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29a2b744 1\input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
ed447b95 2@c Copyright (c) 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
18fae2a8 3@c
29a2b744 4@c %**start of header
18fae2a8 5@c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
1d7c3357 6@c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
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7@setfilename gdb.info
8@c
361daf65 9@include gdb-cfg.texi
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10@c
11@ifset GENERIC
12@settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
13@end ifset
14@ifclear GENERIC
1d7c3357 15@settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN} (@value{TARGET})
18fae2a8 16@end ifclear
29a2b744 17@setchapternewpage odd
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18@c %**end of header
19
ed447b95 20@iftex
51b65b74 21@c @smallbook
fe715d06 22@c @cropmarks
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23@end iftex
24
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25@finalout
26@syncodeindex ky cp
27
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28@c readline appendices use @vindex
29@syncodeindex vr cp
30
0cb95a9c 31@c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
b1955f0b 32@set EDITION 4.11
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33
34@c !!set GDB manual's revision date
35@set DATE November 1993
29a2b744 36
d24e0922 37@c GDB CHANGELOG CONSULTED BETWEEN:
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38@c Fri Oct 11 23:27:06 1991 John Gilmore (gnu at cygnus.com)
39@c Sat Dec 22 02:51:40 1990 John Gilmore (gnu at cygint)
40
9c3ad547 41@c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO-2 macros and info-makers to format properly.
29a2b744 42
b7becc8f 43@ifinfo
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44@c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
45@c manuals to an info tree. [email protected] is developing this facility.
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46@format
47START-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
8a6d5d4f 48* Gdb:: The GNU debugger.
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49END-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
50@end format
51@end ifinfo
18fae2a8 52@c
70b88761 53@c
70b88761 54@ifinfo
18fae2a8 55This file documents the GNU debugger @value{GDBN}.
70b88761 56
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57
58This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE},
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59of @cite{Debugging with @value{GDBN}: the GNU Source-Level Debugger}
60for GDB Version @value{GDBVN}.
29a2b744 61
6b51acad 62Copyright (C) 1988, '89, '90, '91, '92, '93 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
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63
64Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
65this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
66are preserved on all copies.
67
68@ignore
69Permission is granted to process this file through TeX and print the
70results, provided the printed document carries copying permission
71notice identical to this one except for the removal of this paragraph
72(this paragraph not being relevant to the printed manual).
73
74@end ignore
75Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
76manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also that the
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77entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a
78permission notice identical to this one.
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79
80Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
d55320a0 81into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions.
70b88761 82@end ifinfo
1041a570 83
70b88761 84@titlepage
18fae2a8 85@title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
95d5ceb9 86@subtitle The GNU Source-Level Debugger
18fae2a8 87@ifclear GENERIC
a64a6c2b 88@subtitle (@value{TARGET})
18fae2a8 89@end ifclear
70b88761 90@sp 1
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91@subtitle Edition @value{EDITION}, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
92@subtitle @value{DATE}
6b51acad 93@author Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch
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94@page
95@tex
96{\parskip=0pt
18fae2a8 97\hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to bug-gdb\@prep.ai.mit.edu.)\par
ed447b95 98\hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
70b88761 99\hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
ed447b95 100\hfill pesch\@cygnus.com\par
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101}
102@end tex
103
104@vskip 0pt plus 1filll
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105Copyright @copyright{} 1988, '89, '90, '91, '92, '93 Free Software
106Foundation, Inc.
107@sp 2
108Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
109675 Massachusetts Avenue, @*
110Cambridge, MA 02139 USA @*
111Printed copies are available for $20 each. @*
112ISBN 1-882114-11-6 @*
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113
114Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
115this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
116are preserved on all copies.
117
118Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
119manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also that the
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120entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a
121permission notice identical to this one.
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122
123Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
d55320a0 124into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions.
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125@end titlepage
126@page
127
70b88761 128@ifinfo
4eb4cf57 129@node Top
18fae2a8 130@top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
29a2b744 131
18fae2a8 132This file describes @value{GDBN}, the GNU symbolic debugger.
29a2b744 133
0cb95a9c 134This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}, for GDB Version @value{GDBVN}.
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135
136@menu
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137* Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
138@ifset NOVEL
c7cb8acb 139* New Features:: New features since GDB version 3.5
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140@end ifset
141@ifclear BARETARGET
142* Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
143@end ifclear
b0157555 144
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145* Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
146* Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
147* Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
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148* Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
149* Stack:: Examining the stack
150* Source:: Examining source files
151* Data:: Examining data
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152@ifclear CONLY
153* Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
154@end ifclear
155@ifset CONLY
1d7c3357 156* C:: C language support
18fae2a8 157@end ifset
1d7c3357 158@c remnant makeinfo bug, blank line needed after two end-ifs?
18fae2a8 159
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160* Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
161* Altering:: Altering execution
93918348 162* GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
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163* Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
164* Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
165* Sequences:: Canned sequences of commands
18fae2a8 166@ifclear DOSHOST
18fae2a8 167* Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under GNU Emacs
18fae2a8 168@end ifclear
b0157555 169
18fae2a8 170* GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
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171* Command Line Editing:: Facilities of the readline library
172* Using History Interactively::
18fae2a8 173@ifset NOVEL
18fae2a8 174* Renamed Commands::
18fae2a8 175@end ifset
1d7c3357 176@ifclear PRECONFIGURED
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177* Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print GDB documentation
178* Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
18fae2a8 179@end ifclear
b0157555 180
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181* Index:: Index
182@end menu
18fae2a8 183@end ifinfo
70b88761 184
4eb4cf57 185@node Summary
18fae2a8 186@unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
70b88761 187
18fae2a8 188The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
70b88761 189going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
1041a570 190program was doing at the moment it crashed.
70b88761 191
18fae2a8 192@value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
1041a570 193these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
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194
195@itemize @bullet
196@item
197Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
198
199@item
200Make your program stop on specified conditions.
201
202@item
203Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
204
205@item
206Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
207effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
208@end itemize
209
18fae2a8 210@ifclear CONLY
9934dce8 211You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C or C++.
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212@c "MOD2" used as a "miscellaneous languages" flag here.
213@c This is acceptable while there is no real doc for Chill and Pascal.
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214@ifclear MOD2
215For more information, see @ref{Support,,Supported languages}.
216@end ifclear
217@ifset MOD2
218For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
219
3f73b7c8 220Support for Modula-2 and Chill is partial. For information on Modula-2,
2ae6d007 221see @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}. There is no further documentation on Chill yet.
3f73b7c8 222
b1955f0b 223Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or nested
22b5dba5 224functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
b1955f0b 225entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal syntax.
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226@end ifset
227@ifset FORTRAN
11e7b867 228@cindex Fortran
3ff8a96f 229@value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
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230it does not yet support entering expressions, printing values, or
231similar features using Fortran syntax. It may be necessary to refer to
232some variables with a trailing underscore.
09934a2b 233@end ifset
18fae2a8 234@end ifclear
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235
236@menu
ed447b95 237* Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
b80282d5 238* Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
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239@end menu
240
4eb4cf57 241@node Free Software
93928b60 242@unnumberedsec Free software
1041a570 243
18fae2a8 244@value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the GNU General Public License
1041a570 245(GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
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246program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
247freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
248the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
249Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
250Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
251
252Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
29a2b744 253you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
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254from anyone else.
255
4eb4cf57 256@node Contributors
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257@unnumberedsec Contributors to GDB
258
259Richard Stallman was the original author of GDB, and of many other GNU
260programs. Many others have contributed to its development. This
261section attempts to credit major contributors. One of the virtues of
262free software is that everyone is free to contribute to it; with
263regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The file
264@file{ChangeLog} in the GDB distribution approximates a blow-by-blow
265account.
266
267Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
268
269@quotation
270@emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
93918348 271or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
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272omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
273@end quotation
274
275So that they may not regard their long labor as thankless, we
d55320a0 276particularly thank those who shepherded GDB through major releases: Fred
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277Fish (releases 4.11, 4.10, 4.9), Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases
2784.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, 4.4), John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and
2793.9); Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, 3.3); and Randy Smith (releases
2803.2, 3.1, 3.0). As major maintainer of GDB for some period, each
281contributed significantly to the structure, stability, and capabilities
282of the entire debugger.
70b88761 283
6b51acad 284Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
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285Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
286
1d7c3357 287@ifclear CONLY
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288Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the GNU C++ support in GDB,
289with significant additional contributions from Per Bothner. James
290Clark wrote the GNU C++ demangler. Early work on C++ was by Peter
291TerMaat (who also did much general update work leading to release 3.0).
1d7c3357 292@end ifclear
70b88761 293
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294GDB 4 uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
295object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
296Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
70b88761 297
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298David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
299the original support for encapsulated COFF.
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300
301Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
302Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
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303support. Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support. Chris
304Hanson improved the HP9000 support. Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki
305Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support. David Johnson contributed
306Encore Umax support. Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
307Keith Packard contributed NS32K support. Doug Rabson contributed
308Acorn Risc Machine support. Chris Smith contributed Convex support
309(and Fortran debugging). Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
310Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support. Tim Tucker contributed
311support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode. Pace Willison
312contributed Intel 386 support. Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry
313support.
70b88761 314
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315Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
316libraries.
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317
318Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that GDB and GAS agree about
319several machine instruction sets.
320
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321Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped
322develop remote debugging. Intel Corporation and Wind River Systems
323contributed remote debugging modules for their products.
70b88761 324
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325Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
326command-line editing and command history.
70b88761 327
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328Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code,
329@ifset MOD2
330the Modula-2 support,
331@end ifset
332and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
c2bbbb22 333
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334Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
335@ifclear CONLY
336He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C++ overloaded
337symbols.
338@end ifclear
339
a64a6c2b 340Hitachi America, Ltd. sponsored the support for Hitachi microprocessors.
14d01801 341
18fae2a8 342@ifset NOVEL
4eb4cf57 343@node New Features
ed447b95 344@unnumbered New Features since GDB Version 3.5
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345
346@table @emph
347@item Targets
348Using the new command @code{target}, you can select at runtime whether
349you are debugging local files, local processes, standalone systems over
b1955f0b 350a serial port, or realtime systems over a TCP/IP connection. The
b80282d5 351command @code{load} can download programs into a remote system. Serial
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352stubs are available for Motorola 680x0, Intel 80386, and Sparc remote
353systems; GDB also supports debugging realtime processes running under
b80282d5 354VxWorks, using SunRPC Remote Procedure Calls over TCP/IP to talk to a
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355debugger stub on the target system. Internally, GDB now uses a function
356vector to mediate access to different targets; if you need to add your
357own support for a remote protocol, this makes it much easier.
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358
359@item Watchpoints
c7cb8acb 360GDB now sports watchpoints as well as breakpoints. You can use a
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361watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an expression
362changes, without having to predict a particular place in your program
363where this may happen.
364
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365@item Wide Output
366Commands that issue wide output now insert newlines at places designed
367to make the output more readable.
368
70b88761 369@item Object Code Formats
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370GDB uses a new library called the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) Library
371to permit it to switch dynamically, without reconfiguration or
3d3ab540 372recompilation, between different object-file formats. Formats currently
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373supported are COFF, ELF, a.out, Intel 960 b.out, MIPS ECOFF, HPPA SOM
374(with stabs debugging), and S-records; files may be read as .o files,
375archive libraries, or core dumps. BFD is available as a subroutine
376library so that other programs may take advantage of it, and the other
377GNU binary utilities are being converted to use it.
70b88761 378
b80282d5 379@item Configuration and Ports
70b88761 380Compile-time configuration (to select a particular architecture and
7463aadd 381operating system) is much easier. The script @code{configure} now
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382allows you to configure GDB as either a native debugger or a
383cross-debugger. @xref{Installing GDB}, for details on how to
6a8cb0e7 384configure.
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385
386@item Interaction
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387The user interface to the GDB control variables is simpler,
388and is consolidated in two commands, @code{set} and @code{show}. Output
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389lines are now broken at readable places, rather than overflowing onto
390the next line. You can suppress output of machine-level addresses,
391displaying only source language information.
392
b80282d5 393@item C++
c7cb8acb 394GDB now supports C++ multiple inheritance (if used with a GCC
b80282d5 395version 2 compiler), and also has limited support for C++ exception
c7cb8acb 396handling, with the commands @code{catch} and @code{info catch}: GDB
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397can break when an exception is raised, before the stack is peeled back
398to the exception handler's context.
70b88761 399
09934a2b 400@ifset MOD2
c2bbbb22 401@item Modula-2
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402GDB now has preliminary support for the GNU Modula-2 compiler, currently
403under development at the State University of New York at Buffalo.
404Coordinated development of both GDB and the GNU Modula-2 compiler will
405continue. Other Modula-2 compilers are currently not supported, and
406attempting to debug programs compiled with them will likely result in an
407error as the symbol table of the executable is read in.
09934a2b 408@end ifset
c2bbbb22 409
70b88761 410@item Command Rationalization
c7cb8acb 411Many GDB commands have been renamed to make them easier to remember
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412and use. In particular, the subcommands of @code{info} and
413@code{show}/@code{set} are grouped to make the former refer to the state
c7cb8acb 414of your program, and the latter refer to the state of GDB itself.
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415@xref{Renamed Commands}, for details on what commands were renamed.
416
70b88761 417@item Shared Libraries
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418GDB 4 can debug programs and core files that use SunOS, SVR4, or IBM RS/6000
419shared libraries.
b80282d5 420
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421@item Threads
422On some systems, GDB 4 has facilities to debug multi-thread programs.
423
b80282d5 424@item Reference Card
6f3ec223 425GDB 4 has a reference card. @xref{Formatting Documentation,,Formatting
ed447b95 426the Documentation}, for instructions about how to print it.
70b88761 427@end table
18fae2a8 428@end ifset
70b88761 429
18fae2a8 430@ifclear BARETARGET
4eb4cf57 431@node Sample Session
18fae2a8 432@chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
70b88761 433
18fae2a8 434You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
70b88761 435However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
ed447b95 436debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
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437
438@iftex
6ca72cc6 439In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
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440to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
441@end iftex
442
443@c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
444@c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
18fae2a8 445
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446One of the preliminary versions of GNU @code{m4} (a generic macro
447processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
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448quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
449definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
70b88761 450session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
29a2b744 451then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
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452same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
453@code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
454procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
455
456@smallexample
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457$ @b{cd gnu/m4}
458$ @b{./m4}
459@b{define(foo,0000)}
70b88761 460
6ca72cc6 461@b{foo}
70b88761 4620000
6ca72cc6 463@b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
70b88761 464
6ca72cc6 465@b{bar}
70b88761 4660000
6ca72cc6 467@b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
70b88761 468
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469@b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
470@b{baz}
471@b{C-d}
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472m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
473@end smallexample
474
475@noindent
93918348 476Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
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477
478@smallexample
18fae2a8 479$ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
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480@c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
481@c FIXME... format to come out better.
482GDB is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
483 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
484 the conditions.
485There is absolutely no warranty for GDB; type "show warranty"
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486 for details.
487GDB @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1993 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
18fae2a8 488(@value{GDBP})
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489@end smallexample
490
491@noindent
18fae2a8 492@value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the rest when
1041a570 493needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly. We now
18fae2a8 494tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so that examples
1041a570 495will fit in this manual.
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496
497@smallexample
18fae2a8 498(@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
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499@end smallexample
500
e251e767 501@noindent
93918348 502We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
70b88761 503Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
93918348 504@code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
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505@code{break} command.
506
507@smallexample
18fae2a8 508(@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
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509Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
510@end smallexample
511
512@noindent
18fae2a8 513Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
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514control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
515subroutine, the program runs as usual:
516
517@smallexample
18fae2a8 518(@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
e251e767 519Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
6ca72cc6 520@b{define(foo,0000)}
70b88761 521
6ca72cc6 522@b{foo}
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5230000
524@end smallexample
525
526@noindent
18fae2a8 527To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
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528suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
529context where it stops.
530
531@smallexample
6ca72cc6 532@b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
70b88761 533
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534Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
535 at builtin.c:879
38962738 536879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
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537@end smallexample
538
539@noindent
540Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
541the next line of the current function.
542
543@smallexample
18fae2a8 544(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
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545882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
546 : nil,
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547@end smallexample
548
549@noindent
550@code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
551by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
552@code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
e251e767 553subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
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554
555@smallexample
18fae2a8 556(@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
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557set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
558 at input.c:530
559530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
560@end smallexample
561
562@noindent
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563The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
564suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
565shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
566command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
567in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
568stack frame for each active subroutine.
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569
570@smallexample
18fae2a8 571(@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
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572#0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
573 at input.c:530
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574#1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
575 at builtin.c:882
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576#2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
577#3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
578 at macro.c:71
579#4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
580#5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
581@end smallexample
582
583@noindent
93918348 584We will step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
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585times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
586falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
1041a570 587
70b88761 588@smallexample
18fae2a8 589(@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
70b88761 5900x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
18fae2a8 591(@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
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5920x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
593def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
18fae2a8 594(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
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595536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
596 : xstrdup(rq);
18fae2a8 597(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
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598538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
599@end smallexample
600
601@noindent
93918348 602The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
70b88761 603@code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
93918348 604and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
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605(@code{print}) to see their values.
606
607@smallexample
18fae2a8 608(@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
70b88761 609$1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
18fae2a8 610(@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
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611$2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
612@end smallexample
613
614@noindent
615@code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
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616To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
617surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
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618
619@smallexample
18fae2a8 620(@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
70b88761 621533 xfree(rquote);
e251e767 622534
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623535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
624 : xstrdup (lq);
625536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
626 : xstrdup (rq);
e251e767 627537
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628538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
629539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
630540 @}
e251e767 631541
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632542 void
633@end smallexample
634
635@noindent
93918348 636Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
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637@code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
638
639@smallexample
18fae2a8 640(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
70b88761 641539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
18fae2a8 642(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
70b88761 643540 @}
18fae2a8 644(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
70b88761 645$3 = 9
18fae2a8 646(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
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647$4 = 7
648@end smallexample
649
650@noindent
651That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
652@code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
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653@code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
654the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
70b88761 655any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
e251e767 656assignments.
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657
658@smallexample
18fae2a8 659(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
70b88761 660$5 = 7
18fae2a8 661(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
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662$6 = 9
663@end smallexample
664
665@noindent
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666Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
667@code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
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668executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
669example that caused trouble initially:
670
671@smallexample
18fae2a8 672(@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
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673Continuing.
674
6ca72cc6 675@b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
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676
677baz
6780000
679@end smallexample
680
681@noindent
682Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
683problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
93918348 684lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
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685
686@smallexample
6ca72cc6 687@b{C-d}
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688Program exited normally.
