 @item stub type has NULL name
14692
14693 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
14694
14695 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
14696 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
14697 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
14698 it.
14699
14700 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
14701
14702 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
14703
14704 @end table
14705
14706 @node Data Files
14707 @section GDB Data Files
14708
14709 @cindex prefix for data files
14710 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
14711 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
14712
14713 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
14714 is currently using.
14715
14716 @table @code
14717 @kindex set data-directory
14718 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
14719 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
14720 to @var{directory}.
14721
14722 @kindex show data-directory
14723 @item show data-directory
14724 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
14725 @end table
14726
14727 @cindex default data directory
14728 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
14729 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
14730 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
14731 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
14732 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
14733 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
14734 location.
14735
14736 @node Targets
14737 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
14738
14739 @cindex debugging target
14740 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
14741
14742 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
14743 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
14744 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
14745 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
14746 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
14747 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
14748 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
14749 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
14750
14751 @cindex target architecture
14752 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
14753 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
14754 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
14755 command.
14756
14757 @table @code
14758 @kindex set architecture
14759 @kindex show architecture
14760 @item set architecture @var{arch}
14761 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
14762 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
14763 supported architectures.
14764
14765 @item show architecture
14766 Show the current target architecture.
14767
14768 @item set processor
14769 @itemx processor
14770 @kindex set processor
14771 @kindex show processor
14772 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
14773 and @code{show architecture}.
14774 @end table
14775
14776 @menu
14777 * Active Targets:: Active targets
14778 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
14779 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
14780 @end menu
14781
14782 @node Active Targets
14783 @section Active Targets
14784
14785 @cindex stacking targets
14786 @cindex active targets
14787 @cindex multiple targets
14788
14789 There are three classes of targets: processes, core files, and
14790 executable files. @value{GDBN} can work concurrently on up to three
14791 active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for example)
14792 start a process and inspect its activity without abandoning your work on
14793 a core file.
14794
14795 For example, if you execute @samp{gdb a.out}, then the executable file
14796 @code{a.out} is the only active target. If you designate a core file as
14797 well---presumably from a prior run that crashed and coredumped---then
14798 @value{GDBN} has two active targets and uses them in tandem, looking
14799 first in the corefile target, then in the executable file, to satisfy
14800 requests for memory addresses. (Typically, these two classes of target
14801 are complementary, since core files contain only a program's
14802 read-write memory---variables and so on---plus machine status, while
14803 executable files contain only the program text and initialized data.)
14804
14805 When you type @code{run}, your executable file becomes an active process
14806 target as well. When a process target is active, all @value{GDBN}
14807 commands requesting memory addresses refer to that target; addresses in
14808 an active core file or executable file target are obscured while the
14809 process target is active.
14810
14811 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new
14812 core file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify
14813 Files}). To specify as a target a process that is already running, use
14814 the @code{attach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running
14815 Process}).
14816
14817 @node Target Commands
14818 @section Commands for Managing Targets
14819
14820 @table @code
14821 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
14822 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
14823 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
14824 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
14825 protocol of the target machine.
14826
14827 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
14828 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
14829 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
14830
14831 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
14832 after executing the command.
14833
14834 @kindex help target
14835 @item help target
14836 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
14837 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
14838 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
14839
14840 @item help target @var{name}
14841 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
14842 select it.
14843
14844 @kindex set gnutarget
14845 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
14846 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
14847 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
14848 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
14849 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
14850 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
14851
14852 @quotation
14853 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
14854 you must know the actual BFD name.
14855 @end quotation
14856
14857 @noindent
14858 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
14859
14860 @kindex show gnutarget
14861 @item show gnutarget
14862 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
14863 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
14864 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
14865 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
14866 @end table
14867
14868 @cindex common targets
14869 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
14870 configuration):
14871
14872 @table @code
14873 @kindex target
14874 @item target exec @var{program}
14875 @cindex executable file target
14876 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
14877 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
14878
14879 @item target core @var{filename}
14880 @cindex core dump file target
14881 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
14882 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
14883
14884 @item target remote @var{medium}
14885 @cindex remote target
14886 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
14887 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
14888 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
14889
14890 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
14891 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
14892
14893 @smallexample
14894 target remote /dev/ttya
14895 @end smallexample
14896
14897 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
14898 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
14899 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
14900 clobbered by the download.
14901
14902 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
14903 @cindex built-in simulator target
14904 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
14905 In general,
14906 @smallexample
14907 target sim
14908 load
14909 run
14910 @end smallexample
14911 @noindent
14912 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
14913 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
14914 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
14915 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
14916 Processors}.
14917
14918 @end table
14919
14920 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
14921
14922 @table @code
14923
14924 @item target nrom @var{dev}
14925 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
14926 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
14927
14928 @end table
14929
14930 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
14931 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
14932
14933 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
14934 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
14935 various aspects of this process.
14936
14937 @table @code
14938
14939 @item set hash
14940 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
14941 @cindex hash mark while downloading
14942 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
14943 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
14944 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
14945 monitor.
14946
14947 @item show hash
14948 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
14949 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
14950
14951 @item set debug monitor
14952 @kindex set debug monitor
14953 @cindex display remote monitor communications
14954 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
14955 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
14956
14957 @item show debug monitor
14958 @kindex show debug monitor
14959 Show the current status of displaying communications between
14960 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
14961 @end table
14962
14963 @table @code
14964
14965 @kindex load @var{filename}
14966 @item load @var{filename}
14967 @anchor{load}
14968 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
14969 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
14970 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
14971 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
14972 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
14973 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
14974
14975 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
14976 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
14977 target is @dots{}}''
14978
14979 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
14980 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
14981 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
14982 specifies a fixed address.
14983 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
14984
14985 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
14986 load programs into flash memory.
14987
14988 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
14989 @end table
14990
14991 @node Byte Order
14992 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
14993
14994 @cindex choosing target byte order
14995 @cindex target byte order
14996
14997 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
14998 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
14999 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
15000 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
15001 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
15002 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
15003
15004 @table @code
15005 @kindex set endian
15006 @item set endian big
15007 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
15008
15009 @item set endian little
15010 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
15011
15012 @item set endian auto
15013 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
15014 executable.
15015
15016 @item show endian
15017 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
15018
15019 @end table
15020
15021 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
15022 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
15023 target system.
15024
15025
15026 @node Remote Debugging
15027 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
15028 @cindex remote debugging
15029
15030 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
15031 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
15032 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
15033 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
15034 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
15035
15036 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
15037 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
15038 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
15039 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
15040 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
15041 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
15042
15043 Other remote targets may be available in your
15044 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
15045
15046 @menu
15047 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
15048 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
15049 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
15050 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
15051 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
15052 @end menu
15053
15054 @node Connecting
15055 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
15056
15057 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
15058 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
15059 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
15060 program as the first argument.
15061
15062 @cindex @code{target remote}
15063 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
15064 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
15065 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
15066 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
15067 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
15068 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
15069
15070 @table @code
15071
15072 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
15073 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
15074 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
15075 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
15076
15077 @smallexample
15078 target remote /dev/ttyb
15079 @end smallexample
15080
15081 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
15082 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
15083 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
15084 @code{target} command.
15085
15086 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
15087 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
15088 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
15089 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
15090 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
15091 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
15092 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
15093 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
15094 target.
15095
15096 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
15097 @code{manyfarms}:
15098
15099 @smallexample
15100 target remote manyfarms:2828
15101 @end smallexample
15102
15103 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
15104 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
15105 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
15106 port 1234 on your local machine:
15107
15108 @smallexample
15109 target remote :1234
15110 @end smallexample
15111 @noindent
15112
15113 Note that the colon is still required here.
15114
15115 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
15116 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
15117 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
15118 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
15119
15120 @smallexample
15121 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
15122 @end smallexample
15123
15124 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
15125 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
15126 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
15127 cause havoc with your debugging session.
15128
15129 @item target remote | @var{command}
15130 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
15131 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
15132 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
15133 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
15134 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
15135 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
15136 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
15137 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
15138
15139 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
15140 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
15141 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
15142
15143 @end table
15144
15145 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
15146 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
15147 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
15148 need to use @kbd{run}.
15149
15150 @cindex interrupting remote programs
15151 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
15152 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
15153 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
15154 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
15155 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
15156 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
15157
15158 @smallexample
15159 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
15160 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
15161 @end smallexample
15162
15163 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
15164 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
15165 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
15166 goes back to waiting.
15167
15168 @table @code
15169 @kindex detach (remote)
15170 @item detach
15171 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
15172 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
15173 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
15174 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
15175 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
15176
15177 @kindex disconnect
15178 @item disconnect
15179 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
15180 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
15181 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
15182 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
15183 another target.
15184
15185 @cindex send command to remote monitor
15186 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
15187 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
15188 @kindex monitor
15189 @item monitor @var{cmd}
15190 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
15191 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
15192 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
15193 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
15194 and implement.
15195 @end table
15196
15197 @node File Transfer
15198 @section Sending files to a remote system
15199 @cindex remote target, file transfer
15200 @cindex file transfer
15201 @cindex sending files to remote systems
15202
15203 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
15204 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
15205 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
15206 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
15207 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
15208 the only way to upload or download files.
15209
15210 Not all remote targets support these commands.
15211
15212 @table @code
15213 @kindex remote put
15214 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
15215 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
15216 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
15217
15218 @kindex remote get
15219 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
15220 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
15221 on the host system.
15222
15223 @kindex remote delete
15224 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
15225 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
15226
15227 @end table
15228
15229 @node Server
15230 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
15231
15232 @kindex gdbserver
15233 @cindex remote connection without stubs
15234 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
15235 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
15236 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
15237
15238 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
15239 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
15240 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
15241 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
15242 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
15243 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
15244 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
15245 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
15246 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
15247 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
15248 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
15249 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
15250 choice for debugging.
15251
15252 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
15253 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
15254 protocol.
15255
15256 @quotation
15257 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
15258 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
15259 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
15260 target system with the same privileges as the user running
15261 @code{gdbserver}.
15262 @end quotation
15263
15264 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
15265 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
15266
15267 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
15268 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
15269 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
15270 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
15271 system does all the symbol handling.
15272
15273 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
15274 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
15275 syntax is:
15276
15277 @smallexample
15278 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
15279 @end smallexample
15280
15281 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
15282 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
15283 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
15284 @file{/dev/com1}:
15285
15286 @smallexample
15287 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
15288 @end smallexample
15289
15290 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
15291 with it.
15292
15293 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
15294
15295 @smallexample
15296 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
15297 @end smallexample
15298
15299 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
15300 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
15301 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
15302 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
15303 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
15304 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
15305 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
15306 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
15307 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
15308 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
15309 @code{target remote} command.
15310
15311 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
15312
15313 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
15314 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
15315
15316 @smallexample
15317 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
15318 @end smallexample
15319
15320 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
15321 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
15322
15323 @pindex pidof
15324 @cindex attach to a program by name
15325 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
15326 @code{pidof} utility:
15327
15328 @smallexample
15329 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
15330 @end smallexample
15331
15332 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
15333 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
15334 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
15335
15336 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
15337 @cindex gdbserver, multiple processes
15338 @cindex multiple processes with gdbserver
15339
15340 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
15341 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
15342 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
15343 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
15344
15345 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
15346 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
15347 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
15348 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
15349 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
15350 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
15351 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
15352 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
15353 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
15354
15355 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
15356 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
15357 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
15358 the program you want to debug.
15359
15360 @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit in multi-process mode.
15361 You can terminate it by using @code{monitor exit}
15362 (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}).
15363
15364 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
15365
15366 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
15367 status information about the debugging process. The
15368 @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
15369 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
15370 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
15371
15372 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
15373 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
15374 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
15375 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
15376
15377 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
15378 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
15379 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
15380 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
15381
15382 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
15383 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
15384 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
15385 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
15386
15387 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
15388 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
15389 environment:
15390
15391 @smallexample
15392 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
15393 @end smallexample
15394
15395 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
15396
15397 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
15398
15399 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
15400 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
15401 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
15402 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
15403
15404 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
15405 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
15406 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
15407 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
15408 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
15409 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
15410 programs.
15411
15412 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
15413 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
15414 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
15415 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
15416 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
15417 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
15418 already on the target.
15419
15420 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
15421 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
15422 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
15423
15424 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
15425 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
15426 Here are the available commands.
15427
15428 @table @code
15429 @item monitor help
15430 List the available monitor commands.
15431
15432 @item monitor set debug 0
15433 @itemx monitor set debug 1
15434 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
15435
15436 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
15437 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
15438 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
15439 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
15440
15441 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
15442 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
15443 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
15444 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
15445 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
15446 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to an empty list.
15447
15448 @item monitor exit
15449 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
15450 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
15451 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
15452 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
15453 of a multi-process mode debug session.
15454
15455 @end table
15456
15457 @node Remote Configuration
15458 @section Remote Configuration
15459
15460 @kindex set remote
15461 @kindex show remote
15462 This section documents the configuration options available when
15463 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
15464 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
15465 system-call-allowed}.
15466
15467 @table @code
15468 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
15469 @cindex address size for remote targets
15470 @cindex bits in remote address
15471 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
15472 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
15473 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
15474 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
15475
15476 @item show remoteaddresssize
15477 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
15478
15479 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
15480 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
15481 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
15482 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
15483 remote targets.
15484
15485 @item show remotebaud
15486 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
15487
15488 @item set remotebreak
15489 @cindex interrupt remote programs
15490 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
15491 @anchor{set remotebreak}
15492 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
15493 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
15494 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
15495 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
15496 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
15497
15498 @item show remotebreak
15499 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
15500 interrupt the remote program.
15501
15502 @item set remoteflow on
15503 @itemx set remoteflow off
15504 @kindex set remoteflow
15505 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
15506 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
15507
15508 @item show remoteflow
15509 @kindex show remoteflow
15510 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
15511
15512 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
15513 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
15514 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
15515 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
15516 @code{ascii}.
15517
15518 @item show remotelogbase
15519 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
15520 protocol.
15521
15522 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
15523 @cindex record serial communications on file
15524 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
15525 default is not to record at all.
15526
15527 @item show remotelogfile.
15528 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
15529 serial communications.
15530
15531 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
15532 @cindex timeout for serial communications
15533 @cindex remote timeout
15534 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
15535 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
15536
15537 @item show remotetimeout
15538 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
15539 responses.
15540
15541 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
15542 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
15543 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
15544 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
15545 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
15546 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
15547 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
15548 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
15549
15550 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
15551 @itemx show remote exec-file
15552 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
15553 @cindex executable file, for remote target
15554 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
15555 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
15556 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
15557 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
15558
15559 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
15560 @cindex interrupt remote programs
15561 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
15562 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
15563 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
15564 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
15565 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
15566 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
15567 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
15568 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
15569
15570 @item show interrupt-sequence
15571 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
15572 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
15573 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
15574 also known as Magic SysRq g.
15575
15576 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
15577 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
15578 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
15579 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
15580 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
15581 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
15582
15583 @item show interrupt-on-connect
15584 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
15585 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
15586
15587 @kindex set tcp
15588 @kindex show tcp
15589 @item set tcp auto-retry on
15590 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
15591 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
15592 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
15593 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
15594 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
15595 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
15596 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
15597 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
15598
15599 @item set tcp auto-retry off
15600 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
15601
15602 @item show tcp auto-retry
15603 Show the current auto-retry setting.
15604
15605 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
15606 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
15607 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
15608 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
15609 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
15610 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
15611 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
15612 value.
15613
15614 @item show tcp connect-timeout
15615 Show the current connection timeout setting.
15616 @end table
15617
15618 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
15619 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
15620 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
15621 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
15622 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
15623 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
15624 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
15625 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
15626 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
15627
15628 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
15629 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
15630 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
15631 @value{GDBN} developers.
15632
15633 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
15634 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
15635 are:
15636
15637 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
15638 @item Command Name
15639 @tab Remote Packet
15640 @tab Related Features
15641
15642 @item @code{fetch-register}
15643 @tab @code{p}
15644 @tab @code{info registers}
15645
15646 @item @code{set-register}
15647 @tab @code{P}
15648 @tab @code{set}
15649
15650 @item @code{binary-download}
15651 @tab @code{X}
15652 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
15653
15654 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
15655 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
15656 @tab @code{info auxv}
15657
15658 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
15659 @tab @code{qSymbol}
15660 @tab Detecting multiple threads
15661
15662 @item @code{attach}
15663 @tab @code{vAttach}
15664 @tab @code{attach}
15665
15666 @item @code{verbose-resume}
15667 @tab @code{vCont}
15668 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
15669
15670 @item @code{run}
15671 @tab @code{vRun}
15672 @tab @code{run}
15673
15674 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
15675 @tab @code{Z0}
15676 @tab @code{break}
15677
15678 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
15679 @tab @code{Z1}
15680 @tab @code{hbreak}
15681
15682 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
15683 @tab @code{Z2}
15684 @tab @code{watch}
15685
15686 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
15687 @tab @code{Z3}
15688 @tab @code{rwatch}
15689
15690 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
15691 @tab @code{Z4}
15692 @tab @code{awatch}
15693
15694 @item @code{target-features}
15695 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
15696 @tab @code{set architecture}
15697
15698 @item @code{library-info}
15699 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
15700 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
15701
15702 @item @code{memory-map}
15703 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
15704 @tab @code{info mem}
15705
15706 @item @code{read-spu-object}
15707 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
15708 @tab @code{info spu}
15709
15710 @item @code{write-spu-object}
15711 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
15712 @tab @code{info spu}
15713
15714 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
15715 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
15716 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
15717
15718 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
15719 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
15720 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
15721
15722 @item @code{threads}
15723 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
15724 @tab @code{info threads}
15725
15726 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
15727 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
15728 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
15729
15730 @item @code{search-memory}
15731 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
15732 @tab @code{find}
15733
15734 @item @code{supported-packets}
15735 @tab @code{qSupported}
15736 @tab Remote communications parameters
15737
15738 @item @code{pass-signals}
15739 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
15740 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
15741
15742 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
15743 @tab @code{vFile:close}
15744 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15745
15746 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
15747 @tab @code{vFile:open}
15748 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15749
15750 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
15751 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
15752 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15753
15754 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
15755 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
15756 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15757
15758 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
15759 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
15760 @tab @code{remote delete}
15761
15762 @item @code{noack-packet}
15763 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
15764 @tab Packet acknowledgment
15765
15766 @item @code{osdata}
15767 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
15768 @tab @code{info os}
15769
15770 @item @code{query-attached}
15771 @tab @code{qAttached}
15772 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
15773 @end multitable
15774
15775 @node Remote Stub
15776 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
15777
15778 @cindex debugging stub, example
15779 @cindex remote stub, example
15780 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
15781 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
15782 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
15783 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
15784 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
15785 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
15786 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
15787 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
15788
15789 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
15790 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
15791 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
15792 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
15793 program, you need:
15794
15795 @enumerate
15796 @item
15797 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
15798 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
15799 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
15800
15801 @item
15802 A C subroutine library to support your program's
15803 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
15804
15805 @item
15806 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
15807 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
15808 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
15809 documentation.
15810 @end enumerate
15811
15812 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
15813 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
15814 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
15815
15816 @table @emph
15817 @item On the host,
15818 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
15819 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
15820 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
15821
15822 @item On the target,
15823 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
15824 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
15825 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
15826
15827 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
15828 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
15829 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
15830 @end table
15831
15832 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
15833 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
15834 @sc{sparc} boards.
15835
15836 @cindex remote serial stub list
15837 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
15838
15839 @table @code
15840
15841 @item i386-stub.c
15842 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
15843 @cindex Intel
15844 @cindex i386
15845 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
15846
15847 @item m68k-stub.c
15848 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
15849 @cindex Motorola 680x0
15850 @cindex m680x0
15851 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
15852
15853 @item sh-stub.c
15854 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
15855 @cindex Renesas
15856 @cindex SH
15857 For Renesas SH architectures.
15858
15859 @item sparc-stub.c
15860 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
15861 @cindex Sparc
15862 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
15863
15864 @item sparcl-stub.c
15865 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
15866 @cindex Fujitsu
15867 @cindex SparcLite
15868 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
15869
15870 @end table
15871
15872 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
15873 recently added stubs.
15874
15875 @menu
15876 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
15877 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
15878 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
15879 @end menu
15880
15881 @node Stub Contents
15882 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
15883
15884 @cindex remote serial stub
15885 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
15886 subroutines:
15887
15888 @table @code
15889 @item set_debug_traps
15890 @findex set_debug_traps
15891 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
15892 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
15893 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
15894 beginning of your program.
15895
15896 @item handle_exception
15897 @findex handle_exception
15898 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
15899 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
15900 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
15901 run when a trap is triggered.
15902
15903 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
15904 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
15905 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
15906 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
15907 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
15908 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
15909 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
15910 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
15911 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
15912 machine.
15913
15914 @item breakpoint
15915 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
15916 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
15917 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
15918 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
15919 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
15920 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
15921 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
15922 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
15923 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
15924 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
15925 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
15926
15927 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
15928 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
15929 start of your debugging session.
15930 @end table
15931
15932 @node Bootstrapping
15933 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
15934
15935 @cindex remote stub, support routines
15936 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
15937 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
15938 debugging target machine.
15939
15940 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
15941 serial port.
15942
15943 @table @code
15944 @item int getDebugChar()
15945 @findex getDebugChar
15946 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
15947 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
15948 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
15949
15950 @item void putDebugChar(int)
15951 @findex putDebugChar
15952 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
15953 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
15954 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
15955 @end table
15956
15957 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
15958 @cindex interrupting remote targets
15959 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
15960 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
15961 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
15962 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
15963 remote system to stop.
15964
15965 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
15966 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
15967 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
15968 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
15969
15970 Other routines you need to supply are:
15971
15972 @table @code
15973 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
15974 @findex exceptionHandler
15975 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
15976 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
15977 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
15978 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
15979 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
15980 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
15981 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
15982 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
15983 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
15984 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
15985 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
15986 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
15987 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
15988
15989 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
15990 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
15991 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
15992 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
15993 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
15994
15995 @item void flush_i_cache()
15996 @findex flush_i_cache
15997 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
15998 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
15999 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
16000
16001 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
16002 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
16003 @end table
16004
16005 @noindent
16006 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
16007
16008 @table @code
16009 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
16010 @findex memset
16011 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
16012 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
16013 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
16014 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
16015 @end table
16016
16017 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
16018 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
16019 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
16020 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
16021
16022
16023 @node Debug Session
16024 @subsection Putting it All Together
16025
16026 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
16027 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
16028 steps.
16029
16030 @enumerate
16031 @item
16032 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
16033 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
16034 @display
16035 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
16036 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
16037 @end display
16038
16039 @item
16040 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
16041
16042 @smallexample
16043 set_debug_traps();
16044 breakpoint();
16045 @end smallexample
16046
16047 @item
16048 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
16049 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
16050
16051 @smallexample
16052 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
16053 @end smallexample
16054
16055 @noindent
16056 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
16057 function in your program, that function is called when
16058 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
16059 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
16060 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
16061
16062 @item
16063 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
16064 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
16065
16066 @item
16067 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
16068 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
16069
16070 @item
16071 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
16072 @c document that. FIXME.
16073 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
16074 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
16075
16076 @item
16077 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
16078 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
16079
16080 @end enumerate
16081
16082 @node Configurations
16083 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
16084
16085 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
16086 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
16087 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
16088
16089 There are three major categories of configurations: native
16090 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
16091 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
16092 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
16093 are quite different from each other.
16094
16095 @menu
16096 * Native::
16097 * Embedded OS::
16098 * Embedded Processors::
16099 * Architectures::
16100 @end menu
16101
16102 @node Native
16103 @section Native
16104
16105 This section describes details specific to particular native
16106 configurations.
16107
16108 @menu
16109 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
16110 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
16111 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
16112 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
16113 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
16114 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
16115 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
16116 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
16117 @end menu
16118
16119 @node HP-UX
16120 @subsection HP-UX
16121
16122 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
16123 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
16124 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
16125
16126
16127 @node BSD libkvm Interface
16128 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
16129
16130 @cindex libkvm
16131 @cindex kernel memory image
16132 @cindex kernel crash dump
16133
16134 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
16135 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
16136 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
16137 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
16138 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
16139 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
16140 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
16141 @code{kvm} target:
16142
16143 @smallexample
16144 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
16145 @end smallexample
16146
16147 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
16148 argument:
16149
16150 @smallexample
16151 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
16152 @end smallexample
16153
16154 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
16155 available:
16156
16157 @table @code
16158 @kindex kvm
16159 @item kvm pcb
16160 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
16161
16162 @item kvm proc
16163 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
16164 modern FreeBSD systems.
16165 @end table
16166
16167 @node SVR4 Process Information
16168 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
16169 @cindex /proc
16170 @cindex examine process image
16171 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
16172
16173 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
16174 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
16175 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
16176 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
16177 proc} is available to report information about the process running
16178 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
16179 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
16180 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
16181 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
16182
16183 @table @code
16184 @kindex info proc
16185 @cindex process ID
16186 @item info proc
16187 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
16188 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
16189 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
16190 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
16191 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
16192 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
16193 executable file's absolute file name.
16194
16195 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
16196 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
16197 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
16198 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
16199 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
16200 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
16201
16202 @item info proc mappings
16203 @cindex memory address space mappings
16204 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
16205 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
16206 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
16207 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
16208 memory access rights to that range.
16209
16210 @item info proc stat
16211 @itemx info proc status
16212 @cindex process detailed status information
16213 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
16214 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
16215 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
16216 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
16217 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
16218 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
16219 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
16220
16221 @item info proc all
16222 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
16223 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
16224
16225 @ignore
16226 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
16227 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
16228 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
16229 @kindex info proc times
16230 @item info proc times
16231 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
16232 its children.
16233
16234 @kindex info proc id
16235 @item info proc id
16236 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
16237 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
16238 @end ignore
16239
16240 @item set procfs-trace
16241 @kindex set procfs-trace
16242 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
16243 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
16244
16245 @item show procfs-trace
16246 @kindex show procfs-trace
16247 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
16248
16249 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
16250 @kindex set procfs-file
16251 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
16252 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
16253 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
16254 standard output.
16255
16256 @item show procfs-file
16257 @kindex show procfs-file
16258 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
16259
16260 @item proc-trace-entry
16261 @itemx proc-trace-exit
16262 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
16263 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
16264 @kindex proc-trace-entry
16265 @kindex proc-trace-exit
16266 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
16267 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
16268 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
16269 from the @code{syscall} interface.
16270
16271 @item info pidlist
16272 @kindex info pidlist
16273 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
16274 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
16275 processes and all the threads within each process.
16276
16277 @item info meminfo
16278 @kindex info meminfo
16279 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
16280 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
16281 @end table
16282
16283 @node DJGPP Native
16284 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
16285 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
16286 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
16287 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
16288
16289 @cindex DPMI
16290 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
16291 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
16292 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
16293 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
16294
16295 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
16296 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
16297 subsection describes those commands.
16298
16299 @table @code
16300 @kindex info dos
16301 @item info dos
16302 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
16303 information about the target system and important OS structures.
16304
16305 @kindex sysinfo
16306 @cindex MS-DOS system info
16307 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
16308 @item info dos sysinfo
16309 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
16310 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
16311 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
16312
16313 @cindex GDT
16314 @cindex LDT
16315 @cindex IDT
16316 @cindex segment descriptor tables
16317 @cindex descriptor tables display
16318 @item info dos gdt
16319 @itemx info dos ldt
16320 @itemx info dos idt
16321 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
16322 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
16323 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
16324 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
16325 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
16326 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
16327 rights.
16328
16329 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
16330 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
16331 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
16332 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
16333 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
16334
16335 @cindex garbled pointers
16336 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
16337 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
16338 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
16339 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
16340 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
16341 debugged program's data segment:
16342
16343 @smallexample
16344 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
16345 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
16346 @end smallexample
16347
16348 @noindent
16349 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
16350 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
16351
16352 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
16353 @item info dos pde
16354 @itemx info dos pte
16355 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
16356 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
16357 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
16358 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
16359 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
16360 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
16361 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
16362 that is currently in use.
16363
16364 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
16365 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
16366 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
16367 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
16368 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
16369 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
16370 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
16371
16372 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
16373 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
16374 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
16375 controller.
16376
16377 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
16378
16379 @cindex physical address from linear address
16380 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
16381 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
16382 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
16383 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
16384 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
16385 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
16386 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
16387
16388 @smallexample
16389 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
16390 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
16391 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
16392 @end smallexample
16393
16394 @noindent
16395 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
16396 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
16397 attributes of that page.
16398
16399 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
16400 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
16401 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
16402 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
16403 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
16404 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
16405
16406 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
16407 transfer buffer:
16408
16409 @smallexample
16410 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
16411 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
16412 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
16413 @end smallexample
16414
16415 @noindent
16416 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
16417 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
16418 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
16419 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
16420 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
16421
16422 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
16423 @end table
16424
16425 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
16426 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
16427 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
16428 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
16429
16430 @table @code
16431 @kindex set com1base
16432 @kindex set com1irq
16433 @kindex set com2base
16434 @kindex set com2irq
16435 @kindex set com3base
16436 @kindex set com3irq
16437 @kindex set com4base
16438 @kindex set com4irq
16439 @item set com1base @var{addr}
16440 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
16441 port.
16442
16443 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
16444 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
16445 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
16446
16447 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
16448 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
16449 other 3 COM ports.
16450
16451 @kindex show com1base
16452 @kindex show com1irq
16453 @kindex show com2base
16454 @kindex show com2irq
16455 @kindex show com3base
16456 @kindex show com3irq
16457 @kindex show com4base
16458 @kindex show com4irq
16459 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
16460 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
16461 lines used by the COM ports.
16462
16463 @item info serial
16464 @kindex info serial
16465 @cindex DOS serial port status
16466 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
16467 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
16468 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
16469 counts of various errors encountered so far.
16470 @end table
16471
16472
16473 @node Cygwin Native
16474 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
16475 @cindex MS Windows debugging
16476 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
16477 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
16478
16479 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
16480 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
16481
16482 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
16483 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
16484 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
16485 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
16486 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
16487 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
16488 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
16489 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
16490
16491 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
16492 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
16493 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
16494
16495 @table @code
16496 @kindex info w32
16497 @item info w32
16498 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
16499 information about the target system and important OS structures.
16500
16501 @item info w32 selector
16502 This command displays information returned by
16503 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
16504 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
16505 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
16506 Without argument, this command displays information
16507 about the six segment registers.
16508
16509 @kindex info dll
16510 @item info dll
16511 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
16512
16513 @kindex dll-symbols
16514 @item dll-symbols
16515 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
16516 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
16517
16518 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
16519 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
16520 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
16521 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
16522 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
16523 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
16524 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
16525 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
16526 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
16527 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
16528 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
16529
16530 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
16531 @item show cygwin-exceptions
16532 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
16533 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
16534
16535 @kindex set new-console
16536 @item set new-console @var{mode}
16537 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
16538 be started in a new console on next start.
16539 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
16540 be started in the same console as the debugger.
16541
16542 @kindex show new-console
16543 @item show new-console
16544 Displays whether a new console is used
16545 when the debuggee is started.
16546
16547 @kindex set new-group
16548 @item set new-group @var{mode}
16549 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
16550 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
16551 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
16552 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
16553
16554 @kindex show new-group
16555 @item show new-group
16556 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
16557
16558 @kindex set debugevents
16559 @item set debugevents
16560 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
16561 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
16562 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
16563 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
16564 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
16565
16566 @kindex set debugexec
16567 @item set debugexec
16568 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
16569 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
16570
16571 @kindex set debugexceptions
16572 @item set debugexceptions
16573 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
16574 debuggee seen by the debugger.
16575
16576 @kindex set debugmemory
16577 @item set debugmemory
16578 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
16579 and writes by the debugger.
16580
16581 @kindex set shell
16582 @item set shell
16583 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
16584 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
16585
16586 @kindex show shell
16587 @item show shell
16588 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
16589
16590 @end table
16591
16592 @menu
16593 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
16594 @end menu
16595
16596 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
16597 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
16598 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
16599 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
16600
16601 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
16602 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
16603 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
16604 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
16605 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
16606 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
16607 ``minimal symbols''.
16608
16609 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
16610 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
16611 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
16612 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
16613 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
16614 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
16615 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
16616 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
16617 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
16618 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
16619
16620 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
16621
16622 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
16623 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
16624 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
16625 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
16626 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
16627 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
16628 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
16629 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
16630 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
16631
16632 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
16633 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
16634 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
16635 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
16636 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
16637 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
16638
16639 @smallexample
16640 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
16641 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
16642
16643 Non-debugging symbols:
16644 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
16645 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
16646 @end smallexample
16647
16648 @smallexample
16649 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
16650 All functions matching regular expression "!":
16651
16652 Non-debugging symbols:
16653 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
16654 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
16655 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
16656 [etc...]
16657 @end smallexample
16658
16659 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
16660
16661 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
16662 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
16663 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
16664 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
16665 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
16666 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
16667 a function within a DLL without a running program.
16668
16669 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
16670 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
16671 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
16672 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
16673 problem:
16674
16675 @smallexample
16676 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
16677 $1 = 268572168
16678 @end smallexample
16679
16680 @smallexample
16681 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
16682 0x10021610: "\230y\""
16683 @end smallexample
16684
16685 And two possible solutions:
16686
16687 @smallexample
16688 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
16689 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
16690 @end smallexample
16691
16692 @smallexample
16693 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
16694 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
16695 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
16696 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
16697 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
16698 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
16699 @end smallexample
16700
16701 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
16702 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
16703 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
16704 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
16705 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
16706
16707 @smallexample
16708 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
16709 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
16710 @end smallexample
16711
16712 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
16713 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
16714 safe.
16715
16716 @node Hurd Native
16717 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
16718 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
16719
16720 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
16721 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
16722
16723 @table @code
16724 @item set signals
16725 @itemx set sigs
16726 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
16727 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
16728 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
16729 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
16730 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
16731 @code{signals}.
16732
16733 @item show signals
16734 @itemx show sigs
16735 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
16736 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
16737 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
16738
16739 @item set signal-thread
16740 @itemx set sigthread
16741 @kindex set signal-thread
16742 @kindex set sigthread
16743 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
16744 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
16745 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
16746 signal-thread}.
16747
16748 @item show signal-thread
16749 @itemx show sigthread
16750 @kindex show signal-thread
16751 @kindex show sigthread
16752 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
16753 delivered a signal.
16754
16755 @item set stopped
16756 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
16757 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
16758 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
16759 continued by delivering a signal to it.
16760
16761 @item show stopped
16762 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
16763 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
16764 stopped.
16765
16766 @item set exceptions
16767 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
16768 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
16769 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
16770 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
16771 trapping on.
16772
16773 @item show exceptions
16774 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
16775 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
16776
16777 @item set task pause
16778 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
16779 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
16780 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
16781 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
16782 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
16783 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
16784 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
16785 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
16786 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
16787
16788 @item show task pause
16789 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
16790 Show the current state of task suspension.
16791
16792 @item set task detach-suspend-count
16793 @cindex task suspend count
16794 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16795 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
16796 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
16797
16798 @item show task detach-suspend-count
16799 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
16800
16801 @item set task exception-port
16802 @itemx set task excp
16803 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16804 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
16805 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
16806 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
16807
16808 @item set noninvasive
16809 @cindex noninvasive task options
16810 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
16811 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
16812 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
16813 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
16814
16815 @item info send-rights
16816 @itemx info receive-rights
16817 @itemx info port-rights
16818 @itemx info port-sets
16819 @itemx info dead-names
16820 @itemx info ports
16821 @itemx info psets
16822 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16823 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16824 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16825 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16826 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16827 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
16828 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
16829 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
16830 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
16831
16832 @item set thread pause
16833 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
16834 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16835 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
16836 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
16837 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
16838 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
16839 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
16840 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
16841 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
16842 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
16843 only the current thread.
16844
16845 @item show thread pause
16846 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
16847 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
16848
16849 @item set thread run
16850 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
16851
16852 @item show thread run
16853 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
16854
16855 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
16856 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16857 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16858 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
16859 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
16860 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
16861 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
16862
16863 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
16864 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
16865 detaching.
16866
16867 @item set thread exception-port
16868 @itemx set thread excp
16869 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
16870 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
16871 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
16872
16873 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
16874 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
16875 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
16876 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
16877
16878 @item set thread default
16879 @itemx show thread default
16880 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16881 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
16882 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
16883 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
16884 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
16885 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
16886 the non-default commands.
16887 @end table
16888
16889
16890 @node Neutrino
16891 @subsection QNX Neutrino
16892 @cindex QNX Neutrino
16893
16894 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
16895 Neutrino target:
16896
16897 @table @code
16898 @item set debug nto-debug
16899 @kindex set debug nto-debug
16900 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
16901 Neutrino support.
16902
16903 @item show debug nto-debug
16904 @kindex show debug nto-debug
16905 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
16906 @end table
16907
16908 @node Darwin
16909 @subsection Darwin
16910 @cindex Darwin
16911
16912 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
16913
16914 @table @code
16915 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
16916 @kindex set debug darwin
16917 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
16918 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
16919
16920 @item show debug darwin
16921 @kindex show debug darwin
16922 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
16923
16924 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
16925 @kindex set debug mach-o
16926 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
16927 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
16928 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
16929 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
16930 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
16931 usage.
16932
16933 @item show debug mach-o
16934 @kindex show debug mach-o
16935 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
16936
16937 @item set mach-exceptions on
16938 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
16939 @kindex set mach-exceptions
16940 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
16941 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
16942 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
16943 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
16944
16945 @item show mach-exceptions
16946 @kindex show mach-exceptions
16947 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
16948 @end table
16949
16950
16951 @node Embedded OS
16952 @section Embedded Operating Systems
16953
16954 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
16955 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
16956 architectures.
16957
16958 @menu
16959 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
16960 @end menu
16961
16962 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
16963 various real-time operating systems.
16964
16965 @node VxWorks
16966 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
16967
16968 @cindex VxWorks
16969
16970 @table @code
16971
16972 @kindex target vxworks
16973 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
16974 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
16975 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
16976
16977 @end table
16978
16979 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
16980 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
16981
16982 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
16983 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
16984 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
16985 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
16986 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
16987 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
16988 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
16989
16990 @table @code
16991 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
16992 @kindex vxworks-timeout
16993 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
16994 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
16995 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
16996 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
16997 of a thin network line.
16998 @end table
16999
17000 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
17001 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
17002 procedures.
17003
17004 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
17005 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
17006 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
17007 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
17008 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
17009 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
17010 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
17011 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
17012 manual.
17013 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
17014
17015 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
17016 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
17017 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
17018 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
17019
17020 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
17021
17022 @smallexample
17023 (vxgdb)
17024 @end smallexample
17025
17026 @menu
17027 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
17028 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
17029 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
17030 @end menu
17031
17032 @node VxWorks Connection
17033 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
17034
17035 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
17036 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
17037
17038 @smallexample
17039 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
17040 @end smallexample
17041
17042 @need 750
17043 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
17044
17045 @smallexample
17046 Attaching remote machine across net...
17047 Connected to tt.
17048 @end smallexample
17049
17050 @need 1000
17051 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
17052 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
17053 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
17054 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
17055 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
17056
17057 @smallexample
17058 prog.o: No such file or directory.
17059 @end smallexample
17060
17061 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
17062 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
17063 command again.