689@end smallexample
690
e251e767 691@noindent
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692The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
693indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
694session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
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695
696@smallexample
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RP
697(@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
698@end smallexample
699@end ifclear
70b88761 700
4eb4cf57 701@node Invocation
18fae2a8 702@chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
70b88761 703
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704This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
705(The essentials: type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start GDB, and type @kbd{quit}
c7cb8acb 706or @kbd{C-d} to exit.)
29a2b744 707
70b88761 708@menu
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709* Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
710* Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
ed447b95 711* Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
70b88761 712@end menu
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713
714@node Invoking GDB
ed447b95 715@section Invoking @value{GDBN}
18fae2a8 716
a64a6c2b 717@ifset H8EXCLUSIVE
18fae2a8 718For details on starting up @value{GDBP} as a
a64a6c2b
RP
719remote debugger attached to a Hitachi microprocessor, see @ref{Hitachi
720Remote,,@value{GDBN} and Hitachi Microprocessors}.
18fae2a8 721@end ifset
4eb4cf57 722
ed447b95 723Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
18fae2a8 724@value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
70b88761 725
18fae2a8 726You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
c7cb8acb
RP
727to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
728
18fae2a8 729@ifset GENERIC
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730The command-line options described here are designed
731to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
732options may effectively be unavailable.
18fae2a8 733@end ifset
c7cb8acb 734
18fae2a8 735The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
4eb4cf57 736specifying an executable program:
1041a570 737
70b88761 738@example
18fae2a8 739@value{GDBP} @var{program}
70b88761 740@end example
1041a570 741
18fae2a8 742@ifclear BARETARGET
70b88761 743@noindent
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RP
744You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
745specified:
1041a570 746
70b88761 747@example
18fae2a8 748@value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
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749@end example
750
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RP
751You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
752to debug a running process:
1041a570 753
b80282d5 754@example
18fae2a8 755@value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
b80282d5 756@end example
1041a570 757
b80282d5 758@noindent
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RP
759would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
760named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
b80282d5 761
c7cb8acb 762Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
18fae2a8 763complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote debugger
c7cb8acb
RP
764attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of ``process'',
765and there is often no way to get a core dump.
18fae2a8 766@end ifclear
c7cb8acb 767
70b88761 768@noindent
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RP
769You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
770options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
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RP
771
772@noindent
773Type
774
70b88761 775@example
18fae2a8 776@value{GDBP} -help
70b88761 777@end example
29a2b744 778
70b88761 779@noindent
29a2b744 780to display all available options and briefly describe their use
18fae2a8 781(@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
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RP
782
783All options and command line arguments you give are processed
784in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
e251e767 785@samp{-x} option is used.
70b88761 786
18fae2a8 787
70b88761 788@menu
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RP
789@ifclear GENERIC
790@ifset REMOTESTUB
791* Remote Serial:: @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol
792@end ifset
a64a6c2b 793@ifset I960
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RP
794* i960-Nindy Remote:: @value{GDBN} with a remote i960 (Nindy)
795@end ifset
a64a6c2b 796@ifset AMD29K
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RP
797* UDI29K Remote:: The UDI protocol for AMD29K
798* EB29K Remote:: The EBMON protocol for AMD29K
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RP
799@end ifset
800@ifset VXWORKS
801* VxWorks Remote:: @value{GDBN} and VxWorks
802@end ifset
a64a6c2b 803@ifset ST2000
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RP
804* ST2000 Remote:: @value{GDBN} with a Tandem ST2000
805@end ifset
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RP
806@ifset H8
807* Hitachi Remote:: @value{GDBN} and Hitachi Microprocessors
18fae2a8 808@end ifset
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RP
809@ifset MIPS
810* MIPS Remote:: @value{GDBN} and MIPS boards
811@end ifset
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RP
812@ifset SIMS
813* Simulator:: Simulated CPU target
18fae2a8
RP
814@end ifset
815@end ifclear
1d7c3357 816@c remnant makeinfo bug requires this blank line after *two* end-ifblahs:
18fae2a8 817
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RP
818* File Options:: Choosing files
819* Mode Options:: Choosing modes
18fae2a8 820@end menu
18fae2a8
RP
821
822@ifclear GENERIC
4af6d502 823@include remote.texi
18fae2a8 824@end ifclear
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825
826@node File Options
93928b60 827@subsection Choosing files
70b88761 828
18fae2a8
RP
829@ifclear BARETARGET
830When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
29a2b744
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831specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
832the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
18fae2a8 833@samp{-c} options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the first argument
29a2b744
RP
834that does not have an associated option flag as equivalent to the
835@samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the second argument
836that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as equivalent to
837the @samp{-c} option followed by that argument.)
18fae2a8
RP
838@end ifclear
839@ifset BARETARGET
840When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any argument other than options as
4eb4cf57
RP
841specifying an executable file. This is the same as if the argument was
842specified by the @samp{-se} option.
18fae2a8 843@end ifset
29a2b744
RP
844
845Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
18fae2a8 846following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
29a2b744
RP
847them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
848(If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
849than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
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850
851@table @code
6b51acad 852@item -symbols @var{file}
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853@itemx -s @var{file}
854Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
855
6b51acad 856@item -exec @var{file}
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857@itemx -e @var{file}
858Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when
1d7c3357
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859@ifset BARETARGET
860appropriate.
861@end ifset
862@ifclear BARETARGET
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863appropriate, and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core
864dump.
1d7c3357 865@end ifclear
70b88761 866
6b51acad 867@item -se @var{file}
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868Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
869file.
870
18fae2a8 871@ifclear BARETARGET
6b51acad 872@item -core @var{file}
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873@itemx -c @var{file}
874Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
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875
876@item -c @var{number}
877Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command
878(unless there is a file in core-dump format named @var{number}, in which
879case @samp{-c} specifies that file as a core dump to read).
18fae2a8 880@end ifclear
70b88761 881
6b51acad 882@item -command @var{file}
70b88761 883@itemx -x @var{file}
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884Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}. @xref{Command
885Files,, Command files}.
70b88761 886
6b51acad 887@item -directory @var{directory}
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888@itemx -d @var{directory}
889Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
14d01801 890
18fae2a8 891@ifclear BARETARGET
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892@item -m
893@itemx -mapped
894@emph{Warning: this option depends on operating system facilities that are not
895supported on all systems.}@*
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896If memory-mapped files are available on your system through the @code{mmap}
897system call, you can use this option
18fae2a8 898to have @value{GDBN} write the symbols from your
77b46d13
JG
899program into a reusable file in the current directory. If the program you are debugging is
900called @file{/tmp/fred}, the mapped symbol file will be @file{./fred.syms}.
18fae2a8 901Future @value{GDBN} debugging sessions will notice the presence of this file,
77b46d13
JG
902and will quickly map in symbol information from it, rather than reading
903the symbol table from the executable program.
904
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905@c FIXME! Really host, not target?
906The @file{.syms} file is specific to the host machine where @value{GDBN}
907is run. It holds an exact image of the internal @value{GDBN} symbol
908table. It cannot be shared across multiple host platforms.
18fae2a8 909@end ifclear
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910
911@item -r
912@itemx -readnow
913Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
914the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
915This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
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916@end table
917
18fae2a8 918@ifclear BARETARGET
93918348
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919The @code{-mapped} and @code{-readnow} options are typically combined in
920order to build a @file{.syms} file that contains complete symbol
93928b60 921information. (@xref{Files,,Commands to specify files}, for information
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922on @file{.syms} files.) A simple GDB invocation to do nothing but build
923a @file{.syms} file for future use is:
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924
925@example
926 gdb -batch -nx -mapped -readnow programname
927@end example
18fae2a8 928@end ifclear
77b46d13 929
4eb4cf57 930@node Mode Options
93928b60 931@subsection Choosing modes
1041a570 932
18fae2a8 933You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
29a2b744 934batch mode or quiet mode.
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935
936@table @code
937@item -nx
938@itemx -n
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939Do not execute commands from any initialization files (normally called
940@file{@value{GDBINIT}}). Normally, the commands in these files are
941executed after all the command options and arguments have been
942processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command files}.
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943
944@item -quiet
945@itemx -q
946``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
c338a2fd 947messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
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948
949@item -batch
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950Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
951command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
952initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
953nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
954in the command files.
70b88761 955
18fae2a8 956Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for example to
70b88761 957download and run a program on another computer; in order to make this
e251e767 958more useful, the message
1041a570 959
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960@example
961Program exited normally.
962@end example
1041a570 963
70b88761 964@noindent
18fae2a8 965(which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under @value{GDBN} control
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966terminates) is not issued when running in batch mode.
967
6b51acad 968@item -cd @var{directory}
18fae2a8 969Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
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970instead of the current directory.
971
18fae2a8 972@ifset LUCID
45c53080 973@item -context @var{authentication}
18fae2a8 974When the Energize programming system starts up @value{GDBN}, it uses this
6ca72cc6 975option to trigger an alternate mode of interaction.
18fae2a8 976@var{authentication} is a pair of numeric codes that identify @value{GDBN}
6ca72cc6 977as a client in the Energize environment. Avoid this option when you run
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RP
978@value{GDBN} directly from the command line. See @ref{Energize,,Using
979@value{GDBN} with Energize} for more discussion of using @value{GDBN} with Energize.
980@end ifset
6ca72cc6 981
1d7c3357 982@ifclear DOSHOST
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983@item -fullname
984@itemx -f
18fae2a8 985Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN}
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986to output the full file name and line number in a standard,
987recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is displayed (which
29a2b744 988includes each time your program stops). This recognizable format looks
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989like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by the file name, line number
990and character position separated by colons, and a newline. The
18fae2a8 991Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two @samp{\032} characters as
70b88761 992a signal to display the source code for the frame.
1d7c3357 993@end ifclear
70b88761 994
18fae2a8 995@ifset SERIAL
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996@item -b @var{bps}
997Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
18fae2a8 998interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
70b88761 999
6b51acad 1000@item -tty @var{device}
70b88761 1001Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
29a2b744 1002@c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
18fae2a8 1003@end ifset
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1004@end table
1005
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1006@node Quitting GDB
1007@section Quitting @value{GDBN}
18fae2a8 1008@cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
ed447b95 1009@cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1041a570 1010
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1011@table @code
1012@item quit
1013@kindex quit
1014@kindex q
18fae2a8 1015To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated @code{q}), or type
e251e767 1016an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{C-d}).
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1017@end table
1018
1019@cindex interrupt
18fae2a8
RP
1020An interrupt (often @kbd{C-c}) will not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1021will terminate the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1022return to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1023character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
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1024until a time when it is safe.
1025
18fae2a8 1026@ifclear BARETARGET
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RP
1027If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1028device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
93928b60 1029(@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an already-running process}).
18fae2a8 1030@end ifclear
70b88761 1031
4eb4cf57 1032@node Shell Commands
93928b60 1033@section Shell commands
1041a570 1034
70b88761 1035If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
18fae2a8 1036debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
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1037just use the @code{shell} command.
1038
1039@table @code
1040@item shell @var{command string}
1041@kindex shell
1042@cindex shell escape
75f844cc 1043Invoke a the standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
a1eff6c2 1044@ifclear DOSHOST
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RP
1045If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1046shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses @code{/bin/sh}.
a1eff6c2 1047@end ifclear
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RP
1048@end table
1049
1050The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
a1eff6c2
RP
1051You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1052@value{GDBN}:
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1053
1054@table @code
1055@item make @var{make-args}
1056@kindex make
1057@cindex calling make
a1eff6c2 1058Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
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RP
1059arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1060@end table
1061
4eb4cf57 1062@node Commands
18fae2a8 1063@chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
70b88761 1064
18fae2a8 1065You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
6f3ec223 1066name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
18fae2a8
RP
1067@value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1068key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
93918348 1069show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
29a2b744 1070
70b88761 1071@menu
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RP
1072* Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1073* Completion:: Command completion
1074* Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
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1075@end menu
1076
4eb4cf57 1077@node Command Syntax
93928b60 1078@section Command syntax
1041a570 1079
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RP
1080A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1081how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1082arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1083command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1084step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1085with no arguments. Some command names do not allow any arguments.
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1086
1087@cindex abbreviation
18fae2a8 1088@value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
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RP
1089unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1090documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1091abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1092equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1093names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
7463aadd 1094arguments to the @code{help} command.
70b88761 1095
e251e767 1096@cindex repeating commands
70b88761 1097@kindex RET
18fae2a8 1098A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
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RP
1099repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1100will not repeat this way; these are commands for which unintentional
1101repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1102repeat.
1103
1104The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1105@key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1106exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1107
18fae2a8 1108@value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
b80282d5 1109output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
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RP
1110(@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen size}). Since it is easy to press one
1111@key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1112repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
b80282d5 1113
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1114@kindex #
1115@cindex comment
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1116Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1117nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1118Files,,Command files}).
70b88761 1119
4eb4cf57 1120@node Completion
93928b60 1121@section Command completion
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RP
1122
1123@cindex completion
1124@cindex word completion
93918348 1125@value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
6f3ec223 1126only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
18fae2a8
RP
1127are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1128commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
6f3ec223 1129
18fae2a8 1130Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
93918348 1131of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} will fill in the
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RP
1132word, and wait for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1133enter it). For example, if you type
1134
93918348 1135@c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
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RP
1136@c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1137@c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1138@c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
6f3ec223 1139@example
18fae2a8 1140(@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
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RP
1141@end example
1142
1143@noindent
93918348 1144@value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
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RP
1145the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1146
1147@example
18fae2a8 1148(@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
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RP
1149@end example
1150
1151@noindent
1152You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1153breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
93918348 1154@samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
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RP
1155were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1156might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1157to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1158
1159If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
18fae2a8 1160@key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} will sound a bell. You can either supply more
6f3ec223 1161characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time, and
18fae2a8 1162@value{GDBN} will display all the possible completions for that word. For
6f3ec223 1163example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
18fae2a8 1164begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
6f3ec223
RP
1165just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again will display all the
1166function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1167example:
1168
1169@example
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RP
1170(@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1171@exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
6f3ec223
RP
1172make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1173make_abs_section make_function_type
1174make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1175make_cleanup make_reference_type
1176make_command make_symbol_completion_list
18fae2a8 1177(@value{GDBP}) b make_
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RP
1178@end example
1179
1180@noindent
18fae2a8 1181After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
b1385986 1182partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
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RP
1183command.
1184
1185If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
b1385986 1186can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
0f153e74 1187means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this
18fae2a8 1188@ifclear DOSHOST
0f153e74 1189either by holding down a
b1385986 1190key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
0f153e74 1191one) while typing @kbd{?}, or
18fae2a8 1192@end ifclear
0f153e74 1193as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
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RP
1194
1195@cindex quotes in commands
1196@cindex completion of quoted strings
1197Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
18fae2a8 1198parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from its
6f3ec223 1199notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this situation,
18fae2a8 1200you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in @value{GDBN} commands.
6f3ec223 1201
1d7c3357 1202@ifclear CONLY
6f3ec223
RP
1203The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1204name of a C++ function. This is because C++ allows function overloading
1205(multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished by argument
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RP
1206type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you may need to
1207distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name} that takes an
1208@code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version that takes a
1209@code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the word-completion
1210facilities in this situation, type a single quote @code{'} at the
18fae2a8 1211beginning of the function name. This alerts @value{GDBN} that it may need to
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RP
1212consider more information than usual when you press @key{TAB} or
1213@kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
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RP
1214
1215@example
18fae2a8 1216(@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @key{M-?}
0fdc6e27 1217bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
18fae2a8 1218(@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
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RP
1219@end example
1220
18fae2a8
RP
1221In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name will require
1222quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} will insert the quote for you (while
0fdc6e27
RP
1223completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1224place:
1225
1226@example
18fae2a8
RP
1227(@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1228@exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1229(@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
0fdc6e27
RP
1230@end example
1231
1232@noindent
18fae2a8 1233In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
0fdc6e27
RP
1234you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1235completion on an overloaded symbol.
1d7c3357 1236@end ifclear
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RP
1237
1238
4eb4cf57 1239@node Help
93928b60 1240@section Getting help
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1241@cindex online documentation
1242@kindex help
1041a570 1243
18fae2a8 1244You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands, using the
e251e767 1245command @code{help}.
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1246
1247@table @code
1248@item help
1249@itemx h
1250@kindex h
1251You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1252display a short list of named classes of commands:
1041a570 1253
70b88761 1254@smallexample
18fae2a8 1255(@value{GDBP}) help
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RP
1256List of classes of commands:
1257
1258running -- Running the program
1259stack -- Examining the stack
1260data -- Examining data
1261breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1262files -- Specifying and examining files
1263status -- Status inquiries
1264support -- Support facilities
1265user-defined -- User-defined commands
1266aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1267obscure -- Obscure features
1268
203eea5d
RP
1269Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1270commands in that class.
1271Type "help" followed by command name for full
1272documentation.
70b88761 1273Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
18fae2a8 1274(@value{GDBP})
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RP
1275@end smallexample
1276
1277@item help @var{class}
1278Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1279list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1280help display for the class @code{status}:
1041a570 1281
70b88761 1282@smallexample
18fae2a8 1283(@value{GDBP}) help status
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RP
1284Status inquiries.
1285
1286List of commands:
1287
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RP
1288@c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1289@c to fit in smallbook page size.
1290show -- Generic command for showing things set
1291 with "set"
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RP
1292info -- Generic command for printing status
1293
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RP
1294Type "help" followed by command name for full
1295documentation.
70b88761 1296Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
18fae2a8 1297(@value{GDBP})
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RP
1298@end smallexample
1299
1300@item help @var{command}
18fae2a8 1301With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} will display a
e251e767 1302short paragraph on how to use that command.
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1303@end table
1304
18fae2a8 1305In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
70b88761 1306and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
18fae2a8 1307of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
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RP
1308manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1309under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
29a2b744 1310all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
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1311
1312@c @group
1313@table @code
1314@item info
1315@kindex info
1316@kindex i
1317This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
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RP
1318program. For example, you can list the arguments given to your program
1319with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1320registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
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1321You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1322@w{@code{help info}}.
1323
1324@kindex show
1325@item show
18fae2a8 1326In contrast, @code{show} is for describing the state of @value{GDBN} itself.
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RP
1327You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1328related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1329system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
e251e767 1330which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
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1331
1332@kindex info set
1333To display all the settable parameters and their current
1334values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1335@code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1336@c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1337@c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1338@c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1339@end table
1340@c @end group
1341
1342Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1343exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1344
1345@table @code
1346@kindex show version
3d3ab540 1347@cindex version number
70b88761 1348@item show version
18fae2a8
RP
1349Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1350information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of @value{GDBN} are in
ed447b95 1351use at your site, you may occasionally want to determine which version
18fae2a8 1352of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new commands are introduced,
1041a570 1353and old ones may wither away. The version number is also announced
d55320a0 1354when you start @value{GDBN}.
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1355
1356@kindex show copying
1357@item show copying
18fae2a8 1358Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
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1359
1360@kindex show warranty
1361@item show warranty
1362Display the GNU ``NO WARRANTY'' statement.
1363@end table
1364
4eb4cf57 1365@node Running
18fae2a8 1366@chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
70b88761 1367
ed447b95 1368When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1d7c3357 1369debugging information when you compile it.
18fae2a8 1370@ifclear BARETARGET
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RP
1371You may start it with its arguments, if any, in an environment of your
1372choice. You may redirect your program's input and output, debug an
1373already running process, or kill a child process.
18fae2a8 1374@end ifclear
18fae2a8 1375
18fae2a8 1376@menu
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RP
1377* Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1378* Starting:: Starting your program
1d7c3357 1379@ifclear BARETARGET
ed447b95
RP
1380* Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1381* Environment:: Your program's environment
1382* Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1383* Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1384* Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1385* Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1386* Process Information:: Additional process information
0cb95a9c 1387* Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
18fae2a8 1388@end ifclear
18fae2a8 1389@end menu
70b88761 1390
4eb4cf57 1391@node Compilation
93928b60 1392@section Compiling for debugging
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RP
1393
1394In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1395debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1396is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1397variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1398and addresses in the executable code.
1399
1400To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1401the compiler.
1402
1403Many C compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O}
1404options together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1405executables containing debugging information.
1406
18fae2a8 1407@value{NGCC}, the GNU C compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or without
c7cb8acb
RP
1408@samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We recommend
1409that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a program.
1410You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense in pushing
1411your luck.
70b88761 1412
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RP
1413@cindex optimized code, debugging
1414@cindex debugging optimized code
1415When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
93918348
RP
1416optimizer is rearranging your code; the debugger will show you what is
1417really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
6ca72cc6 1418exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
18fae2a8 1419variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} will never see that
6ca72cc6
RP
1420variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
1421
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1422Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
1423@samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
1424doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
1425please report it as a bug (including a test case!).
1426
1427Older versions of the GNU C compiler permitted a variant option
18fae2a8 1428@w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
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RP
1429format; if your GNU C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1430
d55320a0 1431@need 2000
4eb4cf57 1432@node Starting
93928b60 1433@section Starting your program
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1434@cindex starting
1435@cindex running
1041a570 1436
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1437@table @code
1438@item run
1439@itemx r
1440@kindex run
18fae2a8 1441Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}. You must
1041a570 1442first specify the program name
18fae2a8 1443@ifset VXWORKS
7463aadd 1444(except on VxWorks)
18fae2a8 1445@end ifset
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RP
1446with an argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and
1447Out of @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file}
93928b60 1448command (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
1041a570 1449
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1450@end table
1451
18fae2a8 1452@ifclear BARETARGET
29a2b744
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1453If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1454supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1455that process run your program. (In environments without processes,
1456@code{run} jumps to the start of your program.)
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1457
1458The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
18fae2a8 1459receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
6ca72cc6 1460information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
29a2b744
RP
1461can change it after starting your program, but such changes will only affect
1462your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
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1463divided into four categories:
1464
1465@table @asis
6ca72cc6 1466@item The @emph{arguments.}
29a2b744 1467Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1041a570
RP
1468@code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1469is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1470(such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1471the arguments. In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used
1472with the @code{SHELL} environment variable. @xref{Arguments, ,Your
93928b60 1473program's arguments}.
70b88761 1474
6ca72cc6 1475@item The @emph{environment.}
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RP
1476Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1477use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
70b88761 1478environment} to change parts of the environment that will be given to
93928b60 1479your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}.
70b88761 1480
6ca72cc6 1481@item The @emph{working directory.}
18fae2a8 1482Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
93918348 1483the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
93928b60 1484@xref{Working Directory, ,Your program's working directory}.
70b88761 1485
6ca72cc6 1486@item The @emph{standard input and output.}
70b88761 1487Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
18fae2a8 1488standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
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1489in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1490set a different device for your program.
93928b60 1491@xref{Input/Output, ,Your program's input and output}.
3d3ab540
RP
1492
1493@cindex pipes
29a2b744
RP
1494@emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1495pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
18fae2a8 1496program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
3d3ab540 1497wrong program.
70b88761 1498@end table
18fae2a8 1499@end ifclear
70b88761 1500
1041a570 1501When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
93928b60 1502immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and continuing}, for discussion
4eb4cf57 1503of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
6b51acad 1504stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
4eb4cf57 1505or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
70b88761 1506
29a2b744 1507If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the
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1508last time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} will discard its symbol table and
1509re-read it. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain your current
1041a570 1510breakpoints.
70b88761 1511
18fae2a8 1512@ifclear BARETARGET
4eb4cf57 1513@node Arguments
93928b60 1514@section Your program's arguments
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1515
1516@cindex arguments (to your program)
1517The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
1518@code{run} command. They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard
29a2b744 1519characters and performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program.
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1520Your @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what
1521shell @value{GDBN} if you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
1522@code{/bin/sh}.
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1523
1524@code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
1525@code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
1526
1527@kindex set args
1528@table @code
1529@item set args
1530Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
1531@code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} will execute your program
e251e767 1532with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
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1533using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
1534it again without arguments.
1535
1536@item show args
1537@kindex show args
1538Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
1539@end table
1540
4eb4cf57 1541@node Environment
93928b60 1542@section Your program's environment
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1543
1544@cindex environment (of your program)
1545The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
1546their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
1547your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
1548path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
1549the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
29a2b744 1550debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
18fae2a8 1551environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
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1552
1553@table @code
1554@item path @var{directory}
1555@kindex path
1556Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
18fae2a8 1557(the search path for executables), for both @value{GDBN} and your program.
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1558You may specify several directory names, separated by @samp{:} or
1559whitespace. If @var{directory} is already in the path, it is moved to
e251e767 1560the front, so it will be searched sooner.
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1561
1562You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
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1563working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
1564use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
1565@code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
1566@var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
1567@var{directory} to the search path.
29a2b744 1568@c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
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1569@c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
1570
1571@item show paths
1572@kindex show paths
1573Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
1574environment variable).
1575
1576@item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
1577@kindex show environment
1578Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
29a2b744 1579your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
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1580print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
1581your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
1582
7463aadd 1583@item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@r{]} @var{value}
70b88761 1584@kindex set environment
ed447b95 1585Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
18fae2a8 1586changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
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1587be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
1588any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
1589parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
1590null value.
29a2b744 1591@c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
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1592@c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
1593
1594For example, this command:
1595
1596@example
1597set env USER = foo
1598@end example
1599
1600@noindent
1601tells a Unix program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
1602@samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
1603are not actually required.)
1604
1605@item unset environment @var{varname}
1606@kindex unset environment
1607Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
1608program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
1609@code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
e251e767 1610rather than assigning it an empty value.
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1611@end table
1612
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1613@emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} runs your program using the shell indicated
1614by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
1615@code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
1616that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
1617@file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file will affect
1618your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
1619files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
1620@file{.profile}.
562a18b2 1621
4eb4cf57 1622@node Working Directory
93928b60 1623@section Your program's working directory
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1624
1625@cindex working directory (of your program)
1626Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
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1627working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
1628The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
1629from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
1630working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
70b88761 1631
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1632The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
1633that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
93928b60 1634specify files}.
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1635
1636@table @code
1637@item cd @var{directory}
1638@kindex cd
93918348 1639Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
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1640
1641@item pwd
1642@kindex pwd
93918348 1643Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
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1644@end table
1645
4eb4cf57 1646@node Input/Output
93928b60 1647@section Your program's input and output
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1648
1649@cindex redirection
1650@cindex i/o
1651@cindex terminal
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1652By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
1653the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal to
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1654its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
1655modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
1656running your program.
1657
1658@table @code
1659@item info terminal
1660@kindex info terminal
93918348 1661Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
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1662program is using.
1663@end table
1664
29a2b744 1665You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
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1666redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
1667
18fae2a8 1668@example
70b88761 1669run > outfile
18fae2a8 1670@end example
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1671
1672@noindent
29a2b744 1673starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
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1674
1675@kindex tty
1676@cindex controlling terminal
29a2b744 1677Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
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1678with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
1679argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
1680commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
1681process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
1682
1683@example
1684tty /dev/ttyb
1685@end example
1686
1687@noindent
1688directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
1689default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
1690that as their controlling terminal.
1691
1692An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
1693effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
1694terminal.
1695
1696When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
1697command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
18fae2a8 1698for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal.
70b88761 1699
4eb4cf57 1700@node Attach
93928b60 1701@section Debugging an already-running process
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1702@kindex attach
1703@cindex attach
1704
1705@table @code
1706@item attach @var{process-id}
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1707This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
1708outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} will show your active
1709targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
1710find out the process-id of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
1711or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
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1712
1713@code{attach} will not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
1714executing the command.
1715@end table
1716
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1717To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
1718which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
1719programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
1720also have permission to send the process a signal.
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1721
1722When using @code{attach}, you should first use the @code{file} command
1723to specify the program running in the process and load its symbol table.
29a2b744 1724@xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
70b88761 1725
18fae2a8 1726The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
70b88761 1727process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
18fae2a8 1728with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when you start
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1729processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you can step and
1730continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the process
1731continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
18fae2a8 1732attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
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1733
1734@table @code
1735@item detach
1736@kindex detach
1737When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
93918348 1738@code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
70b88761 1739the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
18fae2a8 1740that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
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1741are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
1742@code{detach} will not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
1743executing the command.
1744@end table
1745
18fae2a8 1746If you exit @value{GDBN} or use the @code{run} command while you have an attached
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1747process, you kill that process. By default, you will be asked for
1748confirmation if you try to do either of these things; you can control
1749whether or not you need to confirm by using the @code{set confirm} command
93928b60 1750(@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and messages}).
70b88761 1751
4eb4cf57 1752@node Kill Process
70b88761 1753@c @group
93928b60 1754@section Killing the child process
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1755
1756@table @code
1757@item kill
1758@kindex kill
18fae2a8 1759Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
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1760@end table
1761
1762This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
18fae2a8 1763running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
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1764is running.
1765@c @end group
1766
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1767On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
1768while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
29a2b744 1769@code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
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1770outside the debugger.
1771
1772The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
29a2b744 1773relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
70b88761 1774executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
18fae2a8 1775next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} will notice that the file has changed, and
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1776will re-read the symbol table (while trying to preserve your current
1777breakpoint settings).
1778
4eb4cf57 1779@node Process Information
93928b60 1780@section Additional process information
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1781
1782@kindex /proc
1783@cindex process image
1784Some operating systems provide a facility called @samp{/proc} that can
cc9bc574 1785be used to examine the image of a running process using file-system
18fae2a8 1786subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured for an operating system with this
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1787facility, the command @code{info proc} is available to report on several
1788kinds of information about the process running your program.
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1789
1790@table @code
1791@item info proc
1792@kindex info proc
1793Summarize available information about the process.
1794
1795@item info proc mappings
1796@kindex info proc mappings
1797Report on the address ranges accessible in the program, with information
1798on whether your program may read, write, or execute each range.
1799
1800@item info proc times
1801@kindex info proc times
1802Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
1803its children.
1804
1805@item info proc id
1806@kindex info proc id
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1807Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
1808the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
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1809
1810@item info proc status
1811@kindex info proc status
1812General information on the state of the process. If the process is
1813stopped, this report includes the reason for stopping, and any signal
1814received.
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1815
1816@item info proc all
1817Show all the above information about the process.
d24e0922 1818@end table
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1819
1820@node Threads
1821@section Debugging programs with multiple threads
1822
1823@cindex threads of execution
1824@cindex multiple threads
1825@cindex switching threads
1826In some operating systems, a single program may have more than one
1827@dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics of threads differ from
1828one operating system to another, but in general the threads of a single
1829program are akin to multiple processes---except that they share one
1830address space (that is, they can all examine and modify the same
1831variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own registers and
1832execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
1833
22b5dba5 1834@value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
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1835programs:
1836
1837@itemize @bullet
1838@item automatic notification of new threads
1839@item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
1840@item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
1841@item thread-specific breakpoints
1842@end itemize
1843
1844@quotation
1845@emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
1846@value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
1847If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
1848effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
1849from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
1850like this:
1851
1852@smallexample
1853(@value{GDBP}) info threads
1854(@value{GDBP}) thread 1
1855Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
1856see the IDs of currently known threads.
1857@end smallexample
1858@c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
1859@c doesn't support threads"?
1860@end quotation
1861
1862@cindex focus of debugging
1863@cindex current thread
1864The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
1865threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
1866control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
1867This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
1868program information from the perspective of the current thread.
1869
1870@kindex New @var{systag}
1871@cindex thread identifier (system)
1872@c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
1873@c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
1874@c thread without first checking `info threads'.
1875Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
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1876the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
1877form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
1878whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
1879LynxOS, you might see
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1880
1881@example
1882[New process 35 thread 27]
1883@end example
1884
1885@noindent
1886when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
1887the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
1888further qualifier.
1889
1890@c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
1891@c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
1892@c second---i.e., when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
1893@c program?
1894@c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
1895@c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
1896@c threads ab initio?
1897
1898@cindex thread number
1899@cindex thread identifier (GDB)
1900For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
1901number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
1902
1903@table @code
1904@item info threads
1905@kindex info threads
1906Display a summary of all threads currently in your
1907program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
1908
1909@enumerate
22b5dba5 1910@item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
0cb95a9c 1911
22b5dba5 1912@item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
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1913
1914@item the current stack frame summary for that thread
1915@end enumerate
1916
1917@noindent
1918An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
1919indicates the current thread.
1920
1921For example,
1922@end table
1923@c end table here to get a little more width for example
1924
1925@smallexample
1926(@value{GDBP}) info threads
1927 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
1928 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
1929* 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
1930 at threadtest.c:68
1931@end smallexample
1932
1933@table @code
1934@item thread @var{threadno}
22b5dba5 1935@kindex thread @var{threadno}
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1936Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
1937argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
1938shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
1939@value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
1940you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
1941
1942@smallexample
1943@c FIXME!! This example made up; find a GDB w/threads and get real one
1944(@value{GDBP}) thread 2
1945[Switching to process 35 thread 23]
19460x34e5 in sigpause ()
1947@end smallexample
1948
1949@noindent
1950As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
1951@samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
1952threads.
1953@end table
1954
1955@cindex automatic thread selection
1956@cindex switching threads automatically
1957@cindex threads, automatic switching
1958Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
1959signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
1960signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
1961message of the form @samp{[Switching to @var{systag}]} to identify the
1962thread.
1963
1964@xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and starting multi-thread programs}, for
1965more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
1966programs with multiple threads.
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1967
1968@xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting watchpoints}, for information about
1969watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
18fae2a8 1970@end ifclear
d24e0922 1971
4eb4cf57 1972@node Stopping
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1973@chapter Stopping and Continuing
1974
ed447b95 1975The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
29a2b744 1976program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
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1977trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
1978
18fae2a8 1979Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons, such
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1980as
1981@ifclear BARETARGET
1982a signal,
1983@end ifclear
1984a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a @value{GDBN}
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1985command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and change
1986variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then continue
18fae2a8 1987execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide ample
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1988explanation of the status of your program---but you can also explicitly
1989request this information at any time.
1990
1991@table @code
1992@item info program
1993@kindex info program
1994Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
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1995running or not,
1996@ifclear BARETARGET
1997what process it is,
1998@end ifclear
1999and why it stopped.
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2000@end table
2001
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2002@menu
2003@ifclear CONLY
ed447b95 2004* Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and exceptions
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2005@end ifclear
2006@ifset CONLY
ed447b95 2007* Breakpoints:: Breakpoints and watchpoints
18fae2a8 2008@end ifset
1d7c3357 2009@c Remnant makeinfo bug requires blank line after *successful* end-if in menu:
18fae2a8 2010
ed447b95 2011* Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
18fae2a8 2012@ifset POSIX
b80282d5 2013* Signals:: Signals
18fae2a8 2014@end ifset
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2015@ifclear BARETARGET
2016* Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
2017@end ifclear
18fae2a8 2018@end menu
70b88761 2019
1d7c3357 2020@c makeinfo node-defaulting requires adjacency of @node and sectioning cmds
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2021@c ...hence distribute @node Breakpoints over two possible @if expansions.
2022@c
2023@ifclear CONLY
4eb4cf57 2024@node Breakpoints
93928b60 2025@section Breakpoints, watchpoints, and exceptions
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2026@end ifclear
2027@ifset CONLY
2028@node Breakpoints
93928b60 2029@section Breakpoints and watchpoints
18fae2a8 2030@end ifset
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2031
2032@cindex breakpoints
2033A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
1041a570 2034the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add various
29a2b744 2035conditions to control in finer detail whether your program will stop.
70b88761 2036You can set breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants
93928b60 2037(@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}), to specify the place where
29a2b744 2038your program should stop by line number, function name or exact address
0f153e74 2039in the program.
18fae2a8 2040@ifclear CONLY
0f153e74 2041In languages with exception handling (such as GNU C++), you can also set
0cb95a9c
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2042breakpoints where an exception is raised (@pxref{Exception Handling,,
2043Breakpoints and exceptions}).
18fae2a8 2044@end ifclear
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2045
2046@cindex watchpoints
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2047@cindex memory tracing
2048@cindex breakpoint on memory address
2049@cindex breakpoint on variable modification
29a2b744
RP
2050A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
2051when the value of an expression changes. You must use a different
2052command to set watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting
93928b60 2053watchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a watchpoint like
29a2b744 2054any other breakpoint: you enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints
1041a570 2055and watchpoints using the same commands.
70b88761 2056
fe715d06 2057You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
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2058whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
2059Automatic display}.
fe715d06 2060
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2061@cindex breakpoint numbers
2062@cindex numbers for breakpoints
18fae2a8 2063@value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint or watchpoint when you
6ca72cc6
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2064create it; these numbers are successive integers starting with one. In
2065many of the commands for controlling various features of breakpoints you
2066use the breakpoint number to say which breakpoint you want to change.
2067Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has
29a2b744 2068no effect on your program until you enable it again.
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2069
2070@menu
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2071* Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
2072* Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
1d7c3357 2073@ifclear CONLY
ed447b95 2074* Exception Handling:: Breakpoints and exceptions
1d7c3357 2075@end ifclear
b0157555 2076
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2077* Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
2078* Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
2079* Conditions:: Break conditions
2080* Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
1d7c3357 2081@ifclear CONLY
ed447b95 2082* Breakpoint Menus:: Breakpoint menus
1d7c3357
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2083@end ifclear
2084@ifclear BARETARGET
ed447b95 2085* Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
1d7c3357 2086@end ifclear
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2087@end menu
2088
4eb4cf57 2089@node Set Breaks
93928b60 2090@subsection Setting breakpoints
70b88761 2091
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2092@c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
2093@c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
2094@c
2095@c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
2096
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2097@kindex break
2098@kindex b
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2099@kindex $bpnum
2100@cindex latest breakpoint
2101Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
2102@code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
2103number of the beakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
93928b60 2104Vars,, Convenience variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
6ca72cc6 2105convenience variables.