17064
17065 @node VxWorks Download
17066 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
17067
17068 @cindex download to VxWorks
17069 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
17070 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
17071 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
17072 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
17073 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
17074 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
17075 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
17076 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
17077 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
17078 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
17079 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
17080 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
17081 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
17082 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
17083 program, type this on VxWorks:
17084
17085 @smallexample
17086 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
17087 @end smallexample
17088
17089 @noindent
17090 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
17091
17092 @smallexample
17093 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
17094 (vxgdb) load prog.o
17095 @end smallexample
17096
17097 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
17098
17099 @smallexample
17100 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
17101 @end smallexample
17102
17103 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
17104 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
17105 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
17106 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
17107 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
17108 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
17109 table.)
17110
17111 @node VxWorks Attach
17112 @subsubsection Running Tasks
17113
17114 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
17115 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
17116 follows:
17117
17118 @smallexample
17119 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
17120 @end smallexample
17121
17122 @noindent
17123 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
17124 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
17125 the time of attachment.
17126
17127 @node Embedded Processors
17128 @section Embedded Processors
17129
17130 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
17131 configurations.
17132
17133 @cindex send command to simulator
17134 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
17135 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
17136
17137 @table @code
17138 @item sim @var{command}
17139 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
17140 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
17141 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
17142 acceptable commands.
17143 @end table
17144
17145
17146 @menu
17147 * ARM:: ARM RDI
17148 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
17149 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
17150 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
17151 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
17152 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
17153 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
17154 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
17155 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
17156 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
17157 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
17158 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
17159 * CRIS:: CRIS
17160 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
17161 @end menu
17162
17163 @node ARM
17164 @subsection ARM
17165 @cindex ARM RDI
17166
17167 @table @code
17168 @kindex target rdi
17169 @item target rdi @var{dev}
17170 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
17171 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
17172 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
17173
17174 @kindex target rdp
17175 @item target rdp @var{dev}
17176 ARM Demon monitor.
17177
17178 @end table
17179
17180 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
17181
17182 @table @code
17183 @item set arm disassembler
17184 @kindex set arm
17185 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
17186 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
17187
17188 @item show arm disassembler
17189 @kindex show arm
17190 Show the current disassembly style.
17191
17192 @item set arm apcs32
17193 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
17194 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
17195
17196 @item show arm apcs32
17197 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
17198
17199 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
17200 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
17201 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
17202
17203 @table @code
17204 @item auto
17205 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
17206 @item softfpa
17207 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
17208 processors.
17209 @item fpa
17210 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
17211 @item softvfp
17212 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
17213 @item vfp
17214 VFP co-processor.
17215 @end table
17216
17217 @item show arm fpu
17218 Show the current type of the FPU.
17219
17220 @item set arm abi
17221 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
17222
17223 @item show arm abi
17224 Show the currently used ABI.
17225
17226 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
17227 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
17228 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
17229 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
17230 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
17231 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
17232 register).
17233
17234 @item show arm fallback-mode
17235 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
17236
17237 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
17238 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
17239 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
17240 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
17241 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
17242
17243 @item show arm force-mode
17244 Show the current forced instruction mode.
17245
17246 @item set debug arm
17247 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
17248 target support subsystem.
17249
17250 @item show debug arm
17251 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
17252 @end table
17253
17254 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
17255 using the RDI interface:
17256
17257 @table @code
17258 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
17259 @kindex rdilogfile
17260 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
17261 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
17262 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
17263 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
17264 @file{rdi.log}.
17265
17266 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
17267 @kindex rdilogenable
17268 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
17269 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
17270 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
17271 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
17272 are logged to a file.
17273
17274 @item set rdiromatzero
17275 @kindex set rdiromatzero
17276 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
17277 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
17278 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
17279 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
17280 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
17281
17282 @item show rdiromatzero
17283 @kindex show rdiromatzero
17284 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
17285
17286 @item set rdiheartbeat
17287 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
17288 @cindex RDI heartbeat
17289 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
17290 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
17291 well as the Angel monitor.
17292
17293 @item show rdiheartbeat
17294 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
17295 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
17296 @end table
17297
17298 @table @code
17299 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
17300 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
17301
17302 @table @code
17303 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
17304 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
17305 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
17306 The default value is @code{all}.
17307
17308 @table @code
17309 @item none
17310 @item demon
17311 @item angel
17312 @item redboot
17313 @item all
17314 @end table
17315 @end table
17316 @end table
17317
17318 @node M32R/D
17319 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
17320
17321 @table @code
17322 @kindex target m32r
17323 @item target m32r @var{dev}
17324 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
17325
17326 @kindex target m32rsdi
17327 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
17328 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
17329 @end table
17330
17331 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
17332
17333 @table @code
17334 @item set download-path @var{path}
17335 @kindex set download-path
17336 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
17337 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
17338
17339 @item show download-path
17340 @kindex show download-path
17341 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
17342
17343 @item set board-address @var{addr}
17344 @kindex set board-address
17345 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
17346 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
17347
17348 @item show board-address
17349 @kindex show board-address
17350 Show the current IP address of the target board.
17351
17352 @item set server-address @var{addr}
17353 @kindex set server-address
17354 @cindex download server address (M32R)
17355 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
17356 host machine.
17357
17358 @item show server-address
17359 @kindex show server-address
17360 Display the IP address of the download server.
17361
17362 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
17363 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
17364 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
17365 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
17366 executable file is uploaded.
17367
17368 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
17369 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
17370 Test the @code{upload} command.
17371 @end table
17372
17373 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
17374
17375 @table @code
17376 @item sdireset
17377 @kindex sdireset
17378 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
17379 This command resets the SDI connection.
17380
17381 @item sdistatus
17382 @kindex sdistatus
17383 This command shows the SDI connection status.
17384
17385 @item debug_chaos
17386 @kindex debug_chaos
17387 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
17388 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
17389
17390 @item use_debug_dma
17391 @kindex use_debug_dma
17392 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
17393
17394 @item use_mon_code
17395 @kindex use_mon_code
17396 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
17397
17398 @item use_ib_break
17399 @kindex use_ib_break
17400 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
17401
17402 @item use_dbt_break
17403 @kindex use_dbt_break
17404 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
17405 @end table
17406
17407 @node M68K
17408 @subsection M68k
17409
17410 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
17411 target command for the following ROM monitor.
17412
17413 @table @code
17414
17415 @kindex target dbug
17416 @item target dbug @var{dev}
17417 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
17418
17419 @end table
17420
17421 @node MicroBlaze
17422 @subsection MicroBlaze
17423 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
17424 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
17425
17426 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
17427 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
17428 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
17429 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
17430 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
17431 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
17432 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
17433 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
17434 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
17435 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
17436 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
17437
17438 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
17439
17440 @table @code
17441 @item target remote :1234
17442 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
17443 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
17444
17445 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
17446 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
17447 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
17448
17449 @item load
17450 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
17451
17452 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
17453 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
17454
17455 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
17456 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
17457 @end table
17458
17459 @node MIPS Embedded
17460 @subsection MIPS Embedded
17461
17462 @cindex MIPS boards
17463 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
17464 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
17465 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
17466
17467 @need 1000
17468 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
17469
17470 @table @code
17471 @item target mips @var{port}
17472 @kindex target mips @var{port}
17473 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
17474 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
17475 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
17476 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
17477 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
17478 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
17479
17480 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
17481 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
17482 debugger:
17483
17484 @smallexample
17485 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
17486 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
17487 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
17488 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
17489 (@value{GDBP}) run
17490 @end smallexample
17491
17492 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
17493 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
17494 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
17495 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
17496 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
17497
17498 @item target pmon @var{port}
17499 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
17500 PMON ROM monitor.
17501
17502 @item target ddb @var{port}
17503 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
17504 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
17505
17506 @item target lsi @var{port}
17507 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
17508 LSI variant of PMON.
17509
17510 @kindex target r3900
17511 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
17512 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
17513
17514 @kindex target array
17515 @item target array @var{dev}
17516 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
17517
17518 @end table
17519
17520
17521 @noindent
17522 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
17523
17524 @table @code
17525 @item set mipsfpu double
17526 @itemx set mipsfpu single
17527 @itemx set mipsfpu none
17528 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
17529 @itemx show mipsfpu
17530 @kindex set mipsfpu
17531 @kindex show mipsfpu
17532 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
17533 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
17534 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
17535 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
17536 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
17537 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
17538 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
17539 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
17540 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
17541 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
17542 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
17543 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
17544 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
17545
17546 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
17547 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
17548 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
17549
17550 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
17551 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
17552
17553 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
17554 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
17555 @itemx show timeout
17556 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
17557 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
17558 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
17559 @kindex set timeout
17560 @kindex show timeout
17561 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
17562 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
17563 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
17564 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
17565 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
17566 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
17567 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
17568 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
17569 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
17570 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
17571
17572 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
17573 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
17574 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
17575 to run before stopping.
17576
17577 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
17578 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
17579 @cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
17580 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
17581 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
17582 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
17583
17584 @item show syn-garbage-limit
17585 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
17586 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
17587 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
17588
17589 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
17590 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
17591 @cindex remote monitor prompt
17592 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
17593 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
17594 @table @asis
17595 @item pmon target
17596 @samp{PMON}
17597 @item ddb target
17598 @samp{NEC010}
17599 @item lsi target
17600 @samp{PMON>}
17601 @end table
17602
17603 @item show monitor-prompt
17604 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
17605 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
17606 remote monitor.
17607
17608 @item set monitor-warnings
17609 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
17610 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
17611 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
17612 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
17613 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
17614
17615 @item show monitor-warnings
17616 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
17617 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
17618
17619 @item pmon @var{command}
17620 @kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
17621 @cindex send PMON command
17622 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
17623 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
17624 @end table
17625
17626 @node OpenRISC 1000
17627 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
17628 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
17629
17630 @cindex or1k boards
17631 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
17632 about platform and commands.
17633
17634 @table @code
17635
17636 @kindex target jtag
17637 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
17638
17639 Connects to remote JTAG server.
17640 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
17641 connected via parallel port to the board.
17642
17643 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
17644
17645 @kindex or1ksim
17646 @item or1ksim @var{command}
17647 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
17648 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
17649
17650 @kindex info or1k spr
17651 @item info or1k spr
17652 Displays spr groups.
17653
17654 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
17655 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
17656 Displays register names in selected group.
17657
17658 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
17659 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
17660 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
17661 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
17662 Shows information about specified spr register.
17663
17664 @kindex spr
17665 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
17666 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
17667 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
17668 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
17669 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
17670 @end table
17671
17672 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
17673 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
17674 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
17675 triggers can be set using:
17676 @table @code
17677 @item $LEA/$LDATA
17678 Load effective address/data
17679 @item $SEA/$SDATA
17680 Store effective address/data
17681 @item $AEA/$ADATA
17682 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
17683 @item $FETCH
17684 Fetch data
17685 @end table
17686
17687 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
17688 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
17689
17690 @code{htrace} commands:
17691 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
17692 @table @code
17693 @kindex hwatch
17694 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
17695 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
17696 or Data. For example:
17697
17698 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
17699
17700 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
17701
17702 @kindex htrace
17703 @item htrace info
17704 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
17705
17706 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
17707 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
17708
17709 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
17710 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
17711
17712 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
17713 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
17714
17715 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
17716 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
17717 triggered.
17718
17719 @item htrace enable
17720 @itemx htrace disable
17721 Enables/disables the HW trace.
17722
17723 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
17724 Clears currently recorded trace data.
17725
17726 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
17727 will be written there.
17728
17729 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
17730 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
17731
17732 @item htrace mode continuous
17733 Set continuous trace mode.
17734
17735 @item htrace mode suspend
17736 Set suspend trace mode.
17737
17738 @end table
17739
17740 @node PowerPC Embedded
17741 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
17742
17743 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
17744
17745 @table @code
17746 @kindex set powerpc
17747 @item set powerpc soft-float
17748 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
17749 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
17750 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
17751 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
17752
17753 @item set powerpc vector-abi
17754 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
17755 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
17756 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
17757 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
17758 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
17759 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
17760 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
17761
17762 @kindex target dink32
17763 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
17764 DINK32 ROM monitor.
17765
17766 @kindex target ppcbug
17767 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
17768 @kindex target ppcbug1
17769 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
17770 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
17771
17772 @kindex target sds
17773 @item target sds @var{dev}
17774 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
17775 @end table
17776
17777 @cindex SDS protocol
17778 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
17779 by @value{GDBN}:
17780
17781 @table @code
17782 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
17783 @kindex set sdstimeout
17784 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
17785 default is 2 seconds.
17786
17787 @item show sdstimeout
17788 @kindex show sdstimeout
17789 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
17790
17791 @item sds @var{command}
17792 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
17793 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
17794 @end table
17795
17796
17797 @node PA
17798 @subsection HP PA Embedded
17799
17800 @table @code
17801
17802 @kindex target op50n
17803 @item target op50n @var{dev}
17804 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
17805
17806 @kindex target w89k
17807 @item target w89k @var{dev}
17808 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
17809
17810 @end table
17811
17812 @node Sparclet
17813 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
17814
17815 @cindex Sparclet
17816
17817 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
17818 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
17819 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
17820 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
17821 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
17822
17823 @table @code
17824 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
17825 @kindex remotetimeout
17826 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
17827 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
17828 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
17829 @end table
17830
17831 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
17832 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
17833 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
17834 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
17835 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
17836
17837 @smallexample
17838 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
17839 @end smallexample
17840
17841 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
17842
17843 @smallexample
17844 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
17845 @end smallexample
17846
17847 @cindex running, on Sparclet
17848 Once you have set
17849 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
17850 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
17851 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
17852
17853 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
17854
17855 @smallexample
17856 (gdbslet)
17857 @end smallexample
17858
17859 @menu
17860 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
17861 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
17862 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
17863 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
17864 @end menu
17865
17866 @node Sparclet File
17867 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
17868
17869 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
17870
17871 @smallexample
17872 (gdbslet) file prog
17873 @end smallexample
17874
17875 @need 1000
17876 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
17877 @value{GDBN} locates
17878 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
17879 path.
17880 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
17881 files will be searched as well.
17882 @value{GDBN} locates
17883 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
17884 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
17885 If it fails
17886 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
17887
17888 @smallexample
17889 prog: No such file or directory.
17890 @end smallexample
17891
17892 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
17893 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
17894 @code{target} command again.
17895
17896 @node Sparclet Connection
17897 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
17898
17899 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
17900 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
17901
17902 @smallexample
17903 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
17904 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
17905 main () at ../prog.c:3
17906 @end smallexample
17907
17908 @need 750
17909 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
17910
17911 @smallexample
17912 Connected to ttya.
17913 @end smallexample
17914
17915 @node Sparclet Download
17916 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
17917
17918 @cindex download to Sparclet
17919 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
17920 you can use the @value{GDBN}
17921 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
17922 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
17923 command.
17924 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
17925 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
17926 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
17927 of each of the file's sections.
17928 For instance, if the program
17929 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
17930 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
17931
17932 @smallexample
17933 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
17934 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
17935 @end smallexample
17936
17937 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
17938 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
17939 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
17940
17941 @node Sparclet Execution
17942 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
17943
17944 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
17945 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
17946 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
17947 manual for the list of commands.
17948
17949 @smallexample
17950 (gdbslet) b main
17951 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
17952 (gdbslet) run
17953 Starting program: prog
17954 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
17955 3 char *symarg = 0;
17956 (gdbslet) step
17957 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
17958 (gdbslet)
17959 @end smallexample
17960
17961 @node Sparclite
17962 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
17963
17964 @table @code
17965
17966 @kindex target sparclite
17967 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
17968 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
17969 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
17970 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
17971 remote protocol.
17972
17973 @end table
17974
17975 @node Z8000
17976 @subsection Zilog Z8000
17977
17978 @cindex Z8000
17979 @cindex simulator, Z8000
17980 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
17981
17982 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
17983 a Z8000 simulator.
17984
17985 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
17986 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
17987 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
17988 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
17989
17990 @table @code
17991 @item target sim @var{args}
17992 @kindex sim
17993 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
17994 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
17995 options, specify them via @var{args}.
17996 @end table
17997
17998 @noindent
17999 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
18000 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
18001 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
18002 to run your program, and so on.
18003
18004 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
18005 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
18006 additional items of information as specially named registers:
18007
18008 @table @code
18009
18010 @item cycles
18011 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
18012
18013 @item insts
18014 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
18015
18016 @item time
18017 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
18018
18019 @end table
18020
18021 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
18022 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
18023 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
18024 simulated clock ticks.
18025
18026 @node AVR
18027 @subsection Atmel AVR
18028 @cindex AVR
18029
18030 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
18031 following AVR-specific commands:
18032
18033 @table @code
18034 @item info io_registers
18035 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
18036 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
18037 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
18038 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
18039 @end table
18040
18041 @node CRIS
18042 @subsection CRIS
18043 @cindex CRIS
18044
18045 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
18046 following CRIS-specific commands:
18047
18048 @table @code
18049 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
18050 @cindex CRIS version
18051 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
18052 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
18053 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
18054
18055 @item show cris-version
18056 Show the current CRIS version.
18057
18058 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
18059 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
18060 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
18061 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
18062 @code{R59}.
18063
18064 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
18065 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
18066
18067 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
18068 @cindex CRIS mode
18069 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
18070 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
18071 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
18072
18073 @item show cris-mode
18074 Show the current CRIS mode.
18075 @end table
18076
18077 @node Super-H
18078 @subsection Renesas Super-H
18079 @cindex Super-H
18080
18081 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
18082 commands:
18083
18084 @table @code
18085 @item regs
18086 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
18087 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
18088
18089 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
18090 @kindex set sh calling-convention
18091 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
18092 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
18093 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
18094 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
18095 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
18096 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
18097 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
18098 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
18099 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
18100 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
18101
18102 @item show sh calling-convention
18103 @kindex show sh calling-convention
18104 Show the current calling convention setting.
18105
18106 @end table
18107
18108
18109 @node Architectures
18110 @section Architectures
18111
18112 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
18113 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
18114
18115 @menu
18116 * i386::
18117 * A29K::
18118 * Alpha::
18119 * MIPS::
18120 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
18121 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
18122 * PowerPC::
18123 @end menu
18124
18125 @node i386
18126 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
18127
18128 @table @code
18129 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
18130 @kindex set struct-convention
18131 @cindex struct return convention
18132 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
18133 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
18134 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
18135 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
18136 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
18137 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
18138 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
18139 be returned in a register.
18140
18141 @item show struct-convention
18142 @kindex show struct-convention
18143 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
18144 from functions.
18145 @end table
18146
18147 @node A29K
18148 @subsection A29K
18149
18150 @table @code
18151
18152 @kindex set rstack_high_address
18153 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
18154 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
18155 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
18156 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
18157 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
18158 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
18159 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
18160 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
18161 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
18162 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
18163 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
18164 hexadecimal.
18165
18166 @kindex show rstack_high_address
18167 @item show rstack_high_address
18168 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
18169 processors.
18170
18171 @end table
18172
18173 @node Alpha
18174 @subsection Alpha
18175
18176 See the following section.
18177
18178 @node MIPS
18179 @subsection MIPS
18180
18181 @cindex stack on Alpha
18182 @cindex stack on MIPS
18183 @cindex Alpha stack
18184 @cindex MIPS stack
18185 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
18186 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
18187 find the beginning of a function.
18188
18189 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
18190 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
18191 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
18192 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
18193 commands:
18194
18195 @table @code
18196 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
18197 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
18198 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
18199 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
18200 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
18201 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
18202 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
18203 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
18204
18205 @item show heuristic-fence-post
18206 Display the current limit.
18207 @end table
18208
18209 @noindent
18210 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
18211 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
18212
18213 Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
18214 programs:
18215
18216 @table @code
18217 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
18218 @kindex set mips abi
18219 @cindex set ABI for MIPS
18220 Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
18221 values of @var{arg} are:
18222
18223 @table @samp
18224 @item auto
18225 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
18226 default).
18227 @item o32
18228 @item o64
18229 @item n32
18230 @item n64
18231 @item eabi32
18232 @item eabi64
18233 @item auto
18234 @end table
18235
18236 @item show mips abi
18237 @kindex show mips abi
18238 Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
18239
18240 @item set mipsfpu
18241 @itemx show mipsfpu
18242 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
18243
18244 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
18245 @kindex set mips mask-address
18246 @cindex MIPS addresses, masking
18247 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
18248 MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
18249 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
18250 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
18251
18252 @item show mips mask-address
18253 @kindex show mips mask-address
18254 Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
18255 not.
18256
18257 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18258 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18259 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
18260 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
18261 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
18262 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
18263
18264 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18265 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18266 Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
18267
18268 @item set debug mips
18269 @kindex set debug mips
18270 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
18271 target code in @value{GDBN}.
18272
18273 @item show debug mips
18274 @kindex show debug mips
18275 Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
18276 @end table
18277
18278
18279 @node HPPA
18280 @subsection HPPA
18281 @cindex HPPA support
18282
18283 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
18284 following special commands:
18285
18286 @table @code
18287 @item set debug hppa
18288 @kindex set debug hppa
18289 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
18290 messages are to be displayed.
18291
18292 @item show debug hppa
18293 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
18294
18295 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
18296 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
18297 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
18298 given @var{address}.
18299
18300 @end table
18301
18302
18303 @node SPU
18304 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
18305 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
18306 @cindex SPU
18307
18308 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
18309 it provides the following special commands:
18310
18311 @table @code
18312 @item info spu event
18313 @kindex info spu
18314 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
18315 and pending event status.
18316
18317 @item info spu signal
18318 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
18319 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
18320 notification channels.
18321
18322 @item info spu mailbox
18323 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
18324 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
18325 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
18326
18327 @item info spu dma
18328 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
18329 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
18330 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
18331
18332 @item info spu proxydma
18333 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
18334 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
18335 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
18336
18337 @end table
18338
18339 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
18340 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
18341 special commands:
18342
18343 @table @code
18344 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
18345 @kindex set spu
18346 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
18347 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
18348 function. The default is @code{off}.
18349
18350 @item show spu stop-on-load
18351 @kindex show spu
18352 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
18353
18354 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
18355 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
18356 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
18357 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
18358 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
18359 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
18360
18361 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
18362 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
18363
18364 @end table
18365
18366 @node PowerPC
18367 @subsection PowerPC
18368 @cindex PowerPC architecture
18369
18370 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
18371 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
18372 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
18373 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
18374 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
18375
18376 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
18377 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
18378 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
18379
18380 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
18381 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
18382
18383
18384 @node Controlling GDB
18385 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
18386
18387 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
18388 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
18389 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
18390 described here.
18391
18392 @menu
18393 * Prompt:: Prompt
18394 * Editing:: Command editing
18395 * Command History:: Command history
18396 * Screen Size:: Screen size
18397 * Numbers:: Numbers
18398 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
18399 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
18400 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
18401 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
18402 @end menu
18403
18404 @node Prompt
18405 @section Prompt
18406
18407 @cindex prompt
18408
18409 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
18410 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
18411 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
18412 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
18413 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
18414 which one you are talking to.
18415
18416 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
18417 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
18418 or a prompt that does not.
18419
18420 @table @code
18421 @kindex set prompt
18422 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
18423 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
18424
18425 @kindex show prompt
18426 @item show prompt
18427 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
18428 @end table
18429
18430 @node Editing
18431 @section Command Editing
18432 @cindex readline
18433 @cindex command line editing
18434
18435 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
18436 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
18437 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
18438 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
18439 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
18440 debugging sessions.
18441
18442 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
18443 command @code{set}.
18444
18445 @table @code
18446 @kindex set editing
18447 @cindex editing
18448 @item set editing
18449 @itemx set editing on
18450 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
18451
18452 @item set editing off
18453 Disable command line editing.
18454
18455 @kindex show editing
18456 @item show editing
18457 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
18458 @end table
18459
18460 @xref{Command Line Editing}, for more details about the Readline
18461 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
18462 encouraged to read that chapter.
18463
18464 @node Command History
18465 @section Command History
18466 @cindex command history
18467
18468 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
18469 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
18470 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
18471 history facility.
18472
18473 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
18474 package, to provide the history facility. @xref{Using History
18475 Interactively}, for the detailed description of the History library.
18476
18477 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
18478 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
18479 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
18480 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
18481 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
18482 pressed on a line by itself.
18483
18484 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
18485 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
18486 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
18487 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
18488
18489 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
18490 history.
18491
18492 @table @code
18493 @cindex history substitution
18494 @cindex history file
18495 @kindex set history filename
18496 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
18497 @item set history filename @var{fname}
18498 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
18499 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
18500 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
18501 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
18502 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
18503 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
18504 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
18505 is not set.
18506
18507 @cindex save command history
18508 @kindex set history save
18509 @item set history save
18510 @itemx set history save on
18511 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
18512 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
18513
18514 @item set history save off
18515 Stop recording command history in a file.
18516
18517 @cindex history size
18518 @kindex set history size
18519 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
18520 @item set history size @var{size}
18521 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
18522 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
18523 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
18524 @end table
18525
18526 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
18527 @xref{Event Designators}, for more details.
18528
18529 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
18530 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
18531 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
18532 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
18533 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
18534 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
18535 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
18536 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
18537
18538 The commands to control history expansion are:
18539
18540 @table @code
18541 @item set history expansion on
18542 @itemx set history expansion
18543 @kindex set history expansion
18544 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
18545
18546 @item set history expansion off
18547 Disable history expansion.
18548
18549 @c @group
18550 @kindex show history
18551 @item show history
18552 @itemx show history filename
18553 @itemx show history save
18554 @itemx show history size
18555 @itemx show history expansion
18556 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
18557 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
18558 @c @end group
18559 @end table
18560
18561 @table @code
18562 @kindex show commands
18563 @cindex show last commands
18564 @cindex display command history
18565 @item show commands
18566 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
18567
18568 @item show commands @var{n}
18569 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
18570
18571 @item show commands +
18572 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
18573 @end table
18574
18575 @node Screen Size
18576 @section Screen Size
18577 @cindex size of screen
18578 @cindex pauses in output
18579
18580 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
18581 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
18582 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
18583 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
18584 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
18585 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
18586 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
18587 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
18588
18589 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
18590 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
18591 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
18592 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
18593 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
18594 width} commands:
18595
18596 @table @code
18597 @kindex set height
18598 @kindex set width
18599 @kindex show width
18600 @kindex show height
18601 @item set height @var{lpp}
18602 @itemx show height
18603 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
18604 @itemx show width
18605 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
18606 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
18607 commands display the current settings.
18608
18609 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
18610 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
18611 file or to an editor buffer.
18612
18613 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
18614 from wrapping its output.
18615
18616 @item set pagination on
18617 @itemx set pagination off
18618 @kindex set pagination
18619 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
18620 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}. Note that
18621 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
18622 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
18623
18624 @item show pagination
18625 @kindex show pagination
18626 Show the current pagination mode.
18627 @end table
18628
18629 @node Numbers
18630 @section Numbers
18631 @cindex number representation
18632 @cindex entering numbers
18633
18634 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
18635 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
18636 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
18637 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
18638 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
18639 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
18640 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
18641 both input and output with the commands described below.
18642
18643 @table @code
18644 @kindex set input-radix
18645 @item set input-radix @var{base}
18646 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
18647 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
18648 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
18649 example, any of
18650
18651 @smallexample
18652 set input-radix 012
18653 set input-radix 10.
18654 set input-radix 0xa
18655 @end smallexample
18656
18657 @noindent
18658 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
18659 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
18660 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
18661 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
18662 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
18663 change the radix.
18664
18665 @kindex set output-radix
18666 @item set output-radix @var{base}
18667 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
18668 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
18669 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
18670
18671 @kindex show input-radix
18672 @item show input-radix
18673 Display the current default base for numeric input.
18674
18675 @kindex show output-radix
18676 @item show output-radix
18677 Display the current default base for numeric display.
18678
18679 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
18680 @itemx show radix
18681 @kindex set radix
18682 @kindex show radix
18683 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
18684 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
18685 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
18686 default value of 10.
18687
18688 @end table
18689
18690 @node ABI
18691 @section Configuring the Current ABI
18692
18693 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
18694 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
18695 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
18696 current ABI.
18697
18698 @cindex OS ABI
18699 @kindex set osabi
18700 @kindex show osabi
18701
18702 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
18703 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
18704 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
18705 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
18706 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
18707 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
18708 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
18709 platform provides.
18710
18711 @table @code
18712 @item show osabi
18713 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
18714
18715 @item set osabi
18716 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
18717
18718 @item set osabi @var{abi}
18719 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
18720 @end table
18721
18722 @cindex float promotion
18723
18724 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
18725 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
18726 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
18727 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
18728 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
18729 @code{double} and then passed.
18730
18731 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
18732 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
18733 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
18734
18735 @table @code
18736 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
18737 @item set coerce-float-to-double
18738 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
18739 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
18740 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
18741
18742 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
18743 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
18744 functions.
18745
18746 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
18747 @item show coerce-float-to-double
18748 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
18749 @end table
18750
18751 @kindex set cp-abi
18752 @kindex show cp-abi
18753 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
18754 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
18755 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
18756 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
18757 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
18758 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
18759 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
18760 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
18761 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
18762 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
18763 ``auto''.
18764
18765 @table @code
18766 @item show cp-abi
18767 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
18768
18769 @item set cp-abi
18770 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
18771
18772 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
18773 @itemx set cp-abi auto
18774 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
18775 @end table
18776
18777 @node Messages/Warnings
18778 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
18779
18780 @cindex verbose operation
18781 @cindex optional warnings
18782 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
18783 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
18784 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
18785 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
18786
18787 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
18788 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
18789 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
18790
18791 @table @code
18792 @kindex set verbose
18793 @item set verbose on
18794 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
18795
18796 @item set verbose off
18797 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
18798
18799 @kindex show verbose
18800 @item show verbose
18801 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
18802 @end table
18803
18804 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
18805 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
18806 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
18807 Symbol Files}).
18808
18809 @table @code
18810
18811 @kindex set complaints
18812 @item set complaints @var{limit}
18813 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
18814 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
18815 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
18816 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
18817
18818 @kindex show complaints
18819 @item show complaints
18820 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
18821
18822 @end table
18823
18824 @anchor{confirmation requests}
18825 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
18826 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
18827 you try to run a program which is already running:
18828
18829 @smallexample
18830 (@value{GDBP}) run
18831 The program being debugged has been started already.
18832 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
18833 @end smallexample
18834
18835 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
18836 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
18837
18838 @table @code
18839
18840 @kindex set confirm
18841 @cindex flinching
18842 @cindex confirmation
18843 @cindex stupid questions
18844 @item set confirm off
18845 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
18846 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
18847 automatically disables confirmation requests.
18848
18849 @item set confirm on
18850 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
18851
18852 @kindex show confirm
18853 @item show confirm
18854 Displays state of confirmation requests.
18855
18856 @end table
18857
18858 @cindex command tracing
18859 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
18860 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
18861 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
18862 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
18863
18864 @table @code
18865 @kindex set trace-commands
18866 @cindex command scripts, debugging
18867 @item set trace-commands on
18868 Enable command tracing.
18869 @item set trace-commands off
18870 Disable command tracing.
18871 @item show trace-commands
18872 Display the current state of command tracing.
18873 @end table
18874
18875 @node Debugging Output
18876 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
18877 @cindex optional debugging messages
18878
18879 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
18880 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
18881 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
18882 section documents those commands.
18883
18884 @table @code
18885 @kindex set exec-done-display
18886 @item set exec-done-display
18887 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
18888 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
18889 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
18890 @kindex show exec-done-display
18891 @item show exec-done-display
18892 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
18893 notification.
18894 @kindex set debug
18895 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
18896 @cindex architecture debugging info
18897 @item set debug arch
18898 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
18899 @kindex show debug
18900 @item show debug arch
18901 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
18902 @item set debug aix-thread
18903 @cindex AIX threads
18904 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
18905 module.
18906 @item show debug aix-thread
18907 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
18908 @item set debug dwarf2-die
18909 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
18910 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
18911 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
18912 A value of zero turns off the display.
18913 @item show debug dwarf2-die
18914 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
18915 @item set debug displaced
18916 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
18917 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
18918 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
18919 @item show debug displaced
18920 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
18921 related to displaced stepping.
18922 @item set debug event
18923 @cindex event debugging info
18924 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
18925 default is off.
18926 @item show debug event
18927 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
18928 info.
18929 @item set debug expression
18930 @cindex expression debugging info
18931 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
18932 expression parsing. The default is off.
18933 @item show debug expression
18934 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
18935 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
18936 @item set debug frame
18937 @cindex frame debugging info
18938 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
18939 default is off.
18940 @item show debug frame
18941 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
18942 info.
18943 @item set debug gnu-nat
18944 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
18945 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
18946 @item show debug gnu-nat
18947 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
18948 @item set debug infrun
18949 @cindex inferior debugging info
18950 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
18951 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
18952 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
18953 @item show debug infrun
18954 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
18955 @item set debug lin-lwp
18956 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
18957 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
18958 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
18959 @item show debug lin-lwp
18960 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
18961 @item set debug lin-lwp-async
18962 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP async debug messages
18963 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
18964 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP async debug support.
18965 @item show debug lin-lwp-async
18966 Show the current state of Linux LWP async debugging messages.
18967 @item set debug observer
18968 @cindex observer debugging info
18969 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
18970 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
18971 @item show debug observer
18972 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
18973 @item set debug overload
18974 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
18975 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
18976 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
18977 is off.
18978 @item show debug overload
18979 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
18980 debugging info.
18981 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
18982 @cindex debug expression parser
18983 @item set debug parser
18984 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
18985 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
18986 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
18987 details. The default is off.
18988 @item show debug parser
18989 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
18990 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
18991 @cindex serial connections, debugging
18992 @cindex debug remote protocol
18993 @cindex remote protocol debugging
18994 @cindex display remote packets
18995 @item set debug remote
18996 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
18997 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
18998 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
18999 @item show debug remote
19000 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
19001 @item set debug serial
19002 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
19003 default is off.
19004 @item show debug serial
19005 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
19006 info.
19007 @item set debug solib-frv
19008 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
19009 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
19010 @item show debug solib-frv
19011 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
19012 messages.
19013 @item set debug target
19014 @cindex target debugging info
19015 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
19016 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
19017 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
19018 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
19019 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
19020 @item show debug target
19021 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
19022 info.
19023 @item set debug timestamp
19024 @cindex timestampping debugging info
19025 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
19026 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
19027 message.
19028 @item show debug timestamp
19029 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
19030 debugging info.
19031 @item set debugvarobj
19032 @cindex variable object debugging info
19033 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
19034 info. The default is off.
19035 @item show debugvarobj
19036 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
19037 debugging info.
19038 @item set debug xml
19039 @cindex XML parser debugging
19040 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
19041 @item show debug xml
19042 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
19043 @end table
19044
19045 @node Other Misc Settings
19046 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
19047 @cindex miscellaneous settings
19048
19049 @table @code
19050 @kindex set interactive-mode
19051 @item set interactive-mode
19052 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate interactively.
19053 If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate non-interactively,
19054 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} guesses which mode to use,
19055 based on whether the debugger was started in a terminal or not.
19056
19057 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
19058 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
19059 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
19060 inside a cygwin window.
19061
19062 @kindex show interactive-mode
19063 @item show interactive-mode
19064 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
19065 @end table
19066
19067 @node Extending GDB
19068 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
19069 @cindex extending GDB
19070
19071 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for extension. The first is based
19072 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, and the second is based on the
19073 Python scripting language.
19074
19075 To facilitate the use of these extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
19076 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
19077 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
19078 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
19079 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
19080 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
19081
19082 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
19083 setting:
19084
19085 @table @code
19086 @kindex set script-extension
19087 @kindex show script-extension
19088 @item set script-extension off
19089 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
19090
19091 @item set script-extension soft
19092 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
19093 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
19094 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
19095 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
19096
19097 @item set script-extension strict
19098 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
19099 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
19100 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
19101
19102 @item show script-extension
19103 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
19104
19105 @end table
19106
19107 @menu
19108 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
19109 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
19110 @end menu
19111
19112 @node Sequences
19113 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
19114
19115 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
19116 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
19117 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
19118 files.
19119
19120 @menu
19121 * Define:: How to define your own commands
19122 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
19123 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
19124 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
19125 @end menu
19126
19127 @node Define
19128 @subsection User-defined Commands
19129
19130 @cindex user-defined command
19131 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
19132 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
19133 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
19134 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
19135 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
19136 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
19137
19138 @smallexample
19139 define adder
19140 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
19141 end
19142 @end smallexample
19143
19144 @noindent
19145 To execute the command use:
19146
19147 @smallexample
19148 adder 1 2 3
19149 @end smallexample
19150
19151 @noindent
19152 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
19153 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
19154 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
19155 functions calls.
19156
19157 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
19158 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
19159 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
19160 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
19161
19162 @smallexample
19163 define adder
19164 if $argc == 2
19165 print $arg0 + $arg1
19166 end
19167 if $argc == 3
19168 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
19169 end
19170 end
19171 @end smallexample
19172
19173 @table @code
19174
19175 @kindex define
19176 @item define @var{commandname}
19177 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
19178 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
19179 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
19180 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
19181 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
19182 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
19183
19184 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
19185 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
19186 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
19187
19188 @kindex document
19189 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
19190 @item document @var{commandname}
19191 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
19192 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
19193 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
19194 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
19195 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
19196 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
19197
19198 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
19199 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
19200 does not change the documentation.
19201
19202 @kindex dont-repeat
19203 @cindex don't repeat command
19204 @item dont-repeat
19205 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
19206 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
19207 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
19208
19209 @kindex help user-defined
19210 @item help user-defined
19211 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
19212 (if any) for each.
19213
19214 @kindex show user
19215 @item show user
19216 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
19217 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
19218 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
19219 definitions for all user-defined commands.
19220
19221 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
19222 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
19223 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
19224 @item show max-user-call-depth
19225 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
19226 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
19227 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
19228 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
19229 @end table
19230
19231 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
19232 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
19233
19234 When user-defined commands are executed, the
19235 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
19236 stops execution of the user-defined command.
19237
19238 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
19239 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
19240 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
19241 messages when used in a user-defined command.
19242
19243 @node Hooks
19244 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
19245 @cindex command hooks
19246 @cindex hooks, for commands
19247 @cindex hooks, pre-command
19248
19249 @kindex hook
19250 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
19251 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
19252 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
19253 before that command.
19254
19255 @cindex hooks, post-command
19256 @kindex hookpost
19257 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
19258 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
19259 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
19260 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
19261 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
19262
19263 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
19264 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
19265
19266 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
19267 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
19268
19269 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
19270 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
19271 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
19272 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
19273 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
19274
19275 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
19276 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
19277 you could define:
19278
19279 @smallexample
19280 define hook-stop
19281 handle SIGALRM nopass
19282 end
19283
19284 define hook-run
19285 handle SIGALRM pass
19286 end
19287
19288 define hook-continue
19289 handle SIGALRM pass
19290 end
19291 @end smallexample
19292
19293 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
19294 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
19295 you could define:
19296
19297 @smallexample
19298 define hook-echo
19299 echo <<<---
19300 end
19301
19302 define hookpost-echo
19303 echo --->>>\n
19304 end
19305
19306 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
19307 <<<---Hello World--->>>
19308 (@value{GDBP})
19309
19310 @end smallexample
19311
19312 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
19313 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
19314 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
19315 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
19316 @c or not?