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2106
2107You have several ways to say where the breakpoint should go.
2108
2109@table @code
2110@item break @var{function}
0f153e74 2111Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function}.
18fae2a8 2112@ifclear CONLY
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RP
2113When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
2114C++, @var{function} may refer to more than one possible place to break.
93928b60 2115@xref{Breakpoint Menus,,Breakpoint menus}, for a discussion of that situation.
18fae2a8 2116@end ifclear
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2117
2118@item break +@var{offset}
2119@itemx break -@var{offset}
2120Set a breakpoint some number of lines forward or back from the position
2121at which execution stopped in the currently selected frame.
2122
2123@item break @var{linenum}
2124Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in the current source file.
2125That file is the last file whose source text was printed. This
29a2b744 2126breakpoint will stop your program just before it executes any of the
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2127code on that line.
2128
2129@item break @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
2130Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in source file @var{filename}.
2131
2132@item break @var{filename}:@var{function}
2133Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function} found in file
2134@var{filename}. Specifying a file name as well as a function name is
2135superfluous except when multiple files contain similarly named
2136functions.
2137
2138@item break *@var{address}
2139Set a breakpoint at address @var{address}. You can use this to set
29a2b744 2140breakpoints in parts of your program which do not have debugging
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2141information or source files.
2142
2143@item break
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RP
2144When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
2145the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
2146(@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
2147innermost, this will cause your program to stop as soon as control
2148returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
2149@code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
2150that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
18fae2a8 2151@code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} will stop
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2152the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
2153inside loops.
70b88761 2154
18fae2a8 2155@value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
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2156least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
2157would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
2158breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
29a2b744 2159existed when your program stopped.
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2160
2161@item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
2162Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
2163@var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3d3ab540 2164value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
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2165@samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
2166above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
93928b60 2167,Break conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
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2168
2169@item tbreak @var{args}
2170@kindex tbreak
2171Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
2172same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
29a2b744 2173way, but the breakpoint is automatically disabled after the first time your
93928b60 2174program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling breakpoints}.
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2175
2176@item rbreak @var{regex}
2177@kindex rbreak
2178@cindex regular expression
4906534f 2179@c FIXME what kind of regexp?
70b88761 2180Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
b80282d5 2181@var{regex}. This command
70b88761 2182sets an unconditional breakpoint on all matches, printing a list of all
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2183breakpoints it set. Once these breakpoints are set, they are treated
2184just like the breakpoints set with the @code{break} command. You can
2185delete them, disable them, or make them conditional the same way as any
2186other breakpoint.
70b88761 2187
18fae2a8 2188@ifclear CONLY
b80282d5
RP
2189When debugging C++ programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
2190breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
2191classes.
18fae2a8 2192@end ifclear
b80282d5 2193
70b88761 2194@kindex info breakpoints
c338a2fd 2195@cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
70b88761 2196@item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
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2197@itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2198@itemx info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2199Print a table of all breakpoints and watchpoints set and not
2200deleted, with the following columns for each breakpoint:
2201
2202@table @emph
2203@item Breakpoint Numbers
2204@item Type
2205Breakpoint or watchpoint.
2206@item Disposition
2207Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
2208@item Enabled or Disabled
d24e0922 2209Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
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2210that are not enabled.
2211@item Address
2212Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address
2213@item What
2214Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
2215line number.
2216@end table
2217
2218@noindent
d55320a0
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2219If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
2220the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
2221are listed after that.
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2222
2223@noindent
2224@code{info break} with a breakpoint
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2225number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
2226convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
2227the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
93928b60 2228listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining memory}).
1041a570 2229@end table
70b88761 2230
18fae2a8 2231@value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
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2232your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
2233the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
93928b60 2234(@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}).
70b88761 2235
6ca72cc6 2236@cindex negative breakpoint numbers
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RP
2237@cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
2238@value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for special
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2239purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C programs).
2240These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers, starting with
5a2c1d85 2241@code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
d48da190 2242
18fae2a8 2243You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
5a2c1d85 2244@samp{maint info breakpoints}.
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2245
2246@table @code
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2247@kindex maint info breakpoints
2248@item maint info breakpoints
6ca72cc6 2249Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
18fae2a8 2250breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
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2251internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
2252breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
2253is shown:
2254
2255@table @code
2256@item breakpoint
2257Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
2258
2259@item watchpoint
2260Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
2261
2262@item longjmp
2263Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
2264@code{longjmp} calls.
2265
2266@item longjmp resume
2267Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
2268
2269@item until
18fae2a8 2270Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
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2271
2272@item finish
18fae2a8 2273Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
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2274@end table
2275
2276@end table
2277
2278
4eb4cf57 2279@node Set Watchpoints
93928b60 2280@subsection Setting watchpoints
70b88761 2281@cindex setting watchpoints
1041a570 2282
70b88761 2283You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
e251e767 2284expression changes, without having to predict a particular place
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2285where this may happen.
2286
2287Watchpoints currently execute two orders of magnitude more slowly than
6b51acad 2288other breakpoints, but this can be well worth it to catch errors where
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2289you have no clue what part of your program is the culprit. Some
2290processors provide special hardware to support watchpoint evaluation; future
18fae2a8 2291releases of @value{GDBN} will use such hardware if it is available.
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2292
2293@table @code
e251e767 2294@kindex watch
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2295@item watch @var{expr}
2296Set a watchpoint for an expression.
2297
2298@kindex info watchpoints
2299@item info watchpoints
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2300This command prints a list of watchpoints and breakpoints; it is the
2301same as @code{info break}.
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2302@end table
2303
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2304@ifclear BARETARGET
2305@quotation
2306@cindex watchpoints and threads
2307@cindex threads and watchpoints
2308@emph{Warning:} in multi-thread programs, watchpoints have only limited
2309usefulness. With the current watchpoint implementation, @value{GDBN}
2310can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a single thread}. If
2311you are confident that the expression can only change due to the current
2312thread's activity (and if you are also confident that the same thread
2313will remain current), then you can use watchpoints as usual. However,
2314@value{GDBN} may not notice when a non-current thread's activity changes
2315the expression.
2316@end quotation
2317@end ifclear
2318
1d7c3357 2319@ifclear CONLY
4eb4cf57 2320@node Exception Handling
93928b60 2321@subsection Breakpoints and exceptions
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2322@cindex exception handlers
2323
b80282d5 2324Some languages, such as GNU C++, implement exception handling. You can
18fae2a8 2325use @value{GDBN} to examine what caused your program to raise an exception,
29a2b744 2326and to list the exceptions your program is prepared to handle at a
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2327given point in time.
2328
2329@table @code
2330@item catch @var{exceptions}
2331@kindex catch
2332You can set breakpoints at active exception handlers by using the
2333@code{catch} command. @var{exceptions} is a list of names of exceptions
2334to catch.
2335@end table
2336
29a2b744 2337You can use @code{info catch} to list active exception handlers.
93928b60 2338@xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a frame}.
70b88761 2339
18fae2a8 2340There are currently some limitations to exception handling in @value{GDBN}.
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2341These will be corrected in a future release.
2342
2343@itemize @bullet
2344@item
18fae2a8 2345If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
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2346control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
2347raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
29a2b744 2348returns control to you and cause your program to simply continue
18fae2a8 2349running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal that @value{GDBN} is
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2350listening for, or exits.
2351@item
2352You cannot raise an exception interactively.
2353@item
2354You cannot interactively install an exception handler.
2355@end itemize
2356
2357@cindex raise exceptions
2358Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
29a2b744 2359if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
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2360stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
2361can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
2362breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
2363out where the exception was raised.
2364
2365To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
b80282d5 2366knowledge of the implementation. In the case of GNU C++, exceptions are
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2367raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
2368which has the following ANSI C interface:
2369
2370@example
b80282d5 2371 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
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2372 ID is the exception identifier. */
2373 void __raise_exception (void **@var{addr}, void *@var{id});
2374@end example
2375
2376@noindent
2377To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
2378unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
93928b60 2379(@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; watchpoints; and exceptions}).
70b88761 2380
93928b60 2381With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions})
29a2b744
RP
2382that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
2383a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
2384breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
2385raised.
1d7c3357 2386@end ifclear
70b88761 2387
4eb4cf57 2388@node Delete Breaks
93928b60 2389@subsection Deleting breakpoints
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2390
2391@cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints
2392@cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints
2393It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint or watchpoint once it
29a2b744 2394has done its job and you no longer want your program to stop there. This
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2395is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A breakpoint that has been
2396deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
2397
2398With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
29a2b744 2399where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
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2400delete individual breakpoints or watchpoints by specifying their
2401breakpoint numbers.
2402
18fae2a8 2403It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
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2404automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
2405when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
2406
2407@table @code
2408@item clear
2409@kindex clear
2410Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
93928b60 2411selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}). When
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RP
2412the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
2413breakpoint where your program just stopped.
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2414
2415@item clear @var{function}
2416@itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
2417Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the function @var{function}.
2418
2419@item clear @var{linenum}
2420@itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
2421Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified line.
2422
2423@item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{bnums}@dots{}@r{]}
2424@cindex delete breakpoints
2425@kindex delete
2426@kindex d
2427Delete the breakpoints or watchpoints of the numbers specified as
18fae2a8 2428arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all breakpoints (@value{GDBN}
1041a570 2429asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set confirm off}). You
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2430can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
2431@end table
2432
4eb4cf57 2433@node Disabling
93928b60 2434@subsection Disabling breakpoints
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2435
2436@cindex disabled breakpoints
2437@cindex enabled breakpoints
2438Rather than deleting a breakpoint or watchpoint, you might prefer to
2439@dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if it had
2440been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so that
2441you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
2442
2443You disable and enable breakpoints and watchpoints with the
2444@code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying one or
2445more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} or
2446@code{info watch} to print a list of breakpoints or watchpoints if you
29a2b744 2447do not know which numbers to use.
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2448
2449A breakpoint or watchpoint can have any of four different states of
2450enablement:
2451
2452@itemize @bullet
2453@item
29a2b744 2454Enabled. The breakpoint will stop your program. A breakpoint set
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2455with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
2456@item
29a2b744 2457Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
70b88761 2458@item
29a2b744 2459Enabled once. The breakpoint will stop your program, but
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2460when it does so it will become disabled. A breakpoint set
2461with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
2462@item
29a2b744 2463Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint will stop your program, but
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2464immediately after it does so it will be deleted permanently.
2465@end itemize
2466
2467You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints and
2468watchpoints:
2469
2470@table @code
2471@item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{bnums}@dots{}@r{]}
2472@kindex disable breakpoints
2473@kindex disable
2474@kindex dis
2475Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
2476listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
2477options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
2478case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
2479@code{disable} as @code{dis}.
2480
2481@item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{bnums}@dots{}@r{]}
2482@kindex enable breakpoints
2483@kindex enable
2484Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
29a2b744 2485become effective once again in stopping your program.
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2486
2487@item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{bnums}@dots{}
2488Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. Each will be disabled
29a2b744 2489again the next time it stops your program.
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2490
2491@item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{bnums}@dots{}
2492Enable the specified breakpoints to work once and then die. Each of
29a2b744 2493the breakpoints will be deleted the next time it stops your program.
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2494@end table
2495
29a2b744 2496Save for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
93928b60
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2497,Setting breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
2498subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
2499the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
2500breakpoint of its own, but it will not change the state of your other
2501breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
2502stepping}.)
70b88761 2503
4eb4cf57 2504@node Conditions
93928b60 2505@subsection Break conditions
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2506@cindex conditional breakpoints
2507@cindex breakpoint conditions
2508
4906534f
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2509@c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
2510@c in particular for a watchpoint?
29a2b744 2511The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
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2512specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
2513breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
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2514programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
2515a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
2516and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
3d3ab540
RP
2517
2518This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
2519situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
2520when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
e251e767 2521by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
3d3ab540 2522@samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
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2523
2524Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
2525since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
2526it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
2527and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
e251e767 2528one.
70b88761 2529
29a2b744 2530Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
70b88761 2531your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
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RP
2532that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
2533format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
2534unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
18fae2a8 2535that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
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RP
2536program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
2537breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible for the
2538purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
93928b60 2539(@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint command lists}).
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2540
2541Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
29a2b744 2542@samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
93928b60 2543Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
29a2b744
RP
2544with the @code{condition} command. The @code{watch} command does not
2545recognize the @code{if} keyword; @code{condition} is the only way to
2546impose a further condition on a watchpoint.
70b88761 2547
e251e767
RP
2548@table @code
2549@item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
2550@kindex condition
70b88761
RP
2551Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint or
2552watchpoint number @var{bnum}. From now on, this breakpoint will stop
29a2b744 2553your program only if the value of @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in
18fae2a8 2554C). When you use @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression}
70b88761 2555immediately for syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols
1041a570 2556in it have referents in the context of your breakpoint.
29a2b744 2557@c FIXME so what does GDB do if there is no referent? Moreover, what
4906534f 2558@c about watchpoints?
18fae2a8 2559@value{GDBN} does
70b88761 2560not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
1041a570 2561command is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
70b88761
RP
2562
2563@item condition @var{bnum}
2564Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
2565an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
2566@end table
2567
2568@cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
2569A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
2570breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
2571useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
2572count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
2573is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
29a2b744 2574therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
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RP
2575ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
2576the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
2577value is @var{n}, the breakpoint will not stop the next @var{n} times it
2578is reached.
2579
2580@table @code
2581@item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
2582@kindex ignore
2583Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
2584The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
18fae2a8 2585execution will not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
70b88761
RP
2586takes no action.
2587
2588To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
2589a count of zero.
2590
d55320a0
RP
2591When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
2592breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
2593@code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
2594Stepping,,Continuing and stepping}.
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RP
2595
2596If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the condition
2597is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero, the condition will
2598be checked.
2599
29a2b744 2600You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
18fae2a8 2601as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
1041a570 2602is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
93928b60 2603variables}.
d55320a0 2604@end table
70b88761 2605
4eb4cf57 2606@node Break Commands
93928b60 2607@subsection Breakpoint command lists
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RP
2608
2609@cindex breakpoint commands
2610You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint) a series of commands to
29a2b744 2611execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For example, you
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RP
2612might want to print the values of certain expressions, or enable other
2613breakpoints.
2614
2615@table @code
2616@item commands @r{[}@var{bnum}@r{]}
2617@itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
2618@itemx end
2619@kindex commands
2620@kindex end
2621Specify a list of commands for breakpoint number @var{bnum}. The commands
2622themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
2623@code{end} to terminate the commands.
2624
203eea5d
RP
2625To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
2626follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
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RP
2627
2628With no @var{bnum} argument, @code{commands} refers to the last
2629breakpoint or watchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
2630encountered).
2631@end table
2632
18fae2a8 2633Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
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RP
2634disabled within a @var{command-list}.
2635
29a2b744 2636You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
70b88761 2637use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
fe715d06
RP
2638that resumes execution.
2639
2640Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
2641execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
2642(even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
2643another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
2644ambiguities about which list to execute.
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RP
2645
2646@kindex silent
fe715d06
RP
2647If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
2648usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
2649be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
2650then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
2651will see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
2652meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
70b88761 2653
d55320a0
RP
2654The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
2655print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
2656breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for controlled output}.
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RP
2657
2658For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
2659value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
2660
18fae2a8 2661@example
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RP
2662break foo if x>0
2663commands
2664silent
d55320a0 2665printf "x is %d\n",x
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RP
2666cont
2667end
18fae2a8 2668@end example
70b88761
RP
2669
2670One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
2671you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
2672of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
2673erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
2674to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
29a2b744 2675so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
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RP
2676command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
2677
2678@example
2679break 403
2680commands
2681silent
2682set x = y + 4
2683cont
2684end
2685@end example
2686
1d7c3357 2687@ifclear CONLY
4eb4cf57 2688@node Breakpoint Menus
93928b60 2689@subsection Breakpoint menus
b80282d5 2690@cindex overloading
e251e767 2691@cindex symbol overloading
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2692
2693Some programming languages (notably C++) permit a single function name
2694to be defined several times, for application in different contexts.
2695This is called @dfn{overloading}. When a function name is overloaded,
18fae2a8 2696@samp{break @var{function}} is not enough to tell @value{GDBN} where you want
6f3ec223
RP
2697a breakpoint. If you realize this will be a problem, you can use
2698something like @samp{break @var{function}(@var{types})} to specify which
18fae2a8 2699particular version of the function you want. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} offers
6f3ec223
RP
2700you a menu of numbered choices for different possible breakpoints, and
2701waits for your selection with the prompt @samp{>}. The first two
2702options are always @samp{[0] cancel} and @samp{[1] all}. Typing @kbd{1}
2703sets a breakpoint at each definition of @var{function}, and typing
2704@kbd{0} aborts the @code{break} command without setting any new
2705breakpoints.
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RP
2706
2707For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
e251e767 2708breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
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RP
2709We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
2710
6f3ec223 2711@c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
d55320a0 2712@smallexample
18fae2a8 2713(@value{GDBP}) b String::after
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RP
2714[0] cancel
2715[1] all
2716[2] file:String.cc; line number:867
2717[3] file:String.cc; line number:860
2718[4] file:String.cc; line number:875
2719[5] file:String.cc; line number:853
2720[6] file:String.cc; line number:846
2721[7] file:String.cc; line number:735
2722> 2 4 6
2723Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
2724Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
2725Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
2726Multiple breakpoints were set.
d55320a0
RP
2727Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
2728 breakpoints.
18fae2a8 2729(@value{GDBP})
d55320a0 2730@end smallexample
1d7c3357 2731@end ifclear
70b88761 2732
1d7c3357 2733@ifclear BARETARGET
4eb4cf57 2734@node Error in Breakpoints
93928b60 2735@subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
70b88761 2736
e251e767 2737@c FIXME: "cannot insert breakpoints" error, v unclear.
70b88761 2738@c Q in pending mail to Gilmore. [email protected], 26mar91
e251e767 2739@c some light may be shed by looking at instances of
d24e0922 2740@c ONE_PROCESS_WRITETEXT. But error message seems possible otherwise
c338a2fd 2741@c too. pesch, 20sep91
70b88761
RP
2742Under some operating systems, breakpoints cannot be used in a program if
2743any other process is running that program. In this situation,
18fae2a8 2744attempting to run or continue a program with a breakpoint causes @value{GDBN}
70b88761
RP
2745to stop the other process.
2746
2747When this happens, you have three ways to proceed:
2748
2749@enumerate
2750@item
2751Remove or disable the breakpoints, then continue.
2752
2753@item
18fae2a8
RP
2754Suspend @value{GDBN}, and copy the file containing your program to a new name.
2755Resume @value{GDBN} and use the @code{exec-file} command to specify that @value{GDBN}
29a2b744 2756should run your program under that name. Then start your program again.
70b88761
RP
2757
2758@c FIXME: RMS commented here "Show example". Maybe when someone
2759@c explains the first FIXME: in this section...
2760
2761@item
29a2b744 2762Relink your program so that the text segment is nonsharable, using the
70b88761
RP
2763linker option @samp{-N}. The operating system limitation may not apply
2764to nonsharable executables.
2765@end enumerate
1d7c3357 2766@end ifclear
70b88761 2767
4eb4cf57 2768@node Continuing and Stepping
93928b60 2769@section Continuing and stepping
70b88761
RP
2770
2771@cindex stepping
7463aadd
RP
2772@cindex continuing
2773@cindex resuming execution
3d3ab540 2774@dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
cedaf8bc
RP
2775completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
2776one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
2777line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
2778particular command you use). Either when continuing
4eb4cf57 2779or when stepping, your program may stop even sooner, due to
18fae2a8 2780@ifset BARETARGET
4eb4cf57 2781a breakpoint.
18fae2a8
RP
2782@end ifset
2783@ifclear BARETARGET
6b51acad 2784a breakpoint or a signal. (If due to a signal, you may want to use
4eb4cf57
RP
2785@code{handle}, or use @samp{signal 0} to resume execution.
2786@xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
18fae2a8 2787@end ifclear
3d3ab540
RP
2788
2789@table @code
6b51acad
RP
2790@item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
2791@itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
2792@itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3d3ab540 2793@kindex continue
d55320a0
RP
2794@kindex c
2795@kindex fg
6b51acad
RP
2796Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
2797any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
2798@var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
2799ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
2800@code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}).
2801
2802The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
d55320a0
RP
2803stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
2804@code{continue} is ignored.
2805
2806The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} are provided purely for convenience,
2807and have exactly the same behavior as @code{continue}.
2808@end table
2809
3d3ab540 2810To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
93928b60 2811(@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a function}) to go back to the
29a2b744 2812calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
93928b60 2813different address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
7463aadd
RP
2814
2815A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
93928b60
RP
2816@ifclear CONLY
2817(@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; watchpoints; and exceptions})
2818@end ifclear
2819@ifset CONLY
2820(@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints and watchpoints})
2821@end ifset
2822at the
29a2b744
RP
2823beginning of the function or the section of your program where a
2824problem is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that
2825breakpoint, and then step through the suspect area, examining the
2826variables that are interesting, until you see the problem happen.
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RP
2827
2828@table @code
2829@item step
2830@kindex step
2831@kindex s
29a2b744 2832Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
18fae2a8 2833line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
70b88761
RP
2834abbreviated @code{s}.
2835
3d3ab540
RP
2836@quotation
2837@emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
2838within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
d55320a0
RP
2839execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
2840debugging information.
3d3ab540 2841@end quotation
70b88761
RP
2842
2843@item step @var{count}
2844Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
1d7c3357
RP
2845breakpoint is reached,
2846@ifclear BARETARGET
2847or a signal not related to stepping occurs before @var{count} steps,
2848@end ifclear
2849stepping stops right away.
70b88761 2850
7463aadd 2851@item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
70b88761
RP
2852@kindex next
2853@kindex n
7463aadd
RP
2854Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
2855Similar to @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the line
2856of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when control
2857reaches a different line of code at the stack level which was executing
2858when the @code{next} command was given. This command is abbreviated
2859@code{n}.
70b88761 2860
7463aadd 2861An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
70b88761
RP
2862
2863@code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
2864@code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
2865function are executed without stopping.
2866
2867@item finish
2868@kindex finish
7463aadd
RP
2869Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
2870returns. Print the returned value (if any).
70b88761 2871
29a2b744 2872Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
93928b60 2873,Returning from a function}).
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RP
2874
2875@item until
2876@kindex until
6b51acad 2877@itemx u
70b88761
RP
2878@kindex u
2879Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
2880current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
2881stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
2882command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
2883automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
2884than the address of the jump.
2885
2886This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
29a2b744 2887though it, @code{until} will cause your program to continue execution
70b88761
RP
2888until the loop is exited. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end
2889of a loop will simply step back to the beginning of the loop, which
2890would force you to step through the next iteration.
2891
29a2b744 2892@code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
70b88761
RP
2893stack frame.
2894
2895@code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
7463aadd 2896of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
70b88761
RP
2897example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
2898(@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
2899@code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
2900
2901@example
18fae2a8 2902(@value{GDBP}) f
70b88761 2903#0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
b80282d5 2904206 expand_input();
18fae2a8 2905(@value{GDBP}) until
b80282d5 2906195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
70b88761
RP
2907@end example
2908
7463aadd
RP
2909This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
2910generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
2911start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
2912written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
2913to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
2914expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
2915statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
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RP
2916
2917@code{until} with no argument works by means of single
2918instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
2919argument.
2920
2921@item until @var{location}
6b51acad 2922@itemx u @var{location}
29a2b744
RP
2923Continue running your program until either the specified location is
2924reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
2925the forms of argument acceptable to @code{break} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
93928b60 2926,Setting breakpoints}). This form of the command uses breakpoints,
1041a570 2927and hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument.
70b88761
RP
2928
2929@item stepi
2930@itemx si
2931@kindex stepi
2932@kindex si
2933Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
2934
2935It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
2936instructions. This will cause the next instruction to be executed to
29a2b744 2937be displayed automatically at each stop. @xref{Auto Display,
93928b60 2938,Automatic display}.
70b88761
RP
2939
2940An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
2941
ed447b95 2942@need 750
70b88761
RP
2943@item nexti
2944@itemx ni
2945@kindex nexti
2946@kindex ni
2947Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
2948proceed until the function returns.
2949
2950An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
70b88761
RP
2951@end table
2952
18fae2a8 2953@ifset POSIX
4eb4cf57 2954@node Signals
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RP
2955@section Signals
2956@cindex signals
2957
2958A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
2959operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
2960kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
2961signal a program gets when you type an interrupt (often @kbd{C-c});
2962@code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
2963memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
29a2b744 2964the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
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RP
2965requested an alarm).
2966
2967@cindex fatal signals
2968Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
29a2b744
RP
2969functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
2970errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (kill your program immediately) if the
70b88761 2971program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
29a2b744 2972@code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
70b88761
RP
2973fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
2974
18fae2a8
RP
2975@value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
2976program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
29a2b744 2977signal.
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RP
2978
2979@cindex handling signals
18fae2a8 2980Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to ignore non-erroneous signals like @code{SIGALRM}
29a2b744
RP
2981(so as not to interfere with their role in the functioning of your program)
2982but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
70b88761
RP
2983You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
2984
2985@table @code
2986@item info signals
2987@kindex info signals
18fae2a8 2988Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
70b88761
RP
2989handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
2990the defined types of signals.
2991
2992@item handle @var{signal} @var{keywords}@dots{}
2993@kindex handle
18fae2a8 2994Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the
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RP
2995number of a signal or its name (with or without the @samp{SIG} at the
2996beginning). The @var{keywords} say what change to make.
2997@end table
2998
2999@c @group
3000The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
3001Their full names are:
3002
3003@table @code
3004@item nostop
18fae2a8 3005@value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
70b88761
RP
3006still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
3007
3008@item stop
18fae2a8 3009@value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
70b88761
RP
3010the @code{print} keyword as well.
3011
3012@item print
18fae2a8 3013@value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
70b88761
RP
3014
3015@item noprint
18fae2a8 3016@value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
70b88761
RP
3017implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
3018
3019@item pass
18fae2a8 3020@value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program will be
70b88761
RP
3021able to handle the signal, or may be terminated if the signal is fatal
3022and not handled.
3023
3024@item nopass
18fae2a8 3025@value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
70b88761
RP
3026@end table
3027@c @end group
3028
ed447b95
RP
3029When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible until you
3030continue. Your program will see the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
3031effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
3032after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
3033command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether that
3034signal will be seen by your program when you later continue it.
70b88761 3035
29a2b744 3036You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
70b88761 3037seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
29a2b744 3038or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
7463aadd
RP
3039due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
3040values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
29a2b744
RP
3041execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
3042a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
3043you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
93928b60 3044program a signal}.
18fae2a8 3045@end ifset
70b88761 3046
0cb95a9c
RP
3047@ifclear BARETARGET
3048@node Thread Stops
3049@section Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3050
3051When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
3052programs with multiple threads}), you can choose whether to set
3053breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
3054
3055@table @code
22b5dba5
RP
3056@cindex breakpoints and threads
3057@cindex thread breakpoints
0cb95a9c
RP
3058@kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
3059@item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
3060@itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
3061Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
3062to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
22b5dba5
RP
3063particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
3064numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
3065column of the @samp{info threads} display.
0cb95a9c
RP
3066
3067If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
3068breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
3069program.
22b5dba5
RP
3070
3071You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
3072well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before the
3073breakpoint condition, like this:
3074
3075@smallexample
3076(gdb) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
3077@end smallexample
0cb95a9c
RP
3078@end table
3079
3080@cindex stopped threads
3081@cindex threads, stopped
3082Whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
3083@emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
3084allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
3085switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
3086underfoot.
3087
3088@cindex continuing threads
3089@cindex threads, continuing
3090Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
3091executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
3092like @code{step} or @code{next}.
3093
3094In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
22b5dba5
RP
3095Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
3096system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
3097execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
3098single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
3099statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
3100stops.
0cb95a9c
RP
3101
3102You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
3103continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
3104thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
3105first thread completes whatever you requested.
3106@end ifclear
3107
4eb4cf57 3108@node Stack
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RP
3109@chapter Examining the Stack
3110
3111When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
3112stopped and how it got there.
3113
3114@cindex call stack
3115Each time your program performs a function call, the information about
29a2b744 3116where in your program the call was made from is saved in a block of data
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RP
3117called a @dfn{stack frame}. The frame also contains the arguments of the
3118call and the local variables of the function that was called. All the
3119stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
3120stack}.
3121
93928b60
RP
3122When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
3123stack allow you to see all of this information.
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RP
3124
3125@cindex selected frame
93928b60
RP
3126One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
3127@value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
3128particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
3129your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
3130special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
3131interested in.
70b88761 3132
93928b60
RP
3133When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
3134currently executing frame and describes it briefly as the @code{frame}
3135command does (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a frame}).
70b88761
RP
3136
3137@menu
ed447b95 3138* Frames:: Stack frames
b80282d5 3139* Backtrace:: Backtraces
ed447b95
RP
3140* Selection:: Selecting a frame
3141* Frame Info:: Information on a frame
572867a8
RP
3142@ifset MIPS
3143* MIPS Stack:: MIPS machines and the function stack
3144@end ifset
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RP
3145@end menu
3146
4eb4cf57 3147@node Frames
93928b60 3148@section Stack frames
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RP
3149
3150@cindex frame
3151@cindex stack frame
3152The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
3153frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
3154with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
3155to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
3156which the function is executing.
3157
3158@cindex initial frame
3159@cindex outermost frame
3160@cindex innermost frame
3161When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
3162function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
3163@dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
3164made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
3165is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
3166the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
3167actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
3168recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
3169
3170@cindex frame pointer
3171Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
3172stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
3173kind of computer has a convention for choosing one of those bytes whose
3174address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
3175in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register} while execution is
3176going on in that frame.
3177
3178@cindex frame number
18fae2a8 3179@value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
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RP
3180zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
3181and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
18fae2a8
RP
3182they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
3183frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
70b88761 3184
6b51acad 3185@c below produces an acceptable overful hbox. --mew 13aug1993
70b88761 3186@cindex frameless execution
8c69096b 3187Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
18fae2a8 3188without stack frames. (For example, the @code{@value{GCC}} option
70b88761
RP
3189@samp{-fomit-frame-pointer} will generate functions without a frame.)
3190This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
8c69096b
RP
3191the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
3192with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
3193has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} will nevertheless regard it as though
3194it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
3195correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
3196no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
70b88761 3197
4eb4cf57 3198@node Backtrace
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3199@section Backtraces
3200
29a2b744 3201A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
70b88761
RP
3202line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
3203frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
3204stack.
3205
3206@table @code
3207@item backtrace
3208@itemx bt
3209@kindex backtrace
3210@kindex bt
3211Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
3212frames in the stack.
3213
3214You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
3215character, normally @kbd{C-c}.
3216
3217@item backtrace @var{n}
3218@itemx bt @var{n}
3219Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
3220
3221@item backtrace -@var{n}
3222@itemx bt -@var{n}
3223Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
3224@end table
3225
3226@kindex where
3227@kindex info stack
3228@kindex info s
3229The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
3230are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
3231
3232Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
3233The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
3234print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
3235line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
3236counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
3237line number.
3238
3239Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
3240@samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
3241
3242@smallexample
3243@group
203eea5d
RP
3244#0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
3245 at builtin.c:993
70b88761
RP
3246#1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600) at macro.c:242
3247#2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
3248 at macro.c:71
3249(More stack frames follow...)
3250@end group
3251@end smallexample
3252
3253@noindent
29a2b744
RP
3254The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
3255value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
70b88761
RP
3256code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
3257
4eb4cf57 3258@node Selection
93928b60 3259@section Selecting a frame
70b88761 3260
29a2b744 3261Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
70b88761
RP
3262whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
3263selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
3264of the stack frame just selected.
3265
3266@table @code
3267@item frame @var{n}
3268@itemx f @var{n}
3269@kindex frame
3270@kindex f
3271Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
3272(currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
93918348
RP
3273innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
3274@code{main}.
70b88761
RP
3275
3276@item frame @var{addr}
3277@itemx f @var{addr}
3278Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
3279chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
18fae2a8 3280impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
29a2b744 3281addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
70b88761
RP
3282switches between them.
3283
18fae2a8 3284@ifset SPARC
70b88761 3285On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
e251e767 3286select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
70b88761
RP
3287@c note to future updaters: this is conditioned on a flag
3288@c FRAME_SPECIFICATION_DYADIC in the tm-*.h files, currently only used
3289@c by SPARC, hence the specific attribution. Generalize or list all
3290@c possibilities if more supported machines start doing this.
18fae2a8 3291@end ifset
70b88761
RP
3292
3293@item up @var{n}
3294@kindex up
3295Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
3296advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
3297that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
3298
3299@item down @var{n}
3300@kindex down
3301@kindex do
3302Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
3303advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
3304that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
3305abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
3306@end table
3307
3308All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
3309frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
3310arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
ed447b95 3311frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
70b88761 3312
b1955f0b 3313@need 1000
ed447b95 3314For example:
b1955f0b 3315
70b88761 3316@smallexample
29a2b744 3317@group
18fae2a8 3318(@value{GDBP}) up
203eea5d
RP
3319#1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
3320 at env.c:10
70b88761 332110 read_input_file (argv[i]);
29a2b744 3322@end group
70b88761
RP
3323@end smallexample
3324
29a2b744
RP
3325After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments will
3326print ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
93928b60 3327@xref{List, ,Printing source lines}.
70b88761
RP
3328
3329@table @code
3330@item up-silently @var{n}
3331@itemx down-silently @var{n}
3332@kindex down-silently
3333@kindex up-silently
3334These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
3335respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
3336causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
18fae2a8 3337in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
e251e767 3338distracting.
70b88761
RP
3339@end table
3340
4eb4cf57 3341@node Frame Info
93928b60 3342@section Information about a frame
70b88761
RP
3343
3344There are several other commands to print information about the selected
3345stack frame.
3346
3347@table @code
3348@item frame
3349@itemx f
29a2b744
RP
3350When used without any argument, this command does not change which
3351frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
70b88761 3352selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
ed447b95 3353argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
93928b60 3354@xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
70b88761
RP
3355
3356@item info frame
70b88761 3357@itemx info f
29a2b744 3358@kindex info frame
70b88761
RP
3359@kindex info f
3360This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
3361including the address of the frame, the addresses of the next frame down
c2bbbb22
RP
3362(called by this frame) and the next frame up (caller of this frame), the
3363language that the source code corresponding to this frame was written in,
70b88761
RP
3364the address of the frame's arguments, the program counter saved in it
3365(the address of execution in the caller frame), and which registers
3366were saved in the frame. The verbose description is useful when
3367something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
3368the usual conventions.
3369
3370@item info frame @var{addr}
3371@itemx info f @var{addr}
3372Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr},
3373without selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by
3374this command.
3375
3376@item info args
3377@kindex info args
3378Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
3379
3380@item info locals
3381@kindex info locals
3382Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
ed447b95
RP
3383line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
3384accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
70b88761 3385
1d7c3357 3386@ifclear CONLY
70b88761
RP
3387@item info catch
3388@kindex info catch
3389@cindex catch exceptions
3390@cindex exception handlers
3391Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
3392current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
3393exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
3394@code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
93928b60 3395@xref{Exception Handling, ,Breakpoints and exceptions}.
1d7c3357 3396@end ifclear
70b88761
RP
3397@end table
3398
572867a8
RP
3399@ifset MIPS
3400@node MIPS Stack
3401@section MIPS machines and the function stack
3402
3403@cindex stack on MIPS
3404@cindex MIPS stack
3405MIPS based computers use an unusual stack frame, which sometimes
3406requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to find the
3407beginning of a function.
3408
3409@cindex response time, MIPS debugging
3410To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
3411@value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
3412you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
3413commands:
3414@c FIXME! So what happens when GDB does *not* find the beginning of a
3415@c function?
3416
3417@cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (MIPS)
3418@table @code
3419@item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
c79890ee 3420Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its search
572867a8
RP
3421for the beginning of a function. A value of @code{0} (the default)
3422means there is no limit.
3423
3424@item show heuristic-fence-post
3425Display the current limit.
3426@end table
3427
3428@noindent
3429These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
3430for debugging programs on MIPS processors.
3431@end ifset
3432
4eb4cf57 3433@node Source
70b88761
RP
3434@chapter Examining Source Files
3435
18fae2a8 3436@value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
ed447b95 3437information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
18fae2a8 3438used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
1041a570 3439the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
93928b60 3440(@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
1041a570
RP
3441execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
3442source files by explicit command.
70b88761 3443
18fae2a8
RP
3444@ifclear DOSHOST
3445If you use @value{GDBN} through its GNU Emacs interface, you may prefer to use
3446Emacs facilities to view source; @pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under GNU
1041a570 3447Emacs}.