19317 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
19318 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
19319 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
19320
19321 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
19322 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
19323 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
19324
19325 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
19326 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
19327
19328 @node Command Files
19329 @subsection Command Files
19330
19331 @cindex command files
19332 @cindex scripting commands
19333 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
19334 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
19335 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
19336 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
19337 terminal.
19338
19339 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
19340 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
19341 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
19342 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
19343 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
19344
19345 @table @code
19346 @kindex source
19347 @cindex execute commands from a file
19348 @item source [@code{-v}] @var{filename}
19349 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
19350 @end table
19351
19352 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
19353 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
19354 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
19355 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
19356 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
19357
19358 @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename} in the current directory and then
19359 on the search path (specified with the @samp{directory} command).
19360
19361 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
19362 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
19363 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
19364
19365 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
19366 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
19367 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
19368 when called from command files.
19369
19370 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
19371 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
19372 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
19373 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
19374 the next command.
19375
19376 @smallexample
19377 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
19378 @end smallexample
19379
19380 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
19381 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
19382 would be directed to @file{log}.
19383
19384 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
19385 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
19386 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
19387 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
19388 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
19389 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
19390 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
19391 conditionally, etc.
19392
19393 @table @code
19394 @kindex if
19395 @kindex else
19396 @item if
19397 @itemx else
19398 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
19399 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
19400 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
19401 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
19402 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
19403 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
19404 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
19405
19406 @kindex while
19407 @item while
19408 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
19409 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
19410 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
19411 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
19412 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
19413 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
19414
19415 @kindex loop_break
19416 @item loop_break
19417 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
19418 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
19419 line.
19420
19421 @kindex loop_continue
19422 @item loop_continue
19423 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
19424 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
19425 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
19426 the controlling expression.
19427
19428 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
19429 @item end
19430 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
19431 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
19432 @end table
19433
19434
19435 @node Output
19436 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
19437
19438 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
19439 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
19440 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
19441 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
19442 want.
19443
19444 @table @code
19445 @kindex echo
19446 @item echo @var{text}
19447 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
19448 @c because it is not in ANSI.
19449 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
19450 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
19451 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
19452 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
19453 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
19454 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
19455 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
19456 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
19457 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
19458
19459 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
19460 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
19461
19462 @smallexample
19463 echo This is some text\n\
19464 which is continued\n\
19465 onto several lines.\n
19466 @end smallexample
19467
19468 produces the same output as
19469
19470 @smallexample
19471 echo This is some text\n
19472 echo which is continued\n
19473 echo onto several lines.\n
19474 @end smallexample
19475
19476 @kindex output
19477 @item output @var{expression}
19478 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
19479 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
19480 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
19481 on expressions.
19482
19483 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
19484 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
19485 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
19486 Formats}, for more information.
19487
19488 @kindex printf
19489 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
19490 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
19491 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
19492 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
19493 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
19494 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
19495 executing the code below:
19496
19497 @smallexample
19498 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
19499 @end smallexample
19500
19501 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
19502 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
19503 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
19504 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
19505 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
19506 printed.
19507
19508 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
19509
19510 @smallexample
19511 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
19512 @end smallexample
19513
19514 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
19515 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
19516 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
19517
19518 @itemize @bullet
19519 @item
19520 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
19521
19522 @item
19523 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
19524 width.
19525
19526 @item
19527 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
19528 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
19529
19530 @item
19531 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
19532 supported.
19533
19534 @item
19535 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
19536
19537 @item
19538 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
19539 @end itemize
19540
19541 @noindent
19542 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
19543 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
19544 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
19545 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
19546
19547 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
19548 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
19549 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
19550 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
19551 supported.
19552
19553 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
19554 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
19555 together with a floating point specifier.
19556 letters:
19557
19558 @itemize @bullet
19559 @item
19560 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
19561
19562 @item
19563 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
19564
19565 @item
19566 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
19567 @end itemize
19568
19569 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
19570 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
19571 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
19572
19573 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
19574 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
19575
19576 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
19577 @smallexample
19578 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
19579 @end smallexample
19580
19581 @end table
19582
19583 @node Python
19584 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
19585 @cindex python scripting
19586 @cindex scripting with python
19587
19588 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
19589 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
19590 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
19591
19592 @menu
19593 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
19594 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
19595 @end menu
19596
19597 @node Python Commands
19598 @subsection Python Commands
19599 @cindex python commands
19600 @cindex commands to access python
19601
19602 @value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
19603 and one related setting:
19604
19605 @table @code
19606 @kindex python
19607 @item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
19608 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
19609
19610 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
19611 argument as a Python command. For example:
19612
19613 @smallexample
19614 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
19615 23
19616 @end smallexample
19617
19618 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
19619 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
19620 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
19621 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
19622 containing @code{end}. For example:
19623
19624 @smallexample
19625 (@value{GDBP}) python
19626 Type python script
19627 End with a line saying just "end".
19628 >print 23
19629 >end
19630 23
19631 @end smallexample
19632
19633 @kindex maint set python print-stack
19634 @item maint set python print-stack
19635 By default, @value{GDBN} will print a stack trace when an error occurs
19636 in a Python script. This can be controlled using @code{maint set
19637 python print-stack}: if @code{on}, the default, then Python stack
19638 printing is enabled; if @code{off}, then Python stack printing is
19639 disabled.
19640 @end table
19641
19642 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
19643 interpreter:
19644
19645 @table @code
19646 @item source @file{script-name}
19647 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
19648 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
19649 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
19650
19651 @item python execfile ("script-name")
19652 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
19653 and thus is always available.
19654 @end table
19655
19656 @node Python API
19657 @subsection Python API
19658 @cindex python api
19659 @cindex programming in python
19660
19661 @cindex python stdout
19662 @cindex python pagination
19663 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
19664 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
19665 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
19666 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
19667 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
19668
19669 @menu
19670 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
19671 * Exception Handling::
19672 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
19673 * Values From Inferior::
19674 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
19675 * Pretty Printing:: Pretty-printing values.
19676 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
19677 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
19678 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
19679 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
19680 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
19681 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing frame blocks from Python.
19682 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
19683 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
19684 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
19685 @end menu
19686
19687 @node Basic Python
19688 @subsubsection Basic Python
19689
19690 @cindex python functions
19691 @cindex python module
19692 @cindex gdb module
19693 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
19694 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
19695 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
19696 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
19697
19698 @findex gdb.execute
19699 @defun execute command [from_tty]
19700 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
19701 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
19702 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
19703 If no exceptions occur, this function returns @code{None}.
19704
19705 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
19706 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
19707 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
19708 @end defun
19709
19710 @findex gdb.parameter
19711 @defun parameter parameter
19712 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
19713 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
19714 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
19715 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
19716
19717 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
19718 @code{RuntimeError}. Otherwise, the parameter's value is converted to
19719 a Python value of the appropriate type, and returned.
19720 @end defun
19721
19722 @findex gdb.history
19723 @defun history number
19724 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
19725 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
19726 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
19727 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
19728 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
19729 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
19730 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{RuntimeError} exception will be
19731 raised.
19732
19733 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
19734 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
19735 @end defun
19736
19737 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
19738 @defun parse_and_eval expression
19739 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
19740 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
19741 @var{expression} must be a string.
19742
19743 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
19744 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
19745 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
19746 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
19747 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
19748 @end defun
19749
19750 @findex gdb.write
19751 @defun write string
19752 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream.
19753 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
19754 call this function.
19755 @end defun
19756
19757 @findex gdb.flush
19758 @defun flush
19759 Flush @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream. Flushing
19760 @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically call this
19761 function.
19762 @end defun
19763
19764 @findex gdb.target_charset
19765 @defun target_charset
19766 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
19767 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
19768 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
19769 @end defun
19770
19771 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
19772 @defun target_wide_charset
19773 Return the name of the current target wide character set
19774 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
19775 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
19776 never returned.
19777 @end defun
19778
19779 @node Exception Handling
19780 @subsubsection Exception Handling
19781 @cindex python exceptions
19782 @cindex exceptions, python
19783
19784 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
19785 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
19786 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
19787 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
19788 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
19789 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
19790 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
19791
19792 @smallexample
19793 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
19794 Traceback (most recent call last):
19795 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
19796 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
19797 @end smallexample
19798
19799 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by Python
19800 code are converted to Python @code{RuntimeError} exceptions. User
19801 interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
19802 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt}
19803 exception. If you catch these exceptions in your Python code, your
19804 exception handler will see @code{RuntimeError} or
19805 @code{KeyboardInterrupt} as the exception type, the @value{GDBN} error
19806 message as its value, and the Python call stack backtrace at the
19807 Python statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
19808 traceback.
19809
19810 @node Auto-loading
19811 @subsubsection Auto-loading
19812 @cindex auto-loading, Python
19813
19814 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
19815 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
19816 @value{GDBN} will look for a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py},
19817 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
19818 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
19819 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
19820 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
19821
19822 If this file does not exist, and if the parameter
19823 @code{debug-file-directory} is set (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}),
19824 then @value{GDBN} will use for its each separated directory component
19825 @code{component} the file named @file{@code{component}/@var{real-name}}, where
19826 @var{real-name} is the object file's real name, as described above.
19827
19828 Finally, if this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
19829 a file named @file{@var{data-directory}/python/auto-load/@var{real-name}}, where
19830 @var{data-directory} is @value{GDBN}'s data directory (available via
19831 @code{show data-directory}, @pxref{Data Files}), and @var{real-name}
19832 is the object file's real name, as described above.
19833
19834 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the ``current
19835 objfile''. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
19836 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
19837 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
19838
19839 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
19840 debugging commands and scripts. You can enable or disable this
19841 feature, and view its current state.
19842
19843 @table @code
19844 @kindex maint set python auto-load
19845 @item maint set python auto-load [yes|no]
19846 Enable or disable the Python auto-loading feature.
19847
19848 @kindex show python auto-load
19849 @item show python auto-load
19850 Show whether Python auto-loading is enabled or disabled.
19851 @end table
19852
19853 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded.
19854 So, your @samp{-gdb.py} file should take care to ensure that it may be
19855 evaluated multiple times without error.
19856
19857 @node Values From Inferior
19858 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
19859 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
19860 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
19861
19862 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
19863 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
19864 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
19865 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
19866 fetching values when necessary.
19867
19868 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
19869 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
19870 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
19871
19872 @smallexample
19873 bar = some_val + 2
19874 @end smallexample
19875
19876 @noindent
19877 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
19878 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
19879
19880 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
19881 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
19882 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
19883 can access its @code{foo} element with:
19884
19885 @smallexample
19886 bar = some_val['foo']
19887 @end smallexample
19888
19889 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
19890
19891 The following attributes are provided:
19892
19893 @table @code
19894 @defivar Value address
19895 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
19896 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
19897 this attribute holds @code{None}.
19898 @end defivar
19899
19900 @cindex optimized out value in Python
19901 @defivar Value is_optimized_out
19902 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
19903 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
19904 @end defivar
19905
19906 @defivar Value type
19907 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
19908 @code{gdb.Type} object.
19909 @end defivar
19910 @end table
19911
19912 The following methods are provided:
19913
19914 @table @code
19915 @defmethod Value cast type
19916 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
19917 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
19918 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
19919 reason, this method throws an exception.
19920 @end defmethod
19921
19922 @defmethod Value dereference
19923 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
19924 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
19925 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
19926
19927 @smallexample
19928 int *foo;
19929 @end smallexample
19930
19931 @noindent
19932 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
19933 @code{foo} points to like this:
19934
19935 @smallexample
19936 bar = foo.dereference ()
19937 @end smallexample
19938
19939 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
19940 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
19941 @end defmethod
19942
19943 @defmethod Value string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}errors@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
19944 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
19945 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
19946 throw an exception.
19947
19948 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
19949 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
19950 language.
19951
19952 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
19953 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
19954 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
19955 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
19956 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
19957
19958 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
19959 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
19960 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
19961 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
19962 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
19963 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
19964 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
19965 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
19966 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
19967
19968 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
19969 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
19970
19971 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
19972 fetched and converted to the given length.
19973 @end defmethod
19974
19975 @defmethod Value lazy_string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
19976 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
19977 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
19978 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
19979
19980 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
19981 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
19982 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
19983 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
19984 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
19985
19986 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
19987 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
19988 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
19989 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
19990 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
19991 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
19992
19993 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
19994 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
19995 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
19996 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
19997 @end defmethod
19998 @end table
19999
20000 @node Types In Python
20001 @subsubsection Types In Python
20002 @cindex types in Python
20003 @cindex Python, working with types
20004
20005 @tindex gdb.Type
20006 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
20007 @code{gdb.Type}.
20008
20009 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
20010 module:
20011
20012 @findex gdb.lookup_type
20013 @defun lookup_type name [block]
20014 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
20015 type to look up. It must be a string.
20016
20017 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
20018 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
20019
20020 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
20021 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
20022 @end defun
20023
20024 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
20025
20026 @table @code
20027 @defivar Type code
20028 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
20029 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
20030 @end defivar
20031
20032 @defivar Type sizeof
20033 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
20034 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
20035 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
20036 @end defivar
20037
20038 @defivar Type tag
20039 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
20040 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
20041 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
20042 @code{None} is returned.
20043 @end defivar
20044 @end table
20045
20046 The following methods are provided:
20047
20048 @table @code
20049 @defmethod Type fields
20050 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
20051 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
20052 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
20053 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
20054 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
20055 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
20056
20057 Each field is an object, with some pre-defined attributes:
20058 @table @code
20059 @item bitpos
20060 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
20061 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
20062 position of the field.
20063
20064 @item name
20065 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
20066
20067 @item artificial
20068 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
20069 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
20070 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
20071
20072 @item is_base_class
20073 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
20074 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
20075 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
20076 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
20077
20078 @item bitsize
20079 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
20080 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
20081 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
20082
20083 @item type
20084 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
20085 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
20086 @end table
20087 @end defmethod
20088
20089 @defmethod Type const
20090 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
20091 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
20092 @end defmethod
20093
20094 @defmethod Type volatile
20095 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
20096 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
20097 @end defmethod
20098
20099 @defmethod Type unqualified
20100 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
20101 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
20102 @code{volatile}.
20103 @end defmethod
20104
20105 @defmethod Type range
20106 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
20107 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
20108 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
20109 @code{RuntimeError} exception.
20110 @end defmethod
20111
20112 @defmethod Type reference
20113 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
20114 type.
20115 @end defmethod
20116
20117 @defmethod Type pointer
20118 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
20119 type.
20120 @end defmethod
20121
20122 @defmethod Type strip_typedefs
20123 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
20124 after removing all layers of typedefs.
20125 @end defmethod
20126
20127 @defmethod Type target
20128 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
20129 of this type.
20130
20131 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
20132 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
20133 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
20134 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
20135 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
20136 target type is the aliased type.
20137
20138 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
20139 exception.
20140 @end defmethod
20141
20142 @defmethod Type template_argument n [block]
20143 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
20144 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
20145 @var{n}th template argument.
20146
20147 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
20148 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
20149
20150 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
20151 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
20152 @end defmethod
20153 @end table
20154
20155
20156 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
20157 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
20158 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
20159
20160 @table @code
20161 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
20162 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
20163 @item TYPE_CODE_PTR
20164 The type is a pointer.
20165
20166 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
20167 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
20168 @item TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
20169 The type is an array.
20170
20171 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
20172 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
20173 @item TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
20174 The type is a structure.
20175
20176 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
20177 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
20178 @item TYPE_CODE_UNION
20179 The type is a union.
20180
20181 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
20182 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
20183 @item TYPE_CODE_ENUM
20184 The type is an enum.
20185
20186 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
20187 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
20188 @item TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
20189 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
20190
20191 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
20192 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
20193 @item TYPE_CODE_FUNC
20194 The type is a function.
20195
20196 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
20197 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
20198 @item TYPE_CODE_INT
20199 The type is an integer type.
20200
20201 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
20202 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
20203 @item TYPE_CODE_FLT
20204 A floating point type.
20205
20206 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
20207 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
20208 @item TYPE_CODE_VOID
20209 The special type @code{void}.
20210
20211 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
20212 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
20213 @item TYPE_CODE_SET
20214 A Pascal set type.
20215
20216 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
20217 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
20218 @item TYPE_CODE_RANGE
20219 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
20220
20221 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
20222 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
20223 @item TYPE_CODE_STRING
20224 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
20225 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
20226
20227 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
20228 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
20229 @item TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
20230 A string of bits.
20231
20232 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
20233 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
20234 @item TYPE_CODE_ERROR
20235 An unknown or erroneous type.
20236
20237 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
20238 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
20239 @item TYPE_CODE_METHOD
20240 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
20241
20242 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
20243 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
20244 @item TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
20245 A pointer-to-member-function.
20246
20247 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
20248 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
20249 @item TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
20250 A pointer-to-member.
20251
20252 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
20253 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
20254 @item TYPE_CODE_REF
20255 A reference type.
20256
20257 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
20258 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
20259 @item TYPE_CODE_CHAR
20260 A character type.
20261
20262 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
20263 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
20264 @item TYPE_CODE_BOOL
20265 A boolean type.
20266
20267 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
20268 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
20269 @item TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
20270 A complex float type.
20271
20272 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
20273 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
20274 @item TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
20275 A typedef to some other type.
20276
20277 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
20278 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
20279 @item TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
20280 A C@t{++} namespace.
20281
20282 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
20283 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
20284 @item TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
20285 A decimal floating point type.
20286
20287 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
20288 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
20289 @item TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
20290 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
20291 convenience functions.
20292 @end table
20293
20294 @node Pretty Printing
20295 @subsubsection Pretty Printing
20296
20297 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values
20298 using Python code. The pretty-printer API allows application-specific
20299 code to greatly simplify the display of complex objects. This
20300 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
20301
20302 For example, here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a
20303 pretty-printer:
20304
20305 @smallexample
20306 (@value{GDBP}) print s
20307 $1 = @{
20308 static npos = 4294967295,
20309 _M_dataplus = @{
20310 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
20311 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{<No data fields>@}, <No data fields>@},
20312 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>, std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
20313 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
20314 @}
20315 @}
20316 @end smallexample
20317
20318 After a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} has been installed, only
20319 the contents are printed:
20320
20321 @smallexample
20322 (@value{GDBP}) print s
20323 $2 = "abcd"
20324 @end smallexample
20325
20326 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
20327 specific interface, defined here.
20328
20329 @defop Operation {pretty printer} children (self)
20330 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
20331 children of the pretty-printer's value.
20332
20333 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
20334 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
20335 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
20336 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
20337 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
20338
20339 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
20340 as though the value has no children.
20341 @end defop
20342
20343 @defop Operation {pretty printer} display_hint (self)
20344 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
20345 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
20346 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
20347 printed.
20348
20349 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
20350 string.
20351
20352 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
20353
20354 @table @samp
20355 @item array
20356 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
20357 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
20358 @code{set print array}.
20359
20360 @item map
20361 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
20362 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
20363 values.
20364
20365 @item string
20366 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
20367 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
20368 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
20369 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
20370 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
20371 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
20372 @end table
20373 @end defop
20374
20375 @defop Operation {pretty printer} to_string (self)
20376 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
20377 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
20378
20379 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
20380 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
20381 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
20382 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
20383 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
20384 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
20385 the result of @code{children}.
20386
20387 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
20388
20389 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
20390 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
20391 another pretty-printer.
20392
20393 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
20394 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
20395 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
20396 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
20397 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
20398
20399 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
20400 @end defop
20401
20402 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
20403 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
20404
20405 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
20406 functions that have been registered via addition as a pretty-printer.
20407 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
20408 attribute.
20409
20410 A function on one of these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
20411 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
20412 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing}). If a function
20413 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
20414 @code{None}.
20415
20416 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
20417 @code{gdb.Objfile} and iteratively calls each function in the list for
20418 that @code{gdb.Objfile} until it receives a pretty-printer object.
20419 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
20420 @code{gdb.pretty-printers} list, again calling each function until an
20421 object is returned.
20422
20423 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
20424 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
20425 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
20426 object is returned.
20427
20428 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
20429 written:
20430
20431 @smallexample
20432 class StdStringPrinter:
20433 "Print a std::string"
20434
20435 def __init__ (self, val):
20436 self.val = val
20437
20438 def to_string (self):
20439 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
20440
20441 def display_hint (self):
20442 return 'string'
20443 @end smallexample
20444
20445 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
20446 example above might be written.
20447
20448 @smallexample
20449 def str_lookup_function (val):
20450
20451 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
20452 regex = re.compile ("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
20453 if lookup_tag == None:
20454 return None
20455 if regex.match (lookup_tag):
20456 return StdStringPrinter (val)
20457
20458 return None
20459 @end smallexample
20460
20461 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
20462 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
20463 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
20464 returns @code{None}.
20465
20466 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
20467 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
20468 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
20469 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
20470 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
20471 different names.
20472
20473 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Auto-loading}) such that it
20474 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
20475 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
20476 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
20477 the current objfile.
20478
20479 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
20480 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
20481 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
20482 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
20483 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
20484 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
20485 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
20486 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
20487 inferior.
20488
20489 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing}),
20490 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
20491
20492 @smallexample
20493 def register_printers (objfile):
20494 objfile.pretty_printers.add (str_lookup_function)
20495 @end smallexample
20496
20497 @noindent
20498 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
20499
20500 @smallexample
20501 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
20502 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers (gdb.current_objfile ())
20503 @end smallexample
20504
20505 @node Commands In Python
20506 @subsubsection Commands In Python
20507
20508 @cindex commands in python
20509 @cindex python commands
20510 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
20511 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
20512 class, most commonly using a subclass.
20513
20514 @defmethod Command __init__ name @var{command_class} @r{[}@var{completer_class}@r{]} @r{[}@var{prefix}@r{]}
20515 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
20516 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
20517 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
20518
20519 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
20520 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
20521 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
20522 an exception is raised.
20523
20524 There is no support for multi-line commands.
20525
20526 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
20527 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
20528 new command in the help system.
20529
20530 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
20531 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
20532 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
20533 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
20534 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
20535 error will occur when completion is attempted.
20536
20537 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
20538 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
20539 registered.
20540
20541 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
20542 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
20543 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
20544 not documented.'' is used.
20545 @end defmethod
20546
20547 @cindex don't repeat Python command
20548 @defmethod Command dont_repeat
20549 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
20550 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
20551 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
20552 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
20553 @end defmethod
20554
20555 @defmethod Command invoke argument from_tty
20556 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
20557
20558 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
20559 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
20560
20561 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
20562 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
20563 that the command came from elsewhere.
20564
20565 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
20566 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
20567 @end defmethod
20568
20569 @cindex completion of Python commands
20570 @defmethod Command complete text word
20571 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
20572 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
20573 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
20574 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
20575 complete}).
20576
20577 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
20578 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
20579 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
20580 using a word-breaking heuristic.
20581
20582 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
20583 @itemize @bullet
20584 @item
20585 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
20586 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
20587 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
20588 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
20589 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
20590 sequence are ignored.
20591
20592 @item
20593 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
20594 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
20595 function is invoked, and its result is used.
20596
20597 @item
20598 All other results are treated as though there were no available
20599 completions.
20600 @end itemize
20601 @end defmethod
20602
20603 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
20604 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
20605 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
20606 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
20607 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
20608 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
20609
20610 @table @code
20611 @findex COMMAND_NONE
20612 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
20613 @item COMMAND_NONE
20614 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
20615 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
20616
20617 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
20618 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
20619 @item COMMAND_RUNNING
20620 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
20621 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
20622 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20623 commands in this category.
20624
20625 @findex COMMAND_DATA
20626 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
20627 @item COMMAND_DATA
20628 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
20629 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
20630 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
20631 in this category.
20632
20633 @findex COMMAND_STACK
20634 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
20635 @item COMMAND_STACK
20636 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
20637 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
20638 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
20639 list of commands in this category.
20640
20641 @findex COMMAND_FILES
20642 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
20643 @item COMMAND_FILES
20644 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
20645 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
20646 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20647 commands in this category.
20648
20649 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
20650 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
20651 @item COMMAND_SUPPORT
20652 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
20653 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
20654 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
20655 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
20656 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20657 commands in this category.
20658
20659 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
20660 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
20661 @item COMMAND_STATUS
20662 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
20663 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
20664 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
20665 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
20666
20667 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
20668 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
20669 @item COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
20670 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
20671 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
20672 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
20673 this category.
20674
20675 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
20676 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
20677 @item COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
20678 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
20679 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
20680 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20681 commands in this category.
20682
20683 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
20684 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
20685 @item COMMAND_OBSCURE
20686 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
20687 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
20688 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
20689 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
20690 category.
20691
20692 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
20693 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
20694 @item COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
20695 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
20696 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
20697 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20698 commands in this category.
20699 @end table
20700
20701 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
20702 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
20703 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
20704 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
20705
20706 @table @code
20707 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
20708 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
20709 @item COMPLETE_NONE
20710 This constant means that no completion should be done.
20711
20712 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
20713 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
20714 @item COMPLETE_FILENAME
20715 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
20716
20717 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
20718 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
20719 @item COMPLETE_LOCATION
20720 This constant means that location completion should be done.
20721 @xref{Specify Location}.
20722
20723 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
20724 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
20725 @item COMPLETE_COMMAND
20726 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
20727 command names.
20728
20729 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
20730 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
20731 @item COMPLETE_SYMBOL
20732 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
20733 as the source.
20734 @end table
20735
20736 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
20737 implemented in Python:
20738
20739 @smallexample
20740 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
20741 """Greet the whole world."""
20742
20743 def __init__ (self):
20744 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
20745
20746 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
20747 print "Hello, World!"
20748
20749 HelloWorld ()
20750 @end smallexample
20751
20752 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
20753 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
20754 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
20755 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
20756
20757 @node Functions In Python
20758 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
20759
20760 @cindex writing convenience functions
20761 @cindex convenience functions in python
20762 @cindex python convenience functions
20763 @tindex gdb.Function
20764 @tindex Function
20765 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
20766 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
20767 class @code{gdb.Function}.
20768
20769 @defmethod Function __init__ name
20770 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
20771 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
20772 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
20773 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
20774 the given @var{name}.
20775
20776 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
20777 string for the new class.
20778 @end defmethod
20779
20780 @defmethod Function invoke @var{*args}
20781 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
20782 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
20783 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
20784 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
20785 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
20786 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
20787 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
20788
20789 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
20790 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
20791 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
20792 @end defmethod
20793
20794 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
20795 be implemented in Python:
20796
20797 @smallexample
20798 class Greet (gdb.Function):
20799 """Return string to greet someone.
20800 Takes a name as argument."""
20801
20802 def __init__ (self):
20803 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
20804
20805 def invoke (self, name):
20806 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
20807
20808 Greet ()
20809 @end smallexample
20810
20811 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
20812 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
20813 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
20814 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
20815
20816 @node Objfiles In Python
20817 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
20818
20819 @cindex objfiles in python
20820 @tindex gdb.Objfile
20821 @tindex Objfile
20822 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
20823 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
20824 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
20825 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
20826 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
20827
20828 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
20829 @code{gdb} module:
20830
20831 @findex gdb.current_objfile
20832 @defun current_objfile
20833 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
20834 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
20835 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
20836 this function returns @code{None}.
20837 @end defun
20838
20839 @findex gdb.objfiles
20840 @defun objfiles
20841 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
20842 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
20843 @end defun
20844
20845 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
20846 class.
20847
20848 @defivar Objfile filename
20849 The file name of the objfile as a string.
20850 @end defivar
20851
20852 @defivar Objfile pretty_printers
20853 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
20854 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
20855 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
20856 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
20857 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing}, for more
20858 information.
20859 @end defivar
20860
20861 @node Frames In Python
20862 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
20863
20864 @cindex frames in python
20865 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
20866 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
20867 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
20868 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
20869 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{RuntimeError}
20870 exception.
20871
20872 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
20873 operator, like:
20874
20875 @smallexample
20876 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
20877 True
20878 @end smallexample
20879
20880 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
20881
20882 @findex gdb.selected_frame
20883 @defun selected_frame
20884 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
20885 @end defun
20886
20887 @defun frame_stop_reason_string reason
20888 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
20889 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
20890 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
20891 @end defun
20892
20893 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
20894
20895 @table @code
20896 @defmethod Frame is_valid
20897 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
20898 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
20899 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
20900 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
20901 @end defmethod
20902
20903 @defmethod Frame name
20904 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
20905 obtained.
20906 @end defmethod
20907
20908 @defmethod Frame type
20909 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of
20910 @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, @code{gdb.DUMMY_FRAME}, @code{gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME}
20911 or @code{gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME}.
20912 @end defmethod
20913
20914 @defmethod Frame unwind_stop_reason
20915 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
20916 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
20917 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
20918 function to a string.
20919 @end defmethod
20920
20921 @defmethod Frame pc
20922 Returns the frame's resume address.
20923 @end defmethod
20924
20925 @defmethod Frame block
20926 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
20927 @end defmethod
20928
20929 @defmethod Frame function
20930 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
20931 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
20932 @end defmethod
20933
20934 @defmethod Frame older
20935 Return the frame that called this frame.
20936 @end defmethod
20937
20938 @defmethod Frame newer
20939 Return the frame called by this frame.
20940 @end defmethod
20941
20942 @defmethod Frame find_sal
20943 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
20944 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
20945 @end defmethod
20946
20947 @defmethod Frame read_var variable @r{[}block@r{]}
20948 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
20949 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
20950 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
20951 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
20952 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
20953 @code{gdb.Block} object.
20954 @end defmethod
20955
20956 @defmethod Frame select
20957 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
20958 Stack}.
20959 @end defmethod
20960 @end table
20961
20962 @node Blocks In Python
20963 @subsubsection Accessing frame blocks from Python.
20964
20965 @cindex blocks in python
20966 @tindex gdb.Block
20967
20968 Within each frame, @value{GDBN} maintains information on each block
20969 stored in that frame. These blocks are organized hierarchically, and
20970 are represented individually in Python as a @code{gdb.Block}.
20971 Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more in-depth discussion on
20972 frames. Furthermore, see @ref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}, for more
20973 detailed technical information on @value{GDBN}'s book-keeping of the
20974 stack.
20975
20976 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
20977 module:
20978
20979 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
20980 @defun block_for_pc pc
20981 Return the @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc} value. If the
20982 block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified, the function
20983 will return @code{None}.
20984 @end defun
20985
20986 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
20987
20988 @table @code
20989 @defivar Block start
20990 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
20991 @end defivar
20992
20993 @defivar Block end
20994 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
20995 @end defivar
20996
20997 @defivar Block function
20998 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
20999 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
21000 attribute is not writable.
21001 @end defivar
21002
21003 @defivar Block superblock
21004 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
21005 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
21006 @end defivar
21007 @end table
21008
21009 @node Symbols In Python
21010 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
21011
21012 @cindex symbols in python
21013 @tindex gdb.Symbol
21014
21015 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
21016 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
21017 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
21018 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
21019
21020 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21021 module:
21022
21023 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
21024 @defun lookup_symbol name [block] [domain]
21025 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
21026 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
21027 arguments.
21028
21029 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
21030 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
21031 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
21032 @code{gdb.Block} object. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
21033 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
21034 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
21035 in this chapter.
21036 @end defun
21037
21038 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
21039
21040 @table @code
21041 @defivar Symbol symtab
21042 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
21043 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
21044 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
21045 @end defivar
21046
21047 @defivar Symbol name
21048 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
21049 @end defivar
21050
21051 @defivar Symbol linkage_name
21052 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
21053 This attribute is not writable.
21054 @end defivar
21055
21056 @defivar Symbol print_name
21057 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
21058 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
21059 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
21060 @end defivar
21061
21062 @defivar Symbol addr_class
21063 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
21064 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
21065 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
21066 @end defivar
21067
21068 @defivar Symbol is_argument
21069 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
21070 @end defivar
21071
21072 @defivar Symbol is_constant
21073 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
21074 @end defivar
21075
21076 @defivar Symbol is_function
21077 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
21078 @end defivar
21079
21080 @defivar Symbol is_variable
21081 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
21082 @end defivar
21083 @end table
21084
21085 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
21086 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
21087
21088 @table @code
21089 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
21090 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
21091 @item SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
21092 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
21093 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
21094 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
21095 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
21096 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
21097 @item SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
21098 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
21099 type values.
21100 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
21101 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
21102 @item SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
21103 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
21104 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
21105 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
21106 @item SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
21107 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
21108 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
21109 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
21110 @item SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
21111 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
21112 contains everything minus functions and types.
21113 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
21114 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
21115 @item SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
21116 This domain contains all functions.
21117 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
21118 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
21119 @item SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
21120 This domain contains all types.
21121 @end table
21122
21123 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
21124 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
21125
21126 @table @code
21127 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
21128 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
21129 @item SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
21130 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
21131 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
21132 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
21133 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
21134 @item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
21135 Value is constant int.
21136 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
21137 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
21138 @item SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
21139 Value is at a fixed address.
21140 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
21141 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
21142 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
21143 Value is in a register.
21144 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
21145 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
21146 @item SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
21147 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
21148 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
21149 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
21150 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
21151 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
21152 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
21153 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
21154 offset, not the value itself.
21155 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
21156 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
21157 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
21158 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
21159 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
21160 itself.
21161 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
21162 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
21163 @item SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
21164 Value is a local variable.
21165 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
21166 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
21167 @item SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
21168 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
21169 have this class.
21170 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
21171 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
21172 @item SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
21173 Value is a block.
21174 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
21175 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
21176 @item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
21177 Value is a byte-sequence.
21178 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
21179 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
21180 @item SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
21181 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
21182 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
21183 referenced.
21184 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
21185 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
21186 @item SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
21187 The value does not actually exist in the program.
21188 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
21189 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
21190 @item SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
21191 The value's address is a computed location.
21192 @end table
21193
21194 @node Symbol Tables In Python
21195 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
21196
21197 @cindex symbol tables in python
21198 @tindex gdb.Symtab
21199 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
21200
21201 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
21202 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
21203 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
21204 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
21205 @xref{Frames In Python}.
21206
21207 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
21208 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
21209
21210 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
21211
21212 @table @code
21213 @defivar Symtab_and_line symtab
21214 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
21215 This attribute is not writable.
21216 @end defivar
21217
21218 @defivar Symtab_and_line pc
21219 Indicates the current program counter address. This attribute is not
21220 writable.
21221 @end defivar
21222
21223 @defivar Symtab_and_line line
21224 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
21225 attribute is not writable.
21226 @end defivar
21227 @end table
21228
21229 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
21230
21231 @table @code
21232 @defivar Symtab filename
21233 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
21234 @end defivar
21235
21236 @defivar Symtab objfile
21237 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
21238 This attribute is not writable.
21239 @end defivar
21240 @end table
21241
21242 The following methods are provided:
21243
21244 @table @code
21245 @defmethod Symtab fullname
21246 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
21247 @end defmethod
21248 @end table
21249
21250 @node Lazy Strings In Python
21251 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
21252
21253 @cindex lazy strings in python
21254 @tindex gdb.LazyString
21255
21256 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
21257 encoded until it is needed.
21258
21259 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
21260 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
21261 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
21262 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
21263 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
21264 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
21265 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
21266 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
21267 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
21268
21269 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
21270
21271 @defmethod LazyString value
21272 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
21273 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
21274 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
21275 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
21276 @end defmethod
21277
21278 @defivar LazyString address
21279 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
21280 writable.
21281 @end defivar
21282
21283 @defivar LazyString length
21284 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
21285 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
21286 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
21287 @end defivar
21288
21289 @defivar LazyString encoding
21290 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
21291 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
21292 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
21293 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
21294 is not writable.
21295 @end defivar
21296
21297 @defivar LazyString type
21298 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
21299 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
21300 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
21301 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
21302 writable.
21303 @end defivar
21304
21305 @node Interpreters
21306 @chapter Command Interpreters
21307 @cindex command interpreters
21308
21309 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
21310 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
21311 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
21312
21313 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
21314 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
21315 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
21316 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
21317
21318 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
21319 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
21320 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
21321 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
21322
21323 @table @code
21324 @item console
21325 @cindex console interpreter
21326 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
21327 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
21328 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
21329
21330 @item mi
21331 @cindex mi interpreter
21332 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
21333 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
21334 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
21335 Interface}.
21336
21337 @item mi2
21338 @cindex mi2 interpreter
21339 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
21340
21341 @item mi1
21342 @cindex mi1 interpreter
21343 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
21344
21345 @end table
21346
21347 @cindex invoke another interpreter
21348 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
21349 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
21350 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
21351 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
21352 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
21353 the IDE inoperable!
21354
21355 @kindex interpreter-exec
21356 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
21357 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
21358 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
21359 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
21360
21361 @smallexample
21362 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
21363 @end smallexample
21364
21365 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
21366 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
21367
21368 @node TUI
21369 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
21370 @cindex TUI
21371 @cindex Text User Interface
21372
21373 @menu
21374 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
21375 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
21376 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
21377 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
21378 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
21379 @end menu
21380
21381 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
21382 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
21383 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
21384 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
21385 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
21386 is available.
21387
21388 @pindex @value{GDBTUI}
21389 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
21390 either @samp{@value{GDBTUI}} or @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
21391 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
21392 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
21393 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
21394
21395 @node TUI Overview
21396 @section TUI Overview
21397
21398 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
21399
21400 @table @emph
21401 @item command
21402 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
21403 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
21404 managed using readline.
21405
21406 @item source
21407 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
21408 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
21409
21410 @item assembly
21411 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
21412
21413 @item register
21414 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
21415 when their values change.
21416 @end table
21417
21418 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
21419 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
21420 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
21421 indicates the breakpoint type:
21422
21423 @table @code
21424 @item B
21425 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
21426
21427 @item b
21428 Breakpoint which was never hit.
21429
21430 @item H
21431 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
21432
21433 @item h
21434 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
21435 @end table
21436
21437 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
21438
21439 @table @code
21440 @item +
21441 Breakpoint is enabled.
21442
21443 @item -
21444 Breakpoint is disabled.
21445 @end table
21446
21447 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
21448 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
21449 changes.
21450
21451 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
21452 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
21453 layouts:
21454
21455 @itemize @bullet
21456 @item
21457 source only,
21458
21459 @item
21460 assembly only,
21461
21462 @item
21463 source and assembly,
21464
21465 @item
21466 source and registers, or
21467
21468 @item
21469 assembly and registers.
21470 @end itemize
21471
21472 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
21473
21474 @table @emph
21475 @item target
21476 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
21477 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
21478
21479 @item process
21480 Gives the current process or thread number.
21481 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
21482
21483 @item function
21484 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
21485 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
21486 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
21487 the string @code{??} is displayed.
21488
21489 @item line
21490 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
21491 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
21492
21493 @item pc
21494 Indicates the current program counter address.
21495 @end table
21496
21497 @node TUI Keys
21498 @section TUI Key Bindings
21499 @cindex TUI key bindings
21500
21501 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
21502 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}). The following key bindings
21503 are installed for both TUI mode and the @value{GDBN} standard mode.
21504
21505 @table @kbd
21506 @kindex C-x C-a
21507 @item C-x C-a
21508 @kindex C-x a
21509 @itemx C-x a
21510 @kindex C-x A
21511 @itemx C-x A
21512 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
21513 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
21514 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
21515 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
21516 The screen is then refreshed.
21517
21518 @kindex C-x 1
21519 @item C-x 1
21520 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
21521 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
21522 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
21523
21524 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
21525
21526 @kindex C-x 2
21527 @item C-x 2
21528 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
21529 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
21530 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
21531 previous layout and the new one.