18fae2a8 3448@end ifclear
70b88761
RP
3449
3450@menu
ed447b95 3451* List:: Printing source lines
18fae2a8 3452@ifclear DOSHOST
ed447b95 3453* Search:: Searching source files
18fae2a8 3454@end ifclear
b0157555 3455
ed447b95
RP
3456* Source Path:: Specifying source directories
3457* Machine Code:: Source and machine code
70b88761
RP
3458@end menu
3459
4eb4cf57 3460@node List
93928b60 3461@section Printing source lines
70b88761
RP
3462
3463@kindex list
3464@kindex l
3465To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
3466(abbreviated @code{l}). There are several ways to specify what part
3467of the file you want to print.
3468
3469Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
3470
3471@table @code
3472@item list @var{linenum}
c338a2fd 3473Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
70b88761
RP
3474current source file.
3475
3476@item list @var{function}
c338a2fd 3477Print lines centered around the beginning of function
70b88761
RP
3478@var{function}.
3479
3480@item list
c338a2fd
RP
3481Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
3482@code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
70b88761 3483printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
29a2b744 3484as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
1041a570 3485Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
70b88761
RP
3486
3487@item list -
c338a2fd
RP
3488Print lines just before the lines last printed.
3489@end table
3490
18fae2a8 3491By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
c338a2fd
RP
3492the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
3493
3494@table @code
3495@item set listsize @var{count}
3496@kindex set listsize
3497Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
3498the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
3499
3500@item show listsize
3501@kindex show listsize
3502Display the number of lines that @code{list} will currently display by
e251e767 3503default.
70b88761
RP
3504@end table
3505
3506Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
3507so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
3508than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
3509argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
3510each repetition moves up in the source file.
3511
3512@cindex linespec
3513In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
3514@dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
3515of writing them but the effect is always to specify some source line.
3516Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
3517
3518@table @code
3519@item list @var{linespec}
c338a2fd 3520Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
70b88761
RP
3521
3522@item list @var{first},@var{last}
3523Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
3524linespecs.
3525
3526@item list ,@var{last}
c338a2fd 3527Print lines ending with @var{last}.
70b88761
RP
3528
3529@item list @var{first},
c338a2fd 3530Print lines starting with @var{first}.
70b88761
RP
3531
3532@item list +
c338a2fd 3533Print lines just after the lines last printed.
70b88761
RP
3534
3535@item list -
c338a2fd 3536Print lines just before the lines last printed.
70b88761
RP
3537
3538@item list
3539As described in the preceding table.
3540@end table
3541
3542Here are the ways of specifying a single source line---all the
3543kinds of linespec.
3544
3545@table @code
3546@item @var{number}
3547Specifies line @var{number} of the current source file.
3548When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, this refers to
3549the same source file as the first linespec.
3550
3551@item +@var{offset}
3552Specifies the line @var{offset} lines after the last line printed.
3553When used as the second linespec in a @code{list} command that has
3554two, this specifies the line @var{offset} lines down from the
3555first linespec.
3556
3557@item -@var{offset}
3558Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before the last line printed.
3559
3560@item @var{filename}:@var{number}
3561Specifies line @var{number} in the source file @var{filename}.
3562
3563@item @var{function}
3564@c FIXME: "of the open-brace" is C-centric. When we add other langs...
3565Specifies the line of the open-brace that begins the body of the
3566function @var{function}.
3567
3568@item @var{filename}:@var{function}
3569Specifies the line of the open-brace that begins the body of the
3570function @var{function} in the file @var{filename}. You only need the
3571file name with a function name to avoid ambiguity when there are
3572identically named functions in different source files.
3573
3574@item *@var{address}
3575Specifies the line containing the program address @var{address}.
3576@var{address} may be any expression.
3577@end table
3578
18fae2a8 3579@ifclear DOSHOST
4eb4cf57 3580@node Search
93928b60 3581@section Searching source files
70b88761
RP
3582@cindex searching
3583@kindex reverse-search
3584
3585There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
3586regular expression.
3587
3588@table @code
3589@item forward-search @var{regexp}
3590@itemx search @var{regexp}
3591@kindex search
3592@kindex forward-search
1041a570
RP
3593The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
3594starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
3595@var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use
3596synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
3597@code{fo}.
70b88761
RP
3598
3599@item reverse-search @var{regexp}
3600The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
3601with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
3602for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
3603this command as @code{rev}.
3604@end table
18fae2a8 3605@end ifclear
70b88761 3606
4eb4cf57 3607@node Source Path
93928b60 3608@section Specifying source directories
70b88761
RP
3609
3610@cindex source path
3611@cindex directories for source files
3612Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
3613files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
3614the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
18fae2a8
RP
3615session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
3616this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
70b88761
RP
3617it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
3618in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name. Note that
3619the executable search path is @emph{not} used for this purpose. Neither is
3620the current working directory, unless it happens to be in the source
3621path.
3622
18fae2a8
RP
3623If @value{GDBN} cannot find a source file in the source path, and the object
3624program records a directory, @value{GDBN} tries that directory too. If the
70b88761 3625source path is empty, and there is no record of the compilation
18fae2a8 3626directory, @value{GDBN} will, as a last resort, look in the current
70b88761
RP
3627directory.
3628
18fae2a8 3629Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} will clear out
b1955f0b
RP
3630any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
3631each line is in the file.
70b88761
RP
3632
3633@kindex directory
18fae2a8 3634When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path is empty.
70b88761
RP
3635To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
3636
3637@table @code
3638@item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
3639Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
3640directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:} or
3641whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
e251e767 3642path; this moves it forward, so it will be searched sooner.
7463aadd 3643
fa6df1a7
RP
3644@kindex cdir
3645@kindex cwd
a88ec213
RP
3646@kindex $cdir
3647@kindex $cwd
fa6df1a7
RP
3648@cindex compilation directory
3649@cindex current directory
3650@cindex working directory
3651@cindex directory, current
3652@cindex directory, compilation
7463aadd
RP
3653You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
3654directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
3655working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
18fae2a8 3656tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
7463aadd
RP
3657session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
3658directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
70b88761
RP
3659
3660@item directory
3661Reset the source path to empty again. This requires confirmation.
3662
3663@c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
29a2b744 3664@c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
70b88761
RP
3665
3666@item show directories
3667@kindex show directories
3668Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
3669@end table
3670
3671If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
18fae2a8 3672interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
70b88761
RP
3673versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
3674
3675@enumerate
3676@item
3677Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to empty.
3678
3679@item
3680Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
3681directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
3682directories in one command.
3683@end enumerate
3684
4eb4cf57 3685@node Machine Code
93928b60 3686@section Source and machine code
1041a570 3687
70b88761 3688You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
ed447b95 3689addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
70b88761
RP
3690a range of addresses as machine instructions.
3691
3692@table @code
3693@item info line @var{linespec}
3694@kindex info line
3695Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
1041a570
RP
3696source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
3697the ways understood by the @code{list} command (@pxref{List, ,Printing
93928b60 3698source lines}).
70b88761
RP
3699@end table
3700
1041a570
RP
3701For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
3702the object code for the first line of function
3703@code{m4_changequote}:
3704
70b88761 3705@smallexample
18fae2a8 3706(@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changecom
70b88761
RP
3707Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
3708@end smallexample
3709
3710@noindent
3711We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
3712@var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
3713@smallexample
18fae2a8 3714(@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
70b88761
RP
3715Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
3716@end smallexample
3717
c338a2fd 3718@cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
29a2b744
RP
3719After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
3720is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
3721sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
93928b60 3722,Examining memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
29a2b744 3723convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
93928b60 3724variables}).
70b88761
RP
3725
3726@table @code
3727@kindex disassemble
3728@item disassemble
c5f69ff8
RP
3729@cindex assembly instructions
3730@cindex instructions, assembly
3731@cindex machine instructions
3732@cindex listing machine instructions
e94b4a2b
RP
3733This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
3734instructions. The default memory range is the function surrounding the
3735program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
3736command is a program counter value; the function surrounding this value
3737will be dumped. Two arguments specify a range of addresses (first
3738inclusive, second exclusive) to dump.
70b88761
RP
3739@end table
3740
a64a6c2b 3741@ifclear H8EXCLUSIVE
70b88761 3742We can use @code{disassemble} to inspect the object code
4eb4cf57
RP
3743range shown in the last @code{info line} example (the example
3744shows SPARC machine instructions):
70b88761 3745
18fae2a8 3746
70b88761 3747@smallexample
18fae2a8 3748(@value{GDBP}) disas 0x63e4 0x6404
70b88761 3749Dump of assembler code from 0x63e4 to 0x6404:
b80282d5
RP
37500x63e4 <builtin_init+5340>: ble 0x63f8 <builtin_init+5360>
37510x63e8 <builtin_init+5344>: sethi %hi(0x4c00), %o0
37520x63ec <builtin_init+5348>: ld [%i1+4], %o0
37530x63f0 <builtin_init+5352>: b 0x63fc <builtin_init+5364>
37540x63f4 <builtin_init+5356>: ld [%o0+4], %o0
37550x63f8 <builtin_init+5360>: or %o0, 0x1a4, %o0
37560x63fc <builtin_init+5364>: call 0x9288 <path_search>
e251e767 37570x6400 <builtin_init+5368>: nop
70b88761 3758End of assembler dump.
70b88761 3759@end smallexample
18fae2a8 3760@end ifclear
4eb4cf57 3761
a64a6c2b 3762@ifset H8EXCLUSIVE
4eb4cf57
RP
3763For example, here is the beginning of the output for the
3764disassembly of a function @code{fact}:
70b88761 3765
18fae2a8 3766
4eb4cf57 3767@smallexample
18fae2a8 3768(@value{GDBP}) disas fact
4eb4cf57
RP
3769Dump of assembler code for function fact:
3770to 0x808c:
37710x802c <fact>: 6d f2 mov.w r2,@@-r7
37720x802e <fact+2>: 6d f3 mov.w r3,@@-r7
37730x8030 <fact+4>: 6d f6 mov.w r6,@@-r7
37740x8032 <fact+6>: 0d 76 mov.w r7,r6
37750x8034 <fact+8>: 6f 70 00 08 mov.w @@(0x8,r7),r0
37760x8038 <fact+12> 19 11 sub.w r1,r1
3777 .
3778 .
3779 .
3780@end smallexample
18fae2a8 3781@end ifset
4eb4cf57
RP
3782
3783@node Data
70b88761
RP
3784@chapter Examining Data
3785
3786@cindex printing data
3787@cindex examining data
3788@kindex print
3789@kindex inspect
1041a570 3790@c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
29a2b744 3791@c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
70b88761
RP
3792@c different window or something like that.
3793The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
4eb4cf57 3794command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}.
18fae2a8 3795@ifclear CONLY
4eb4cf57 3796It evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
18fae2a8 3797program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different
4eb4cf57 3798Languages}).
18fae2a8 3799@end ifclear
70b88761 3800
e0dacfd1
RP
3801@table @code
3802@item print @var{exp}
3803@itemx print /@var{f} @var{exp}
93928b60
RP
3804@var{exp} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
3805value of @var{exp} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
3806you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
3807@var{f} is a letter specifying the format; @pxref{Output Formats,,Output
3808formats}.
e0dacfd1
RP
3809
3810@item print
3811@itemx print /@var{f}
18fae2a8 3812If you omit @var{exp}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
93928b60 3813@dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value history}). This allows you to
e0dacfd1
RP
3814conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
3815@end table
70b88761
RP
3816
3817A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
3818It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
93928b60 3819specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining memory}.
70b88761 3820
29a2b744 3821If you are interested in information about types, or about how the fields
1d7c3357
RP
3822of a struct
3823@ifclear CONLY
3824or class
18fae2a8 3825@end ifclear
1d7c3357
RP
3826are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
3827command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
18fae2a8 3828
70b88761 3829@menu
b80282d5 3830* Expressions:: Expressions
ed447b95
RP
3831* Variables:: Program variables
3832* Arrays:: Artificial arrays
eb7faec1 3833* Output Formats:: Output formats
ed447b95
RP
3834* Memory:: Examining memory
3835* Auto Display:: Automatic display
3836* Print Settings:: Print settings
3837* Value History:: Value history
3838* Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
b80282d5 3839* Registers:: Registers
a64a6c2b 3840@ifclear HAVE-FLOAT
ed447b95 3841* Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
18fae2a8 3842@end ifclear
18fae2a8 3843@end menu
70b88761 3844
4eb4cf57 3845@node Expressions
70b88761
RP
3846@section Expressions
3847
3848@cindex expressions
18fae2a8 3849@code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
70b88761 3850compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
fe715d06 3851by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
18fae2a8 3852@value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls, casts
70b88761 3853and string constants. It unfortunately does not include symbols defined
b80282d5 3854by preprocessor @code{#define} commands.
70b88761 3855
18fae2a8 3856@ifclear CONLY
c2bbbb22 3857Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
18fae2a8 3858this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
c2bbbb22 3859Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
e251e767 3860languages.
c2bbbb22 3861
18fae2a8 3862In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
e251e767 3863expressions regardless of your programming language.
c2bbbb22 3864
70b88761
RP
3865Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
3866useful to cast a number into a pointer so as to examine a structure
3867at that address in memory.
c2bbbb22 3868@c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
18fae2a8 3869@end ifclear
70b88761 3870
18fae2a8 3871@value{GDBN} supports these operators in addition to those of programming
70b88761
RP
3872languages:
3873
3874@table @code
3875@item @@
3876@samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
93928b60 3877@xref{Arrays, ,Artificial arrays}, for more information.
70b88761
RP
3878
3879@item ::
3880@samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
93928b60 3881function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program variables}.
70b88761
RP
3882
3883@item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
fe715d06
RP
3884@cindex @{@var{type}@}
3885@cindex type casting memory
3886@cindex memory, viewing as typed object
3887@cindex casts, to view memory
70b88761
RP
3888Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
3889memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
3890pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
3891a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
1041a570 3892normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
70b88761
RP
3893@end table
3894
4eb4cf57 3895@node Variables
93928b60 3896@section Program variables
70b88761
RP
3897
3898The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
3899in your program.
3900
3901Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
93928b60 3902(@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}); they must either be global
29a2b744
RP
3903(or static) or be visible according to the scope rules of the
3904programming language from the point of execution in that frame. This
3905means that in the function
70b88761
RP
3906
3907@example
3908foo (a)
3909 int a;
3910@{
3911 bar (a);
3912 @{
3913 int b = test ();
3914 bar (b);
3915 @}
3916@}
3917@end example
3918
3919@noindent
ed447b95
RP
3920you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
3921executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
3922examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
3923the block where @code{b} is declared.
70b88761
RP
3924
3925@cindex variable name conflict
3926There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
3927scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
3928in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
6ca72cc6
RP
3929function with the same name (in different source files). If that
3930happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
3931you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
3932using the colon-colon notation:
70b88761
RP
3933
3934@cindex colon-colon
a6d0b6d3 3935@iftex
29a2b744 3936@c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
70b88761 3937@kindex ::
a6d0b6d3 3938@end iftex
70b88761
RP
3939@example
3940@var{file}::@var{variable}
6ca72cc6 3941@var{function}::@var{variable}
70b88761
RP
3942@end example
3943
3944@noindent
6ca72cc6 3945Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
6c380b13 3946static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
18fae2a8 3947make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
6c380b13
RP
3948to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
3949
3950@example
18fae2a8 3951(@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
6c380b13 3952@end example
70b88761 3953
18fae2a8 3954@ifclear CONLY
c2bbbb22 3955@cindex C++ scope resolution
70b88761 3956This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
18fae2a8
RP
3957use of the same notation in C++. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C++
3958scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
ed447b95
RP
3959@c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
3960@c conflict?? --mew
18fae2a8 3961@end ifclear
70b88761 3962
3d3ab540
RP
3963@cindex wrong values
3964@cindex variable values, wrong
3965@quotation
3966@emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
b0157555
RP
3967wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
3968scope, and just before exit.
3d3ab540 3969@end quotation
b0157555
RP
3970You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
3971This is because on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
3972set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
3973stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
3974values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
3975also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
3976after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
3977variable definitions may be gone.
3d3ab540 3978
4eb4cf57 3979@node Arrays
93928b60 3980@section Artificial arrays
70b88761
RP
3981
3982@cindex artificial array
3983@kindex @@
3984It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
3985same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
3986dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
3987program.
3988
fe715d06
RP
3989You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
3990@dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
3991operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array,
3992as an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
3993of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
3994the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
3995argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
3996following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
3997example. If a program says
70b88761
RP
3998
3999@example
4000int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
4001@end example
4002
4003@noindent
4004you can print the contents of @code{array} with
4005
4006@example
4007p *array@@len
4008@end example
4009
4010The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
4011with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
4012subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
4013Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7640fe71 4014(@pxref{Value History, ,Value history}), after printing one out.
70b88761 4015
1041a570 4016Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
3d3ab540 4017moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
1041a570
RP
4018actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
4019of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
4020to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
93928b60 4021variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
1041a570
RP
4022interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
4023instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
4024structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
4025in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
4026
3d3ab540
RP
4027@example
4028set $i = 0
4029p dtab[$i++]->fv
4030@key{RET}
4031@key{RET}
4032@dots{}
4033@end example
4034
ed447b95 4035@node Output Formats
70b88761
RP
4036@section Output formats
4037
4038@cindex formatted output
4039@cindex output formats
18fae2a8 4040By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
70b88761
RP
4041this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
4042in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
4043at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
4044these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
4045
4046The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
4047already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
4048@code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
4049letters supported are:
4050
4051@table @code
4052@item x
4053Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
4054hexadecimal.
4055
4056@item d
4057Print as integer in signed decimal.
4058
4059@item u
4060Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
4061
4062@item o
4063Print as integer in octal.
4064
4065@item t
4066Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
fe715d06
RP
4067@footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
4068used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
4069@pxref{Memory,,Examining memory}.}
70b88761
RP
4070
4071@item a
4072Print as an address, both absolute in hex and as an offset from the
4073nearest preceding symbol. This format can be used to discover where (in
4074what function) an unknown address is located:
1041a570 4075
70b88761 4076@example
18fae2a8
RP
4077(@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
4078$3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
70b88761
RP
4079@end example
4080
70b88761
RP
4081@item c
4082Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant.
4083
4084@item f
4085Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
4086using typical floating point syntax.
4087@end table
4088
4089For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
4090
4091@example
4092p/x $pc
4093@end example
4094
4095@noindent
4096Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
18fae2a8 4097names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
70b88761
RP
4098
4099To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
4100you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
4101expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
4102
4eb4cf57 4103@node Memory
93928b60 4104@section Examining memory
70b88761 4105
1041a570
RP
4106You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
4107any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
4108
70b88761
RP
4109@cindex examining memory
4110@table @code
4111@kindex x
cedaf8bc
RP
4112@item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
4113@itemx x @var{addr}
4114@itemx x
ed447b95 4115Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
1041a570
RP
4116@end table
4117
4118@var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
4119much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
cedaf8bc
RP
4120expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
4121If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
4122Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
70b88761 4123
1041a570
RP
4124@table @r
4125@item @var{n}, the repeat count
4126The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
4127how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
cedaf8bc
RP
4128@c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
4129@c 4.1.2.