21532
21533 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
21534
21535 @kindex C-x o
21536 @item C-x o
21537 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
21538 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
21539 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
21540
21541 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
21542
21543 @kindex C-x s
21544 @item C-x s
21545 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
21546 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
21547 @end table
21548
21549 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
21550
21551 @table @asis
21552 @kindex PgUp
21553 @item @key{PgUp}
21554 Scroll the active window one page up.
21555
21556 @kindex PgDn
21557 @item @key{PgDn}
21558 Scroll the active window one page down.
21559
21560 @kindex Up
21561 @item @key{Up}
21562 Scroll the active window one line up.
21563
21564 @kindex Down
21565 @item @key{Down}
21566 Scroll the active window one line down.
21567
21568 @kindex Left
21569 @item @key{Left}
21570 Scroll the active window one column left.
21571
21572 @kindex Right
21573 @item @key{Right}
21574 Scroll the active window one column right.
21575
21576 @kindex C-L
21577 @item @kbd{C-L}
21578 Refresh the screen.
21579 @end table
21580
21581 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
21582 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
21583 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
21584 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
21585 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
21586
21587 @node TUI Single Key Mode
21588 @section TUI Single Key Mode
21589 @cindex TUI single key mode
21590
21591 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
21592 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
21593 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
21594
21595 @table @kbd
21596 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21597 @item c
21598 continue
21599
21600 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21601 @item d
21602 down
21603
21604 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21605 @item f
21606 finish
21607
21608 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21609 @item n
21610 next
21611
21612 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21613 @item q
21614 exit the SingleKey mode.
21615
21616 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21617 @item r
21618 run
21619
21620 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21621 @item s
21622 step
21623
21624 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21625 @item u
21626 up
21627
21628 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21629 @item v
21630 info locals
21631
21632 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
21633 @item w
21634 where
21635 @end table
21636
21637 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
21638 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
21639 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
21640 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
21641 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
21642 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
21643
21644
21645 @node TUI Commands
21646 @section TUI-specific Commands
21647 @cindex TUI commands
21648
21649 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
21650 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
21651 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
21652 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
21653
21654 @table @code
21655 @item info win
21656 @kindex info win
21657 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
21658
21659 @item layout next
21660 @kindex layout
21661 Display the next layout.
21662
21663 @item layout prev
21664 Display the previous layout.
21665
21666 @item layout src
21667 Display the source window only.
21668
21669 @item layout asm
21670 Display the assembly window only.
21671
21672 @item layout split
21673 Display the source and assembly window.
21674
21675 @item layout regs
21676 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
21677
21678 @item focus next
21679 @kindex focus
21680 Make the next window active for scrolling.
21681
21682 @item focus prev
21683 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
21684
21685 @item focus src
21686 Make the source window active for scrolling.
21687
21688 @item focus asm
21689 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
21690
21691 @item focus regs
21692 Make the register window active for scrolling.
21693
21694 @item focus cmd
21695 Make the command window active for scrolling.
21696
21697 @item refresh
21698 @kindex refresh
21699 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
21700
21701 @item tui reg float
21702 @kindex tui reg
21703 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
21704
21705 @item tui reg general
21706 Show the general registers in the register window.
21707
21708 @item tui reg next
21709 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
21710 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
21711 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
21712 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
21713
21714 @item tui reg system
21715 Show the system registers in the register window.
21716
21717 @item update
21718 @kindex update
21719 Update the source window and the current execution point.
21720
21721 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
21722 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
21723 @kindex winheight
21724 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
21725 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
21726 decrease it.
21727
21728 @item tabset @var{nchars}
21729 @kindex tabset
21730 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
21731 @end table
21732
21733 @node TUI Configuration
21734 @section TUI Configuration Variables
21735 @cindex TUI configuration variables
21736
21737 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
21738
21739 @table @code
21740 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
21741 @kindex set tui border-kind
21742 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
21743 The possible values are the following:
21744 @table @code
21745 @item space
21746 Use a space character to draw the border.
21747
21748 @item ascii
21749 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
21750
21751 @item acs
21752 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
21753 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
21754 @end table
21755
21756 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
21757 @kindex set tui border-mode
21758 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
21759 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
21760 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
21761 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
21762 @table @code
21763 @item normal
21764 Use normal attributes to display the border.
21765
21766 @item standout
21767 Use standout mode.
21768
21769 @item reverse
21770 Use reverse video mode.
21771
21772 @item half
21773 Use half bright mode.
21774
21775 @item half-standout
21776 Use half bright and standout mode.
21777
21778 @item bold
21779 Use extra bright or bold mode.
21780
21781 @item bold-standout
21782 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
21783 @end table
21784 @end table
21785
21786 @node Emacs
21787 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
21788
21789 @cindex Emacs
21790 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
21791 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
21792 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
21793 @value{GDBN}.
21794
21795 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
21796 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
21797 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
21798 created Emacs buffer.
21799 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
21800
21801 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
21802 things:
21803
21804 @itemize @bullet
21805 @item
21806 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
21807 the GUD buffer.
21808
21809 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
21810 and output done by the program you are debugging.
21811
21812 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
21813 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
21814 in this way.
21815
21816 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
21817 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
21818 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
21819 stop.
21820
21821 @item
21822 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
21823
21824 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
21825 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
21826 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
21827 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
21828 and the source.
21829
21830 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
21831 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
21832 @end itemize
21833
21834 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
21835 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
21836 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
21837 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
21838
21839 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
21840 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
21841 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
21842 sets your current working directory to to the directory associated
21843 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
21844 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
21845 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
21846 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
21847 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
21848
21849 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
21850 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
21851 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
21852 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
21853
21854 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
21855 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
21856 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
21857 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
21858 one you want.
21859
21860 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
21861 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
21862
21863 @table @kbd
21864 @item C-h m
21865 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
21866
21867 @item C-c C-s
21868 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
21869 update the display window to show the current file and location.
21870
21871 @item C-c C-n
21872 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
21873 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
21874 to show the current file and location.
21875
21876 @item C-c C-i
21877 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
21878 display window accordingly.
21879
21880 @item C-c C-f
21881 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
21882 @code{finish} command.
21883
21884 @item C-c C-r
21885 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
21886 command.
21887
21888 @item C-c <
21889 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
21890 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
21891 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
21892
21893 @item C-c >
21894 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
21895 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
21896 @end table
21897
21898 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
21899 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
21900
21901 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
21902 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
21903 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
21904 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
21905 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
21906 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
21907 speedbar displays watch expressions.
21908
21909 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
21910 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
21911 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
21912 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
21913 frame.
21914
21915 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
21916 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
21917 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
21918 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
21919 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
21920 to correspond properly with the code.
21921
21922 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
21923 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
21924 Emacs Manual}).
21925
21926 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
21927 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
21928 @ignore
21929 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
21930 @kindex Epoch
21931 @kindex inspect
21932
21933 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
21934 called the @code{epoch}
21935 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
21936 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
21937 each value is printed in its own window.
21938 @end ignore
21939
21940
21941 @node GDB/MI
21942 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
21943
21944 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
21945
21946 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
21947 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
21948 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
21949 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
21950 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
21951 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
21952
21953 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
21954 in the form of a reference manual.
21955
21956 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
21957 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
21958 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
21959
21960 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
21961
21962 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
21963 This chapter uses the following notation:
21964
21965 @itemize @bullet
21966 @item
21967 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
21968
21969 @item
21970 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
21971 it may or may not be given.
21972
21973 @item
21974 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
21975 may repeat zero or more times.
21976
21977 @item
21978 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
21979 may repeat one or more times.
21980
21981 @item
21982 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
21983 @end itemize
21984
21985 @ignore
21986 @heading Dependencies
21987 @end ignore
21988
21989 @menu
21990 * GDB/MI General Design::
21991 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
21992 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
21993 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
21994 * GDB/MI Output Records::
21995 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
21996 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
21997 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
21998 * GDB/MI Program Context::
21999 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
22000 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
22001 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
22002 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
22003 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
22004 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
22005 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
22006 * GDB/MI File Commands::
22007 @ignore
22008 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
22009 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
22010 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
22011 @end ignore
22012 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
22013 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
22014 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
22015 @end menu
22016
22017 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22018 @node GDB/MI General Design
22019 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
22020 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
22021
22022 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
22023 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
22024 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
22025 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
22026 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
22027 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
22028 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
22029 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
22030 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
22031 a command and reported as part of that command response.
22032
22033 The important examples of notifications are:
22034 @itemize @bullet
22035
22036 @item
22037 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
22038 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
22039 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
22040 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
22041 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
22042 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
22043 command itself was successfully executed.
22044
22045 @item
22046 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
22047 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
22048 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
22049 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
22050 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
22051 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
22052
22053 @item
22054 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
22055 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
22056 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
22057 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
22058 orthogonal frontend design.
22059
22060 @end itemize
22061
22062 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
22063 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
22064 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
22065 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
22066 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
22067 the user interface.
22068
22069
22070 @menu
22071 * Context management::
22072 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
22073 * Thread groups::
22074 @end menu
22075
22076 @node Context management
22077 @subsection Context management
22078
22079 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
22080 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
22081 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
22082 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
22083 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
22084 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
22085 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
22086 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
22087 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
22088
22089 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
22090 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
22091 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
22092 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
22093 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
22094 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
22095 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
22096 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
22097 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
22098 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
22099 for thread and frame to operate on.
22100
22101 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
22102 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
22103 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
22104 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
22105 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
22106 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
22107 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
22108 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
22109 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
22110 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
22111
22112 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
22113 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
22114 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
22115 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
22116 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
22117 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
22118 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
22119 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
22120 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
22121 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
22122 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
22123 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
22124 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
22125 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
22126 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
22127 @samp{--frame} options.
22128
22129 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
22130 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
22131
22132 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
22133 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
22134 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
22135 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
22136 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
22137 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
22138 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
22139 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
22140 @code{-list-target-features} command.
22141
22142 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
22143 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
22144 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
22145 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
22146 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
22147 are running.
22148
22149 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
22150 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
22151 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
22152 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
22153 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
22154 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
22155 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
22156 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
22157 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
22158 @samp{--thread} option).
22159
22160 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
22161 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
22162 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
22163 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
22164
22165 @node Thread groups
22166 @subsection Thread groups
22167 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
22168 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
22169 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
22170 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
22171 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
22172
22173 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
22174 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
22175 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
22176 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
22177 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
22178 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
22179 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
22180 into processes.
22181
22182 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
22183 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
22184 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
22185 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
22186 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
22187 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
22188 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
22189 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
22190 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
22191 the members of specific thread group.
22192
22193 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
22194 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
22195 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
22196 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
22197 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
22198 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
22199 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
22200 after attaching to that thread group.
22201
22202 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
22203 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
22204 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
22205 such thread groups.
22206
22207 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22208 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
22209 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
22210
22211 @menu
22212 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
22213 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
22214 @end menu
22215
22216 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
22217 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
22218
22219 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
22220 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
22221 @table @code
22222 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
22223 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
22224
22225 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
22226 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
22227 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
22228
22229 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
22230 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
22231 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
22232
22233 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
22234 "any sequence of digits"
22235
22236 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
22237 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
22238
22239 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
22240 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
22241
22242 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
22243 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
22244
22245 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
22246 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
22247 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
22248
22249 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
22250 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
22251
22252 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
22253 @code{CR | CR-LF}
22254 @end table
22255
22256 @noindent
22257 Notes:
22258
22259 @itemize @bullet
22260 @item
22261 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
22262 output is described below.
22263
22264 @item
22265 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
22266 finishes.
22267
22268 @item
22269 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
22270 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
22271 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
22272 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
22273 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
22274 @end itemize
22275
22276 Pragmatics:
22277
22278 @itemize @bullet
22279 @item
22280 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
22281
22282 @item
22283 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
22284 @end itemize
22285
22286 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
22287 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
22288
22289 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
22290 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
22291 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
22292 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
22293 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
22294 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
22295
22296 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
22297 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
22298 @var{token}.
22299
22300 @table @code
22301 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
22302 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
22303
22304 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
22305 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
22306
22307 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
22308 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
22309
22310 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
22311 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
22312
22313 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
22314 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
22315
22316 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
22317 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
22318
22319 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
22320 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
22321
22322 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
22323 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
22324
22325 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
22326 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
22327
22328 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
22329 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
22330 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
22331
22332 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
22333 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
22334
22335 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
22336 @code{ @var{string} }
22337
22338 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
22339 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
22340
22341 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
22342 @code{@var{c-string}}
22343
22344 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
22345 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
22346
22347 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
22348 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
22349 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
22350
22351 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
22352 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
22353
22354 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
22355 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
22356
22357 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
22358 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
22359
22360 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
22361 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
22362
22363 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
22364 @code{CR | CR-LF}
22365
22366 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
22367 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
22368 @end table
22369
22370 @noindent
22371 Notes:
22372
22373 @itemize @bullet
22374 @item
22375 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
22376
22377 @item
22378 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
22379 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
22380 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
22381 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
22382 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
22383 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
22384 prior command.
22385
22386 @item
22387 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
22388 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
22389 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
22390 prefixed by @samp{+}.
22391
22392 @item
22393 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
22394 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
22395 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
22396 @samp{*}.
22397
22398 @item
22399 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
22400 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
22401 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
22402 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
22403
22404 @item
22405 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
22406 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
22407 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
22408 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
22409
22410 @item
22411 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
22412 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
22413 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
22414
22415 @item
22416 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
22417 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
22418 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
22419 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
22420
22421 @item
22422 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
22423 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
22424 @var{values}.
22425
22426
22427 @end itemize
22428
22429 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
22430 details about the various output records.
22431
22432 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22433 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
22434 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
22435
22436 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
22437 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
22438
22439 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
22440 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
22441 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
22442 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
22443 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
22444 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
22445
22446 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
22447 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
22448 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
22449
22450 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22451 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
22452 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
22453 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
22454
22455 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
22456 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
22457
22458 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
22459 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
22460 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
22461 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
22462 might change.
22463
22464 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
22465 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
22466 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
22467 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
22468
22469 @itemize @bullet
22470 @item
22471 New MI commands may be added.
22472
22473 @item
22474 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
22475
22476 @item
22477 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
22478 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
22479
22480 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
22481 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
22482
22483 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
22484 @c resolve inconsistencies.
22485 @end itemize
22486
22487 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
22488 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
22489 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
22490 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
22491 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
22492
22493 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
22494 @c version?
22495
22496 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
22497 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
22498 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
22499 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
22500 @cindex mailing lists
22501
22502 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22503 @node GDB/MI Output Records
22504 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
22505
22506 @menu
22507 * GDB/MI Result Records::
22508 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
22509 * GDB/MI Async Records::
22510 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
22511 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
22512 @end menu
22513
22514 @node GDB/MI Result Records
22515 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
22516
22517 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
22518 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
22519 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
22520 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
22521
22522 @table @code
22523 @findex ^done
22524 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
22525 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
22526 values.
22527
22528 @item "^running"
22529 @findex ^running
22530 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
22531 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
22532 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
22533 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
22534 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
22535 which threads are resumed.
22536
22537 @item "^connected"
22538 @findex ^connected
22539 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
22540
22541 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
22542 @findex ^error
22543 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
22544 error message.
22545
22546 @item "^exit"
22547 @findex ^exit
22548 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
22549
22550 @end table
22551
22552 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
22553 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
22554
22555 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
22556 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
22557 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
22558 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
22559 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
22560
22561 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
22562 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
22563 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
22564 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
22565 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
22566
22567 @table @code
22568 @item "~" @var{string-output}
22569 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
22570 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
22571
22572 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
22573 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
22574 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
22575 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
22576
22577 @item "&" @var{string-output}
22578 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
22579 internals.
22580 @end table
22581
22582 @node GDB/MI Async Records
22583 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
22584
22585 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
22586 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
22587 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
22588 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
22589 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
22590 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
22591
22592 The following is the list of possible async records:
22593
22594 @table @code
22595
22596 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
22597 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
22598 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
22599 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
22600 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
22601 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
22602 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
22603 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
22604 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
22605 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
22606
22607 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
22608 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
22609 following values:
22610
22611 @table @code
22612 @item breakpoint-hit
22613 A breakpoint was reached.
22614 @item watchpoint-trigger
22615 A watchpoint was triggered.
22616 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
22617 A read watchpoint was triggered.
22618 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
22619 An access watchpoint was triggered.
22620 @item function-finished
22621 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
22622 @item location-reached
22623 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
22624 @item watchpoint-scope
22625 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
22626 @item end-stepping-range
22627 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
22628 similar CLI command was accomplished.
22629 @item exited-signalled
22630 The inferior exited because of a signal.
22631 @item exited
22632 The inferior exited.
22633 @item exited-normally
22634 The inferior exited normally.
22635 @item signal-received
22636 A signal was received by the inferior.
22637 @end table
22638
22639 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
22640 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
22641 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
22642 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
22643 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
22644 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
22645 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
22646 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
22647 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
22648 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
22649 if such information is not available.
22650
22651 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
22652 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
22653 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
22654 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
22655 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
22656 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
22657 cannot be used in any way.
22658
22659 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
22660 A thread group became associated with a running program,
22661 either because the program was just started or the thread group
22662 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
22663 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
22664 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
22665
22666 @itemx =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"
22667 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
22668 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
22669 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
22670 thread group.
22671
22672 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
22673 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
22674 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
22675 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
22676 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
22677
22678 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
22679 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
22680 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
22681 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
22682 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
22683 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
22684 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
22685
22686 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
22687 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
22688 that thread.
22689
22690 @item =library-loaded,...
22691 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
22692 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
22693 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
22694 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
22695 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
22696 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
22697 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
22698 @var{symbols-loaded} field reports if the debug symbols for this
22699 library are loaded. The @var{thread-group} field, if present,
22700 specifies the id of the thread group in whose context the library was loaded.
22701 If the field is absent, it means the library was loaded in the context
22702 of all present thread groups.
22703
22704 @item =library-unloaded,...
22705 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
22706 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
22707 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
22708 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
22709 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
22710 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
22711 thread groups.
22712
22713 @end table
22714
22715 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
22716 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
22717
22718 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
22719 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
22720 fields:
22721
22722 @table @code
22723 @item level
22724 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
22725 zero. This field is always present.
22726
22727 @item func
22728 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
22729 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
22730
22731 @item addr
22732 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
22733
22734 @item file
22735 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
22736 address. This field may be absent.
22737
22738 @item line
22739 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
22740 may be absent.
22741
22742 @item from
22743 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
22744 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
22745
22746 @end table
22747
22748 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
22749 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
22750
22751 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
22752 uses a tuple with the following fields:
22753
22754 @table @code
22755 @item id
22756 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
22757 always present.
22758
22759 @item target-id
22760 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
22761
22762 @item details
22763 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
22764 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
22765 frontend. This field is optional.
22766
22767 @item state
22768 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
22769 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
22770
22771 @item core
22772 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
22773 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
22774 @end table
22775
22776
22777 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22778 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
22779 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
22780 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
22781
22782 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
22783 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
22784 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
22785 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
22786
22787 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
22788 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
22789
22790 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
22791
22792 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
22793 information of the breakpoint.
22794
22795 @smallexample
22796 -> -break-insert main
22797 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
22798 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
22799 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
22800 <- (gdb)
22801 @end smallexample
22802
22803 @subheading Program Execution
22804
22805 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
22806 reason that execution stopped.
22807
22808 @smallexample
22809 -> -exec-run
22810 <- ^running
22811 <- (gdb)
22812 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
22813 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
22814 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
22815 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
22816 <- (gdb)
22817 -> -exec-continue
22818 <- ^running
22819 <- (gdb)
22820 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
22821 <- (gdb)
22822 @end smallexample
22823
22824 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
22825
22826 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
22827
22828 @smallexample
22829 -> (gdb)
22830 <- -gdb-exit
22831 <- ^exit
22832 @end smallexample
22833
22834 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
22835 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
22836 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
22837 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
22838 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
22839 fails to exit in reasonable time.
22840
22841 @subheading A Bad Command
22842
22843 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
22844
22845 @smallexample
22846 -> -rubbish
22847 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
22848 <- (gdb)
22849 @end smallexample
22850
22851
22852 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22853 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
22854 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
22855
22856 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
22857 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
22858
22859 @subheading Motivation
22860
22861 The motivation for this collection of commands.
22862
22863 @subheading Introduction
22864
22865 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
22866
22867 @subheading Commands
22868
22869 For each command in the block, the following is described:
22870
22871 @subsubheading Synopsis
22872
22873 @smallexample
22874 -command @var{args}@dots{}
22875 @end smallexample
22876
22877 @subsubheading Result
22878
22879 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22880
22881 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
22882
22883 @subsubheading Example
22884
22885 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
22886 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
22887
22888
22889 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22890 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
22891 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
22892
22893 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
22894 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
22895 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
22896 breakpoints.
22897
22898 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
22899 @findex -break-after
22900
22901 @subsubheading Synopsis
22902
22903 @smallexample
22904 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
22905 @end smallexample
22906
22907 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
22908 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
22909 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
22910 @samp{-break-list} command below.
22911
22912 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22913
22914 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
22915
22916 @subsubheading Example
22917
22918 @smallexample
22919 (gdb)
22920 -break-insert main
22921 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
22922 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
22923 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
22924 (gdb)
22925 -break-after 1 3
22926 ~
22927 ^done
22928 (gdb)
22929 -break-list
22930 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
22931 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22932 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22933 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22934 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22935 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22936 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22937 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22938 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
22939 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
22940 (gdb)
22941 @end smallexample
22942
22943 @ignore
22944 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
22945 @findex -break-catch
22946 @end ignore
22947
22948 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
22949 @findex -break-commands
22950
22951 @subsubheading Synopsis
22952
22953 @smallexample
22954 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
22955 @end smallexample
22956
22957 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
22958 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
22959 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
22960 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
22961 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
22962 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
22963
22964 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22965
22966 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
22967
22968 @subsubheading Example
22969
22970 @smallexample
22971 (gdb)
22972 -break-insert main
22973 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
22974 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
22975 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
22976 (gdb)
22977 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
22978 ^done
22979 (gdb)
22980 @end smallexample
22981
22982 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
22983 @findex -break-condition
22984
22985 @subsubheading Synopsis
22986
22987 @smallexample
22988 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
22989 @end smallexample
22990
22991 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
22992 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
22993 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
22994 command below).
22995
22996 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22997
22998 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
22999
23000 @subsubheading Example
23001
23002 @smallexample
23003 (gdb)
23004 -break-condition 1 1
23005 ^done
23006 (gdb)
23007 -break-list
23008 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
23009 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23010 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23011 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23012 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23013 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23014 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23015 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23016 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
23017 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
23018 (gdb)
23019 @end smallexample
23020
23021 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
23022 @findex -break-delete
23023
23024 @subsubheading Synopsis
23025
23026 @smallexample
23027 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
23028 @end smallexample
23029
23030 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
23031 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
23032
23033 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23034
23035 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
23036
23037 @subsubheading Example
23038
23039 @smallexample
23040 (gdb)
23041 -break-delete 1
23042 ^done
23043 (gdb)
23044 -break-list
23045 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
23046 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23047 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23048 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23049 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23050 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23051 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23052 body=[]@}
23053 (gdb)
23054 @end smallexample
23055
23056 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
23057 @findex -break-disable
23058
23059 @subsubheading Synopsis
23060
23061 @smallexample
23062 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
23063 @end smallexample
23064
23065 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
23066 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
23067
23068 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23069
23070 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
23071
23072 @subsubheading Example
23073
23074 @smallexample
23075 (gdb)
23076 -break-disable 2
23077 ^done
23078 (gdb)
23079 -break-list
23080 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
23081 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23082 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23083 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23084 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23085 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23086 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23087 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
23088 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
23089 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
23090 (gdb)
23091 @end smallexample
23092
23093 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
23094 @findex -break-enable
23095
23096 @subsubheading Synopsis
23097
23098 @smallexample
23099 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
23100 @end smallexample
23101
23102 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
23103
23104 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23105
23106 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
23107
23108 @subsubheading Example
23109
23110 @smallexample
23111 (gdb)
23112 -break-enable 2
23113 ^done
23114 (gdb)
23115 -break-list
23116 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
23117 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23118 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23119 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23120 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23121 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23122 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23123 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23124 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
23125 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
23126 (gdb)
23127 @end smallexample
23128
23129 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
23130 @findex -break-info
23131
23132 @subsubheading Synopsis
23133
23134 @smallexample
23135 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
23136 @end smallexample
23137
23138 @c REDUNDANT???
23139 Get information about a single breakpoint.
23140
23141 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23142
23143 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
23144
23145 @subsubheading Example
23146 N.A.
23147
23148 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
23149 @findex -break-insert
23150
23151 @subsubheading Synopsis
23152
23153 @smallexample
23154 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
23155 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
23156 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{location} ]
23157 @end smallexample
23158
23159 @noindent
23160 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
23161
23162 @itemize @bullet
23163 @item function
23164 @c @item +offset
23165 @c @item -offset
23166 @c @item linenum
23167 @item filename:linenum
23168 @item filename:function
23169 @item *address
23170 @end itemize
23171
23172 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
23173
23174 @table @samp
23175 @item -t
23176 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
23177 @item -h
23178 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
23179 @item -c @var{condition}
23180 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
23181 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
23182 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
23183 @item -f
23184 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
23185 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
23186 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
23187 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
23188 cannot be parsed.
23189 @item -d
23190 Create a disabled breakpoint.
23191 @item -a
23192 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
23193 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
23194 @end table
23195
23196 @subsubheading Result
23197
23198 The result is in the form:
23199
23200 @smallexample
23201 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
23202 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
23203 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
23204 times="@var{times}"@}
23205 @end smallexample
23206
23207 @noindent
23208 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
23209 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
23210 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
23211 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
23212 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
23213 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
23214 which use the same output).
23215
23216 Note: this format is open to change.
23217 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
23218
23219 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23220
23221 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
23222 @samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
23223
23224 @subsubheading Example
23225
23226 @smallexample
23227 (gdb)
23228 -break-insert main
23229 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
23230 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
23231 (gdb)
23232 -break-insert -t foo
23233 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
23234 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
23235 (gdb)
23236 -break-list
23237 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
23238 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23239 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23240 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23241 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23242 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23243 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23244 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23245 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
23246 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
23247 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
23248 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
23249 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
23250 (gdb)
23251 -break-insert -r foo.*
23252 ~int foo(int, int);
23253 ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
23254 "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
23255 (gdb)
23256 @end smallexample
23257
23258 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
23259 @findex -break-list
23260
23261 @subsubheading Synopsis
23262
23263 @smallexample
23264 -break-list
23265 @end smallexample
23266
23267 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
23268
23269 @table @samp
23270 @item Number
23271 number of the breakpoint
23272 @item Type
23273 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
23274 @item Disposition
23275 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
23276 or @samp{nokeep}
23277 @item Enabled
23278 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
23279 @item Address
23280 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
23281 @item What
23282 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
23283 name, line number
23284 @item Times
23285 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
23286 @end table
23287
23288 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
23289 @code{body} field is an empty list.
23290
23291 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23292
23293 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
23294
23295 @subsubheading Example
23296
23297 @smallexample
23298 (gdb)
23299 -break-list
23300 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
23301 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23302 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23303 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23304 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23305 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23306 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23307 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23308 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
23309 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23310 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
23311 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
23312 (gdb)
23313 @end smallexample
23314
23315 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
23316
23317 @smallexample
23318 (gdb)
23319 -break-list
23320 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
23321 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23322 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23323 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23324 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23325 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23326 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23327 body=[]@}
23328 (gdb)
23329 @end smallexample
23330
23331 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
23332 @findex -break-passcount
23333
23334 @subsubheading Synopsis
23335
23336 @smallexample
23337 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
23338 @end smallexample
23339
23340 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
23341 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
23342 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
23343 command @samp{passcount}.
23344
23345 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
23346 @findex -break-watch
23347
23348 @subsubheading Synopsis
23349
23350 @smallexample
23351 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
23352 @end smallexample
23353
23354 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
23355 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
23356 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
23357 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
23358 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
23359 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
23360 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
23361 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
23362
23363 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
23364 breakpoints inserted.
23365
23366 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23367
23368 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
23369 @samp{rwatch}.
23370
23371 @subsubheading Example
23372
23373 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
23374
23375 @smallexample
23376 (gdb)
23377 -break-watch x
23378 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
23379 (gdb)
23380 -exec-continue
23381 ^running
23382 (gdb)
23383 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
23384 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
23385 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
23386 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
23387 (gdb)
23388 @end smallexample
23389
23390 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
23391 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
23392 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
23393
23394 @smallexample
23395 (gdb)
23396 -break-watch C
23397 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
23398 (gdb)
23399 -exec-continue
23400 ^running
23401 (gdb)
23402 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
23403 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
23404 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
23405 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23406 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
23407 (gdb)
23408 -exec-continue
23409 ^running
23410 (gdb)
23411 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
23412 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
23413 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
23414 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23415 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
23416 (gdb)
23417 @end smallexample
23418
23419 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
23420 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
23421 deleted.
23422
23423 @smallexample
23424 (gdb)
23425 -break-watch C
23426 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
23427 (gdb)
23428 -break-list
23429 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
23430 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23431 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23432 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23433 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23434 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23435 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23436 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23437 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
23438 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23439 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
23440 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
23441 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
23442 (gdb)
23443 -exec-continue
23444 ^running
23445 (gdb)
23446 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
23447 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
23448 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
23449 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23450 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
23451 (gdb)
23452 -break-list
23453 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
23454 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23455 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23456 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23457 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23458 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23459 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23460 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23461 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
23462 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23463 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
23464 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
23465 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
23466 (gdb)
23467 -exec-continue
23468 ^running
23469 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
23470 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
23471 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
23472 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23473 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
23474 (gdb)
23475 -break-list
23476 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
23477 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23478 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23479 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23480 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23481 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23482 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23483 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23484 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
23485 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23486 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
23487 times="1"@}]@}
23488 (gdb)
23489 @end smallexample
23490
23491 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23492 @node GDB/MI Program Context
23493 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
23494
23495 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
23496 @findex -exec-arguments
23497
23498
23499 @subsubheading Synopsis
23500
23501 @smallexample
23502 -exec-arguments @var{args}
23503 @end smallexample
23504
23505 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
23506 @samp{-exec-run}.
23507
23508 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23509
23510 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
23511
23512 @subsubheading Example
23513
23514 @smallexample
23515 (gdb)
23516 -exec-arguments -v word
23517 ^done
23518 (gdb)
23519 @end smallexample
23520
23521
23522 @ignore
23523 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
23524 @findex -exec-show-arguments
23525
23526 @subsubheading Synopsis
23527
23528 @smallexample
23529 -exec-show-arguments
23530 @end smallexample
23531
23532 Print the arguments of the program.
23533
23534 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23535
23536 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
23537
23538 @subsubheading Example
23539 N.A.
23540 @end ignore
23541
23542
23543 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
23544 @findex -environment-cd
23545
23546 @subsubheading Synopsis
23547
23548 @smallexample
23549 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
23550 @end smallexample
23551
23552 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
23553
23554 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23555
23556 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
23557
23558 @subsubheading Example
23559
23560 @smallexample
23561 (gdb)
23562 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
23563 ^done
23564 (gdb)
23565 @end smallexample
23566
23567
23568 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
23569 @findex -environment-directory
23570
23571 @subsubheading Synopsis
23572
23573 @smallexample
23574 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
23575 @end smallexample
23576
23577 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
23578 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
23579 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
23580 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
23581 occurs as normal.
23582 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
23583 multiple directories in a single command
23584 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
23585 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
23586 If blanks are needed as
23587 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
23588 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
23589 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
23590 character must not be used
23591 in any directory name.
23592 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
23593
23594 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23595
23596 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
23597
23598 @subsubheading Example
23599
23600 @smallexample
23601 (gdb)
23602 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
23603 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
23604 (gdb)
23605 -environment-directory ""
23606 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
23607 (gdb)
23608 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
23609 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
23610 (gdb)
23611 -environment-directory -r
23612 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
23613 (gdb)
23614 @end smallexample
23615
23616
23617 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
23618 @findex -environment-path
23619
23620 @subsubheading Synopsis
23621
23622 @smallexample
23623 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
23624 @end smallexample
23625
23626 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
23627 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
23628 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
23629 supplied in addition to the
23630 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
23631 occurs as normal.
23632 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
23633 multiple directories in a single command
23634 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
23635 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
23636 If blanks are needed as
23637 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
23638 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
23639 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
23640 character must not be used
23641 in any directory name.
23642 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
23643
23644
23645 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23646
23647 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
23648
23649 @subsubheading Example
23650
23651 @smallexample
23652 (gdb)
23653 -environment-path
23654 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
23655 (gdb)
23656 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
23657 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
23658 (gdb)
23659 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
23660 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
23661 (gdb)
23662 @end smallexample
23663
23664
23665 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
23666 @findex -environment-pwd
23667
23668 @subsubheading Synopsis
23669
23670 @smallexample
23671 -environment-pwd
23672 @end smallexample
23673
23674 Show the current working directory.
23675
23676 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23677
23678 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
23679
23680 @subsubheading Example
23681
23682 @smallexample
23683 (gdb)
23684 -environment-pwd
23685 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
23686 (gdb)
23687 @end smallexample
23688
23689 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23690 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
23691 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
23692
23693
23694 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
23695 @findex -thread-info
23696
23697 @subsubheading Synopsis
23698
23699 @smallexample
23700 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
23701 @end smallexample
23702
23703 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
23704 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
23705 threads. When printing information about all threads,
23706 also reports the current thread.
23707
23708 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23709
23710 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
23711 about all threads.
23712
23713 @subsubheading Example
23714
23715 @smallexample
23716 -thread-info
23717 ^done,threads=[
23718 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
23719 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
23720 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
23721 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
23722 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}],
23723 current-thread-id="1"
23724 (gdb)
23725 @end smallexample
23726
23727 The @samp{state} field may have the following values:
23728
23729 @table @code
23730 @item stopped
23731 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
23732 threads.
23733
23734 @item running
23735 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
23736 threads.
23737
23738 @end table
23739
23740 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
23741 @findex -thread-list-ids
23742
23743 @subsubheading Synopsis
23744
23745 @smallexample
23746 -thread-list-ids
23747 @end smallexample
23748
23749 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
23750 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
23751
23752 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
23753 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
23754
23755 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23756
23757 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
23758
23759 @subsubheading Example
23760
23761 @smallexample
23762 (gdb)
23763 -thread-list-ids
23764 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
23765 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
23766 (gdb)
23767 @end smallexample
23768
23769
23770 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
23771 @findex -thread-select
23772
23773 @subsubheading Synopsis
23774
23775 @smallexample
23776 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
23777 @end smallexample
23778
23779 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
23780 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
23781
23782 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
23783 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
23784
23785 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23786
23787 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
23788
23789 @subsubheading Example
23790
23791 @smallexample
23792 (gdb)
23793 -exec-next
23794 ^running
23795 (gdb)
23796 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
23797 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
23798 (gdb)
23799 -thread-list-ids
23800 ^done,
23801 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
23802 number-of-threads="3"
23803 (gdb)
23804 -thread-select 3
23805 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
23806 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
23807 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
23808 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
23809 (gdb)
23810 @end smallexample
23811
23812 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23813 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
23814 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
23815
23816 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
23817 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
23818 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
23819 other cases.
23820
23821 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
23822 @findex -exec-continue
23823
23824 @subsubheading Synopsis
23825
23826 @smallexample
23827 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
23828 @end smallexample
23829
23830 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
23831 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
23832 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
23833 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
23834 @itemize @bullet
23835 @item
23836 breakpoints or watchpoints
23837 @item
23838 signals or exceptions
23839 @item
23840 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
23841 @item
23842 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
23843 @end itemize
23844 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
23845 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
23846 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
23847 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
23848 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
23849 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
23850
23851 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23852
23853 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
23854
23855 @subsubheading Example
23856
23857 @smallexample
23858 -exec-continue
23859 ^running
23860 (gdb)
23861 @@Hello world
23862 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
23863 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
23864 line="13"@}
23865 (gdb)
23866 @end smallexample
23867
23868
23869 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
23870 @findex -exec-finish
23871
23872 @subsubheading Synopsis
23873
23874 @smallexample
23875 -exec-finish [--reverse]
23876 @end smallexample
23877
23878 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
23879 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
23880 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
23881 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
23882 function was called.
23883
23884 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23885
23886 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
23887
23888 @subsubheading Example
23889
23890 Function returning @code{void}.
23891
23892 @smallexample
23893 -exec-finish
23894 ^running
23895 (gdb)
23896 @@hello from foo
23897 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
23898 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
23899 (gdb)
23900 @end smallexample
23901
23902 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
23903 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
23904 value itself.
23905
23906 @smallexample
23907 -exec-finish
23908 ^running
23909 (gdb)
23910 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
23911 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
23912 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23913 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
23914 (gdb)
23915 @end smallexample
23916
23917
23918 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
23919 @findex -exec-interrupt
23920
23921 @subsubheading Synopsis
23922
23923 @smallexample
23924 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
23925 @end smallexample
23926
23927 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
23928 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
23929 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
23930 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
23931 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
23932
23933 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
23934 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
23935 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
23936 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
23937
23938 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
23939 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
23940 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
23941 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
23942
23943 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23944
23945 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
23946
23947 @subsubheading Example
23948
23949 @smallexample
23950 (gdb)
23951 111-exec-continue
23952 111^running
23953
23954 (gdb)
23955 222-exec-interrupt
23956 222^done
23957 (gdb)
23958 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
23959 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
23960 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
23961 (gdb)
23962
23963 (gdb)
23964 -exec-interrupt
23965 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
23966 (gdb)
23967 @end smallexample
23968
23969 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
23970 @findex -exec-jump
23971
23972 @subsubheading Synopsis
23973
23974 @smallexample
23975 -exec-jump @var{location}
23976 @end smallexample
23977
23978 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
23979 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
23980 different forms of @var{location}.
23981
23982 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23983
23984 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
23985
23986 @subsubheading Example
23987
23988 @smallexample
23989 -exec-jump foo.c:10
23990 *running,thread-id="all"
23991 ^running
23992 @end smallexample
23993
23994
23995 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
23996 @findex -exec-next
23997
23998 @subsubheading Synopsis
23999
24000 @smallexample
24001 -exec-next [--reverse]
24002 @end smallexample
24003
24004 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
24005 of the next source line is reached.
24006
24007 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
24008 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
24009 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
24010 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
24011 source line where the function was called.
24012
24013
24014 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24015
24016 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
24017
24018 @subsubheading Example
24019
24020 @smallexample
24021 -exec-next
24022 ^running
24023 (gdb)
24024 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
24025 (gdb)
24026 @end smallexample
24027
24028
24029 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
24030 @findex -exec-next-instruction
24031
24032 @subsubheading Synopsis
24033
24034 @smallexample
24035 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
24036 @end smallexample
24037
24038 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
24039 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
24040 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
24041 printed as well.
24042
24043 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
24044 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
24045 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
24046 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
24047 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
24048
24049 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24050
24051 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
24052
24053 @subsubheading Example
24054
24055 @smallexample
24056 (gdb)
24057 -exec-next-instruction
24058 ^running
24059
24060 (gdb)
24061 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
24062 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
24063 (gdb)
24064 @end smallexample
24065
24066
24067 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
24068 @findex -exec-return
24069
24070 @subsubheading Synopsis
24071
24072 @smallexample
24073 -exec-return
24074 @end smallexample
24075
24076 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
24077 Displays the new current frame.
24078
24079 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24080
24081 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
24082
24083 @subsubheading Example
24084
24085 @smallexample
24086 (gdb)
24087 200-break-insert callee4
24088 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
24089 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
24090 (gdb)
24091 000-exec-run
24092 000^running
24093 (gdb)
24094 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
24095 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
24096 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24097 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
24098 (gdb)
24099 205-break-delete
24100 205^done
24101 (gdb)
24102 111-exec-return
24103 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
24104 args=[@{name="strarg",
24105 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
24106 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24107 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
24108 (gdb)
24109 @end smallexample
24110
24111
24112 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
24113 @findex -exec-run
24114
24115 @subsubheading Synopsis
24116
24117 @smallexample
24118 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
24119 @end smallexample
24120
24121 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
24122 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
24123 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
24124 the program has exited exceptionally.
24125
24126 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
24127 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
24128 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
24129 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
24130
24131 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24132
24133 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
24134
24135 @subsubheading Examples
24136
24137 @smallexample
24138 (gdb)
24139 -break-insert main
24140 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
24141 (gdb)
24142 -exec-run
24143 ^running
24144 (gdb)
24145 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
24146 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
24147 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
24148 (gdb)
24149 @end smallexample
24150
24151 @noindent
24152 Program exited normally:
24153
24154 @smallexample
24155 (gdb)
24156 -exec-run
24157 ^running
24158 (gdb)
24159 x = 55
24160 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
24161 (gdb)
24162 @end smallexample
24163
24164 @noindent
24165 Program exited exceptionally:
24166
24167 @smallexample
24168 (gdb)
24169 -exec-run
24170 ^running
24171 (gdb)
24172 x = 55
24173 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
24174 (gdb)
24175 @end smallexample
24176
24177 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
24178 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
24179
24180 @smallexample
24181 (gdb)
24182 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
24183 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
24184 @end smallexample
24185
24186
24187 @c @subheading -exec-signal
24188
24189
24190 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
24191 @findex -exec-step
24192
24193 @subsubheading Synopsis
24194
24195 @smallexample
24196 -exec-step [--reverse]
24197 @end smallexample
24198
24199 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
24200 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
24201 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
24202 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
24203 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
24204 previously executed source line.
24205
24206 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24207
24208 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
24209
24210 @subsubheading Example
24211
24212 Stepping into a function:
24213
24214 @smallexample
24215 -exec-step
24216 ^running
24217 (gdb)
24218 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
24219 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
24220 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
24221 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
24222 (gdb)
24223 @end smallexample
24224
24225 Regular stepping:
24226
24227 @smallexample
24228 -exec-step
24229 ^running
24230 (gdb)
24231 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
24232 (gdb)
24233 @end smallexample
24234
24235
24236 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
24237 @findex -exec-step-instruction
24238
24239 @subsubheading Synopsis
24240
24241 @smallexample
24242 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
24243 @end smallexample
24244
24245 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
24246 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
24247 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
24248 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
24249 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
24250 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
24251 as well.
24252
24253 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24254
24255 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
24256
24257 @subsubheading Example
24258
24259 @smallexample
24260 (gdb)
24261 -exec-step-instruction
24262 ^running
24263
24264 (gdb)
24265 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
24266 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
24267 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
24268 (gdb)
24269 -exec-step-instruction
24270 ^running
24271
24272 (gdb)
24273 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
24274 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
24275 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
24276 (gdb)
24277 @end smallexample
24278
24279
24280 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
24281 @findex -exec-until
24282
24283 @subsubheading Synopsis
24284
24285 @smallexample
24286 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
24287 @end smallexample
24288
24289 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
24290 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
24291 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
24292 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
24293
24294 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24295
24296 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
24297
24298 @subsubheading Example
24299
24300 @smallexample
24301 (gdb)
24302 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
24303 ^running
24304 (gdb)
24305 x = 55
24306 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
24307 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
24308 (gdb)
24309 @end smallexample
24310
24311 @ignore
24312 @subheading -file-clear
24313 Is this going away????
24314 @end ignore
24315
24316 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24317 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
24318 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
24319
24320
24321 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
24322 @findex -stack-info-frame
24323
24324 @subsubheading Synopsis
24325
24326 @smallexample
24327 -stack-info-frame
24328 @end smallexample
24329
24330 Get info on the selected frame.
24331
24332 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24333
24334 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
24335 (without arguments).
24336
24337 @subsubheading Example
24338
24339 @smallexample
24340 (gdb)
24341 -stack-info-frame
24342 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
24343 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24344 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
24345 (gdb)
24346 @end smallexample
24347
24348 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
24349 @findex -stack-info-depth
24350
24351 @subsubheading Synopsis
24352
24353 @smallexample
24354 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
24355 @end smallexample
24356
24357 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
24358 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
24359
24360 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24361
24362 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
24363
24364 @subsubheading Example
24365
24366 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
24367
24368 @smallexample
24369 (gdb)
24370 -stack-info-depth
24371 ^done,depth="12"
24372 (gdb)
24373 -stack-info-depth 4
24374 ^done,depth="4"
24375 (gdb)
24376 -stack-info-depth 12
24377 ^done,depth="12"
24378 (gdb)
24379 -stack-info-depth 11
24380 ^done,depth="11"
24381 (gdb)
24382 -stack-info-depth 13
24383 ^done,depth="12"
24384 (gdb)
24385 @end smallexample
24386
24387 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
24388 @findex -stack-list-arguments
24389
24390 @subsubheading Synopsis
24391
24392 @smallexample
24393 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
24394 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
24395 @end smallexample
24396
24397 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
24398 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
24399 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
24400 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
24401 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
24402 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
24403 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
24404 which case only existing frames will be returned.
24405
24406 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
24407 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
24408 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
24409 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
24410 structures and unions.
24411
24412 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
24413 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
24414
24415 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24416
24417 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
24418 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
24419 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
24420
24421 @subsubheading Example
24422
24423 @smallexample
24424 (gdb)
24425 -stack-list-frames
24426 ^done,
24427 stack=[
24428 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
24429 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24430 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
24431 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
24432 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24433 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
24434 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
24435 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24436 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
24437 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
24438 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24439 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
24440 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
24441 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24442 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
24443 (gdb)
24444 -stack-list-arguments 0
24445 ^done,
24446 stack-args=[
24447 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
24448 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
24449 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
24450 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
24451 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
24452 (gdb)
24453 -stack-list-arguments 1
24454 ^done,
24455 stack-args=[
24456 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
24457 frame=@{level="1",
24458 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
24459 frame=@{level="2",args=[
24460 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
24461 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
24462 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
24463 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
24464 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
24465 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
24466 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
24467 (gdb)
24468 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
24469 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
24470 (gdb)
24471 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
24472 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
24473 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
24474 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
24475 (gdb)
24476 @end smallexample
24477
24478 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
24479
24480
24481 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
24482 @findex -stack-list-frames
24483
24484 @subsubheading Synopsis
24485
24486 @smallexample
24487 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
24488 @end smallexample
24489
24490 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
24491 following info:
24492
24493 @table @samp
24494 @item @var{level}
24495 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
24496 @item @var{addr}
24497 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
24498 @item @var{func}
24499 Function name.
24500 @item @var{file}
24501 File name of the source file where the function lives.
24502 @item @var{line}
24503 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
24504 @end table
24505
24506 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
24507 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
24508 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
24509 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
24510 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
24511 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
24512 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
24513
24514 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24515
24516 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
24517
24518 @subsubheading Example
24519
24520 Full stack backtrace:
24521
24522 @smallexample
24523 (gdb)
24524 -stack-list-frames
24525 ^done,stack=
24526 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
24527 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
24528 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24529 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24530 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24531 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24532 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24533 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24534 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24535 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24536 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24537 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24538 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24539 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24540 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24541 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24542 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24543 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24544 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24545 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24546 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24547 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24548 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
24549 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
24550 (gdb)
24551 @end smallexample
24552
24553 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
24554
24555 @smallexample
24556 (gdb)
24557 -stack-list-frames 3 5
24558 ^done,stack=
24559 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24560 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24561 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24562 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24563 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24564 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
24565 (gdb)
24566 @end smallexample
24567
24568 Show a single frame:
24569
24570 @smallexample
24571 (gdb)
24572 -stack-list-frames 3 3
24573 ^done,stack=
24574 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
24575 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
24576 (gdb)
24577 @end smallexample
24578
24579
24580 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
24581 @findex -stack-list-locals
24582
24583 @subsubheading Synopsis
24584
24585 @smallexample
24586 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
24587 @end smallexample
24588
24589 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
24590 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
24591 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
24592 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
24593 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
24594 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
24595 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
24596 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
24597 more detail.
24598
24599 This command is deprecated in favor of the
24600 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
24601
24602 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24603
24604 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
24605
24606 @subsubheading Example
24607
24608 @smallexample
24609 (gdb)
24610 -stack-list-locals 0
24611 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
24612 (gdb)
24613 -stack-list-locals --all-values
24614 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
24615 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
24616 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
24617 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
24618 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
24619 (gdb)
24620 @end smallexample
24621
24622 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
24623 @findex -stack-list-variables
24624
24625 @subsubheading Synopsis
24626
24627 @smallexample
24628 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
24629 @end smallexample
24630
24631 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
24632 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
24633 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
24634 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
24635 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
24636 structures and unions.
24637
24638 @subsubheading Example
24639
24640 @smallexample
24641 (gdb)
24642 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
24643 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
24644 (gdb)
24645 @end smallexample
24646
24647
24648 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
24649 @findex -stack-select-frame
24650
24651 @subsubheading Synopsis
24652
24653 @smallexample
24654 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
24655 @end smallexample
24656
24657 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
24658 the stack.
24659
24660 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
24661 option to every command.
24662
24663 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24664
24665 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
24666 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
24667
24668 @subsubheading Example
24669
24670 @smallexample
24671 (gdb)
24672 -stack-select-frame 2
24673 ^done
24674 (gdb)
24675 @end smallexample
24676
24677 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24678 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
24679 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
24680
24681 @ignore
24682
24683 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
24684
24685 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
24686 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
24687 used by @code{Insight}.
24688
24689 The two main reasons for that are:
24690
24691 @enumerate 1
24692 @item
24693 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
24694
24695 @item
24696 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
24697 now).
24698 @end enumerate
24699
24700 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
24701 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
24702 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
24703 hints about their use.
24704
24705 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
24706 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
24707 least, the following operations:
24708
24709 @itemize @bullet
24710 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
24711 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
24712 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
24713 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
24714 @end itemize
24715
24716 @end ignore
24717
24718 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
24719
24720 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
24721
24722 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
24723 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
24724 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
24725 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
24726 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
24727 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
24728 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
24729 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
24730 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
24731 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
24732 object, or to change display format.
24733
24734 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
24735 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
24736 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
24737 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
24738 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
24739 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
24740 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
24741 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
24742 child will be created.
24743
24744 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
24745 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
24746 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
24747 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
24748 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
24749
24750 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
24751 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
24752 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
24753 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
24754 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
24755 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
24756 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
24757 variables that frontend has created.
24758
24759 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
24760 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
24761 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
24762 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
24763 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
24764 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
24765 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
24766 implicitly updated.
24767
24768 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
24769 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
24770 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
24771 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
24772 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
24773 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
24774 frame. Consider this example:
24775
24776 @smallexample
24777 void do_work(...)
24778 @{
24779 struct work_state state;
24780
24781 if (...)
24782 do_work(...);
24783 @}
24784 @end smallexample
24785
24786 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
24787 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the the variable
24788 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
24789 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
24790 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
24791
24792 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
24793 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
24794 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
24795 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
24796 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
24797 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
24798
24799 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
24800 access this functionality:
24801
24802 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
24803 @item @strong{Operation}
24804 @tab @strong{Description}
24805
24806 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
24807 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
24808 @item @code{-var-create}
24809 @tab create a variable object
24810 @item @code{-var-delete}
24811 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
24812 @item @code{-var-set-format}
24813 @tab set the display format of this variable
24814 @item @code{-var-show-format}
24815 @tab show the display format of this variable
24816 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
24817 @tab tells how many children this object has
24818 @item @code{-var-list-children}
24819 @tab return a list of the object's children
24820 @item @code{-var-info-type}
24821 @tab show the type of this variable object
24822 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
24823 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
24824 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
24825 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
24826 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
24827 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
24828 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
24829 @tab get the value of this variable
24830 @item @code{-var-assign}
24831 @tab set the value of this variable
24832 @item @code{-var-update}
24833 @tab update the variable and its children
24834 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
24835 @tab set frozeness attribute
24836 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
24837 @tab set range of children to display on update
24838 @end multitable
24839
24840 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
24841 how it can be used.
24842
24843 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
24844
24845 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
24846 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
24847
24848 @smallexample
24849 -enable-pretty-printing
24850 @end smallexample
24851
24852 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
24853 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
24854 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
24855 request that this functionality be enabled.
24856
24857 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
24858
24859 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
24860 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
24861
24862 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
24863 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
24864
24865 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
24866 @findex -var-create
24867
24868 @subsubheading Synopsis
24869
24870 @smallexample
24871 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
24872 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
24873 @end smallexample
24874
24875 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
24876 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
24877 register.
24878
24879 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
24880 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
24881 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
24882 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
24883 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
24884
24885 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
24886 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
24887 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
24888 object must be created.
24889
24890 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
24891 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
24892
24893 @itemize @bullet
24894 @item
24895 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
24896
24897 @item
24898 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
24899
24900 @item
24901 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
24902 @end itemize
24903
24904 @cindex dynamic varobj
24905 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
24906 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
24907 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
24908 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
24909 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
24910 compatibility for existing clients.
24911
24912 @subsubheading Result
24913
24914 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
24915 are:
24916
24917 @table @samp
24918 @item name
24919 The name of the varobj.
24920
24921 @item numchild
24922 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
24923 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
24924 @samp{has_more} attribute.
24925
24926 @item value
24927 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
24928 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
24929 will not be interesting.
24930
24931 @item type
24932 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
24933 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI.
24934
24935 @item thread-id
24936 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
24937 thread's identifier.
24938
24939 @item has_more
24940 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
24941 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
24942
24943 @item dynamic
24944 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
24945 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
24946 then this attribute will not be present.
24947
24948 @item displayhint
24949 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
24950 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
24951 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing}.
24952 @end table
24953
24954 Typical output will look like this:
24955
24956 @smallexample
24957 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
24958 has_more="@var{has_more}"
24959 @end smallexample
24960
24961
24962 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
24963 @findex -var-delete
24964
24965 @subsubheading Synopsis
24966
24967 @smallexample
24968 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
24969 @end smallexample
24970
24971 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
24972 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
24973
24974 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
24975
24976
24977 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
24978 @findex -var-set-format
24979
24980 @subsubheading Synopsis
24981
24982 @smallexample
24983 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
24984 @end smallexample
24985
24986 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
24987 @var{format-spec}.
24988
24989 @anchor{-var-set-format}
24990 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
24991
24992 @smallexample
24993 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
24994 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
24995 @end smallexample
24996
24997 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
24998 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
24999 for pointers, etc.).
25000
25001 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
25002 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
25003
25004 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
25005 @findex -var-show-format
25006
25007 @subsubheading Synopsis
25008
25009 @smallexample
25010 -var-show-format @var{name}
25011 @end smallexample
25012
25013 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
25014
25015 @smallexample
25016 @var{format} @expansion{}
25017 @var{format-spec}
25018 @end smallexample
25019
25020
25021 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
25022 @findex -var-info-num-children
25023
25024 @subsubheading Synopsis
25025
25026 @smallexample
25027 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
25028 @end smallexample
25029
25030 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
25031
25032 @smallexample
25033 numchild=@var{n}
25034 @end smallexample
25035
25036 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
25037 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
25038 be available.
25039
25040
25041 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
25042 @findex -var-list-children
25043
25044 @subsubheading Synopsis
25045
25046 @smallexample
25047 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
25048 @end smallexample
25049 @anchor{-var-list-children}
25050
25051 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
25052 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
25053 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value for of 0 or
25054 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
25055 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
25056 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
25057 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
25058 and unions.
25059
25060 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
25061 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
25062 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
25063 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
25064 reported.
25065
25066 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
25067 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
25068 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
25069 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
25070 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
25071 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
25072 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
25073 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
25074 the visible items.
25075
25076 For each child the following results are returned:
25077
25078 @table @var
25079
25080 @item name
25081 Name of the variable object created for this child.
25082
25083 @item exp
25084 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
25085 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
25086
25087 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
25088 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
25089
25090 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
25091 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
25092 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
25093 type and value are not present.
25094
25095 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
25096 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
25097 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
25098
25099 @item numchild
25100 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
25101 0.
25102
25103 @item type
25104 The type of the child.
25105
25106 @item value
25107 If values were requested, this is the value.
25108
25109 @item thread-id
25110 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
25111 Otherwise this result is not present.
25112
25113 @item frozen
25114 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
25115 @end table
25116
25117 The result may have its own attributes:
25118
25119 @table @samp
25120 @item displayhint
25121 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
25122 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
25123 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing}.
25124
25125 @item has_more
25126 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
25127 remaining after the end of the selected range.
25128 @end table
25129
25130 @subsubheading Example
25131
25132 @smallexample
25133 (gdb)
25134 -var-list-children n
25135 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
25136 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
25137 (gdb)
25138 -var-list-children --all-values n
25139 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
25140 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
25141 @end smallexample
25142
25143
25144 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
25145 @findex -var-info-type
25146
25147 @subsubheading Synopsis
25148
25149 @smallexample
25150 -var-info-type @var{name}
25151 @end smallexample
25152
25153 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
25154 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
25155 @value{GDBN} CLI:
25156
25157 @smallexample
25158 type=@var{typename}
25159 @end smallexample
25160
25161
25162 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
25163 @findex -var-info-expression
25164
25165 @subsubheading Synopsis
25166
25167 @smallexample
25168 -var-info-expression @var{name}
25169 @end smallexample
25170
25171 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
25172 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
25173 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
25174
25175 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
25176 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
25177
25178 @smallexample
25179 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
25180 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
25181 @end smallexample
25182
25183 @noindent
25184 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
25185
25186 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
25187 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
25188 is of limited use.
25189
25190 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
25191 @findex -var-info-path-expression
25192
25193 @subsubheading Synopsis
25194
25195 @smallexample
25196 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
25197 @end smallexample
25198
25199 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
25200 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
25201 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
25202 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
25203 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
25204 watchpoint from a variable object.
25205
25206 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
25207 and will give an error when invoked on one.
25208
25209 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
25210 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
25211 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
25212 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
25213 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
25214 @smallexample
25215 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
25216 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
25217 @end smallexample
25218
25219 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
25220 @findex -var-show-attributes
25221
25222 @subsubheading Synopsis
25223
25224 @smallexample
25225 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
25226 @end smallexample
25227
25228 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
25229
25230 @smallexample
25231 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
25232 @end smallexample
25233
25234 @noindent
25235 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
25236
25237 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
25238 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
25239
25240 @subsubheading Synopsis
25241
25242 @smallexample
25243 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
25244 @end smallexample
25245
25246 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
25247 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
25248 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
25249 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
25250 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
25251 the current display format will be used. The current display format
25252 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
25253
25254 @smallexample
25255 value=@var{value}
25256 @end smallexample
25257
25258 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
25259 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
25260
25261 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
25262 @findex -var-assign
25263
25264 @subsubheading Synopsis
25265
25266 @smallexample
25267 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
25268 @end smallexample
25269
25270 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
25271 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
25272 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
25273 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
25274
25275 @subsubheading Example
25276
25277 @smallexample
25278 (gdb)
25279 -var-assign var1 3
25280 ^done,value="3"
25281 (gdb)
25282 -var-update *
25283 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
25284 (gdb)
25285 @end smallexample
25286
25287 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
25288 @findex -var-update
25289
25290 @subsubheading Synopsis
25291
25292 @smallexample
25293 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
25294 @end smallexample
25295
25296 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
25297 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
25298 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
25299 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
25300 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
25301 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
25302 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
25303 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
25304 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
25305 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
25306 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
25307 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
25308 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
25309
25310 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
25311 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
25312 diagnostic.
25313
25314 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
25315 only the selected range of children will be reported.
25316
25317 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
25318 @samp{changelist}.
25319
25320 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
25321
25322 @table @samp
25323 @item name
25324 The name of the varobj.
25325
25326 @item value
25327 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
25328 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
25329
25330 @item in_scope
25331 @anchor{-var-update}
25332 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
25333
25334 @table @code
25335 @item "true"
25336 The variable object's current value is valid.
25337
25338 @item "false"
25339 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
25340 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
25341 scope.
25342
25343 @item "invalid"
25344 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
25345 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
25346 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
25347 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
25348 objects.
25349 @end table
25350
25351 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
25352 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
25353
25354 @item type_changed
25355 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
25356 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
25357 be @samp{false}.
25358
25359 @item new_type
25360 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
25361 hold the new type.
25362
25363 @item new_num_children
25364 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
25365 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
25366
25367 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
25368 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
25369 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
25370 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
25371 children which may be available.
25372
25373 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
25374 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
25375 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
25376 only happen at the end of the update range).
25377
25378 @item displayhint
25379 The display hint, if any.
25380
25381 @item has_more
25382 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
25383 available outside the varobj's update range.
25384
25385 @item dynamic
25386 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
25387 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
25388 then this attribute will not be present.
25389
25390 @item new_children
25391 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
25392 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
25393 be listed in this attribute.
25394 @end table
25395
25396 @subsubheading Example
25397
25398 @smallexample
25399 (gdb)
25400 -var-assign var1 3
25401 ^done,value="3"
25402 (gdb)
25403 -var-update --all-values var1
25404 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
25405 type_changed="false"@}]
25406 (gdb)
25407 @end smallexample
25408
25409 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
25410 @findex -var-set-frozen
25411 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
25412
25413 @subsubheading Synopsis
25414
25415 @smallexample
25416 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
25417 @end smallexample
25418
25419 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
25420 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
25421 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
25422 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
25423 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
25424 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
25425 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
25426 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
25427 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
25428 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
25429 @code{-var-update} does.
25430
25431 @subsubheading Example
25432
25433 @smallexample
25434 (gdb)
25435 -var-set-frozen V 1
25436 ^done
25437 (gdb)
25438 @end smallexample
25439
25440 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
25441 @findex -var-set-update-range
25442 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
25443
25444 @subsubheading Synopsis
25445
25446 @smallexample
25447 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
25448 @end smallexample
25449
25450 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
25451 @code{-var-update}.
25452
25453 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
25454 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
25455 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
25456 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
25457
25458 @subsubheading Example
25459
25460 @smallexample
25461 (gdb)
25462 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
25463 ^done
25464 @end smallexample
25465
25466 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
25467 @findex -var-set-visualizer
25468 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
25469
25470 @subsubheading Synopsis
25471
25472 @smallexample
25473 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
25474 @end smallexample
25475
25476 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
25477
25478 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
25479 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
25480
25481 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
25482 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
25483 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
25484 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
25485 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
25486 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
25487 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
25488
25489 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
25490 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
25491 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
25492 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
25493
25494 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
25495 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
25496 can be used to check this.
25497
25498 @subsubheading Example
25499
25500 Resetting the visualizer:
25501
25502 @smallexample
25503 (gdb)
25504 -var-set-visualizer V None
25505 ^done
25506 @end smallexample
25507
25508 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
25509
25510 @smallexample
25511 (gdb)
25512 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
25513 ^done
25514 @end smallexample
25515
25516 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
25517 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
25518
25519 @smallexample
25520 (gdb)
25521 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
25522 ^done
25523 @end smallexample
25524
25525 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25526 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
25527 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
25528
25529 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
25530 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
25531 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
25532 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
25533
25534 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
25535 @c @subheading -data-assign
25536 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
25537 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
25538 @c set variable
25539 @c @subsubheading Example
25540 @c N.A.
25541
25542 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
25543 @findex -data-disassemble
25544
25545 @subsubheading Synopsis
25546
25547 @smallexample
25548 -data-disassemble
25549 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
25550 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
25551 -- @var{mode}
25552 @end smallexample
25553
25554 @noindent
25555 Where:
25556
25557 @table @samp
25558 @item @var{start-addr}
25559 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
25560 @item @var{end-addr}
25561 is the end address
25562 @item @var{filename}
25563 is the name of the file to disassemble
25564 @item @var{linenum}
25565 is the line number to disassemble around
25566 @item @var{lines}
25567 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
25568 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
25569 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
25570 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
25571 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
25572 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
25573 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
25574 are displayed.
25575 @item @var{mode}
25576 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly) or 1 (meaning mixed source and
25577 disassembly).
25578 @end table
25579
25580 @subsubheading Result
25581
25582 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
25583
25584 @itemize @bullet
25585 @item Address
25586 @item Func-name
25587 @item Offset
25588 @item Instruction
25589 @end itemize
25590
25591 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
25592 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
25593
25594 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25595
25596 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
25597
25598 @subsubheading Example
25599
25600 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
25601
25602 @smallexample
25603 (gdb)
25604 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
25605 ^done,
25606 asm_insns=[
25607 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
25608 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
25609 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
25610 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
25611 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
25612 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
25613 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
25614 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
25615 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
25616 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
25617 (gdb)
25618 @end smallexample
25619
25620 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
25621 @code{main}.
25622
25623 @smallexample
25624 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
25625 ^done,asm_insns=[
25626 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
25627 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
25628 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
25629 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
25630 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
25631 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
25632 [@dots{}]
25633 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
25634 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
25635 (gdb)
25636 @end smallexample
25637
25638 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
25639
25640 @smallexample
25641 (gdb)
25642 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
25643 ^done,asm_insns=[
25644 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
25645 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
25646 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
25647 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
25648 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
25649 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
25650 (gdb)
25651 @end smallexample
25652
25653 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
25654
25655 @smallexample
25656 (gdb)
25657 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
25658 ^done,asm_insns=[
25659 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
25660 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
25661 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
25662 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
25663 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
25664 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
25665 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
25666 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
25667 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
25668 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
25669 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
25670 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
25671 (gdb)
25672 @end smallexample
25673
25674
25675 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
25676 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
25677
25678 @subsubheading Synopsis
25679
25680 @smallexample
25681 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
25682 @end smallexample
25683
25684 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
25685 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
25686 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
25687
25688 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25689
25690 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
25691 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
25692 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
25693
25694 @subsubheading Example
25695
25696 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
25697 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
25698 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
25699 output.
25700
25701 @smallexample
25702 211-data-evaluate-expression A
25703 211^done,value="1"
25704 (gdb)
25705 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
25706 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
25707 (gdb)
25708 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
25709 411^done,value="4"
25710 (gdb)
25711 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
25712 511^done,value="4"
25713 (gdb)
25714 @end smallexample
25715
25716
25717 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
25718 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
25719
25720 @subsubheading Synopsis
25721
25722 @smallexample
25723 -data-list-changed-registers
25724 @end smallexample
25725
25726 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
25727
25728 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25729
25730 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
25731 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
25732
25733 @subsubheading Example
25734
25735 On a PPC MBX board:
25736
25737 @smallexample
25738 (gdb)
25739 -exec-continue
25740 ^running
25741
25742 (gdb)
25743 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
25744 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
25745 line="5"@}
25746 (gdb)
25747 -data-list-changed-registers
25748 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
25749 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
25750 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
25751 (gdb)
25752 @end smallexample
25753
25754
25755 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
25756 @findex -data-list-register-names
25757
25758 @subsubheading Synopsis
25759
25760 @smallexample
25761 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
25762 @end smallexample
25763
25764 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
25765 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
25766 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
25767 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
25768 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
25769 include empty register names.
25770
25771 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25772
25773 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
25774 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
25775 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
25776
25777 @subsubheading Example
25778
25779 For the PPC MBX board:
25780 @smallexample
25781 (gdb)
25782 -data-list-register-names
25783 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
25784 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
25785 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
25786 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
25787 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
25788 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
25789 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
25790 (gdb)
25791 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
25792 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
25793 (gdb)
25794 @end smallexample
25795
25796 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
25797 @findex -data-list-register-values
25798
25799 @subsubheading Synopsis
25800
25801 @smallexample
25802 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
25803 @end smallexample
25804
25805 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
25806 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
25807 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
25808 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
25809
25810 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
25811
25812 @table @code
25813 @item x
25814 Hexadecimal
25815 @item o
25816 Octal
25817 @item t
25818 Binary
25819 @item d
25820 Decimal
25821 @item r
25822 Raw
25823 @item N
25824 Natural
25825 @end table
25826
25827 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25828
25829 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
25830 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
25831
25832 @subsubheading Example
25833
25834 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
25835 don't appear in the actual output):
25836
25837 @smallexample
25838 (gdb)
25839 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
25840 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
25841 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
25842 (gdb)
25843 -data-list-register-values x
25844 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
25845 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
25846 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
25847 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
25848 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
25849 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
25850 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
25851 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
25852 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
25853 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
25854 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
25855 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
25856 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
25857 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
25858 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
25859 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
25860 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
25861 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
25862 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
25863 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
25864 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
25865 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
25866 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
25867 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
25868 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
25869 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
25870 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
25871 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
25872 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
25873 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
25874 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
25875 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
25876 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
25877 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
25878 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
25879 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
25880 (gdb)
25881 @end smallexample
25882
25883
25884 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
25885 @findex -data-read-memory
25886
25887 @subsubheading Synopsis
25888
25889 @smallexample
25890 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
25891 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
25892 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
25893 @end smallexample
25894
25895 @noindent
25896 where:
25897
25898 @table @samp
25899 @item @var{address}
25900 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
25901 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
25902 quoted using the C convention.
25903
25904 @item @var{word-format}
25905 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
25906 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
25907 ,Output Formats}).
25908
25909 @item @var{word-size}
25910 The size of each memory word in bytes.
25911
25912 @item @var{nr-rows}
25913 The number of rows in the output table.
25914
25915 @item @var{nr-cols}
25916 The number of columns in the output table.
25917
25918 @item @var{aschar}
25919 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
25920 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
25921 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
25922 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
25923
25924 @item @var{byte-offset}
25925 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
25926 @end table
25927
25928 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
25929 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
25930 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
25931 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
25932 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
25933 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
25934 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
25935 @samp{addr}.
25936
25937 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
25938 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
25939 @samp{prev-page}.
25940
25941 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25942
25943 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
25944 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
25945
25946 @subsubheading Example
25947
25948 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
25949 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
25950 word. Display each word in hex.
25951
25952 @smallexample
25953 (gdb)
25954 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
25955 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
25956 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
25957 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
25958 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
25959 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
25960 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
25961 (gdb)
25962 @end smallexample
25963
25964 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
25965 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
25966
25967 @smallexample
25968 (gdb)
25969 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
25970 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
25971 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
25972 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
25973 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
25974 (gdb)
25975 @end smallexample
25976
25977 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
25978 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
25979 used as the non-printable character.
25980
25981 @smallexample
25982 (gdb)
25983 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
25984 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
25985 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
25986 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
25987 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
25988 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
25989 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
25990 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
25991 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
25992 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
25993 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
25994 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
25995 (gdb)
25996 @end smallexample
25997
25998 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25999 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
26000 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
26001
26002 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
26003 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
26004
26005 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
26006 @findex -trace-find
26007
26008 @subsubheading Synopsis
26009
26010 @smallexample
26011 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
26012 @end smallexample
26013
26014 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
26015 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
26016 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
26017
26018 @table @samp
26019
26020 @item none
26021 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
26022
26023 @item frame-number
26024 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
26025 that index.
26026
26027 @item tracepoint-number
26028 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
26029 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
26030
26031 @item pc
26032 An address is required as parameter. Finds
26033 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
26034 address.
26035
26036 @item pc-inside-range
26037 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
26038 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
26039 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
26040
26041 @item pc-outside-range
26042 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
26043 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
26044 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
26045
26046 @item line
26047 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
26048 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
26049 the specified location.
26050
26051 @end table
26052
26053 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
26054 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
26055
26056 @table @samp
26057 @item found
26058 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
26059 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
26060
26061 @item traceframe
26062 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
26063 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
26064
26065 @item tracepoint
26066 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
26067 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
26068
26069 @item frame
26070 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
26071 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
26072 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
26073
26074 @end table
26075
26076 @subheading -trace-define-variable
26077 @findex -trace-define-variable
26078
26079 @subsubheading Synopsis
26080
26081 @smallexample
26082 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
26083 @end smallexample
26084
26085 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
26086 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
26087 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
26088 with the @samp{$} character.
26089
26090 @subheading -trace-list-variables
26091 @findex -trace-list-variables
26092
26093 @subsubheading Synopsis
26094
26095 @smallexample
26096 -trace-list-variables
26097 @end smallexample
26098
26099 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
26100 table has the following fields:
26101
26102 @table @samp
26103 @item name
26104 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
26105
26106 @item initial
26107 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
26108 field is always present.
26109
26110 @item current
26111 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
26112 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
26113 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
26114 presently running.
26115
26116 @end table
26117
26118 @subsubheading Example
26119
26120 @smallexample
26121 (gdb)
26122 -trace-list-variables
26123 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
26124 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
26125 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
26126 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
26127 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
26128 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
26129 (gdb)
26130 @end smallexample
26131
26132 @subheading -trace-save
26133 @findex -trace-save
26134
26135 @subsubheading Synopsis
26136
26137 @smallexample
26138 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
26139 @end smallexample
26140
26141 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
26142 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
26143 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
26144 to perform the save.
26145
26146
26147 @subheading -trace-start
26148 @findex -trace-start
26149
26150 @subsubheading Synopsis
26151
26152 @smallexample
26153 -trace-start
26154 @end smallexample
26155
26156 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
26157 have any fields.
26158
26159 @subheading -trace-status
26160 @findex -trace-status
26161
26162 @subsubheading Synopsis
26163
26164 @smallexample
26165 -trace-status
26166 @end smallexample
26167
26168 Obtains the status of a tracing experiement. The result may include
26169 the following fields:
26170
26171 @table @samp
26172
26173 @item supported
26174 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
26175 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
26176 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
26177 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
26178 started. This field is always present.
26179
26180 @item running
26181 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
26182 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
26183 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
26184
26185 @item stop-reason
26186 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
26187 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
26188 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
26189 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
26190 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
26191 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
26192 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
26193 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
26194 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
26195
26196 @item stopping-tracepoint
26197 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
26198 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
26199 @samp{passcount}.
26200
26201 @item frames
26202 This field is an integer number of currently collected frames. This
26203 field is optional.
26204
26205 @item buffer-size
26206 @itemx buffer-free
26207 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
26208 remaining space. These field is optional.
26209
26210 @end table
26211
26212 @subheading -trace-stop
26213 @findex -trace-stop
26214
26215 @subsubheading Synopsis
26216
26217 @smallexample
26218 -trace-stop
26219 @end smallexample
26220
26221 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
26222 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
26223 @samp{running} fields are not output.
26224
26225
26226 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26227 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
26228 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
26229
26230
26231 @ignore
26232 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
26233 @findex -symbol-info-address
26234
26235 @subsubheading Synopsis
26236
26237 @smallexample
26238 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
26239 @end smallexample
26240
26241 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
26242
26243 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26244
26245 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
26246
26247 @subsubheading Example
26248 N.A.
26249
26250
26251 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
26252 @findex -symbol-info-file
26253
26254 @subsubheading Synopsis
26255
26256 @smallexample
26257 -symbol-info-file
26258 @end smallexample
26259
26260 Show the file for the symbol.
26261
26262 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26263
26264 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
26265 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
26266
26267 @subsubheading Example
26268 N.A.
26269
26270
26271 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
26272 @findex -symbol-info-function
26273
26274 @subsubheading Synopsis
26275
26276 @smallexample
26277 -symbol-info-function
26278 @end smallexample
26279
26280 Show which function the symbol lives in.
26281
26282 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26283
26284 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
26285
26286 @subsubheading Example
26287 N.A.
26288
26289
26290 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
26291 @findex -symbol-info-line
26292
26293 @subsubheading Synopsis
26294
26295 @smallexample
26296 -symbol-info-line
26297 @end smallexample
26298
26299 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
26300
26301 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26302
26303 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
26304 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
26305
26306 @subsubheading Example
26307 N.A.
26308
26309
26310 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
26311 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
26312
26313 @subsubheading Synopsis
26314
26315 @smallexample
26316 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
26317 @end smallexample
26318
26319 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
26320
26321 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26322
26323 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
26324
26325 @subsubheading Example
26326 N.A.
26327
26328
26329 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
26330 @findex -symbol-list-functions
26331
26332 @subsubheading Synopsis
26333
26334 @smallexample
26335 -symbol-list-functions
26336 @end smallexample
26337
26338 List the functions in the executable.
26339
26340 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26341
26342 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
26343 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
26344
26345 @subsubheading Example
26346 N.A.
26347 @end ignore
26348
26349
26350 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
26351 @findex -symbol-list-lines
26352
26353 @subsubheading Synopsis
26354
26355 @smallexample
26356 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
26357 @end smallexample
26358
26359 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
26360 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
26361 ascending PC order.
26362
26363 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26364
26365 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
26366
26367 @subsubheading Example
26368 @smallexample
26369 (gdb)
26370 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
26371 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
26372 (gdb)
26373 @end smallexample
26374
26375
26376 @ignore
26377 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
26378 @findex -symbol-list-types
26379
26380 @subsubheading Synopsis
26381
26382 @smallexample
26383 -symbol-list-types
26384 @end smallexample
26385
26386 List all the type names.
26387
26388 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26389
26390 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
26391 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
26392
26393 @subsubheading Example
26394 N.A.
26395
26396
26397 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
26398 @findex -symbol-list-variables
26399
26400 @subsubheading Synopsis
26401
26402 @smallexample
26403 -symbol-list-variables
26404 @end smallexample
26405
26406 List all the global and static variable names.
26407
26408 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26409
26410 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
26411
26412 @subsubheading Example
26413 N.A.
26414
26415
26416 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
26417 @findex -symbol-locate
26418
26419 @subsubheading Synopsis
26420
26421 @smallexample
26422 -symbol-locate
26423 @end smallexample
26424
26425 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26426
26427 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
26428
26429 @subsubheading Example
26430 N.A.
26431
26432
26433 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
26434 @findex -symbol-type
26435
26436 @subsubheading Synopsis
26437
26438 @smallexample
26439 -symbol-type @var{variable}
26440 @end smallexample
26441
26442 Show type of @var{variable}.
26443
26444 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26445
26446 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
26447 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
26448
26449 @subsubheading Example
26450 N.A.
26451 @end ignore
26452
26453
26454 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26455 @node GDB/MI File Commands
26456 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
26457
26458 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
26459 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
26460
26461 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
26462 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
26463
26464 @subsubheading Synopsis
26465
26466 @smallexample
26467 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
26468 @end smallexample
26469
26470 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
26471 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
26472 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
26473 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
26474 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
26475 notification.
26476
26477 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26478
26479 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
26480
26481 @subsubheading Example
26482
26483 @smallexample
26484 (gdb)
26485 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
26486 ^done
26487 (gdb)
26488 @end smallexample
26489
26490
26491 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
26492 @findex -file-exec-file
26493
26494 @subsubheading Synopsis
26495
26496 @smallexample
26497 -file-exec-file @var{file}
26498 @end smallexample
26499
26500 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
26501 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
26502 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
26503 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
26504 notification.