70b88761 4130
1041a570
RP
4131@item @var{f}, the display format
4132The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print},
cedaf8bc
RP
4133or @samp{s} (null-terminated string) or @samp{i} (machine instruction).
4134The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially, or the format from the
4135last time you used either @code{x} or @code{print}.
70b88761 4136
1041a570
RP
4137@item @var{u}, the unit size
4138The unit size is any of
ed447b95 4139
70b88761
RP
4140@table @code
4141@item b
cedaf8bc 4142Bytes.
70b88761 4143@item h
cedaf8bc 4144Halfwords (two bytes).
70b88761 4145@item w
cedaf8bc 4146Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
70b88761 4147@item g
cedaf8bc 4148Giant words (eight bytes).
70b88761
RP
4149@end table
4150
cedaf8bc
RP
4151Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
4152default unit the next time you use @code{x}. (For the @samp{s} and
4153@samp{i} formats, the unit size is ignored and is normally not written.)
4154
1041a570 4155@item @var{addr}, starting display address
18fae2a8 4156@var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
cedaf8bc
RP
4157memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
4158it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
1041a570 4159@xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
cedaf8bc
RP
4160@var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
4161other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
4162the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
4163starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
4164a value from memory).
1041a570 4165@end table
70b88761 4166
cedaf8bc
RP
4167For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
4168(@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
4169starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
4170words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
4171@pxref{Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
70b88761 4172
cedaf8bc 4173Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
29a2b744 4174letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
cedaf8bc
RP
4175unit size or format comes first; either order will work. The output
4176specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
4177(However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} will not work.)
4178
4179Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
4180and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
4181@samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
4182including any operands. The command @code{disassemble} gives an
4183alternative way of inspecting machine instructions; @pxref{Machine
93928b60 4184Code,,Source and machine code}.
cedaf8bc
RP
4185
4186All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
4187easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
1041a570 4188you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
cedaf8bc
RP
4189instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
4190with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
4191the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
4192for successive uses of @code{x}.
70b88761 4193
c338a2fd 4194@cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
cedaf8bc 4195The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
70b88761 4196in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
18fae2a8 4197would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
70b88761
RP
4198subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
4199@code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
4200examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
4201@code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
4202the convenience variable @code{$__}.
4203
4204If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
4205are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
4206address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
4207
4eb4cf57 4208@node Auto Display
93928b60 4209@section Automatic display
70b88761
RP
4210@cindex automatic display
4211@cindex display of expressions
4212
4213If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
4214(to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
18fae2a8 4215display list} so that @value{GDBN} will print its value each time your program stops.
70b88761
RP
4216Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
4217to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
4218The automatic display looks like this:
4219
4220@example
42212: foo = 38
42223: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
4223@end example
4224
4225@noindent
ed447b95 4226This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
70b88761
RP
4227displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
4228specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
4229whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending on how elaborate your
4230format specification is---it uses @code{x} if you specify a unit size,
4231or one of the two formats (@samp{i} and @samp{s}) that are only
4232supported by @code{x}; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
4233
4234@table @code
4235@item display @var{exp}
4236@kindex display
4237Add the expression @var{exp} to the list of expressions to display
1041a570 4238each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
70b88761
RP
4239
4240@code{display} will not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
4241
4242@item display/@var{fmt} @var{exp}
4243For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
4244count, add the expression @var{exp} to the auto-display list but
7640fe71 4245arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
ed447b95 4246@xref{Output Formats,,Output formats}.
70b88761
RP
4247
4248@item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
4249For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
4250number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
29a2b744 4251be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
93928b60 4252doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining memory}.
70b88761
RP
4253@end table
4254
4255For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
4256instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
4257is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers}).
4258
4259@table @code
4260@item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
4261@itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
4262@kindex delete display
4263@kindex undisplay
4264Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
4265
4266@code{undisplay} will not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
4267(Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
4268
4269@item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
4270@kindex disable display
4271Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
4272item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
4273enabled again later.
4274
4275@item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
4276@kindex enable display
4277Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
4278again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
4279
4280@item display
4281Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
29a2b744 4282done when your program stops.
70b88761
RP
4283
4284@item info display
4285@kindex info display
4286Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
4287automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
4288values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
4289It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
4290because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
4291@end table
4292
4293If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
4294sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
4295expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
4296variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
4297@code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
29a2b744 4298@code{last_char}, then this argument will be displayed while your program
70b88761
RP
4299continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
4300there is no variable @code{last_char}---display is disabled. The next time
4301your program stops where @code{last_char} is meaningful, you can enable the
4302display expression once again.
4303
4eb4cf57 4304@node Print Settings
93928b60 4305@section Print settings
70b88761
RP
4306
4307@cindex format options
4308@cindex print settings
18fae2a8 4309@value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
e251e767 4310and symbols are printed.
70b88761
RP
4311
4312@noindent
4313These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
4314
4315@table @code
4316@item set print address
6b51acad 4317@itemx set print address on
70b88761 4318@kindex set print address
18fae2a8 4319@value{GDBN} will print memory addresses showing the location of stack
70b88761
RP
4320traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
4321even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
4322is on. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like, with
4323@code{set print address on}:
1041a570 4324
70b88761 4325@smallexample
1041a570 4326@group
18fae2a8 4327(@value{GDBP}) f
e251e767 4328#0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
70b88761 4329 at input.c:530
b80282d5 4330530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
1041a570 4331@end group
70b88761
RP
4332@end smallexample
4333
4334@item set print address off
4335Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
4336this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
1041a570 4337
d55320a0 4338@smallexample
1041a570 4339@group
18fae2a8
RP
4340(@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
4341(@value{GDBP}) f
70b88761 4342#0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
b80282d5 4343530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
1041a570 4344@end group
d55320a0 4345@end smallexample
70b88761 4346
fe715d06
RP
4347You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
4348dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
4349@code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
4350all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
4351
70b88761
RP
4352@item show print address
4353@kindex show print address
4354Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
14621224
JK
4355@end table
4356
4357When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
4358closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
4359identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
4360source file), you may need to disambiguate. One way to do this is with
4361@code{info line}, for example @code{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
4362you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
4363it prints a symbolic address:
4364
4365@table @code
4366@item set print symbol-filename on
4367@kindex set print symbol-filename
4368Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
4369symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
4370
4371@item set print symbol-filename off
4372Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
4373default.
4374
4375@item show print symbol-filename
4376@kindex show print symbol-filename
4377Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
4378line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
4379@end table
4380
4381Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
4382printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
4383
4384@table @code
4385@item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
4386@kindex set print max-symbolic-offset
4387Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
4388offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
4389@var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which means to always print the
4390symbolic form of an address, if any symbol precedes it.
4391
4392@item show print max-symbolic-offset
4393@kindex show print max-symbolic-offset
4394Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} will print in a
4395symbolic address.
4396@end table
70b88761 4397
14621224 4398@table @code
70b88761
RP
4399@item set print array
4400@itemx set print array on
4401@kindex set print array
6344e2c7 4402@value{GDBN} will pretty-print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
70b88761
RP
4403but uses more space. The default is off.
4404
fe715d06 4405@item set print array off
70b88761
RP
4406Return to compressed format for arrays.
4407
4408@item show print array
4409@kindex show print array
4410Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
e251e767 4411arrays.
70b88761
RP
4412
4413@item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
4414@kindex set print elements
18fae2a8 4415If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it will stop printing after it has
70b88761
RP
4416printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
4417This limit also applies to the display of strings.
6edfa487 4418Setting the number of elements to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
70b88761
RP
4419
4420@item show print elements
4421@kindex show print elements
18fae2a8 4422Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print
70b88761
RP
4423before losing patience.
4424
4425@item set print pretty on
4426@kindex set print pretty
18fae2a8 4427Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member per
70b88761
RP
4428line, like this:
4429
d55320a0 4430@smallexample
1041a570 4431@group
70b88761
RP
4432$1 = @{
4433 next = 0x0,
4434 flags = @{
4435 sweet = 1,
4436 sour = 1
4437 @},
4438 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
4439@}
1041a570 4440@end group
d55320a0 4441@end smallexample
70b88761
RP
4442
4443@item set print pretty off
18fae2a8 4444Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
70b88761
RP
4445
4446@smallexample
1041a570 4447@group
38962738
RP
4448$1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
4449meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
1041a570 4450@end group
70b88761
RP
4451@end smallexample
4452
4453@noindent
4454This is the default format.
4455
4456@item show print pretty
4457@kindex show print pretty
18fae2a8 4458Show which format @value{GDBN} will use to print structures.
70b88761
RP
4459
4460@item set print sevenbit-strings on
f2857bd9 4461@kindex set print sevenbit-strings
e251e767 4462Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
18fae2a8 4463@value{GDBN} will display any eight-bit characters (in strings or character
70b88761
RP
4464values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. For example, @kbd{M-a} is
4465displayed as @code{\341}.
4466
4467@item set print sevenbit-strings off
4468Print using either seven-bit or eight-bit characters, as required. This
4469is the default.
4470
4471@item show print sevenbit-strings
f2857bd9 4472@kindex show print sevenbit-strings
18fae2a8 4473Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print only seven-bit characters.
70b88761
RP
4474
4475@item set print union on
4476@kindex set print union
18fae2a8 4477Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures. This is the
70b88761
RP
4478default setting.
4479
4480@item set print union off
18fae2a8 4481Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in structures.
70b88761
RP
4482
4483@item show print union
4484@kindex show print union
18fae2a8 4485Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
e251e767 4486structures.
70b88761
RP
4487
4488For example, given the declarations
4489
4490@smallexample
4491typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
4492typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
203eea5d
RP
4493typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
4494 Bug_forms;
70b88761
RP
4495
4496struct thing @{
4497 Species it;
4498 union @{
4499 Tree_forms tree;
4500 Bug_forms bug;
4501 @} form;
4502@};
4503
4504struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
4505@end smallexample
4506
4507@noindent
4508with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
4509
4510@smallexample
4511$1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
4512@end smallexample
4513
4514@noindent
4515and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
4516
4517@smallexample
4518$1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
4519@end smallexample
4520@end table
4521
1d7c3357 4522@ifclear CONLY
d55320a0 4523@need 1000
70b88761
RP
4524@noindent
4525These settings are of interest when debugging C++ programs:
4526
4527@table @code
e251e767
RP
4528@item set print demangle
4529@itemx set print demangle on
70b88761 4530@kindex set print demangle
fe715d06
RP
4531Print C++ names in their source form rather than in the encoded
4532(``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
4533linkage. The default is @samp{on}.
70b88761
RP
4534
4535@item show print demangle
4536@kindex show print demangle
4537Show whether C++ names will be printed in mangled or demangled form.
4538
e251e767
RP
4539@item set print asm-demangle
4540@itemx set print asm-demangle on
70b88761
RP
4541@kindex set print asm-demangle
4542Print C++ names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
4543in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
4544The default is off.
4545
4546@item show print asm-demangle
4547@kindex show print asm-demangle
4548Show whether C++ names in assembly listings will be printed in mangled
4549or demangled form.
4550
fe715d06
RP
4551@item set demangle-style @var{style}
4552@kindex set demangle-style
4553@cindex C++ symbol decoding style
4554@cindex symbol decoding style, C++
4555Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
4556represent C++ names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
4557
4558@table @code
4559@item auto
4560Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
4561
4562@item gnu
4563Decode based on the GNU C++ compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
4564
4565@item lucid
4566Decode based on the Lucid C++ compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
4567
a1eff6c2 4568@item arm
fe715d06 4569Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C++ Annotated Reference Manual}.
a1eff6c2
RP
4570@strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
4571debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
4572require further enhancement to permit that.
fe715d06
RP
4573@end table
4574
4575@item show demangle-style
4576@kindex show demangle-style
4577Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C++ symbols.
4578
70b88761
RP
4579@item set print object
4580@itemx set print object on
4581@kindex set print object
4582When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
4583(derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
4584the virtual function table.
4585
4586@item set print object off
4587Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
4588virtual function table. This is the default setting.
4589
4590@item show print object
4591@kindex show print object
4592Show whether actual, or declared, object types will be displayed.
4593
e251e767
RP
4594@item set print vtbl
4595@itemx set print vtbl on
70b88761
RP
4596@kindex set print vtbl
4597Pretty print C++ virtual function tables. The default is off.
4598
4599@item set print vtbl off
4600Do not pretty print C++ virtual function tables.
4601
4602@item show print vtbl
4603@kindex show print vtbl
4604Show whether C++ virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
70b88761 4605@end table
1d7c3357 4606@end ifclear
70b88761 4607
4eb4cf57 4608@node Value History
93928b60 4609@section Value history
70b88761
RP
4610
4611@cindex value history
93918348 4612Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN} @dfn{value
70b88761
RP
4613history} so that you can refer to them in other expressions. Values are
4614kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded (for example with
4615the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands). When the symbol table
4616changes, the value history is discarded, since the values may contain
4617pointers back to the types defined in the symbol table.
4618
4619@cindex @code{$}
4620@cindex @code{$$}
4621@cindex history number
6b51acad
RP
4622The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
4623refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
4624@code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
4625printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
4626history number.
70b88761
RP
4627
4628To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
4629history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
4630remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
4631the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
4632@code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
4633is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
4634@code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
4635
4636For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
4637want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
4638
4639@example
4640p *$
4641@end example
4642
4643If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
4644to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
4645
4646@example
4647p *$.next
4648@end example
4649
4650@noindent
4651You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
4652command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
4653
4654Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
4655@code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
4656
4657@example
4658print x
4659set x=5
4660@end example
4661
4662@noindent
4663then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
4664remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
4665
4666@table @code
4667@kindex show values
4668@item show values
4669Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
4670This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
4671values} does not change the history.
4672
4673@item show values @var{n}
4674Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
4675
4676@item show values +
4677Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
4678values are available, produces no display.
4679@end table
4680
4681Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
e251e767 4682same effect as @samp{show values +}.
70b88761 4683
4eb4cf57 4684@node Convenience Vars
93928b60 4685@section Convenience variables
70b88761
RP
4686
4687@cindex convenience variables
18fae2a8
RP
4688@value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
4689@value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
4690exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
70b88761 4691setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
1041a570 4692of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
70b88761
RP
4693
4694Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
4695@samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
4696the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers}).
4697(Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
93928b60 4698by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value history}.)
70b88761
RP
4699
4700You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
ed447b95
RP
4701expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
4702For example:
70b88761
RP
4703
4704@example
4705set $foo = *object_ptr
4706@end example
4707
4708@noindent
4709would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
4710@code{object_ptr}.
4711
6b51acad
RP
4712Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
4713value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
4714value with another assignment at any time.
70b88761
RP
4715
4716Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
4717variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
4718that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
4719variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
4720
4721@table @code
4722@item show convenience
4723@kindex show convenience
4724Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
4725Abbreviated @code{show con}.
4726@end table
4727
4728One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
4729incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
4730a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
4731
18fae2a8 4732@example
70b88761
RP
4733set $i = 0
4734print bar[$i++]->contents
4735@i{@dots{} repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.}
18fae2a8 4736@end example
70b88761 4737
18fae2a8 4738Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
70b88761
RP
4739values likely to be useful.
4740
4741@table @code
4742@item $_
c338a2fd 4743@kindex $_
70b88761 4744The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
93928b60 4745the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining memory}). Other
29a2b744
RP
4746commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
4747set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
4748and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
4749except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
4750to the type of @code{$__}.
70b88761
RP
4751
4752@item $__
c338a2fd 4753@kindex $__
70b88761 4754The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
c2bbbb22
RP
4755to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
4756to match the format in which the data was printed.
70b88761
RP
4757@end table
4758
4eb4cf57 4759@node Registers
70b88761
RP
4760@section Registers
4761
4762@cindex registers
b80282d5 4763You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
70b88761
RP
4764with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
4765for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
e251e767 4766your machine.
70b88761
RP
4767
4768@table @code
4769@item info registers
4770@kindex info registers
b80282d5
RP
4771Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
4772registers (in the selected stack frame).
4773
4774@item info all-registers
4775@kindex info all-registers
4776@cindex floating point registers
4777Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
4778registers.
70b88761 4779
4eb4cf57 4780@item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
0d1cd01e
JG
4781Print the relativized value of each specified register @var{regname}.
4782@var{regname} may be any register name valid on the machine you are using, with
70b88761
RP
4783or without the initial @samp{$}.
4784@end table
4785
18fae2a8 4786@value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
29a2b744 4787expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
09267865
RP
4788architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
4789@code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
4790the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
4791pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
4792register that contains the processor status. For example,
70b88761 4793you could print the program counter in hex with
1041a570 4794
70b88761
RP
4795@example
4796p/x $pc
4797@end example
4798
4799@noindent
4800or print the instruction to be executed next with
1041a570 4801
70b88761
RP
4802@example
4803x/i $pc
4804@end example
4805
4806@noindent
ed447b95 4807or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
29a2b744
RP
4808one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
4809memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
4810stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
4811stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
4812regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
93928b60 4813@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a function}.} with
1041a570 4814
70b88761
RP
4815@example
4816set $sp += 4
4817@end example
4818
09267865
RP
4819Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
4820your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
4821so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
4822shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
70b88761
RP
4823registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
4824can also refer to it as @code{$ps}.
4825
18fae2a8 4826@value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
70b88761
RP
4827integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
4828special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
4829registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
4830to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
4831(although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
4832@samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
4833
4834Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
4835means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
4836the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
4837sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
4838coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
4839programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
18fae2a8 4840cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format that
70b88761
RP
4841makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
4842prints the data in both formats.
4843
4844Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
93928b60 4845(@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}). This means that you get the
29a2b744
RP
4846value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
4847were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
4848true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
4849frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
70b88761 4850
18fae2a8 4851However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
70b88761 4852code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
18fae2a8 4853@value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
70b88761
RP
4854frame will make no difference.
4855
a64a6c2b 4856@ifset AMD29K
03a77779 4857@table @code
d8a68b28
JG
4858@item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
4859@kindex set rstack_high_address
03a77779
RP
4860@cindex AMD 29K register stack
4861@cindex register stack, AMD29K
4862On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
18fae2a8
RP
4863``register stack''. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the extent
4864of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the stack is ``large
4865enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing memory locations that
93918348 4866do not exist. If necessary, you can get around this problem by
03a77779
RP
4867specifying the ending address of the register stack with the @code{set
4868rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an address, which
4869you will probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
4870hexadecimal.
d8a68b28
JG
4871
4872@item show rstack_high_address
4873@kindex show rstack_high_address
03a77779
RP
4874Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
4875processors.