26505
26506 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26507
26508 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
26509
26510 @subsubheading Example
26511
26512 @smallexample
26513 (gdb)
26514 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
26515 ^done
26516 (gdb)
26517 @end smallexample
26518
26519
26520 @ignore
26521 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
26522 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
26523
26524 @subsubheading Synopsis
26525
26526 @smallexample
26527 -file-list-exec-sections
26528 @end smallexample
26529
26530 List the sections of the current executable file.
26531
26532 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26533
26534 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
26535 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
26536 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
26537
26538 @subsubheading Example
26539 N.A.
26540 @end ignore
26541
26542
26543 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
26544 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
26545
26546 @subsubheading Synopsis
26547
26548 @smallexample
26549 -file-list-exec-source-file
26550 @end smallexample
26551
26552 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
26553 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
26554 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
26555 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
26556
26557 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26558
26559 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
26560
26561 @subsubheading Example
26562
26563 @smallexample
26564 (gdb)
26565 123-file-list-exec-source-file
26566 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
26567 (gdb)
26568 @end smallexample
26569
26570
26571 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
26572 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
26573
26574 @subsubheading Synopsis
26575
26576 @smallexample
26577 -file-list-exec-source-files
26578 @end smallexample
26579
26580 List the source files for the current executable.
26581
26582 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
26583 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
26584
26585 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26586
26587 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
26588 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
26589
26590 @subsubheading Example
26591 @smallexample
26592 (gdb)
26593 -file-list-exec-source-files
26594 ^done,files=[
26595 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
26596 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
26597 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
26598 (gdb)
26599 @end smallexample
26600
26601 @ignore
26602 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
26603 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
26604
26605 @subsubheading Synopsis
26606
26607 @smallexample
26608 -file-list-shared-libraries
26609 @end smallexample
26610
26611 List the shared libraries in the program.
26612
26613 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26614
26615 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
26616
26617 @subsubheading Example
26618 N.A.
26619
26620
26621 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
26622 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
26623
26624 @subsubheading Synopsis
26625
26626 @smallexample
26627 -file-list-symbol-files
26628 @end smallexample
26629
26630 List symbol files.
26631
26632 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26633
26634 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
26635
26636 @subsubheading Example
26637 N.A.
26638 @end ignore
26639
26640
26641 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
26642 @findex -file-symbol-file
26643
26644 @subsubheading Synopsis
26645
26646 @smallexample
26647 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
26648 @end smallexample
26649
26650 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
26651 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
26652 produced, except for a completion notification.
26653
26654 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26655
26656 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
26657
26658 @subsubheading Example
26659
26660 @smallexample
26661 (gdb)
26662 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
26663 ^done
26664 (gdb)
26665 @end smallexample
26666
26667 @ignore
26668 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26669 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
26670 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
26671
26672 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
26673
26674 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
26675
26676 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
26677
26678 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
26679
26680 @c @subheading -overlay-map
26681
26682 @c @subheading -overlay-off
26683
26684 @c @subheading -overlay-on
26685
26686 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
26687
26688 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26689 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
26690 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
26691
26692 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
26693
26694 @c @subheading -signal-handle
26695
26696 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
26697
26698 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
26699 @end ignore
26700
26701
26702 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26703 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
26704 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
26705
26706
26707 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
26708 @findex -target-attach
26709
26710 @subsubheading Synopsis
26711
26712 @smallexample
26713 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
26714 @end smallexample
26715
26716 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
26717 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
26718 group, the id previously returned by
26719 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
26720
26721 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26722
26723 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
26724
26725 @subsubheading Example
26726 @smallexample
26727 (gdb)
26728 -target-attach 34
26729 =thread-created,id="1"
26730 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
26731 ^done
26732 (gdb)
26733 @end smallexample
26734
26735 @ignore
26736 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
26737 @findex -target-compare-sections
26738
26739 @subsubheading Synopsis
26740
26741 @smallexample
26742 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
26743 @end smallexample
26744
26745 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
26746 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
26747
26748 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26749
26750 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
26751
26752 @subsubheading Example
26753 N.A.
26754 @end ignore
26755
26756
26757 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
26758 @findex -target-detach
26759
26760 @subsubheading Synopsis
26761
26762 @smallexample
26763 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
26764 @end smallexample
26765
26766 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
26767 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
26768 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
26769
26770 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26771
26772 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
26773
26774 @subsubheading Example
26775
26776 @smallexample
26777 (gdb)
26778 -target-detach
26779 ^done
26780 (gdb)
26781 @end smallexample
26782
26783
26784 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
26785 @findex -target-disconnect
26786
26787 @subsubheading Synopsis
26788
26789 @smallexample
26790 -target-disconnect
26791 @end smallexample
26792
26793 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
26794 generally not resumed.
26795
26796 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26797
26798 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
26799
26800 @subsubheading Example
26801
26802 @smallexample
26803 (gdb)
26804 -target-disconnect
26805 ^done
26806 (gdb)
26807 @end smallexample
26808
26809
26810 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
26811 @findex -target-download
26812
26813 @subsubheading Synopsis
26814
26815 @smallexample
26816 -target-download
26817 @end smallexample
26818
26819 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
26820 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
26821
26822 @table @samp
26823 @item section
26824 The name of the section.
26825 @item section-sent
26826 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
26827 @item section-size
26828 The size of the section.
26829 @item total-sent
26830 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
26831 @item total-size
26832 The size of the overall executable to download.
26833 @end table
26834
26835 @noindent
26836 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
26837 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
26838
26839 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
26840 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
26841
26842 @table @samp
26843 @item section
26844 The name of the section.
26845 @item section-size
26846 The size of the section.
26847 @item total-size
26848 The size of the overall executable to download.
26849 @end table
26850
26851 @noindent
26852 At the end, a summary is printed.
26853
26854 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26855
26856 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
26857
26858 @subsubheading Example
26859
26860 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
26861 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
26862
26863 @smallexample
26864 (gdb)
26865 -target-download
26866 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
26867 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
26868 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
26869 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
26870 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
26871 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
26872 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
26873 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
26874 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
26875 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
26876 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
26877 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
26878 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
26879 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
26880 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
26881 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
26882 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
26883 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
26884 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
26885 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
26886 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
26887 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
26888 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
26889 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
26890 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
26891 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
26892 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
26893 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
26894 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
26895 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
26896 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
26897 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
26898 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
26899 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
26900 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
26901 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
26902 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
26903 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
26904 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
26905 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
26906 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
26907 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
26908 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
26909 write-rate="429"
26910 (gdb)
26911 @end smallexample
26912
26913
26914 @ignore
26915 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
26916 @findex -target-exec-status
26917
26918 @subsubheading Synopsis
26919
26920 @smallexample
26921 -target-exec-status
26922 @end smallexample
26923
26924 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
26925 not, for instance).
26926
26927 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26928
26929 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
26930
26931 @subsubheading Example
26932 N.A.
26933
26934
26935 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
26936 @findex -target-list-available-targets
26937
26938 @subsubheading Synopsis
26939
26940 @smallexample
26941 -target-list-available-targets
26942 @end smallexample
26943
26944 List the possible targets to connect to.
26945
26946 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26947
26948 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
26949
26950 @subsubheading Example
26951 N.A.
26952
26953
26954 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
26955 @findex -target-list-current-targets
26956
26957 @subsubheading Synopsis
26958
26959 @smallexample
26960 -target-list-current-targets
26961 @end smallexample
26962
26963 Describe the current target.
26964
26965 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26966
26967 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
26968 other things).
26969
26970 @subsubheading Example
26971 N.A.
26972
26973
26974 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
26975 @findex -target-list-parameters
26976
26977 @subsubheading Synopsis
26978
26979 @smallexample
26980 -target-list-parameters
26981 @end smallexample
26982
26983 @c ????
26984 @end ignore
26985
26986 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26987
26988 No equivalent.
26989
26990 @subsubheading Example
26991 N.A.
26992
26993
26994 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
26995 @findex -target-select
26996
26997 @subsubheading Synopsis
26998
26999 @smallexample
27000 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
27001 @end smallexample
27002
27003 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
27004
27005 @table @samp
27006 @item @var{type}
27007 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
27008 @item @var{parameters}
27009 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
27010 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
27011 @end table
27012
27013 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
27014 which the target program is, in the following form:
27015
27016 @smallexample
27017 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
27018 args=[@var{arg list}]
27019 @end smallexample
27020
27021 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27022
27023 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
27024
27025 @subsubheading Example
27026
27027 @smallexample
27028 (gdb)
27029 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
27030 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
27031 (gdb)
27032 @end smallexample
27033
27034 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27035 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
27036 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
27037
27038
27039 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
27040 @findex -target-file-put
27041
27042 @subsubheading Synopsis
27043
27044 @smallexample
27045 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
27046 @end smallexample
27047
27048 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
27049 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
27050
27051 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27052
27053 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
27054
27055 @subsubheading Example
27056
27057 @smallexample
27058 (gdb)
27059 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
27060 ^done
27061 (gdb)
27062 @end smallexample
27063
27064
27065 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
27066 @findex -target-file-get
27067
27068 @subsubheading Synopsis
27069
27070 @smallexample
27071 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
27072 @end smallexample
27073
27074 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
27075 on the host system.
27076
27077 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27078
27079 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
27080
27081 @subsubheading Example
27082
27083 @smallexample
27084 (gdb)
27085 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
27086 ^done
27087 (gdb)
27088 @end smallexample
27089
27090
27091 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
27092 @findex -target-file-delete
27093
27094 @subsubheading Synopsis
27095
27096 @smallexample
27097 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
27098 @end smallexample
27099
27100 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
27101
27102 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27103
27104 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
27105
27106 @subsubheading Example
27107
27108 @smallexample
27109 (gdb)
27110 -target-file-delete remotefile
27111 ^done
27112 (gdb)
27113 @end smallexample
27114
27115
27116 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27117 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
27118 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
27119
27120 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
27121
27122 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
27123 @findex -gdb-exit
27124
27125 @subsubheading Synopsis
27126
27127 @smallexample
27128 -gdb-exit
27129 @end smallexample
27130
27131 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
27132
27133 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27134
27135 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
27136
27137 @subsubheading Example
27138
27139 @smallexample
27140 (gdb)
27141 -gdb-exit
27142 ^exit
27143 @end smallexample
27144
27145
27146 @ignore
27147 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
27148 @findex -exec-abort
27149
27150 @subsubheading Synopsis
27151
27152 @smallexample
27153 -exec-abort
27154 @end smallexample
27155
27156 Kill the inferior running program.
27157
27158 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27159
27160 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
27161
27162 @subsubheading Example
27163 N.A.
27164 @end ignore
27165
27166
27167 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
27168 @findex -gdb-set
27169
27170 @subsubheading Synopsis
27171
27172 @smallexample
27173 -gdb-set
27174 @end smallexample
27175
27176 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
27177 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
27178
27179 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27180
27181 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
27182
27183 @subsubheading Example
27184
27185 @smallexample
27186 (gdb)
27187 -gdb-set $foo=3
27188 ^done
27189 (gdb)
27190 @end smallexample
27191
27192
27193 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
27194 @findex -gdb-show
27195
27196 @subsubheading Synopsis
27197
27198 @smallexample
27199 -gdb-show
27200 @end smallexample
27201
27202 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
27203
27204 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27205
27206 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
27207
27208 @subsubheading Example
27209
27210 @smallexample
27211 (gdb)
27212 -gdb-show annotate
27213 ^done,value="0"
27214 (gdb)
27215 @end smallexample
27216
27217 @c @subheading -gdb-source
27218
27219
27220 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
27221 @findex -gdb-version
27222
27223 @subsubheading Synopsis
27224
27225 @smallexample
27226 -gdb-version
27227 @end smallexample
27228
27229 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
27230
27231 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27232
27233 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
27234 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
27235
27236 @subsubheading Example
27237
27238 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
27239 @c box in TeX.
27240 @smallexample
27241 (gdb)
27242 -gdb-version
27243 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
27244 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
27245 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
27246 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
27247 ~ certain conditions.
27248 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
27249 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
27250 ~ details.
27251 ~This GDB was configured as
27252 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
27253 ^done
27254 (gdb)
27255 @end smallexample
27256
27257 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
27258 @findex -list-features
27259
27260 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
27261 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
27262 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
27263 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
27264 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
27265 startup.
27266
27267 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
27268 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
27269 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
27270 is given below.
27271
27272 Example output:
27273
27274 @smallexample
27275 (gdb) -list-features
27276 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
27277 @end smallexample
27278
27279 The current list of features is:
27280
27281 @table @samp
27282 @item frozen-varobjs
27283 Indicates presence of the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
27284 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
27285 of @code{-varobj-create}.
27286 @item pending-breakpoints
27287 Indicates presence of the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert} command.
27288 @item python
27289 Indicates presence of Python scripting support, Python-based
27290 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
27291 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
27292 @item thread-info
27293 Indicates presence of the @code{-thread-info} command.
27294
27295 @end table
27296
27297 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
27298 @findex -list-target-features
27299
27300 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
27301 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
27302 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
27303 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
27304 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
27305 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
27306 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
27307 Example output:
27308
27309 @smallexample
27310 (gdb) -list-features
27311 ^done,result=["async"]
27312 @end smallexample
27313
27314 The current list of features is:
27315
27316 @table @samp
27317 @item async
27318 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
27319 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
27320 while the target is running.
27321
27322 @end table
27323
27324 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
27325 @findex -list-thread-groups
27326
27327 @subheading Synopsis
27328
27329 @smallexample
27330 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
27331 @end smallexample
27332
27333 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
27334 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
27335 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
27336 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
27337 top-level thread groups.
27338
27339 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
27340 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
27341 available on the target.
27342
27343 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
27344 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
27345 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
27346 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
27347 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
27348 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
27349 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
27350 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
27351
27352 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
27353 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
27354 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
27355 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
27356 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
27357 @samp{threads} field.
27358
27359 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
27360 the following caveats:
27361
27362 @itemize @bullet
27363 @item
27364 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
27365 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
27366 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
27367
27368 @item
27369 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
27370 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
27371 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
27372 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
27373 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
27374 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
27375
27376 @end itemize
27377
27378 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
27379 have the following fields:
27380
27381 @table @code
27382 @item id
27383 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
27384 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
27385 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
27386
27387 @item type
27388 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
27389 valid type.
27390
27391 @item pid
27392 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
27393 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
27394
27395 @item num_children
27396 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
27397 absent for an available thread group.
27398
27399 @item threads
27400 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
27401 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
27402 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
27403
27404 @item cores
27405 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
27406 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
27407 such information is not available.
27408
27409 @item executable
27410 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
27411 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
27412 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
27413
27414 @end table
27415
27416 @subheading Example
27417
27418 @smallexample
27419 @value{GDBP}
27420 -list-thread-groups
27421 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
27422 -list-thread-groups 17
27423 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
27424 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
27425 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
27426 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
27427 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
27428 -list-thread-groups --available
27429 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
27430 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
27431 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
27432 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
27433 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
27434 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
27435 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
27436 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
27437 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
27438 @end smallexample
27439
27440
27441 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
27442 @findex -add-inferior
27443
27444 @subheading Synopsis
27445
27446 @smallexample
27447 -add-inferior
27448 @end smallexample
27449
27450 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
27451 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
27452 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
27453 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
27454 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
27455 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
27456
27457 @subheading Example
27458
27459 @smallexample
27460 @value{GDBP}
27461 -add-inferior
27462 ^done,thread-group="i3"
27463 @end smallexample
27464
27465 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
27466 @findex -interpreter-exec
27467
27468 @subheading Synopsis
27469
27470 @smallexample
27471 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
27472 @end smallexample
27473 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
27474
27475 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
27476
27477 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
27478
27479 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
27480
27481 @subheading Example
27482
27483 @smallexample
27484 (gdb)
27485 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
27486 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
27487 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
27488 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
27489 ^done
27490 (gdb)
27491 @end smallexample
27492
27493 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
27494 @findex -inferior-tty-set
27495
27496 @subheading Synopsis
27497
27498 @smallexample
27499 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
27500 @end smallexample
27501
27502 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
27503
27504 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
27505
27506 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
27507
27508 @subheading Example
27509
27510 @smallexample
27511 (gdb)
27512 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
27513 ^done
27514 (gdb)
27515 @end smallexample
27516
27517 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
27518 @findex -inferior-tty-show
27519
27520 @subheading Synopsis
27521
27522 @smallexample
27523 -inferior-tty-show
27524 @end smallexample
27525
27526 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
27527
27528 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
27529
27530 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
27531
27532 @subheading Example
27533
27534 @smallexample
27535 (gdb)
27536 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
27537 ^done
27538 (gdb)
27539 -inferior-tty-show
27540 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
27541 (gdb)
27542 @end smallexample
27543
27544 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
27545 @findex -enable-timings
27546
27547 @subheading Synopsis
27548
27549 @smallexample
27550 -enable-timings [yes | no]
27551 @end smallexample
27552
27553 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
27554 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
27555 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
27556 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
27557
27558 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
27559
27560 No equivalent.
27561
27562 @subheading Example
27563
27564 @smallexample
27565 (gdb)
27566 -enable-timings
27567 ^done
27568 (gdb)
27569 -break-insert main
27570 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27571 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
27572 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
27573 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
27574 (gdb)
27575 -enable-timings no
27576 ^done
27577 (gdb)
27578 -exec-run
27579 ^running
27580 (gdb)
27581 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
27582 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
27583 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
27584 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
27585 (gdb)
27586 @end smallexample
27587
27588 @node Annotations
27589 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
27590
27591 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
27592 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
27593 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
27594 relatively high level.
27595
27596 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
27597 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
27598
27599 @ignore
27600 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
27601 @end ignore
27602
27603 @menu
27604 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
27605 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
27606 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
27607 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
27608 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
27609 * Annotations for Running::
27610 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
27611 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
27612 @end menu
27613
27614 @node Annotations Overview
27615 @section What is an Annotation?
27616 @cindex annotations
27617
27618 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
27619 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
27620 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
27621 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
27622 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
27623 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
27624 cannot contain newline characters.
27625
27626 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
27627 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
27628 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
27629 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
27630 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
27631 means those three characters as output.
27632
27633 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
27634 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
27635 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
27636 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
27637 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
27638 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
27639 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
27640 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
27641 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
27642
27643 @table @code
27644 @kindex set annotate
27645 @item set annotate @var{level}
27646 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
27647 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
27648
27649 @item show annotate
27650 @kindex show annotate
27651 Show the current annotation level.
27652 @end table
27653
27654 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
27655
27656 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
27657
27658 @smallexample
27659 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
27660 GNU gdb 6.0
27661 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
27662 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
27663 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
27664 under certain conditions.
27665 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
27666 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
27667 for details.
27668 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
27669
27670 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
27671 (@value{GDBP})
27672 ^Z^Zprompt
27673 @kbd{quit}
27674
27675 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
27676 $
27677 @end smallexample
27678
27679 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
27680 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
27681 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
27682 output from @value{GDBN}.
27683
27684 @node Server Prefix
27685 @section The Server Prefix
27686 @cindex server prefix
27687
27688 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
27689 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
27690 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
27691 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
27692 a transparent manner.
27693
27694 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
27695 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
27696 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
27697 @code{print} command.
27698
27699 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
27700 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
27701
27702 @node Prompting
27703 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
27704
27705 @cindex annotations for prompts
27706 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
27707 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
27708 over, etc.
27709
27710 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
27711 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
27712 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
27713 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
27714 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
27715 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
27716 features the following annotations:
27717
27718 @smallexample
27719 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
27720 ^Z^Zprompt
27721 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
27722 @end smallexample
27723
27724 The input types are
27725
27726 @table @code
27727 @findex pre-prompt annotation
27728 @findex prompt annotation
27729 @findex post-prompt annotation
27730 @item prompt
27731 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
27732
27733 @findex pre-commands annotation
27734 @findex commands annotation
27735 @findex post-commands annotation
27736 @item commands
27737 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
27738 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
27739
27740 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
27741 @findex overload-choice annotation
27742 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
27743 @item overload-choice
27744 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
27745
27746 @findex pre-query annotation
27747 @findex query annotation
27748 @findex post-query annotation
27749 @item query
27750 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
27751
27752 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
27753 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
27754 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
27755 @item prompt-for-continue
27756 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
27757 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
27758 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
27759 presence of annotations.
27760 @end table
27761
27762 @node Errors
27763 @section Errors
27764 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
27765
27766 @findex quit annotation
27767 @smallexample
27768 ^Z^Zquit
27769 @end smallexample
27770
27771 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
27772
27773 @findex error annotation
27774 @smallexample
27775 ^Z^Zerror
27776 @end smallexample
27777
27778 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
27779
27780 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
27781 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
27782 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
27783 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
27784 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
27785 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
27786 to the top level.
27787
27788 @findex error-begin annotation
27789 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
27790
27791 @smallexample
27792 ^Z^Zerror-begin
27793 @end smallexample
27794
27795 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
27796 message.
27797
27798 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
27799 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
27800 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
27801
27802 @node Invalidation
27803 @section Invalidation Notices
27804
27805 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
27806 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
27807 changed.
27808
27809 @table @code
27810 @findex frames-invalid annotation
27811 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
27812
27813 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
27814 have changed.
27815
27816 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
27817 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
27818
27819 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
27820 deleted a breakpoint.
27821 @end table
27822
27823 @node Annotations for Running
27824 @section Running the Program
27825 @cindex annotations for running programs
27826
27827 @findex starting annotation
27828 @findex stopping annotation
27829 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
27830 @code{step} or @code{continue},
27831
27832 @smallexample
27833 ^Z^Zstarting
27834 @end smallexample
27835
27836 is output. When the program stops,
27837
27838 @smallexample
27839 ^Z^Zstopped
27840 @end smallexample
27841
27842 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
27843 annotations describe how the program stopped.
27844
27845 @table @code
27846 @findex exited annotation
27847 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
27848 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
27849 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
27850
27851 @findex signalled annotation
27852 @findex signal-name annotation
27853 @findex signal-name-end annotation
27854 @findex signal-string annotation
27855 @findex signal-string-end annotation
27856 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
27857 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
27858 annotation continues:
27859
27860 @smallexample
27861 @var{intro-text}
27862 ^Z^Zsignal-name
27863 @var{name}
27864 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
27865 @var{middle-text}
27866 ^Z^Zsignal-string
27867 @var{string}
27868 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
27869 @var{end-text}
27870 @end smallexample
27871
27872 @noindent
27873 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
27874 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
27875 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
27876 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
27877 user's benefit and have no particular format.
27878
27879 @findex signal annotation
27880 @item ^Z^Zsignal
27881 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
27882 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
27883 terminated with it.
27884
27885 @findex breakpoint annotation
27886 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
27887 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
27888
27889 @findex watchpoint annotation
27890 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
27891 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
27892 @end table
27893
27894 @node Source Annotations
27895 @section Displaying Source
27896 @cindex annotations for source display
27897
27898 @findex source annotation
27899 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
27900
27901 @smallexample
27902 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
27903 @end smallexample
27904
27905 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
27906 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
27907 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
27908 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
27909 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
27910 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
27911 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
27912 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
27913 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
27914 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
27915 depend on the language).
27916
27917 @node JIT Interface
27918 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
27919 @cindex just-in-time compilation
27920 @cindex JIT compilation interface
27921
27922 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
27923 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
27924 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
27925 performance while maintaining platform independence.
27926
27927 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
27928 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
27929 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
27930 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
27931 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
27932 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
27933
27934 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
27935 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
27936 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
27937 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
27938 LLVM JIT.
27939
27940 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
27941 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
27942 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
27943 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
27944 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
27945 out about additional code.
27946
27947 @menu
27948 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
27949 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
27950 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
27951 @end menu
27952
27953 @node Declarations
27954 @section JIT Declarations
27955
27956 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
27957 implement the interface:
27958
27959 @smallexample
27960 typedef enum
27961 @{
27962 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
27963 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
27964 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
27965 @} jit_actions_t;
27966
27967 struct jit_code_entry
27968 @{
27969 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
27970 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
27971 const char *symfile_addr;
27972 uint64_t symfile_size;
27973 @};
27974
27975 struct jit_descriptor
27976 @{
27977 uint32_t version;
27978 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
27979 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
27980 uint32_t action_flag;
27981 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
27982 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
27983 @};
27984
27985 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
27986 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
27987
27988 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
27989 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
27990 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
27991 @end smallexample
27992
27993 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
27994 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
27995 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
27996
27997 @node Registering Code
27998 @section Registering Code
27999
28000 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
28001
28002 @itemize @bullet
28003 @item
28004 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
28005 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
28006
28007 @item
28008 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
28009 file.
28010
28011 @item
28012 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
28013
28014 @item
28015 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
28016
28017 @item
28018 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
28019 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
28020 @end itemize
28021
28022 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
28023 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
28024 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
28025 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
28026
28027 @node Unregistering Code
28028 @section Unregistering Code
28029
28030 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
28031
28032 @itemize @bullet
28033 @item
28034 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
28035
28036 @item
28037 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
28038
28039 @item
28040 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
28041 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
28042 @end itemize
28043
28044 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
28045 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
28046
28047 @node GDB Bugs
28048 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
28049 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
28050 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
28051
28052 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
28053
28054 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
28055 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
28056 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
28057 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
28058
28059 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
28060 information that enables us to fix the bug.
28061
28062 @menu
28063 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
28064 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
28065 @end menu
28066
28067 @node Bug Criteria
28068 @section Have You Found a Bug?
28069 @cindex bug criteria
28070
28071 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
28072
28073 @itemize @bullet
28074 @cindex fatal signal
28075 @cindex debugger crash
28076 @cindex crash of debugger
28077 @item
28078 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
28079 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
28080
28081 @cindex error on valid input
28082 @item
28083 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
28084 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
28085 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
28086
28087 @cindex invalid input
28088 @item
28089 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
28090 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
28091 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
28092 for traditional practice''.
28093
28094 @item
28095 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
28096 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
28097 @end itemize
28098
28099 @node Bug Reporting
28100 @section How to Report Bugs
28101 @cindex bug reports
28102 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
28103
28104 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
28105 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
28106 contact that organization first.
28107
28108 You can find contact information for many support companies and
28109 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
28110 distribution.
28111 @c should add a web page ref...
28112
28113 @ifset BUGURL
28114 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
28115 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
28116 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
28117 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
28118 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
28119 be used.
28120
28121 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
28122 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
28123 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
28124 @samp{bug-gdb}.
28125
28126 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
28127 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
28128 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
28129 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
28130 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
28131 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
28132 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
28133 bug reports to the mailing list.
28134 @end ifset
28135 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
28136 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
28137 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
28138 @end ifclear
28139 @end ifset
28140
28141 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
28142 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
28143 fact or leave it out, state it!
28144
28145 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
28146 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
28147 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
28148 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
28149 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
28150 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
28151 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
28152 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
28153 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
28154
28155 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
28156 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
28157 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
28158 self-contained.
28159
28160 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
28161 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
28162 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
28163 bugs properly.
28164
28165 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
28166
28167 @itemize @bullet
28168 @item
28169 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
28170 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
28171 version}.
28172
28173 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
28174 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
28175
28176 @item
28177 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
28178 version number.
28179
28180 @item
28181 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
28182 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
28183
28184 @item
28185 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
28186 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
28187 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
28188 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
28189 those compilers.
28190
28191 @item
28192 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
28193 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
28194 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
28195 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
28196
28197 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
28198 and then we might not encounter the bug.
28199
28200 @item
28201 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
28202 reproduce the bug.
28203
28204 @item
28205 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
28206 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
28207
28208 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
28209 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
28210 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
28211 a chance to make a mistake.
28212
28213 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
28214 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
28215 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
28216 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
28217 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
28218 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
28219 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
28220 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
28221
28222 @pindex script
28223 @cindex recording a session script
28224 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
28225 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
28226 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
28227 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
28228
28229 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
28230 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
28231
28232 @item
28233 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
28234 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
28235 it by context, not by line number.
28236
28237 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
28238 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
28239
28240 @end itemize
28241
28242 Here are some things that are not necessary:
28243
28244 @itemize @bullet
28245 @item
28246 A description of the envelope of the bug.
28247
28248 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
28249 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
28250 changes will not affect it.
28251
28252 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
28253 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
28254 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
28255 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
28256
28257 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
28258 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
28259 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
28260 less time, and so on.
28261
28262 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
28263 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
28264
28265 @item
28266 A patch for the bug.
28267
28268 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
28269 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
28270 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
28271 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
28272
28273 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
28274 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
28275 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
28276 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
28277
28278 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
28279 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
28280 help us to understand.
28281
28282 @item
28283 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
28284
28285 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
28286 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
28287 @end itemize
28288
28289 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
28290 @c and consists of the two following files:
28291 @c rluser.texinfo
28292 @c inc-hist.texinfo
28293 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
28294 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
28295 @include rluser.texi
28296 @include inc-hist.texinfo
28297
28298
28299 @node Formatting Documentation
28300 @appendix Formatting Documentation
28301
28302 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
28303 @cindex reference card
28304 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
28305 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
28306 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
28307 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
28308 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
28309 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
28310
28311 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
28312 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
28313
28314 @smallexample
28315 make refcard.dvi
28316 @end smallexample
28317
28318 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
28319 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
28320 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
28321 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
28322 your @sc{dvi} output program.
28323
28324 @cindex documentation
28325
28326 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
28327 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
28328 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
28329 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
28330 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
28331 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
28332
28333 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
28334 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
28335 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
28336 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
28337 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
28338 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
28339 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
28340 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
28341
28342 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
28343 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
28344 @code{makeinfo}.
28345
28346 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
28347 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
28348 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
28349
28350 @smallexample
28351 cd gdb
28352 make gdb.info
28353 @end smallexample
28354
28355 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
28356 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
28357 Texinfo definitions file.
28358
28359 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
28360 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
28361 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
28362 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
28363 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
28364 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
28365 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
28366
28367 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
28368 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
28369 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
28370 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
28371 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
28372 directory.
28373
28374 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
28375 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
28376 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
28377 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
28378
28379 @smallexample
28380 make gdb.dvi
28381 @end smallexample
28382
28383 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
28384
28385 @node Installing GDB
28386 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
28387 @cindex installation
28388
28389 @menu
28390 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
28391 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
28392 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
28393 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
28394 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
28395 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
28396 @end menu
28397
28398 @node Requirements
28399 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
28400 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
28401
28402 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
28403 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
28404
28405 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
28406 @table @asis
28407 @item ISO C90 compiler
28408 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
28409 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
28410
28411 @end table
28412
28413 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
28414 @table @asis
28415 @item Expat
28416 @anchor{Expat}
28417 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
28418 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
28419 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
28420 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
28421 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
28422 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
28423
28424 Expat is used for:
28425
28426 @itemize @bullet
28427 @item
28428 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
28429 @item
28430 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
28431 @item
28432 Remote shared library lists (@pxref{Library List Format})
28433 @item
28434 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
28435 @end itemize
28436
28437 @item zlib
28438 @cindex compressed debug sections
28439 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
28440 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
28441 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
28442 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
28443 information in such binaries.
28444
28445 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
28446 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
28447 @url{http://zlib.net}.
28448
28449 @item iconv
28450 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
28451 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
28452 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
28453 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
28454
28455 On systems with @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
28456 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
28457 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
28458
28459 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
28460 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
28461 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
28462 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
28463 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
28464 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
28465 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
28466 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
28467 @end table
28468
28469 @node Running Configure
28470 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
28471 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
28472 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
28473 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
28474 build the @code{gdb} program.
28475 @iftex
28476 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
28477 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
28478 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
28479 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
28480 @end iftex
28481
28482 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
28483 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
28484 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
28485
28486 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
28487 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
28488
28489 @table @code
28490 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
28491 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
28492
28493 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
28494 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
28495
28496 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
28497 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
28498
28499 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
28500 @sc{gnu} include files
28501
28502 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
28503 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
28504
28505 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
28506 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
28507
28508 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
28509 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
28510
28511 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
28512 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
28513
28514 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
28515 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
28516 @end table
28517
28518 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
28519 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
28520 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
28521
28522 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
28523 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
28524 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
28525 argument.
28526
28527 For example:
28528
28529 @smallexample
28530 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
28531 ./configure @var{host}
28532 make
28533 @end smallexample
28534
28535 @noindent
28536 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
28537 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
28538 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
28539 correct value by examining your system.)
28540
28541 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
28542 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
28543 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
28544 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
28545
28546 @need 750
28547 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
28548 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
28549 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
28550
28551 @smallexample
28552 sh configure @var{host}
28553 @end smallexample
28554
28555 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
28556 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
28557 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
28558 @file{configure}
28559 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
28560 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
28561
28562 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
28563 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
28564 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
28565 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
28566 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
28567 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
28568 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
28569 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
28570 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
28571
28572 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
28573 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
28574 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
28575 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
28576 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
28577
28578 @node Separate Objdir
28579 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
28580
28581 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
28582 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
28583 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
28584 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
28585 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
28586 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
28587 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
28588 program specified there.
28589
28590 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
28591 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
28592 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
28593 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
28594 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
28595 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
28596
28597 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
28598 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
28599
28600 @smallexample
28601 @group
28602 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
28603 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
28604 cd ../gdb-sun4
28605 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
28606 make
28607 @end group
28608 @end smallexample
28609
28610 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
28611 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
28612 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
28613 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
28614 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
28615 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
28616
28617 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
28618 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
28619 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
28620 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
28621 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
28622
28623 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
28624 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
28625 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
28626 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
28627 You specify a cross-debugging target by
28628 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
28629
28630 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
28631 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
28632 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
28633
28634 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
28635 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
28636 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
28637 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
28638 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
28639
28640 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
28641 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
28642 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
28643 with each other.
28644
28645 @node Config Names
28646 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
28647
28648 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
28649 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
28650 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
28651 of information in the following pattern:
28652
28653 @smallexample
28654 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
28655 @end smallexample
28656
28657 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
28658 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
28659 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
28660
28661 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
28662 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
28663 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
28664 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
28665 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
28666 abbreviations---for example:
28667
28668 @smallexample
28669 % sh config.sub i386-linux
28670 i386-pc-linux-gnu
28671 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
28672 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
28673 % sh config.sub hp9k700
28674 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
28675 % sh config.sub sun4
28676 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
28677 % sh config.sub sun3
28678 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
28679 % sh config.sub i986v
28680 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
28681 @end smallexample
28682
28683 @noindent
28684 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
28685 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
28686
28687 @node Configure Options
28688 @section @file{configure} Options
28689
28690 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
28691 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
28692 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
28693 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
28694
28695 @smallexample
28696 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
28697 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
28698 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
28699 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
28700 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
28701 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
28702 @var{host}
28703 @end smallexample
28704
28705 @noindent
28706 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
28707 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
28708 @samp{--}.
28709
28710 @table @code
28711 @item --help
28712 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
28713
28714 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
28715 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
28716 @file{@var{dir}}.
28717
28718 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
28719 Configure the source to install programs under directory
28720 @file{@var{dir}}.
28721
28722 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
28723 @need 2000
28724 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
28725 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
28726 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
28727 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
28728 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
28729 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
28730 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
28731 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
28732 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
28733 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
28734 @var{dirname}.
28735
28736 @item --norecursion
28737 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
28738 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
28739
28740 @item --target=@var{target}
28741 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
28742 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
28743 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
28744
28745 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
28746
28747 @item @var{host} @dots{}
28748 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
28749
28750 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
28751 @end table
28752
28753 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
28754 needed for special purposes only.
28755
28756 @node System-wide configuration
28757 @section System-wide configuration and settings
28758 @cindex system-wide init file
28759
28760 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
28761 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
28762 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
28763
28764 Here is the corresponding configure option:
28765
28766 @table @code
28767 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
28768 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
28769 @var{file}.
28770 @end table
28771
28772 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
28773 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
28774
28775 @itemize @bullet
28776 @item
28777 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
28778 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
28779 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
28780 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
28781 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
28782 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
28783
28784 @item
28785 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
28786 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
28787 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
28788 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
28789 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
28790 @end itemize
28791
28792 @node Maintenance Commands
28793 @appendix Maintenance Commands
28794 @cindex maintenance commands
28795 @cindex internal commands
28796
28797 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
28798 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
28799 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
28800 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
28801 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
28802
28803 @table @code
28804 @kindex maint agent
28805 @kindex maint agent-eval
28806 @item maint agent @var{expression}
28807 @itemx maint agent-eval @var{expression}
28808 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
28809 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
28810 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
28811 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
28812 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
28813 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
28814 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
28815 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
28816 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
28817 addition and return the sum.
28818
28819 @kindex maint info breakpoints
28820 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
28821 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
28822 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
28823 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
28824 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
28825 is shown:
28826
28827 @table @code
28828 @item breakpoint
28829 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
28830
28831 @item watchpoint
28832 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
28833
28834 @item longjmp
28835 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
28836 @code{longjmp} calls.
28837
28838 @item longjmp resume
28839 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
28840
28841 @item until
28842 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
28843
28844 @item finish
28845 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
28846
28847 @item shlib events
28848 Shared library events.
28849
28850 @end table
28851
28852 @kindex set displaced-stepping
28853 @kindex show displaced-stepping
28854 @cindex displaced stepping support
28855 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
28856 @item set displaced-stepping
28857 @itemx show displaced-stepping
28858 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
28859 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
28860 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
28861 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
28862 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
28863
28864 @table @code
28865 @item set displaced-stepping on
28866 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
28867 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
28868
28869 @item set displaced-stepping off
28870 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
28871 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
28872
28873 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
28874 @item set displaced-stepping auto
28875 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
28876 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
28877 architecture supports displaced stepping.
28878 @end table
28879
28880 @kindex maint check-symtabs
28881 @item maint check-symtabs
28882 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
28883
28884 @kindex maint cplus first_component
28885 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
28886 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
28887
28888 @kindex maint cplus namespace
28889 @item maint cplus namespace
28890 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
28891
28892 @kindex maint demangle
28893 @item maint demangle @var{name}
28894 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
28895
28896 @kindex maint deprecate
28897 @kindex maint undeprecate
28898 @cindex deprecated commands
28899 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
28900 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
28901 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
28902 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
28903 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
28904 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
28905 the replacement as part of the warning.
28906
28907 @kindex maint dump-me
28908 @item maint dump-me
28909 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
28910 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
28911 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
28912 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
28913
28914 @kindex maint internal-error
28915 @kindex maint internal-warning
28916 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
28917 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
28918 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
28919 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
28920 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
28921 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
28922 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
28923 @value{GDBN} session.
28924
28925 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
28926 used as the text of the error or warning message.
28927
28928 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
28929
28930 @smallexample
28931 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
28932 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
28933 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
28934 debugging may prove unreliable.
28935 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
28936 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
28937 (@value{GDBP})
28938 @end smallexample
28939
28940 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
28941 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
28942
28943 @kindex maint set internal-error
28944 @kindex maint show internal-error
28945 @kindex maint set internal-warning
28946 @kindex maint show internal-warning
28947 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
28948 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
28949 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
28950 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
28951 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
28952 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
28953 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
28954 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
28955 described in the table below.
28956
28957 @table @samp
28958 @item quit
28959 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
28960 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
28961
28962 @item corefile
28963 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
28964 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
28965 @end table
28966
28967 @kindex maint packet
28968 @item maint packet @var{text}
28969 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
28970 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
28971 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
28972 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
28973 checksum.
28974
28975 @kindex maint print architecture
28976 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
28977 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
28978 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
28979
28980 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
28981 @item maint print c-tdesc
28982 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
28983 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
28984 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
28985
28986 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
28987 @item maint print dummy-frames
28988 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
28989
28990 @smallexample
28991 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
28992 @dots{}
28993 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
28994 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
28995 58 return (a + b);
28996 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
28997 @dots{}
28998 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
28999 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
29000 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
29001 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
29002 (@value{GDBP})
29003 @end smallexample
29004
29005 Takes an optional file parameter.
29006
29007 @kindex maint print registers
29008 @kindex maint print raw-registers
29009 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
29010 @kindex maint print register-groups
29011 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
29012 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
29013 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
29014 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
29015 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
29016
29017 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
29018 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print cooked-registers}
29019 includes the (cooked) value of all registers; and the command
29020 @code{maint print register-groups} includes the groups that each
29021 register is a member of. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
29022 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
29023
29024 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
29025 write the information.
29026
29027 @kindex maint print reggroups
29028 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
29029 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
29030 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
29031 information.
29032
29033 The register groups info looks like this:
29034
29035 @smallexample
29036 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
29037 Group Type
29038 general user
29039 float user
29040 all user
29041 vector user
29042 system user
29043 save internal
29044 restore internal
29045 @end smallexample
29046
29047 @kindex flushregs
29048 @item flushregs
29049 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
29050
29051 @kindex maint print objfiles
29052 @cindex info for known object files
29053 @item maint print objfiles
29054 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
29055 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
29056 and symtabs.
29057
29058 @kindex maint print statistics
29059 @cindex bcache statistics
29060 @item maint print statistics
29061 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
29062 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
29063 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
29064 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
29065 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
29066 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
29067 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
29068 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
29069 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
29070 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
29071 lengths.
29072
29073 @kindex maint print target-stack
29074 @cindex target stack description
29075 @item maint print target-stack
29076 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
29077 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
29078 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
29079 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
29080 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
29081 address.
29082
29083 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
29084 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
29085
29086 @kindex maint print type
29087 @cindex type chain of a data type
29088 @item maint print type @var{expr}
29089 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
29090 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
29091 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
29092 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
29093 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
29094
29095 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
29096 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
29097 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
29098 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
29099 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
29100
29101 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
29102 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
29103 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
29104 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
29105 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
29106 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
29107 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
29108 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
29109 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
29110
29111 @kindex maint set profile
29112 @kindex maint show profile
29113 @cindex profiling GDB
29114 @item maint set profile
29115 @itemx maint show profile
29116 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
29117
29118 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
29119 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
29120 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
29121 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
29122 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
29123 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
29124 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
29125
29126 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
29127 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
29128
29129 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
29130 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
29131 @cindex hardware debug registers
29132 @item maint set show-debug-regs
29133 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
29134 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
29135 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
29136 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
29137 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
29138 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
29139
29140 @kindex maint space
29141 @cindex memory used by commands
29142 @item maint space
29143 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
29144 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
29145 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
29146 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
29147 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
29148
29149 @kindex maint time
29150 @cindex time of command execution
29151 @item maint time
29152 Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
29153 set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
29154 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
29155 The time is not printed for the commands that run the target, since
29156 there's no mechanism currently to compute how much time was spend
29157 by @value{GDBN} and how much time was spend by the program been debugged.
29158 it's not possibly currently
29159 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
29160 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
29161
29162 @kindex maint translate-address
29163 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
29164 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
29165 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
29166 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
29167 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
29168 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
29169 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
29170
29171 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
29172 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
29173 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
29174
29175 @end table
29176
29177 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
29178 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
29179
29180 @table @code
29181 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
29182 @kindex set watchdog
29183 @cindex watchdog timer
29184 @cindex timeout for commands
29185 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
29186 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
29187 reports and error and the command is aborted.
29188
29189 @item show watchdog
29190 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
29191 @end table
29192
29193 @node Remote Protocol
29194 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
29195
29196 @menu
29197 * Overview::
29198 * Packets::
29199 * Stop Reply Packets::
29200 * General Query Packets::
29201 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
29202 * Tracepoint Packets::
29203 * Host I/O Packets::
29204 * Interrupts::
29205 * Notification Packets::
29206 * Remote Non-Stop::
29207 * Packet Acknowledgment::
29208 * Examples::
29209 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
29210 * Library List Format::
29211 * Memory Map Format::
29212 * Thread List Format::
29213 @end menu
29214
29215 @node Overview
29216 @section Overview
29217
29218 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
29219 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
29220 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
29221 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
29222
29223 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
29224 transmitted and received data, respectively.
29225
29226 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
29227 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
29228 @cindex remote serial protocol
29229 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
29230 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
29231 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
29232 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
29233 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
29234
29235 @smallexample
29236 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
29237 @end smallexample
29238 @noindent
29239
29240 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
29241 @noindent
29242 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
29243 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
29244 eight bit unsigned checksum).
29245
29246 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
29247 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
29248
29249 @smallexample
29250 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
29251 @end smallexample
29252
29253 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
29254 @noindent
29255 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
29256 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
29257 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
29258
29259 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
29260 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
29261 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
29262 retransmission):
29263
29264 @smallexample
29265 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
29266 <- @code{+}
29267 @end smallexample
29268 @noindent
29269
29270 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
29271 once a connection is established.
29272 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
29273
29274 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
29275 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
29276 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
29277 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
29278 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
29279 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
29280 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
29281
29282 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
29283 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
29284 exceptions).
29285
29286 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
29287 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
29288 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
29289 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
29290
29291 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
29292 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
29293 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
29294
29295 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
29296 @anchor{Binary Data}
29297 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
29298 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
29299 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
29300 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
29301 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
29302 binary data.
29303
29304 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
29305 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
29306 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
29307 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
29308 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
29309 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
29310 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
29311 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
29312 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
29313 (described next).
29314
29315 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
29316 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
29317 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
29318 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
29319 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
29320 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
29321 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
29322 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
29323 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
29324 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
29325 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
29326 3}} more times.
29327
29328 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
29329 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
29330 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
29331 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
29332 @samp{0*"00}.
29333
29334 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
29335 error number. That number is not well defined.
29336
29337 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
29338 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
29339 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
29340 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
29341 on that response.
29342
29343 A stub is required to support the @samp{g}, @samp{G}, @samp{m}, @samp{M},
29344 @samp{c}, and @samp{s} @var{command}s. All other @var{command}s are
29345 optional.
29346
29347 @node Packets
29348 @section Packets
29349
29350 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
29351 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
29352 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
29353 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
29354
29355 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
29356 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
29357 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
29358 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
29359 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
29360 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
29361 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
29362 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
29363 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
29364 @var{baz}.
29365
29366 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
29367 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
29368 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
29369 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
29370 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
29371 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
29372 pick any thread.
29373
29374 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
29375 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
29376 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
29377 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
29378 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
29379 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
29380 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
29381 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
29382 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
29383 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
29384 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
29385 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
29386 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
29387
29388 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
29389 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
29390 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
29391 more information.
29392
29393 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
29394 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
29395
29396 Here are the packet descriptions.
29397
29398 @table @samp
29399
29400 @item !
29401 @cindex @samp{!} packet
29402 @anchor{extended mode}
29403 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
29404 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
29405 debugged.
29406
29407 Reply:
29408 @table @samp
29409 @item OK
29410 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
29411 @end table
29412
29413 @item ?
29414 @cindex @samp{?} packet
29415 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
29416 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
29417 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
29418
29419 Reply:
29420 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
29421
29422 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
29423 @cindex @samp{A} packet
29424 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
29425 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
29426 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
29427
29428 Reply:
29429 @table @samp
29430 @item OK
29431 The arguments were set.
29432 @item E @var{NN}
29433 An error occurred.
29434 @end table
29435
29436 @item b @var{baud}
29437 @cindex @samp{b} packet
29438 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
29439 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
29440
29441 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
29442 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
29443 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
29444
29445 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
29446 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
29447 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
29448 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
29449 of view, nothing actually happened.}
29450
29451 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
29452 @cindex @samp{B} packet
29453 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
29454 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
29455
29456 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
29457 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
29458
29459 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
29460 @anchor{bc}
29461 @item bc
29462 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
29463 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
29464
29465 Reply:
29466 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
29467
29468 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
29469 @anchor{bs}
29470 @item bs
29471 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
29472 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
29473
29474 Reply:
29475 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
29476
29477 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
29478 @cindex @samp{c} packet
29479 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
29480 resume at current address.
29481
29482 Reply:
29483 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
29484
29485 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
29486 @cindex @samp{C} packet
29487 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
29488 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
29489
29490 Reply:
29491 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
29492
29493 @item d
29494 @cindex @samp{d} packet
29495 Toggle debug flag.
29496
29497 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
29498 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
29499
29500 @item D
29501 @itemx D;@var{pid}
29502 @cindex @samp{D} packet
29503 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
29504 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
29505 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
29506
29507 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
29508 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
29509 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
29510 big-endian hex string.
29511
29512 Reply:
29513 @table @samp
29514 @item OK
29515 for success
29516 @item E @var{NN}
29517 for an error
29518 @end table
29519
29520 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
29521 @cindex @samp{F} packet
29522 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
29523 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
29524 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
29525
29526 @item g
29527 @anchor{read registers packet}
29528 @cindex @samp{g} packet
29529 Read general registers.
29530
29531 Reply:
29532 @table @samp
29533 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
29534 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
29535 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
29536 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
29537 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
29538 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
29539 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
29540 @item E @var{NN}
29541 for an error.
29542 @end table
29543
29544 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
29545 @cindex @samp{G} packet
29546 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
29547 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
29548
29549 Reply:
29550 @table @samp
29551 @item OK
29552 for success
29553 @item E @var{NN}
29554 for an error
29555 @end table
29556
29557 @item H @var{c} @var{thread-id}
29558 @cindex @samp{H} packet
29559 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
29560 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} depends on the operation to be performed: it
29561 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations, @samp{g} for other
29562 operations. The thread designator @var{thread-id} has the format and
29563 interpretation described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
29564
29565 Reply:
29566 @table @samp
29567 @item OK
29568 for success
29569 @item E @var{NN}
29570 for an error
29571 @end table
29572
29573 @c FIXME: JTC:
29574 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
29575 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
29576 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
29577 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
29578 @c described. For example:
29579 @c
29580 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
29581 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
29582 @c otherwise returns current registers.
29583 @c
29584 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
29585 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
29586 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
29587
29588 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
29589 @anchor{cycle step packet}
29590 @cindex @samp{i} packet
29591 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
29592 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
29593 step starting at that address.
29594
29595 @item I
29596 @cindex @samp{I} packet
29597 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
29598 step packet}.
29599
29600 @item k
29601 @cindex @samp{k} packet
29602 Kill request.
29603
29604 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
29605 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
29606 thread?)}.
29607
29608 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
29609 @cindex @samp{m} packet
29610 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
29611 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
29612
29613 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
29614 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
29615 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
29616 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
29617 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
29618 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
29619 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
29620 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
29621
29622 Reply:
29623 @table @samp
29624 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
29625 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
29626 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
29627 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
29628 @item E @var{NN}
29629 @var{NN} is errno
29630 @end table
29631
29632 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
29633 @cindex @samp{M} packet
29634 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
29635 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
29636 hexadecimal number.
29637
29638 Reply:
29639 @table @samp
29640 @item OK
29641 for success
29642 @item E @var{NN}
29643 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
29644 written).
29645 @end table
29646
29647 @item p @var{n}
29648 @cindex @samp{p} packet
29649 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
29650 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
29651 register value is encoded.
29652
29653 Reply:
29654 @table @samp
29655 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
29656 the register's value
29657 @item E @var{NN}
29658 for an error
29659 @item
29660 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
29661 @end table
29662
29663 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
29664 @anchor{write register packet}
29665 @cindex @samp{P} packet
29666 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
29667 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
29668 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
29669
29670 Reply:
29671 @table @samp
29672 @item OK
29673 for success
29674 @item E @var{NN}
29675 for an error
29676 @end table
29677
29678 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
29679 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
29680 @cindex @samp{q} packet
29681 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
29682 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
29683 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
29684
29685 @item r
29686 @cindex @samp{r} packet
29687 Reset the entire system.
29688
29689 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
29690
29691 @item R @var{XX}
29692 @cindex @samp{R} packet
29693 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
29694 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
29695
29696 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
29697
29698 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
29699 @cindex @samp{s} packet
29700 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
29701 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
29702
29703 Reply:
29704 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
29705
29706 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
29707 @anchor{step with signal packet}
29708 @cindex @samp{S} packet
29709 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
29710 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
29711
29712 Reply:
29713 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
29714
29715 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
29716 @cindex @samp{t} packet
29717 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
29718 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
29719 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
29720
29721 @item T @var{thread-id}
29722 @cindex @samp{T} packet
29723 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
29724
29725 Reply:
29726 @table @samp
29727 @item OK
29728 thread is still alive
29729 @item E @var{NN}
29730 thread is dead
29731 @end table
29732
29733 @item v
29734 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
29735 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
29736
29737 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
29738 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
29739 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
29740 The process ID is a
29741 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
29742 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
29743 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
29744
29745 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
29746 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
29747 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
29748 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
29749 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
29750 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
29751 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
29752 @c stopping or restarting threads.
29753
29754 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
29755
29756 Reply:
29757 @table @samp
29758 @item E @var{nn}
29759 for an error
29760 @item @r{Any stop packet}
29761 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
29762 @item OK
29763 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
29764 @end table
29765
29766 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
29767 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
29768 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
29769 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
29770 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
29771 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
29772 in their current state in non-stop mode.
29773 Specifying multiple
29774 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
29775 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
29776
29777 Currently supported actions are:
29778
29779 @table @samp
29780 @item c
29781 Continue.
29782 @item C @var{sig}
29783 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
29784 @item s
29785 Step.
29786 @item S @var{sig}
29787 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
29788 @item t
29789 Stop.
29790 @end table
29791
29792 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
29793 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
29794 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
29795
29796 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
29797 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
29798 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
29799 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
29800 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
29801 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
29802 as an implementation detail.
29803
29804 Reply:
29805 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
29806
29807 @item vCont?
29808 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
29809 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
29810
29811 Reply:
29812 @table @samp
29813 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
29814 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
29815 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
29816 @item
29817 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
29818 @end table
29819
29820 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
29821 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
29822 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
29823 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
29824
29825 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
29826 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
29827 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
29828 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
29829 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
29830 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
29831 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
29832 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
29833 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
29834 packet is received.
29835
29836 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
29837 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
29838 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
29839 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
29840 @var{thread-id}.
29841
29842 Reply:
29843 @table @samp
29844 @item OK
29845 for success
29846 @item E @var{NN}
29847 for an error
29848 @end table
29849
29850 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
29851 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
29852 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
29853 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
29854 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
29855 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
29856 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
29857 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
29858 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
29859 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
29860 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
29861 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
29862
29863
29864 Reply:
29865 @table @samp
29866 @item OK
29867 for success
29868 @item E.memtype
29869 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
29870 @item E @var{NN}
29871 for an error
29872 @end table
29873
29874 @item vFlashDone
29875 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
29876 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
29877 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
29878 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
29879 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
29880 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
29881 request is completed.
29882
29883 @item vKill;@var{pid}
29884 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
29885 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
29886 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
29887 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
29888 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
29889
29890 Reply:
29891 @table @samp
29892 @item E @var{nn}
29893 for an error
29894 @item OK
29895 for success
29896 @end table
29897
29898 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
29899 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
29900 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
29901 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
29902 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
29903 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
29904 state.
29905
29906 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
29907
29908 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
29909
29910 Reply:
29911 @table @samp
29912 @item E @var{nn}
29913 for an error
29914 @item @r{Any stop packet}
29915 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
29916 @end table
29917
29918 @item vStopped
29919 @anchor{vStopped packet}
29920 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
29921
29922 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
29923 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
29924
29925 Reply:
29926 @table @samp
29927 @item @r{Any stop packet}
29928 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
29929 @item OK
29930 if there are no unreported stop events
29931 @end table
29932
29933 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
29934 @anchor{X packet}
29935 @cindex @samp{X} packet
29936 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
29937 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
29938 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
29939
29940 Reply:
29941 @table @samp
29942 @item OK
29943 for success
29944 @item E @var{NN}
29945 for an error
29946 @end table
29947
29948 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
29949 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
29950 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
29951 @cindex @samp{z} packet
29952 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
29953 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
29954 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
29955
29956 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
29957 separately.
29958
29959 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
29960 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
29961 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
29962 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
29963 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
29964 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
29965
29966 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
29967 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
29968 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
29969 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
29970 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
29971 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
29972
29973 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
29974 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
29975 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
29976 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
29977 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
29978 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
29979 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
29980
29981 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
29982 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
29983 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
29984 target, is not defined.}
29985
29986 Reply:
29987 @table @samp
29988 @item OK
29989 success
29990 @item
29991 not supported
29992 @item E @var{NN}
29993 for an error
29994 @end table
29995
29996 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
29997 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
29998 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
29999 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
30000 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
30001 address @var{addr}.
30002
30003 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
30004 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
30005 has the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
30006
30007 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
30008 movement.}
30009
30010 Reply:
30011 @table @samp
30012 @item OK
30013 success
30014 @item
30015 not supported
30016 @item E @var{NN}
30017 for an error
30018 @end table
30019
30020 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30021 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30022 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
30023 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
30024 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
30025 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
30026
30027 Reply:
30028 @table @samp
30029 @item OK
30030 success
30031 @item
30032 not supported
30033 @item E @var{NN}
30034 for an error
30035 @end table
30036
30037 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30038 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30039 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
30040 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
30041 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
30042 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
30043
30044 Reply:
30045 @table @samp
30046 @item OK
30047 success
30048 @item
30049 not supported
30050 @item E @var{NN}
30051 for an error
30052 @end table
30053
30054 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30055 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30056 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
30057 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
30058 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
30059 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
30060
30061 Reply:
30062 @table @samp
30063 @item OK
30064 success
30065 @item
30066 not supported
30067 @item E @var{NN}
30068 for an error
30069 @end table
30070
30071 @end table
30072
30073 @node Stop Reply Packets
30074 @section Stop Reply Packets
30075 @cindex stop reply packets
30076
30077 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
30078 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
30079 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
30080 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
30081 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
30082 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
30083 @value{GDBN} source code.
30084
30085 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
30086 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
30087 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
30088 components.
30089
30090 @table @samp
30091
30092 @item S @var{AA}
30093 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
30094 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
30095 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
30096
30097 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
30098 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
30099 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
30100 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
30101 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
30102 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
30103 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
30104 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
30105
30106 @itemize @bullet
30107 @item
30108 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
30109 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
30110 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
30111 two-digit hex number.
30112
30113 @item
30114 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
30115 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
30116
30117 @item
30118 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
30119 the core on which the stop event was detected.
30120
30121 @item
30122 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
30123 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
30124 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
30125 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
30126
30127 @item
30128 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
30129 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
30130 future.
30131 @end itemize
30132
30133 The currently defined stop reasons are:
30134
30135 @table @samp
30136 @item watch
30137 @itemx rwatch
30138 @itemx awatch
30139 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
30140 hex.
30141
30142 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
30143 @item library
30144 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
30145 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
30146 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
30147
30148 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
30149 @item replaylog
30150 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
30151 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
30152 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
30153 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
30154 for more information.
30155 @end table
30156
30157 @item W @var{AA}
30158 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
30159 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
30160 applicable to certain targets.
30161
30162 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
30163 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
30164 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
30165 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
30166
30167 @item X @var{AA}
30168 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
30169 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
30170
30171 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
30172 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
30173 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
30174 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
30175
30176 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
30177 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
30178 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
30179 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
30180 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
30181
30182 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
30183 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
30184 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
30185 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
30186 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
30187 system calls.
30188
30189 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
30190 this very system call.
30191
30192 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
30193 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
30194 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
30195 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
30196 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
30197 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
30198
30199 @end table
30200
30201 @node General Query Packets
30202 @section General Query Packets
30203 @cindex remote query requests
30204
30205 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
30206 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
30207 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
30208 sending information to and from the stub.
30209
30210 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
30211 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
30212 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
30213 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
30214 conventions:
30215
30216 @itemize @bullet
30217 @item
30218 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
30219 @item
30220 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
30221 letter.
30222 @item
30223 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
30224 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
30225 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
30226 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
30227 @end itemize
30228
30229 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
30230 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
30231 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
30232 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
30233 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
30234 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
30235 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
30236 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
30237 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
30238 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
30239 packet.}.
30240
30241 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
30242 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
30243 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
30244 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
30245 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
30246
30247 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
30248
30249 @table @samp
30250
30251 @item qC
30252 @cindex current thread, remote request
30253 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
30254 Return the current thread ID.
30255
30256 Reply:
30257 @table @samp
30258 @item QC @var{thread-id}
30259 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
30260 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
30261 @item @r{(anything else)}
30262 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
30263 @end table
30264
30265 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
30266 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
30267 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
30268 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
30269 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
30270 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
30271 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
30272
30273 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
30274 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
30275 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
30276 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
30277 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
30278 detect trailing zeros.
30279
30280 Reply:
30281 @table @samp
30282 @item E @var{NN}
30283 An error (such as memory fault)
30284 @item C @var{crc32}
30285 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
30286 @end table
30287
30288 @item qfThreadInfo
30289 @itemx qsThreadInfo
30290 @cindex list active threads, remote request
30291 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
30292 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
30293 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
30294 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
30295 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
30296 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
30297 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
30298 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
30299
30300 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
30301
30302 Reply:
30303 @table @samp
30304 @item m @var{thread-id}
30305 A single thread ID
30306 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
30307 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
30308 @item l
30309 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
30310 @end table
30311
30312 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
30313 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
30314 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
30315 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
30316 with @samp{l} (lower-case el, for @dfn{last}).
30317 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
30318 fields.
30319
30320 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
30321 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
30322 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
30323 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
30324 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
30325
30326 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
30327 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
30328
30329 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
30330 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
30331 information associated with the variable.)
30332
30333 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
30334 the load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
30335 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
30336 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
30337 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
30338 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
30339
30340 Reply:
30341 @table @samp
30342 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
30343 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
30344 local storage requested.
30345
30346 @item E @var{nn}
30347 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
30348
30349 @item
30350 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
30351 @end table
30352
30353 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
30354 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
30355 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
30356 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
30357 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
30358 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
30359 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
30360
30361 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
30362
30363 Reply:
30364 @table @samp
30365 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
30366 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
30367 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
30368 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
30369 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
30370 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
30371 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
30372 @end table
30373
30374 @item qOffsets
30375 @cindex section offsets, remote request
30376 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
30377 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
30378 image.
30379
30380 Reply:
30381 @table @samp
30382 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
30383 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
30384 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
30385 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
30386 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
30387 segments by the supplied offsets.
30388
30389 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
30390 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
30391 to the @code{Bss} section.}
30392
30393 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
30394 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
30395 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
30396 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
30397 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
30398 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
30399 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
30400 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
30401 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
30402 @end table
30403
30404 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
30405 @cindex thread information, remote request
30406 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
30407 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
30408 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
30409 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
30410
30411 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
30412 (see below).
30413
30414 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
30415
30416 @item QNonStop:1
30417 @item QNonStop:0
30418 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
30419 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
30420 @anchor{QNonStop}
30421 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
30422 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
30423
30424 Reply:
30425 @table @samp
30426 @item OK
30427 The request succeeded.
30428
30429 @item E @var{nn}
30430 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
30431
30432 @item
30433 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
30434 the stub.
30435 @end table
30436
30437 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
30438 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
30439 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
30440 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
30441
30442 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
30443 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
30444 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
30445 @anchor{QPassSignals}
30446 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
30447 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
30448 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
30449 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
30450 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
30451 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
30452 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
30453 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
30454 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
30455
30456 Reply:
30457 @table @samp
30458 @item OK
30459 The request succeeded.
30460
30461 @item E @var{nn}
30462 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
30463
30464 @item
30465 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
30466 the stub.
30467 @end table
30468
30469 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
30470 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
30471 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
30472 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
30473
30474 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
30475 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
30476 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
30477 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
30478 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
30479 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
30480 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
30481 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
30482 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
30483
30484 Reply:
30485 @table @samp
30486 @item OK
30487 A command response with no output.
30488 @item @var{OUTPUT}
30489 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
30490 @item E @var{NN}
30491 Indicate a badly formed request.
30492 @item
30493 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
30494 @end table
30495
30496 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
30497 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
30498 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
30499 packets.)
30500
30501 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
30502 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
30503 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
30504 @anchor{qSearch memory}
30505 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
30506 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
30507 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
30508
30509 Reply:
30510 @table @samp
30511 @item 0
30512 The pattern was not found.
30513 @item 1,address
30514 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
30515 @item E @var{NN}
30516 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
30517 @item
30518 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
30519 @end table
30520
30521 @item QStartNoAckMode
30522 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
30523 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
30524 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
30525 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
30526
30527 Reply:
30528 @table @samp
30529 @item OK
30530 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
30531 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
30532 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
30533 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
30534 @item
30535 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
30536 @end table
30537
30538 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
30539 @cindex supported packets, remote query
30540 @cindex features of the remote protocol
30541 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
30542 @anchor{qSupported}
30543 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
30544 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
30545 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
30546 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
30547 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
30548 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
30549 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
30550 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
30551 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
30552 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
30553 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
30554 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
30555 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
30556 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
30557
30558 Reply:
30559 @table @samp
30560 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
30561 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
30562 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
30563 possible forms).
30564 @item
30565 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
30566 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
30567 @end table
30568
30569 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
30570 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
30571 are:
30572
30573 @table @samp
30574 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
30575 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
30576 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
30577 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
30578 @item @var{name}+
30579 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
30580 need an associated value.
30581 @item @var{name}-
30582 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
30583 @item @var{name}?
30584 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
30585 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
30586 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
30587 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
30588 @end table
30589
30590 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
30591 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
30592 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
30593 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
30594 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
30595
30596 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
30597 are defined:
30598
30599 @table @samp
30600 @item multiprocess
30601 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
30602 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
30603 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
30604 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
30605 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
30606 @end table
30607
30608 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
30609 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
30610 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
30611 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
30612 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
30613 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
30614 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
30615 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
30616 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
30617 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
30618 all the features it supports.
30619
30620 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
30621 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
30622
30623 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
30624 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
30625 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
30626 form response.
30627
30628 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
30629 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
30630 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
30631 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
30632
30633 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
30634 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
30635 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
30636 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
30637 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
30638
30639 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
30640
30641 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
30642 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
30643 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
30644 @item Feature Name
30645 @tab Value Required
30646 @tab Default
30647 @tab Probe Allowed
30648
30649 @item @samp{PacketSize}
30650 @tab Yes
30651 @tab @samp{-}
30652 @tab No
30653
30654 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
30655 @tab No
30656 @tab @samp{-}
30657 @tab Yes
30658
30659 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
30660 @tab No
30661 @tab @samp{-}
30662 @tab Yes
30663
30664 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
30665 @tab No
30666 @tab @samp{-}
30667 @tab Yes
30668
30669 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
30670 @tab No
30671 @tab @samp{-}
30672 @tab Yes
30673
30674 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
30675 @tab No
30676 @tab @samp{-}
30677 @tab Yes
30678
30679 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
30680 @tab No
30681 @tab @samp{-}
30682 @tab Yes
30683
30684 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
30685 @tab No
30686 @tab @samp{-}
30687 @tab Yes
30688
30689 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
30690 @tab No
30691 @tab @samp{-}
30692 @tab Yes
30693
30694 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
30695 @tab No
30696 @tab @samp{-}
30697 @tab Yes
30698
30699
30700 @item @samp{QNonStop}
30701 @tab No
30702 @tab @samp{-}
30703 @tab Yes
30704
30705 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
30706 @tab No
30707 @tab @samp{-}
30708 @tab Yes
30709
30710 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
30711 @tab No
30712 @tab @samp{-}
30713 @tab Yes
30714
30715 @item @samp{multiprocess}
30716 @tab No
30717 @tab @samp{-}
30718 @tab No
30719
30720 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
30721 @tab No
30722 @tab @samp{-}
30723 @tab No
30724
30725 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
30726 @tab No
30727 @tab @samp{-}
30728 @tab No
30729
30730 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
30731 @tab No
30732 @tab @samp{-}
30733 @tab No
30734
30735 @end multitable
30736
30737 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
30738
30739 @table @samp
30740 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
30741 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
30742 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
30743 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
30744 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
30745 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
30746 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
30747 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
30748 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
30749 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
30750
30751 @item qXfer:auxv:read
30752 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
30753 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
30754
30755 @item qXfer:features:read
30756 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
30757 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
30758
30759 @item qXfer:libraries:read
30760 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
30761 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
30762
30763 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
30764 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
30765 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
30766
30767 @item qXfer:spu:read
30768 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
30769 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
30770
30771 @item qXfer:spu:write
30772 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
30773 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
30774
30775 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
30776 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
30777 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
30778
30779 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
30780 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
30781 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
30782
30783 @item qXfer:threads:read
30784 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
30785 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
30786
30787 @item QNonStop
30788 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
30789 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
30790
30791 @item QPassSignals
30792 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
30793 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
30794
30795 @item QStartNoAckMode
30796 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
30797 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
30798
30799 @item multiprocess
30800 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
30801 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
30802 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
30803 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
30804 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
30805 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
30806 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
30807 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
30808 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
30809 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
30810 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
30811
30812 @item qXfer:osdata:read
30813 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
30814 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
30815
30816 @item ConditionalTracepoints
30817 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
30818 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
30819
30820 @item ReverseContinue
30821 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
30822 (@pxref{bc}).
30823
30824 @item ReverseStep
30825 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
30826 (@pxref{bs}).
30827
30828 @end table
30829
30830 @item qSymbol::
30831 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
30832 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
30833 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
30834 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
30835
30836 Reply:
30837 @table @samp
30838 @item OK
30839 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
30840 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
30841 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
30842 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
30843 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
30844 below.
30845 @end table
30846
30847 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
30848 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
30849
30850 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
30851 target has previously requested.
30852
30853 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
30854 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
30855 will be empty.
30856
30857 Reply:
30858 @table @samp
30859 @item OK
30860 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
30861 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
30862 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
30863 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
30864 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
30865 @end table
30866
30867 @item qTBuffer
30868 @item QTBuffer
30869 @item QTDisconnected
30870 @itemx QTDP
30871 @itemx QTDV
30872 @itemx qTfP
30873 @itemx qTfV
30874 @itemx QTFrame
30875 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
30876
30877 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
30878 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
30879 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
30880 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
30881 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
30882 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
30883 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
30884 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
30885 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
30886 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
30887 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
30888
30889 Reply:
30890 @table @samp
30891 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
30892 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
30893 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
30894 the thread's attributes.
30895 @end table
30896
30897 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
30898 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
30899 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
30900 packets.)
30901
30902 @item QTSave
30903 @item qTsP
30904 @item qTsV
30905 @itemx QTStart
30906 @itemx QTStop
30907 @itemx QTinit
30908 @itemx QTro
30909 @itemx qTStatus
30910 @itemx qTV
30911 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
30912
30913 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
30914 @cindex read special object, remote request
30915 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
30916 @anchor{qXfer read}
30917 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
30918 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
30919 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
30920 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
30921 additional details about what data to access.
30922
30923 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
30924 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
30925 formats, listed below.
30926
30927 @table @samp
30928 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
30929 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
30930 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
30931 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
30932
30933 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
30934 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
30935
30936 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
30937 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
30938 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
30939 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
30940 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
30941
30942 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
30943 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
30944
30945 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
30946 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
30947 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
30948 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
30949 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
30950
30951 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
30952 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
30953 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
30954
30955 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
30956 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
30957
30958 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
30959 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
30960 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
30961 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
30962 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
30963
30964 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
30965 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
30966
30967 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
30968 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
30969 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
30970 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
30971 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
30972
30973 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
30974 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
30975 (@pxref{qSupported}).
30976
30977 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
30978 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
30979 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
30980 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
30981 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
30982 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
30983 in that context to be accessed.
30984
30985 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
30986 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
30987 (@pxref{qSupported}).
30988
30989 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
30990 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
30991 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
30992 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
30993 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
30994
30995 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
30996 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
30997
30998 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
30999 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
31000 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
31001 @xref{Operating System Information}.
31002
31003 @end table
31004
31005 Reply:
31006 @table @samp
31007 @item m @var{data}
31008 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
31009 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
31010 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
31011 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
31012 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
31013 request.
31014
31015 @item l @var{data}
31016 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
31017 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
31018 than the @var{length} in the request.
31019
31020 @item l
31021 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
31022 There is no more data to be read.
31023
31024 @item E00
31025 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
31026
31027 @item E @var{nn}
31028 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
31029 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
31030
31031 @item
31032 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
31033 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
31034 @end table
31035
31036 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
31037 @cindex write data into object, remote request
31038 @anchor{qXfer write}
31039 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
31040 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
31041 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
31042 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
31043 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
31044 to access.
31045
31046 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
31047 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
31048 formats, listed below.
31049
31050 @table @samp
31051 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
31052 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
31053 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
31054 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
31055 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
31056
31057 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31058 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
31059 (@pxref{qSupported}).
31060
31061 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
31062 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
31063 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
31064 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
31065 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
31066 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
31067 in that context to be accessed.
31068
31069 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31070 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
31071 @end table
31072
31073 Reply:
31074 @table @samp
31075 @item @var{nn}
31076 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
31077 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
31078
31079 @item E00
31080 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
31081
31082 @item E @var{nn}
31083 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
31084 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
31085
31086 @item
31087 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
31088 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
31089 @end table
31090
31091 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
31092 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
31093 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
31094 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
31095 must respond with an empty packet.
31096
31097 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
31098 @cindex query attached, remote request
31099 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
31100 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
31101 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
31102 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
31103 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
31104 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
31105 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
31106
31107 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
31108 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
31109 the @code{quit} command.
31110
31111 Reply:
31112 @table @samp
31113 @item 1
31114 The remote server attached to an existing process.
31115 @item 0
31116 The remote server created a new process.
31117 @item E @var{NN}
31118 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
31119 @end table
31120
31121 @end table
31122
31123 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
31124 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
31125
31126 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
31127 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
31128 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
31129
31130 @subsection ARM
31131
31132 @subsubsection Breakpoint Kinds
31133
31134 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
31135
31136 @table @r
31137
31138 @item 2
31139 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
31140
31141 @item 3
31142 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
31143
31144 @item 4
31145 32-bit ARM mode breakpoint.
31146
31147 @end table
31148
31149 @subsection MIPS
31150
31151 @subsubsection Register Packet Format
31152
31153 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
31154 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
31155 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
31156 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
31157 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
31158 most-significant - least-significant.
31159
31160 @table @r
31161
31162 @item MIPS32
31163
31164 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
31165 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
31166 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
31167
31168 @item MIPS64
31169
31170 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
31171 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
31172 as @code{MIPS32}.
31173
31174 @end table
31175
31176 @node Tracepoint Packets
31177 @section Tracepoint Packets
31178 @cindex tracepoint packets
31179 @cindex packets, tracepoint
31180
31181 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
31182 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
31183
31184 @table @samp
31185
31186 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
31187 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
31188 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
31189 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
31190 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
31191 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
31192 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
31193 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
31194 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
31195 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
31196 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
31197 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
31198 actions.
31199
31200 Replies:
31201 @table @samp
31202 @item OK
31203 The packet was understood and carried out.
31204 @item
31205 The packet was not recognized.
31206 @end table
31207
31208 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
31209 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
31210 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
31211 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
31212 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
31213 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
31214 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
31215
31216 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
31217 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
31218 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
31219 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
31220 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
31221 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
31222 tracepoint actions.
31223
31224 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
31225 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
31226 following forms:
31227
31228 @table @samp
31229
31230 @item R @var{mask}
31231 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
31232 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
31233 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
31234 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
31235 not fit in a 32-bit word.
31236
31237 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
31238 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
31239 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
31240 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
31241 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
31242 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
31243 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
31244
31245 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
31246 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
31247 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
31248 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
31249 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
31250 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
31251 packet).
31252
31253 @end table
31254
31255 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
31256 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
31257 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
31258 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
31259 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
31260 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
31261 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
31262 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
31263
31264 Replies:
31265 @table @samp
31266 @item OK
31267 The packet was understood and carried out.
31268 @item
31269 The packet was not recognized.
31270 @end table
31271
31272 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
31273 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
31274 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
31275 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
31276 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
31277 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
31278 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
31279 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
31280 mentioned in expressions.
31281
31282 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
31283 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
31284 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
31285 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
31286
31287 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
31288 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
31289 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
31290 one of the following forms:
31291
31292 @table @samp
31293 @item F @var{f}
31294 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
31295 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
31296 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
31297
31298 @item T @var{t}
31299 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
31300 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
31301
31302 @end table
31303
31304 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
31305 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
31306 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
31307 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
31308
31309 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
31310 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
31311 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
31312 is a hexadecimal number.
31313
31314 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
31315 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
31316 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
31317 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
31318 numbers.
31319
31320 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
31321 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
31322 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
31323
31324 @item QTStart
31325 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from tracepoint
31326 hits in the trace frame buffer.
31327
31328 @item QTStop
31329 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
31330
31331 @item QTinit
31332 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
31333
31334 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
31335 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
31336 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
31337 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
31338
31339 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
31340 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
31341 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
31342 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
31343
31344 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
31345 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
31346 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
31347 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
31348 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
31349
31350 @item qTStatus
31351 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
31352
31353 The reply has the form:
31354
31355 @table @samp
31356
31357 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
31358 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
31359 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
31360 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
31361
31362 @end table
31363
31364 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
31365 explanations as one of the optional fields:
31366
31367 @table @samp
31368
31369 @item tnotrun:0
31370 No trace has been run yet.
31371
31372 @item tstop:0
31373 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command.
31374
31375 @item tfull:0
31376 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
31377
31378 @item tdisconnected:0
31379 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
31380
31381 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
31382 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
31383
31384 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
31385 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
31386 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
31387 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
31388 @var{text} is hex encoded.
31389
31390 @item tunknown:0
31391 The trace stopped for some other reason.
31392
31393 @end table
31394
31395 Additional optional fields supply statistical information. Although
31396 not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring the
31397 progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these numbers
31398 are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped trace.
31399
31400 @table @samp
31401
31402 @item tframes:@var{n}
31403 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
31404
31405 @item tcreated:@var{n}
31406 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
31407 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
31408
31409 @item tsize:@var{n}
31410 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
31411
31412 @item tfree:@var{n}
31413 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
31414
31415 @end table
31416
31417 @item qTV:@var{var}
31418 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
31419 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
31420 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
31421
31422 Replies:
31423 @table @samp
31424 @item V@var{value}
31425 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
31426 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
31427 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
31428 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
31429 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
31430 program is running.
31431
31432 @item U
31433 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
31434 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
31435 was not collected.
31436 @end table
31437
31438 @item qTfP
31439 @itemx qTsP
31440 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
31441 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
31442 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
31443 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
31444 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
31445
31446 @item qTfV
31447 @itemx qTsV
31448 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
31449 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
31450 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
31451 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
31452 trace state variables.
31453
31454 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
31455 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
31456 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
31457 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
31458 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
31459
31460 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
31461 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
31462 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
31463 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
31464 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
31465 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
31466 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
31467 available.
31468
31469 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
31470 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
31471 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
31472
31473 @end table
31474
31475 @node Host I/O Packets
31476 @section Host I/O Packets
31477 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
31478 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
31479
31480 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
31481 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
31482 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
31483 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
31484 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
31485 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
31486 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
31487 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
31488 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
31489 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
31490
31491 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
31492 its arguments. They have this format:
31493
31494 @table @samp
31495
31496 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
31497 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
31498 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
31499 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
31500 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
31501 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
31502 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
31503 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
31504 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
31505
31506 @end table
31507
31508 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
31509
31510 @table @samp
31511
31512 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
31513 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
31514 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
31515 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
31516 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
31517 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
31518 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
31519 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
31520 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
31521 @var{attachment}.
31522
31523 @item
31524 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
31525
31526 @end table
31527
31528 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
31529
31530 @table @samp
31531 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
31532 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
31533 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
31534 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
31535 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
31536 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
31537 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
31538
31539 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
31540 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
31541 -1 if an error occurs.
31542
31543 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
31544 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
31545 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
31546 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
31547 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
31548 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
31549 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
31550 @var{count} was zero.
31551
31552 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
31553 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
31554 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
31555 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
31556 some characters were escaped.
31557
31558 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
31559 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
31560 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
31561 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
31562 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
31563 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
31564 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
31565 error occurred.
31566
31567 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
31568 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
31569 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
31570
31571 @end table
31572
31573 @node Interrupts
31574 @section Interrupts
31575 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
31576
31577 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
31578 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
31579 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
31580 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
31581
31582 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
31583 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
31584 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
31585 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
31586 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
31587
31588 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
31589 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
31590 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
31591 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
31592 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
31593 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
31594 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
31595 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
31596
31597 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
31598 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
31599 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
31600
31601 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
31602 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
31603 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
31604 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
31605 currently-executing threads and processes.
31606 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
31607 running program, it should send one of the stop
31608 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
31609 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
31610 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
31611 Interrupts received while the
31612 program is stopped are discarded.
31613
31614 @node Notification Packets
31615 @section Notification Packets
31616 @cindex notification packets
31617 @cindex packets, notification
31618
31619 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
31620 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
31621 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
31622 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
31623 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
31624 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
31625 is not a problem.
31626
31627 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
31628 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
31629 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
31630 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
31631 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
31632 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
31633 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
31634
31635 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
31636 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
31637
31638 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
31639 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
31640 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
31641 not they understand it.
31642
31643 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
31644 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
31645 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
31646 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
31647 recipients.
31648
31649 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
31650 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
31651 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
31652 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
31653 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
31654
31655 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
31656 defined:
31657
31658 @table @samp
31659 @item Stop: @var{reply}
31660 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
31661 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
31662 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
31663 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
31664 @value{GDBN}.
31665 @end table
31666
31667 @node Remote Non-Stop
31668 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
31669
31670 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
31671 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
31672 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
31673 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
31674
31675 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
31676 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
31677 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
31678 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
31679 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
31680 probe the target state after a mode change.
31681
31682 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
31683 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
31684 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
31685 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
31686 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
31687 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
31688 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
31689 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
31690 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
31691 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
31692 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
31693
31694 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
31695 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
31696 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
31697 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
31698 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
31699 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
31700 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
31701 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
31702 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
31703 sending any queued stop events.
31704
31705 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
31706 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
31707 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
31708 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
31709 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
31710 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
31711 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
31712
31713 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
31714 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
31715 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
31716 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
31717 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
31718 process normally.
31719
31720 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
31721 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
31722 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
31723 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
31724 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
31725 should process normally.
31726
31727 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
31728 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
31729 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
31730 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
31731 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
31732
31733 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
31734 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
31735 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
31736 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
31737 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
31738 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
31739 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
31740 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
31741 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
31742 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
31743 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
31744 @samp{OK}.
31745
31746 @node Packet Acknowledgment
31747 @section Packet Acknowledgment
31748
31749 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
31750 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
31751 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
31752 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
31753 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
31754 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
31755 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
31756
31757 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
31758 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
31759 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
31760 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
31761 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
31762
31763 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
31764 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
31765 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
31766 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
31767
31768 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
31769 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
31770 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
31771 @pxref{qSupported}.
31772 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
31773 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
31774 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
31775 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
31776 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
31777 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
31778 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
31779
31780 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
31781 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
31782 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
31783 connection.
31784 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
31785 new connection is established,
31786 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
31787 for the current connection, once disabled.
31788
31789 @node Examples
31790 @section Examples
31791
31792 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
31793 does not get any direct output:
31794
31795 @smallexample
31796 -> @code{R00}
31797 <- @code{+}
31798 @emph{target restarts}
31799 -> @code{?}
31800 <- @code{+}
31801 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
31802 -> @code{+}
31803 @end smallexample
31804
31805 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
31806
31807 @smallexample
31808 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
31809 <- @code{+}
31810 -> @code{s}
31811 <- @code{+}
31812 @emph{time passes}
31813 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
31814 -> @code{+}
31815 -> @code{g}
31816 <- @code{+}
31817 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
31818 -> @code{+}
31819 @end smallexample
31820
31821 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
31822 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
31823 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
31824
31825 @menu
31826 * File-I/O Overview::
31827 * Protocol Basics::
31828 * The F Request Packet::
31829 * The F Reply Packet::
31830 * The Ctrl-C Message::
31831 * Console I/O::
31832 * List of Supported Calls::
31833 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
31834 * Constants::
31835 * File-I/O Examples::
31836 @end menu
31837
31838 @node File-I/O Overview
31839 @subsection File-I/O Overview
31840 @cindex file-i/o overview
31841
31842 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
31843 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
31844 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
31845 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
31846 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
31847 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
31848
31849 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
31850 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
31851 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
31852 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
31853 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
31854
31855 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
31856 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
31857 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
31858 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
31859 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
31860 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
31861 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
31862
31863 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
31864 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
31865 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
31866 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
31867 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
31868
31869 @smallexample
31870 (@value{GDBP}) continue
31871 <- target requests 'system call X'
31872 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
31873 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
31874 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
31875 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
31876 @end smallexample
31877
31878 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
31879 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
31880 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
31881 system are not supported by this protocol.
31882
31883 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
31884
31885 @node Protocol Basics
31886 @subsection Protocol Basics
31887 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
31888
31889 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
31890 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
31891 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
31892 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
31893 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
31894 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
31895 to call the appropriate host system call:
31896
31897 @itemize @bullet
31898 @item
31899 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
31900
31901 @item
31902 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
31903 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
31904 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
31905 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
31906
31907 @end itemize
31908
31909 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
31910
31911 @itemize @bullet
31912 @item
31913 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
31914 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
31915 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
31916 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
31917 packet.
31918
31919 @item
31920 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
31921 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
31922
31923 @item
31924 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
31925
31926 @item
31927 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
31928
31929 @item
31930 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
31931 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
31932 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
31933 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
31934 packet.
31935
31936 @end itemize
31937
31938 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
31939 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
31940
31941 @itemize @bullet
31942 @item
31943 Return value.
31944
31945 @item
31946 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
31947
31948 @item
31949 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
31950
31951 @end itemize
31952
31953 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
31954 the latest continue or step action.
31955
31956 @node The F Request Packet
31957 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
31958 @cindex file-i/o request packet
31959 @cindex @code{F} request packet
31960
31961 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
31962
31963 @table @samp
31964 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
31965
31966 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
31967 This is just the name of the function.
31968
31969 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
31970 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
31971 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
31972 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
31973 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
31974 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
31975 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
31976
31977 @end table
31978
31979
31980
31981 @node The F Reply Packet
31982 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
31983 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
31984 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
31985
31986 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
31987
31988 @table @samp
31989
31990 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
31991
31992 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
31993
31994 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
31995 representation.
31996 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
31997
31998 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
31999 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
32000 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
32001
32002 @smallexample
32003 F0,0,C
32004 @end smallexample
32005
32006 @noindent
32007 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
32008
32009 @smallexample
32010 F-1,4,C
32011 @end smallexample
32012
32013 @noindent
32014 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
32015
32016 @end table
32017
32018
32019 @node The Ctrl-C Message
32020 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
32021 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
32022
32023 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
32024 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
32025 the target should behave as if it had
32026 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
32027 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
32028 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
32029 packet.
32030
32031 It's important for the target to know in which
32032 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
32033
32034 @itemize @bullet
32035 @item
32036 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
32037
32038 @item
32039 The system call on the host has been finished.
32040
32041 @end itemize
32042
32043 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
32044 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
32045 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
32046 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
32047 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
32048 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
32049
32050 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
32051 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
32052 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
32053 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
32054 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
32055 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
32056 or the full action has been completed.
32057
32058 @node Console I/O
32059 @subsection Console I/O
32060 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
32061
32062 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
32063 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
32064 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
32065 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
32066 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
32067 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
32068 conditions is met:
32069
32070 @itemize @bullet
32071 @item
32072 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
32073 @code{read}
32074 system call is treated as finished.
32075
32076 @item
32077 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
32078 newline.
32079
32080 @item
32081 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
32082 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
32083
32084 @end itemize
32085
32086 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
32087 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
32088 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
32089 is stopped at the user's request.
32090
32091
32092 @node List of Supported Calls
32093 @subsection List of Supported Calls
32094 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
32095
32096 @menu
32097 * open::
32098 * close::
32099 * read::
32100 * write::
32101 * lseek::
32102 * rename::
32103 * unlink::
32104 * stat/fstat::
32105 * gettimeofday::
32106 * isatty::
32107 * system::
32108 @end menu
32109
32110 @node open
32111 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
32112 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
32113
32114 @table @asis
32115 @item Synopsis:
32116 @smallexample
32117 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
32118 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
32119 @end smallexample
32120
32121 @item Request:
32122 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
32123
32124 @noindent
32125 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
32126
32127 @table @code
32128 @item O_CREAT
32129 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
32130 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
32131 are concerned.
32132
32133 @item O_EXCL
32134 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
32135 an error and open() fails.
32136
32137 @item O_TRUNC
32138 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
32139 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
32140 truncated to zero length.
32141
32142 @item O_APPEND
32143 The file is opened in append mode.
32144
32145 @item O_RDONLY
32146 The file is opened for reading only.
32147
32148 @item O_WRONLY
32149 The file is opened for writing only.
32150
32151 @item O_RDWR
32152 The file is opened for reading and writing.
32153 @end table
32154
32155 @noindent
32156 Other bits are silently ignored.
32157
32158
32159 @noindent
32160 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
32161
32162 @table @code
32163 @item S_IRUSR
32164 User has read permission.
32165
32166 @item S_IWUSR
32167 User has write permission.
32168
32169 @item S_IRGRP
32170 Group has read permission.
32171
32172 @item S_IWGRP
32173 Group has write permission.
32174
32175 @item S_IROTH
32176 Others have read permission.
32177
32178 @item S_IWOTH
32179 Others have write permission.
32180 @end table
32181
32182 @noindent
32183 Other bits are silently ignored.
32184
32185
32186 @item Return value:
32187 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
32188 occurred.
32189
32190 @item Errors:
32191
32192 @table @code
32193 @item EEXIST
32194 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
32195
32196 @item EISDIR
32197 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
32198
32199 @item EACCES
32200 The requested access is not allowed.
32201
32202 @item ENAMETOOLONG
32203 @var{pathname} was too long.
32204
32205 @item ENOENT
32206 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
32207
32208 @item ENODEV
32209 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
32210
32211 @item EROFS
32212 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
32213 write access was requested.
32214
32215 @item EFAULT
32216 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
32217
32218 @item ENOSPC
32219 No space on device to create the file.
32220
32221 @item EMFILE
32222 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
32223
32224 @item ENFILE
32225 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
32226 has been reached.
32227
32228 @item EINTR
32229 The call was interrupted by the user.
32230 @end table
32231
32232 @end table
32233
32234 @node close
32235 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
32236 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
32237
32238 @table @asis
32239 @item Synopsis:
32240 @smallexample
32241 int close(int fd);
32242 @end smallexample
32243
32244 @item Request:
32245 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
32246
32247 @item Return value:
32248 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
32249
32250 @item Errors:
32251
32252 @table @code
32253 @item EBADF
32254 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
32255
32256 @item EINTR
32257 The call was interrupted by the user.
32258 @end table
32259
32260 @end table
32261
32262 @node read
32263 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
32264 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
32265
32266 @table @asis
32267 @item Synopsis:
32268 @smallexample
32269 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
32270 @end smallexample
32271
32272 @item Request:
32273 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
32274
32275 @item Return value:
32276 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
32277 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
32278 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
32279
32280 @item Errors:
32281
32282 @table @code
32283 @item EBADF
32284 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
32285 reading.
32286
32287 @item EFAULT
32288 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
32289
32290 @item EINTR
32291 The call was interrupted by the user.
32292 @end table
32293
32294 @end table
32295
32296 @node write
32297 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
32298 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
32299
32300 @table @asis
32301 @item Synopsis:
32302 @smallexample
32303 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
32304 @end smallexample
32305
32306 @item Request:
32307 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
32308
32309 @item Return value:
32310 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
32311 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
32312 is returned.
32313
32314 @item Errors:
32315
32316 @table @code
32317 @item EBADF
32318 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
32319 writing.
32320
32321 @item EFAULT
32322 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
32323
32324 @item EFBIG
32325 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
32326 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
32327
32328 @item ENOSPC
32329 No space on device to write the data.
32330
32331 @item EINTR
32332 The call was interrupted by the user.
32333 @end table
32334
32335 @end table
32336
32337 @node lseek
32338 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
32339 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
32340
32341 @table @asis
32342 @item Synopsis:
32343 @smallexample
32344 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
32345 @end smallexample
32346
32347 @item Request:
32348 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
32349
32350 @var{flag} is one of:
32351
32352 @table @code
32353 @item SEEK_SET
32354 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
32355
32356 @item SEEK_CUR
32357 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
32358 bytes.
32359
32360 @item SEEK_END
32361 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
32362 bytes.
32363 @end table
32364
32365 @item Return value:
32366 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
32367 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
32368 value of -1 is returned.
32369
32370 @item Errors:
32371
32372 @table @code
32373 @item EBADF
32374 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
32375
32376 @item ESPIPE
32377 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
32378
32379 @item EINVAL
32380 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
32381
32382 @item EINTR
32383 The call was interrupted by the user.
32384 @end table
32385
32386 @end table
32387
32388 @node rename
32389 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
32390 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
32391
32392 @table @asis
32393 @item Synopsis:
32394 @smallexample
32395 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
32396 @end smallexample
32397
32398 @item Request:
32399 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
32400
32401 @item Return value:
32402 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
32403
32404 @item Errors:
32405
32406 @table @code
32407 @item EISDIR
32408 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
32409 directory.
32410
32411 @item EEXIST
32412 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
32413
32414 @item EBUSY
32415 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
32416 process.
32417
32418 @item EINVAL
32419 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
32420 of itself.
32421
32422 @item ENOTDIR
32423 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
32424 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
32425 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
32426
32427 @item EFAULT
32428 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
32429
32430 @item EACCES
32431 No access to the file or the path of the file.
32432
32433 @item ENAMETOOLONG
32434
32435 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
32436
32437 @item ENOENT
32438 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
32439
32440 @item EROFS
32441 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
32442
32443 @item ENOSPC
32444 The device containing the file has no room for the new
32445 directory entry.
32446
32447 @item EINTR
32448 The call was interrupted by the user.
32449 @end table
32450
32451 @end table
32452
32453 @node unlink
32454 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
32455 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
32456
32457 @table @asis
32458 @item Synopsis:
32459 @smallexample
32460 int unlink(const char *pathname);
32461 @end smallexample
32462
32463 @item Request:
32464 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
32465
32466 @item Return value:
32467 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
32468
32469 @item Errors:
32470
32471 @table @code
32472 @item EACCES
32473 No access to the file or the path of the file.
32474
32475 @item EPERM
32476 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
32477
32478 @item EBUSY
32479 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
32480 being used by another process.
32481
32482 @item EFAULT
32483 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
32484
32485 @item ENAMETOOLONG
32486 @var{pathname} was too long.
32487
32488 @item ENOENT
32489 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
32490
32491 @item ENOTDIR
32492 A component of the path is not a directory.
32493
32494 @item EROFS
32495 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
32496
32497 @item EINTR
32498 The call was interrupted by the user.
32499 @end table
32500
32501 @end table
32502
32503 @node stat/fstat
32504 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
32505 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
32506 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
32507
32508 @table @asis
32509 @item Synopsis:
32510 @smallexample
32511 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
32512 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
32513 @end smallexample
32514
32515 @item Request:
32516 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
32517 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
32518
32519 @item Return value:
32520 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
32521
32522 @item Errors:
32523
32524 @table @code
32525 @item EBADF
32526 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
32527
32528 @item ENOENT
32529 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
32530 path is an empty string.
32531
32532 @item ENOTDIR
32533 A component of the path is not a directory.
32534
32535 @item EFAULT
32536 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
32537
32538 @item EACCES
32539 No access to the file or the path of the file.
32540
32541 @item ENAMETOOLONG
32542 @var{pathname} was too long.
32543
32544 @item EINTR
32545 The call was interrupted by the user.
32546 @end table
32547
32548 @end table
32549
32550 @node gettimeofday
32551 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
32552 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
32553
32554 @table @asis
32555 @item Synopsis:
32556 @smallexample
32557 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
32558 @end smallexample
32559
32560 @item Request:
32561 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
32562
32563 @item Return value:
32564 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
32565
32566 @item Errors:
32567
32568 @table @code
32569 @item EINVAL
32570 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
32571
32572 @item EFAULT
32573 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
32574 @end table
32575
32576 @end table
32577
32578 @node isatty
32579 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
32580 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
32581
32582 @table @asis
32583 @item Synopsis:
32584 @smallexample
32585 int isatty(int fd);
32586 @end smallexample
32587
32588 @item Request:
32589 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
32590
32591 @item Return value:
32592 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
32593
32594 @item Errors:
32595
32596 @table @code
32597 @item EINTR
32598 The call was interrupted by the user.
32599 @end table
32600
32601 @end table
32602
32603 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
32604 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
32605 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
32606 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
32607 needed.
32608
32609
32610 @node system
32611 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
32612 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
32613
32614 @table @asis
32615 @item Synopsis:
32616 @smallexample
32617 int system(const char *command);
32618 @end smallexample
32619
32620 @item Request:
32621 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
32622
32623 @item Return value:
32624 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
32625 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
32626 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
32627 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
32628 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
32629 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
32630 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
32631
32632 @item Errors:
32633
32634 @table @code
32635 @item EINTR
32636 The call was interrupted by the user.
32637 @end table
32638
32639 @end table
32640
32641 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
32642 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
32643 the host is simplified before it's returned
32644 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
32645 is discarded, and the return value consists
32646 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
32647
32648 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
32649 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
32650 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
32651
32652 @table @code
32653 @item set remote system-call-allowed
32654 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
32655 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
32656 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
32657
32658 @item show remote system-call-allowed
32659 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
32660 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
32661 protocol.
32662 @end table
32663
32664 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
32665 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
32666 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
32667
32668 @menu
32669 * Integral Datatypes::
32670 * Pointer Values::
32671 * Memory Transfer::
32672 * struct stat::
32673 * struct timeval::
32674 @end menu
32675
32676 @node Integral Datatypes
32677 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
32678 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
32679
32680 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
32681 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
32682 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
32683
32684 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
32685 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
32686
32687 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
32688
32689 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
32690 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
32691
32692 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
32693
32694 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
32695 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
32696 byte order.
32697
32698 @node Pointer Values
32699 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
32700 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
32701
32702 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
32703 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
32704 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
32705 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
32706
32707 @smallexample
32708 @code{1aaf/12}
32709 @end smallexample
32710
32711 @noindent
32712 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
32713 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
32714 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
32715 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
32716
32717 @smallexample
32718 @code{123456/d}
32719 @end smallexample
32720
32721 @node Memory Transfer
32722 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
32723 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
32724
32725 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
32726 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
32727 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
32728 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
32729 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
32730 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
32731 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
32732
32733
32734 @node struct stat
32735 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
32736 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
32737
32738 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
32739 is defined as follows:
32740
32741 @smallexample
32742 struct stat @{
32743 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
32744 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
32745 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
32746 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
32747 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
32748 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
32749 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
32750 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
32751 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
32752 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
32753 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
32754 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
32755 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
32756 @};
32757 @end smallexample
32758
32759 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
32760 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
32761 structure is of size 64 bytes.
32762
32763 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
32764 range of values.
32765
32766 @table @code
32767
32768 @item st_dev
32769 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
32770
32771 @item st_ino
32772 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
32773
32774 @item st_mode
32775 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
32776 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
32777
32778 @item st_uid
32779 @itemx st_gid
32780 @itemx st_rdev
32781 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
32782
32783 @item st_atime
32784 @itemx st_mtime
32785 @itemx st_ctime
32786 These values have a host and file system dependent
32787 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
32788 support exact timing values.
32789 @end table
32790
32791 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
32792 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
32793 continuing.
32794
32795 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
32796 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
32797 get truncated on the target.
32798
32799 @node struct timeval
32800 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
32801 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
32802
32803 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
32804 is defined as follows:
32805
32806 @smallexample
32807 struct timeval @{
32808 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
32809 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
32810 @};
32811 @end smallexample
32812
32813 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
32814 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
32815 structure is of size 8 bytes.
32816
32817 @node Constants
32818 @subsection Constants
32819 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
32820
32821 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
32822 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
32823 values before and after the call as needed.
32824
32825 @menu
32826 * Open Flags::
32827 * mode_t Values::
32828 * Errno Values::
32829 * Lseek Flags::
32830 * Limits::
32831 @end menu
32832
32833 @node Open Flags
32834 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
32835 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
32836
32837 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
32838
32839 @smallexample
32840 O_RDONLY 0x0
32841 O_WRONLY 0x1
32842 O_RDWR 0x2
32843 O_APPEND 0x8
32844 O_CREAT 0x200
32845 O_TRUNC 0x400
32846 O_EXCL 0x800
32847 @end smallexample
32848
32849 @node mode_t Values
32850 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
32851 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
32852
32853 All values are given in octal representation.
32854
32855 @smallexample
32856 S_IFREG 0100000
32857 S_IFDIR 040000
32858 S_IRUSR 0400
32859 S_IWUSR 0200
32860 S_IXUSR 0100
32861 S_IRGRP 040
32862 S_IWGRP 020
32863 S_IXGRP 010
32864 S_IROTH 04
32865 S_IWOTH 02
32866 S_IXOTH 01
32867 @end smallexample
32868
32869 @node Errno Values
32870 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
32871 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
32872
32873 All values are given in decimal representation.
32874
32875 @smallexample
32876 EPERM 1
32877 ENOENT 2
32878 EINTR 4
32879 EBADF 9
32880 EACCES 13
32881 EFAULT 14
32882 EBUSY 16
32883 EEXIST 17
32884 ENODEV 19
32885 ENOTDIR 20
32886 EISDIR 21
32887 EINVAL 22
32888 ENFILE 23
32889 EMFILE 24
32890 EFBIG 27
32891 ENOSPC 28
32892 ESPIPE 29
32893 EROFS 30
32894 ENAMETOOLONG 91
32895 EUNKNOWN 9999
32896 @end smallexample
32897
32898 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
32899 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
32900
32901 @node Lseek Flags
32902 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
32903 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
32904
32905 @smallexample
32906 SEEK_SET 0
32907 SEEK_CUR 1
32908 SEEK_END 2
32909 @end smallexample
32910
32911 @node Limits
32912 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
32913 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
32914
32915 All values are given in decimal representation.
32916
32917 @smallexample
32918 INT_MIN -2147483648
32919 INT_MAX 2147483647
32920 UINT_MAX 4294967295
32921 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
32922 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
32923 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
32924 @end smallexample
32925
32926 @node File-I/O Examples
32927 @subsection File-I/O Examples
32928 @cindex file-i/o examples
32929
32930 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
32931 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
32932
32933 @smallexample
32934 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
32935 @emph{request memory read from target}
32936 -> @code{m1234,6}
32937 <- XXXXXX
32938 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
32939 -> @code{F6}
32940 @end smallexample
32941
32942 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
32943 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
32944
32945 @smallexample
32946 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
32947 @emph{request memory write to target}
32948 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
32949 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
32950 -> @code{F6}
32951 @end smallexample
32952
32953 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
32954 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
32955
32956 @smallexample
32957 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
32958 -> @code{F-1,9}
32959 @end smallexample
32960
32961 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
32962 host is called:
32963
32964 @smallexample
32965 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
32966 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
32967 <- @code{T02}
32968 @end smallexample
32969
32970 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
32971 host is called:
32972
32973 @smallexample
32974 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
32975 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
32976 <- @code{T02}
32977 @end smallexample
32978
32979 @node Library List Format
32980 @section Library List Format
32981 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
32982
32983 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
32984 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
32985 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
32986 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
32987 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
32988 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
32989 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
32990 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
32991 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
32992 are loaded.
32993
32994 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
32995 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
32996 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
32997 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
32998
32999 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
33000 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
33001 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
33002 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
33003 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
33004 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
33005
33006 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
33007 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
33008
33009 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
33010 offset, looks like this:
33011
33012 @smallexample
33013 <library-list>
33014 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
33015 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
33016 </library>
33017 </library-list>
33018 @end smallexample
33019
33020 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
33021 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
33022
33023 @smallexample
33024 <library-list>
33025 <library name="sharedlib.o">
33026 <section address="0x10000000"/>
33027 <section address="0x20000000"/>
33028 <section address="0x30000000"/>
33029 </library>
33030 </library-list>
33031 @end smallexample
33032
33033 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
33034
33035 @smallexample
33036 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
33037 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
33038 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
33039 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
33040 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
33041 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
33042 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
33043 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
33044 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
33045 @end smallexample
33046
33047 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
33048 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
33049 section for each library.
33050
33051 @node Memory Map Format
33052 @section Memory Map Format
33053 @cindex memory map format
33054
33055 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
33056 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
33057 memory map.
33058
33059 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
33060 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
33061 lists memory regions.
33062
33063 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
33064 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
33065
33066 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
33067
33068 @smallexample
33069 <?xml version="1.0"?>
33070 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
33071 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
33072 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
33073 <memory-map>
33074 region...
33075 </memory-map>
33076 @end smallexample
33077
33078 Each region can be either:
33079
33080 @itemize
33081
33082 @item
33083 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
33084 bytes from there:
33085
33086 @smallexample
33087 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
33088 @end smallexample
33089
33090
33091 @item
33092 A region of read-only memory:
33093
33094 @smallexample
33095 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
33096 @end smallexample
33097
33098
33099 @item
33100 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
33101 bytes in length:
33102
33103 @smallexample
33104 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
33105 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
33106 </memory>
33107 @end smallexample
33108
33109 @end itemize
33110
33111 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
33112 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
33113 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
33114
33115 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
33116
33117 @smallexample
33118 <!-- ................................................... -->
33119 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
33120 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
33121 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
33122 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
33123 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
33124 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
33125 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
33126 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
33127 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
33128 and its type, or device. -->
33129 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
33130 start CDATA #REQUIRED
33131 length CDATA #REQUIRED
33132 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
33133 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
33134 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
33135 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
33136 @end smallexample
33137
33138 @node Thread List Format
33139 @section Thread List Format
33140 @cindex thread list format
33141
33142 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
33143 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
33144 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
33145 the following structure:
33146
33147 @smallexample
33148 <?xml version="1.0"?>
33149 <threads>
33150 <thread id="id" core="0">
33151 ... description ...
33152 </thread>
33153 </threads>
33154 @end smallexample
33155
33156 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
33157 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
33158 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
33159 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
33160 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
33161
33162 @include agentexpr.texi
33163
33164 @node Trace File Format
33165 @appendix Trace File Format
33166 @cindex trace file format
33167
33168 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
33169 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
33170
33171 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
33172 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
33173 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
33174 in the future.
33175
33176 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
33177 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
33178 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
33179 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
33180 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
33181 of this section.
33182
33183 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
33184
33185 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
33186 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
33187 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
33188 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
33189 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
33190 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
33191 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
33192 endianness.
33193
33194 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
33195
33196 @table @code
33197 @item R @var{bytes}
33198 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
33199 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
33200 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
33201 hexadecimal encoding.
33202
33203 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
33204 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
33205 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
33206 @var{length} bytes.
33207
33208 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
33209 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
33210 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
33211
33212 @end table
33213
33214 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
33215 of blocks.
33216
33217 @node Target Descriptions
33218 @appendix Target Descriptions
33219 @cindex target descriptions
33220
33221 @strong{Warning:} target descriptions are still under active development,
33222 and the contents and format may change between @value{GDBN} releases.
33223 The format is expected to stabilize in the future.
33224
33225 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
33226 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
33227 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
33228 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or MIPS, for example ---
33229 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
33230 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
33231 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
33232
33233 @itemize @bullet
33234 @item
33235 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
33236 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
33237 @item
33238 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
33239 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
33240 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
33241 @item
33242 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
33243 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
33244 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
33245 @end itemize
33246
33247 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
33248 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
33249 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
33250 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
33251 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
33252
33253 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
33254 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
33255
33256 @menu
33257 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
33258 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
33259 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
33260 descriptions.
33261 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
33262 @end menu
33263
33264 @node Retrieving Descriptions
33265 @section Retrieving Descriptions
33266
33267 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
33268 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
33269 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
33270 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
33271 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
33272 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
33273 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
33274 Format}.
33275
33276 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
33277 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
33278 specify a file are:
33279
33280 @table @code
33281 @cindex set tdesc filename
33282 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
33283 Read the target description from @var{path}.
33284
33285 @cindex unset tdesc filename
33286 @item unset tdesc filename
33287 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
33288 will use the description supplied by the current target.
33289
33290 @cindex show tdesc filename
33291 @item show tdesc filename
33292 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
33293 @end table
33294
33295
33296 @node Target Description Format
33297 @section Target Description Format
33298 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
33299
33300 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
33301 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
33302 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
33303 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
33304 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
33305 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
33306 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
33307
33308 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
33309 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
33310 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
33311 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
33312 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
33313
33314 Here is a simple target description:
33315
33316 @smallexample
33317 <target version="1.0">
33318 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
33319 </target>
33320 @end smallexample
33321
33322 @noindent
33323 This minimal description only says that the target uses
33324 the x86-64 architecture.
33325
33326 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
33327 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
33328 are explained further below.
33329
33330 @smallexample
33331 <?xml version="1.0"?>
33332 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
33333 <target version="1.0">
33334 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
33335 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
33336 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
33337 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
33338 </target>
33339 @end smallexample
33340
33341 @noindent
33342 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
33343 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
33344 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
33345 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
33346 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
33347 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
33348 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
33349 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
33350 the version mismatch.
33351
33352 @subsection Inclusion
33353 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
33354 @cindex XInclude
33355 @ifnotinfo
33356 @cindex <xi:include>
33357 @end ifnotinfo
33358
33359 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
33360 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
33361 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
33362 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
33363 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
33364
33365 @smallexample
33366 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
33367 @end smallexample
33368
33369 @noindent
33370 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
33371 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
33372 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
33373 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
33374 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
33375 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
33376 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
33377 original description.
33378
33379 @subsection Architecture
33380 @cindex <architecture>
33381
33382 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
33383
33384 @smallexample
33385 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
33386 @end smallexample
33387
33388 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
33389 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
33390
33391 @subsection OS ABI
33392 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
33393
33394 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
33395 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
33396
33397 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
33398
33399 @smallexample
33400 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
33401 @end smallexample
33402
33403 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
33404 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
33405
33406 @subsection Compatible Architecture
33407 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
33408
33409 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
33410 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
33411
33412 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
33413
33414 @smallexample
33415 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
33416 @end smallexample
33417
33418 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
33419 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
33420
33421 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
33422 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
33423 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
33424 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
33425 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
33426 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
33427 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
33428
33429 @smallexample
33430 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
33431 <compatible>spu</compatible>
33432 @end smallexample
33433
33434 @subsection Features
33435 @cindex <feature>
33436
33437 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
33438 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
33439 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
33440 has this form:
33441
33442 @smallexample
33443 <feature name="@var{name}">
33444 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
33445 @var{reg}@dots{}
33446 </feature>
33447 @end smallexample
33448
33449 @noindent
33450 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
33451 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
33452 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
33453 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
33454
33455 @subsection Types
33456
33457 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
33458 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
33459 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
33460 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
33461 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
33462
33463 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
33464 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
33465 Types must be defined before they are used.
33466
33467 @cindex <vector>
33468 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
33469 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
33470 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
33471 @var{count}:
33472
33473 @smallexample
33474 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
33475 @end smallexample
33476
33477 @cindex <union>
33478 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
33479 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
33480 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
33481 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
33482
33483 @smallexample
33484 <union id="@var{id}">
33485 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
33486 @dots{}
33487 </union>
33488 @end smallexample
33489
33490 @cindex <struct>
33491 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
33492 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
33493 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
33494 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
33495 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
33496 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
33497 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
33498 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
33499
33500 @smallexample
33501 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
33502 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
33503 @dots{}
33504 </struct>
33505 @end smallexample
33506
33507 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
33508 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
33509
33510 @smallexample
33511 <struct id="@var{id}">
33512 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
33513 @dots{}
33514 </struct>
33515 @end smallexample
33516
33517 @cindex <flags>
33518 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
33519 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
33520 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
33521 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
33522 are supported.
33523
33524 @smallexample
33525 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
33526 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
33527 @dots{}
33528 </flags>
33529 @end smallexample
33530
33531 @subsection Registers
33532 @cindex <reg>
33533
33534 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
33535
33536 @smallexample
33537 <reg name="@var{name}"
33538 bitsize="@var{size}"
33539 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
33540 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
33541 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
33542 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
33543 @end smallexample
33544
33545 @noindent
33546 The components are as follows:
33547
33548 @table @var
33549
33550 @item name
33551 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
33552
33553 @item bitsize
33554 The register's size, in bits.
33555
33556 @item regnum
33557 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
33558 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
33559 a preceeding feature); the first register in the target description
33560 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
33561 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
33562 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
33563 in order of increasing register number.
33564
33565 @item save-restore
33566 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
33567 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
33568 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
33569 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
33570 ABI.
33571
33572 @item type
33573 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
33574 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
33575 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
33576 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
33577 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
33578 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
33579
33580 @item group
33581 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
33582 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
33583 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
33584 in @code{info registers}.
33585
33586 @end table
33587
33588 @node Predefined Target Types
33589 @section Predefined Target Types
33590 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
33591
33592 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
33593 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
33594 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
33595 types. The currently supported types are:
33596
33597 @table @code
33598
33599 @item int8
33600 @itemx int16
33601 @itemx int32
33602 @itemx int64
33603 @itemx int128
33604 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
33605
33606 @item uint8
33607 @itemx uint16
33608 @itemx uint32
33609 @itemx uint64
33610 @itemx uint128
33611 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
33612
33613 @item code_ptr
33614 @itemx data_ptr
33615 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
33616 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
33617 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
33618 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
33619 may be marked as data pointers.
33620
33621 @item ieee_single
33622 Single precision IEEE floating point.
33623
33624 @item ieee_double
33625 Double precision IEEE floating point.
33626
33627 @item arm_fpa_ext
33628 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
33629
33630 @item i387_ext
33631 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
33632
33633 @item i386_eflags
33634 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
33635
33636 @item i386_mxcsr
33637 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
33638
33639 @end table
33640
33641 @node Standard Target Features
33642 @section Standard Target Features
33643 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
33644
33645 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
33646 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
33647 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
33648 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
33649 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
33650 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
33651 can recognize them.
33652
33653 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
33654 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
33655 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
33656 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
33657 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
33658 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
33659 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
33660 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
33661
33662 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
33663 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
33664 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
33665
33666 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
33667 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
33668 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
33669 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
33670
33671 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
33672 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
33673 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
33674
33675 @menu
33676 * ARM Features::
33677 * i386 Features::
33678 * MIPS Features::
33679 * M68K Features::
33680 * PowerPC Features::
33681 @end menu
33682
33683
33684 @node ARM Features
33685 @subsection ARM Features
33686 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
33687
33688 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for ARM targets.
33689 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
33690 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
33691
33692 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
33693 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
33694
33695 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
33696 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
33697 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
33698 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
33699
33700 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
33701 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
33702 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
33703 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
33704 halves of the double-precision registers.
33705
33706 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
33707 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
33708 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
33709 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
33710 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
33711 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
33712
33713 @node i386 Features
33714 @subsection i386 Features
33715 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
33716
33717 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
33718 targets. It should describe the following registers:
33719
33720 @itemize @minus
33721 @item
33722 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
33723 @item
33724 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
33725 @item
33726 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
33727 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
33728 @item
33729 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
33730 @item
33731 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
33732 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
33733 @end itemize
33734
33735 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
33736
33737 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is required. It should
33738 describe registers:
33739
33740 @itemize @minus
33741 @item
33742 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
33743 @item
33744 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
33745 @item
33746 @samp{mxcsr}
33747 @end itemize
33748
33749 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
33750 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
33751
33752 @node MIPS Features
33753 @subsection MIPS Features
33754 @cindex target descriptions, MIPS features
33755
33756 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for MIPS targets.
33757 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
33758 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
33759 on the target.
33760
33761 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
33762 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
33763 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
33764
33765 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
33766 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
33767 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
33768 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
33769
33770 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
33771 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
33772 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
33773
33774 @node M68K Features
33775 @subsection M68K Features
33776 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
33777
33778 @table @code
33779 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
33780 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
33781 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
33782 One of those features must be always present.
33783 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
33784 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
33785 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
33786 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
33787
33788 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
33789 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
33790 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
33791 @samp{fpiaddr}.
33792 @end table
33793
33794 @node PowerPC Features
33795 @subsection PowerPC Features
33796 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
33797
33798 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
33799 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
33800 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
33801 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
33802
33803 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
33804 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
33805
33806 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
33807 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
33808 and @samp{vrsave}.
33809
33810 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
33811 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
33812 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
33813 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
33814 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
33815 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
33816
33817 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
33818 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
33819 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
33820 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
33821 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
33822 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
33823 user.
33824
33825 @node Operating System Information
33826 @appendix Operating System Information
33827 @cindex operating system information
33828
33829 @menu
33830 * Process list::
33831 @end menu
33832
33833 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
33834 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
33835 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
33836 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
33837 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
33838 on a different aspect of target.
33839
33840 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
33841 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
33842 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
33843 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
33844
33845 @node Process list
33846 @appendixsection Process list
33847 @cindex operating system information, process list
33848
33849 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
33850 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
33851 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
33852 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
33853
33854 An example document is:
33855
33856 @smallexample
33857 <?xml version="1.0"?>
33858 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
33859 <osdata type="processes">
33860 <item>
33861 <column name="pid">1</column>
33862 <column name="user">root</column>
33863 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
33864 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
33865 </item>
33866 </osdata>
33867 @end smallexample
33868
33869 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
33870 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
33871 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
33872 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
33873 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
33874 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
33875 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
33876
33877 @include gpl.texi
33878
33879 @raisesections
33880 @include fdl.texi
33881 @lowersections
33882
33883 @node Index
33884 @unnumbered Index
33885
33886 @printindex cp
33887
33888 @tex
33889 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
33890 % meantime:
33891 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
33892 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
33893 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
33894 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
33895 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
33896 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
33897 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
33898 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
33899 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
33900 \page\colophon
33901 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
33902 @end tex
33903
33904 @bye
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