4876@end table
18fae2a8 4877@end ifset
d8a68b28 4878
a64a6c2b 4879@ifclear HAVE-FLOAT
4eb4cf57 4880@node Floating Point Hardware
93928b60 4881@section Floating point hardware
70b88761 4882@cindex floating point
1041a570 4883
1d7c3357 4884@c FIXME! Really host, not target?
18fae2a8 4885Depending on the host machine architecture, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
70b88761
RP
4886you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
4887
4888@table @code
4889@item info float
4890@kindex info float
8c69096b 4891Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
70b88761 4892point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
8c69096b
RP
4893floating point chip; on some platforms, @samp{info float} is not
4894available at all.
70b88761
RP
4895@end table
4896@c FIXME: this is a cop-out. Try to get examples, explanations. Only
e251e767
RP
4897@c FIXME...supported currently on arm's and 386's. Mark properly with
4898@c FIXME... m4 macros to isolate general statements from hardware-dep,
70b88761 4899@c FIXME... at that point.
18fae2a8 4900@end ifclear
70b88761 4901
18fae2a8 4902@ifclear CONLY
4eb4cf57 4903@node Languages
18fae2a8 4904@chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
c2bbbb22
RP
4905@cindex languages
4906
09934a2b 4907@ifset MOD2
c2bbbb22
RP
4908Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
4909rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
4910dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
4911Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
4912represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C are written
4913like @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
09934a2b 4914@end ifset
c2bbbb22
RP
4915
4916@cindex working language
18fae2a8 4917Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
29a2b744 4918allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
18fae2a8 4919native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
29a2b744 4920consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
c2bbbb22 4921language you use to build expressions, called the @dfn{working
18fae2a8 4922language}, can be selected manually, or @value{GDBN} can set it
c2bbbb22
RP
4923automatically.
4924
4925@menu
4926* Setting:: Switching between source languages
4927* Show:: Displaying the language
09934a2b 4928@ifset MOD2
ed447b95 4929* Checks:: Type and range checks
09934a2b 4930@end ifset
da374d80 4931
c2bbbb22
RP
4932* Support:: Supported languages
4933@end menu
4934
4eb4cf57 4935@node Setting
c2bbbb22
RP
4936@section Switching between source languages
4937
18fae2a8 4938There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
c2bbbb22 4939set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
18fae2a8 4940@code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
c2bbbb22
RP
4941defaults to setting the language automatically.
4942
4943@menu
4944* Manually:: Setting the working language manually
18fae2a8 4945* Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
c2bbbb22
RP
4946@end menu
4947
4eb4cf57 4948@node Manually
c2bbbb22
RP
4949@subsection Setting the working language
4950
ed447b95
RP
4951If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
4952expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
4953your program.
4954
c2bbbb22 4955@kindex set language
ed447b95
RP
4956If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
4957command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
09934a2b
RP
4958a language, such as
4959@ifclear MOD2
4960@code{c}.
4961@end ifclear
4962@ifset MOD2
4963@code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
4964@end ifset
4965For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
ed447b95 4966@c FIXME: rms: eventually this command should be "help set language".
c2bbbb22 4967
09934a2b 4968@ifset MOD2
18fae2a8 4969Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
c2bbbb22
RP
4970language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
4971to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
4972source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
4973languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
18fae2a8 4974source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
c2bbbb22
RP
4975command such as:
4976
4977@example
4978print a = b + c
4979@end example
4980
4981@noindent
4982might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
4983@code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
4984printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
4985@code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
09934a2b 4986@end ifset
c2bbbb22 4987
4eb4cf57 4988@node Automatically
18fae2a8 4989@subsection Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
c2bbbb22 4990
18fae2a8
RP
4991To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use @samp{set
4992language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN} then infers the
c2bbbb22
RP
4993language that a program was written in by looking at the name of its
4994source files, and examining their extensions:
4995
4996@table @file
09934a2b 4997@ifset MOD2
c2bbbb22
RP
4998@item *.mod
4999Modula-2 source file
09934a2b 5000@end ifset
c2bbbb22
RP
5001
5002@item *.c
5a2c1d85
RP
5003C source file
5004
5005@item *.C
c2bbbb22 5006@itemx *.cc
5a2c1d85 5007C++ source file
c2bbbb22
RP
5008@end table
5009
5010This information is recorded for each function or procedure in a source
5011file. When your program stops in a frame (usually by encountering a
18fae2a8 5012breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the working language to the language recorded
c2bbbb22
RP
5013for the function in that frame. If the language for a frame is unknown
5014(that is, if the function or block corresponding to the frame was
5015defined in a source file that does not have a recognized extension), the
18fae2a8 5016current working language is not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
c2bbbb22
RP
5017
5018This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
5019entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
5020written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
5021a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
5022case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
5023
4eb4cf57 5024@node Show
c2bbbb22
RP
5025@section Displaying the language
5026
5027The following commands will help you find out which language is the
5028working language, and also what language source files were written in.
5029
5030@kindex show language
5031@kindex info frame
5032@kindex info source
5033@table @code
5034@item show language
5035Display the current working language. This is the
5036language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
29a2b744 5037build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
c2bbbb22
RP
5038
5039@item info frame
1041a570 5040Among the other information listed here (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information
93928b60 5041about a frame}) is the source language for this frame. This is the
c2bbbb22
RP
5042language that will become the working language if you ever use an
5043identifier that is in this frame.
5044
5045@item info source
1041a570 5046Among the other information listed here (@pxref{Symbols, ,Examining the
c2bbbb22 5047Symbol Table}) is the source language of this source file.
c2bbbb22
RP
5048@end table
5049
09934a2b 5050@ifset MOD2
4eb4cf57 5051@node Checks
93928b60 5052@section Type and range checking
c2bbbb22
RP
5053
5054@quotation
18fae2a8 5055@emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
c2bbbb22
RP
5056checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
5057section documents the intended facilities.
5058@end quotation
5059@c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
5060
5061Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
5062errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
5063checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
5064sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
5065these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
5066by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
29a2b744 5067errors when your program is running.
c2bbbb22 5068
18fae2a8
RP
5069@value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
5070Although @value{GDBN} will not check the statements in your program, it
5071can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via
1041a570 5072the @code{print} command, for example. As with the working language,
18fae2a8 5073@value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check automatically based on
93928b60 5074your program's source language. @xref{Support, ,Supported languages},
1041a570 5075for the default settings of supported languages.
c2bbbb22
RP
5076
5077@menu
5078* Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
5079* Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
5080@end menu
5081
5082@cindex type checking
5083@cindex checks, type
4eb4cf57 5084@node Type Checking
c2bbbb22
RP
5085@subsection An overview of type checking
5086
5087Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
5088arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
5089otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
5090errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
5091
5092@example
50931 + 2 @result{} 3
1041a570 5094@exdent but
c2bbbb22
RP
5095@error{} 1 + 2.3
5096@end example
5097
5098The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
5099type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
5100
18fae2a8 5101For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the @value{GDBN}
c2bbbb22
RP
5102type checker to skip checking; to treat any mismatches as errors and
5103abandon the expression; or only issue warnings when type mismatches
5104occur, but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
18fae2a8 5105these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
c2bbbb22
RP
5106also issues a warning.
5107
5108Even though you may turn type checking off, other type-based reasons may
18fae2a8 5109prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression. For instance, @value{GDBN} does not
c2bbbb22
RP
5110know how to add an @code{int} and a @code{struct foo}. These particular
5111type errors have nothing to do with the language in use, and usually
5112arise from expressions, such as the one described above, which make
5113little sense to evaluate anyway.
5114
5115Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
5116instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
5117operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
5118represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
93928b60 5119operators. @xref{Support, ,Supported languages}, for further
c2bbbb22
RP
5120details on specific languages.
5121
18fae2a8 5122@value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
c2bbbb22
RP
5123
5124@kindex set check
5125@kindex set check type
5126@kindex show check type
5127@table @code
5128@item set check type auto
e251e767 5129Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
93928b60 5130@xref{Support, ,Supported languages}, for the default settings for
c2bbbb22
RP
5131each language.
5132
5133@item set check type on
5134@itemx set check type off
5135Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
5136current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
93918348 5137match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
18fae2a8 5138evaluating an expression while typechecking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
c2bbbb22
RP
5139message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
5140
5141@item set check type warn
5142Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
5143evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
18fae2a8 5144be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
c2bbbb22
RP
5145numbers and structures.
5146
5147@item show type
18fae2a8 5148Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN} is
c2bbbb22
RP
5149setting it automatically.
5150@end table
5151
5152@cindex range checking
5153@cindex checks, range
4eb4cf57 5154@node Range Checking
ed447b95 5155@subsection An overview of range checking
c2bbbb22
RP
5156
5157In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
5158bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
5159checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
5160computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
5161not exceed the bounds of the array.
5162
ed447b95
RP
5163For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
5164@value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
5165always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
5166warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
c2bbbb22
RP
5167
5168A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
ed447b95 5169array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
c2bbbb22
RP
5170of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
5171error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
5172result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
5173the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
1041a570 5174
c2bbbb22
RP
5175@example
5176@var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
5177@end example
5178
5179This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
1041a570 5180specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Support, ,
93928b60 5181Supported languages}, for further details on specific languages.
c2bbbb22 5182
18fae2a8 5183@value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
c2bbbb22
RP
5184
5185@kindex set check
5186@kindex set check range
5187@kindex show check range
5188@table @code
5189@item set check range auto
e251e767 5190Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
93928b60 5191@xref{Support, ,Supported languages}, for the default settings for
c2bbbb22
RP
5192each language.
5193
5194@item set check range on
5195@itemx set check range off
5196Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
5197current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
93918348 5198match the language default. If a range error occurs, then a message
c2bbbb22
RP
5199is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
5200
5201@item set check range warn
18fae2a8 5202Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
c2bbbb22
RP
5203but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
5204expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
6b51acad 5205memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
c2bbbb22
RP
5206systems).
5207
5208@item show range
e251e767 5209Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
18fae2a8 5210being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
c2bbbb22 5211@end table
09934a2b 5212@end ifset
c2bbbb22 5213
4eb4cf57 5214@node Support
93928b60 5215@section Supported languages
c2bbbb22 5216
09934a2b
RP
5217@ifset MOD2
5218@value{GDBN} 4 supports C, C++, and Modula-2.
5219@end ifset
5220@ifclear MOD2
5221@value{GDBN} 4 supports C, and C++.
5222@end ifclear
5223Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
5224language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
5225and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
5226,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
5227language.
5228
5229The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
5230supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
5231tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
5232@value{GDBN} expression parser will accept, and what input and output
5233formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
5234books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
5235language reference or tutorial.
5236
5237@ifset MOD2
c2bbbb22
RP
5238@menu
5239* C:: C and C++
5240* Modula-2:: Modula-2
5241@end menu
5242
4eb4cf57 5243@node C
c2bbbb22
RP
5244@subsection C and C++
5245@cindex C and C++
c2bbbb22 5246@cindex expressions in C or C++
0f153e74 5247
18fae2a8 5248Since C and C++ are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
5a2c1d85
RP
5249to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss both languages
5250together.
09934a2b
RP
5251@end ifset
5252@ifclear MOD2
5253@c Cancel this below, under same condition, at end of this chapter!
6370267a 5254@raisesections
09934a2b 5255@end ifclear
b80282d5
RP
5256
5257@cindex C++
5258@kindex g++
5259@cindex GNU C++
c2bbbb22 5260The C++ debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the GNU C++
22b5dba5
RP
5261compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C++ code
5262effectively, you must compile your C++ programs with the GNU C++
5263compiler, @code{g++}.
5264
5265For best results when debugging C++ programs, use the stabs debugging
5266format. You can select that format explicitly with the @code{g++}
5267command-line options @samp{-gstabs} or @samp{-gstabs+}. See
5268@ref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GNU CC,
5269gcc.info, Using GNU CC}, for more information.
18fae2a8
RP
5270@end ifclear
5271@ifset CONLY
0f153e74
RP
5272@node C
5273@chapter C Language Support
5274@cindex C language
5275@cindex expressions in C
5276
18fae2a8
RP
5277Information specific to the C language is built into @value{GDBN} so that you
5278can use C expressions while degugging. This also permits @value{GDBN} to
0f153e74 5279output values in a manner consistent with C conventions.
c2bbbb22 5280
0f153e74 5281@menu
ed447b95
RP
5282* C Operators:: C operators
5283* C Constants:: C constants
18fae2a8 5284* Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
0f153e74 5285@end menu
18fae2a8
RP
5286@end ifset
5287@ifclear CONLY
b80282d5 5288@menu
ed447b95
RP
5289* C Operators:: C and C++ operators
5290* C Constants:: C and C++ constants
5291* Cplus expressions:: C++ expressions
c2bbbb22 5292* C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C++
09934a2b 5293@ifset MOD2
ed447b95 5294* C Checks:: C and C++ type and range checks
09934a2b 5295@end ifset
da374d80 5296
18fae2a8 5297* Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
c2bbbb22 5298* Debugging C plus plus:: Special features for C++
b80282d5 5299@end menu
18fae2a8 5300@end ifclear
b80282d5 5301
18fae2a8 5302@ifclear CONLY
c2bbbb22 5303@cindex C and C++ operators
4eb4cf57 5304@node C Operators
93928b60 5305@subsubsection C and C++ operators
18fae2a8
RP
5306@end ifclear
5307@ifset CONLY
0f153e74
RP
5308@cindex C operators
5309@node C Operators
93928b60 5310@section C operators
18fae2a8 5311@end ifset
c2bbbb22
RP
5312
5313Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
5314@code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
0f153e74
RP
5315often defined on groups of types.
5316
18fae2a8 5317@ifclear CONLY
0f153e74 5318For the purposes of C and C++, the following definitions hold:
18fae2a8 5319@end ifclear
c2bbbb22
RP
5320
5321@itemize @bullet
e251e767 5322@item
c2bbbb22 5323@emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
9aa964da 5324specifiers; @code{char}; and @code{enum}.
c2bbbb22
RP
5325
5326@item
5327@emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float} and @code{double}.
5328
5329@item
5330@emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type}
5331*)}.
5332
e251e767 5333@item
c2bbbb22 5334@emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
c2bbbb22
RP
5335@end itemize
5336
5337@noindent
5338The following operators are supported. They are listed here
5339in order of increasing precedence:
5340
5341@table @code
18fae2a8 5342@item ,
c2bbbb22
RP
5343The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
5344are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
5345expression being the last expression evaluated.
5346
5347@item =
5348Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
5349assigned. Defined on scalar types.
5350
5351@item @var{op}=
1041a570
RP
5352Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
5353and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
5354@w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precendence.
5355@var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
5356@code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
c2bbbb22
RP
5357
5358@item ?:
5359The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
5360of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
5361integral type.
5362
5363@item ||
1041a570 5364Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
c2bbbb22
RP
5365
5366@item &&
1041a570 5367Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
c2bbbb22
RP
5368
5369@item |
1041a570 5370Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
c2bbbb22
RP
5371
5372@item ^
1041a570 5373Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
c2bbbb22
RP
5374
5375@item &
1041a570 5376Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
c2bbbb22
RP
5377
5378@item ==@r{, }!=
5379Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
5380expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
5381
5382@item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
5383Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
5384Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
5385and non-zero for true.
5386
5387@item <<@r{, }>>
18fae2a8 5388left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
c2bbbb22 5389
e251e767 5390@item @@
18fae2a8 5391The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
c2bbbb22
RP
5392
5393@item +@r{, }-
5394Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
e251e767 5395pointer types.
c2bbbb22
RP
5396
5397@item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
5398Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
5399defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
5400integral types.
5401
5402@item ++@r{, }--
5403Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
5404operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
5405when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
5406operation takes place.
5407
5408@item *
5409Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
5410@code{++}.
5411
5412@item &
5413Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
5414
18fae2a8 5415@ifclear CONLY
93918348 5416For debugging C++, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
6ca72cc6 5417allowed in the C++ language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
7640fe71 5418(or, if you prefer, simply @samp{&&@var{ref}}) to examine the address
6ca72cc6
RP
5419where a C++ reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
5420stored.
18fae2a8 5421@end ifclear
6ca72cc6 5422
c2bbbb22
RP
5423@item -
5424Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
5425precedence as @code{++}.
5426
5427@item !
5428Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
5429@code{++}.
5430
5431@item ~
5432Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
5433@code{++}.
5434
18fae2a8 5435
c2bbbb22
RP
5436@item .@r{, }->
5437Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
18fae2a8 5438@value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
e251e767 5439pointer based on the stored type information.
9aa964da 5440Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
c2bbbb22
RP
5441
5442@item []
5443Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
5444@code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
5445
5446@item ()
18fae2a8 5447Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
c2bbbb22 5448
18fae2a8 5449@ifclear CONLY
c2bbbb22
RP
5450@item ::
5451C++ scope resolution operator. Defined on
5452@code{struct}, @code{union}, and @code{class} types.
18fae2a8 5453@end ifclear
c2bbbb22
RP
5454
5455@item ::
ed447b95
RP
5456Doubled colons
5457@ifclear CONLY
5458also
5459@end ifclear
5460represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@pxref{Expressions,
5461,Expressions}).
18fae2a8 5462@ifclear CONLY
0f153e74 5463Same precedence as @code{::}, above.
18fae2a8 5464@end ifclear
c2bbbb22
RP
5465@end table
5466
18fae2a8 5467@ifclear CONLY
c2bbbb22 5468@cindex C and C++ constants
4eb4cf57 5469@node C Constants
93928b60 5470@subsubsection C and C++ constants
0f153e74 5471
18fae2a8 5472@value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C++ in the
0f153e74 5473following ways:
18fae2a8
RP
5474@end ifclear
5475@ifset CONLY
0f153e74
RP
5476@cindex C constants
5477@node C Constants
93928b60 5478@section C constants
c2bbbb22 5479
18fae2a8 5480@value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C in the
c2bbbb22 5481following ways:
18fae2a8 5482@end ifset
c2bbbb22
RP
5483
5484@itemize @bullet
c2bbbb22
RP
5485@item
5486Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
5487specified by a leading @samp{0} (ie. zero), and hexadecimal constants by
1041a570 5488a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
c2bbbb22
RP
5489@samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
5490@code{long} value.
5491
5492@item
5493Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
5494point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
5495exponent. An exponent is of the form:
5496@samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
5497sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
5498
5499@item
5500Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
5501integral equivalents.
5502
5503@item
5504Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
5505(@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
5506(usually its @sc{ASCII} value). Within quotes, the single character may
5507be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
5508the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
5509of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
5510@samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
5511@samp{\n} for newline.
5512
5513@item
5514String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded
5515by double quotes (@code{"}).
5516
5517@item
fe715d06
RP
5518Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
5519to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
5520
5521@item
5522Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
5523and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
5524integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
5525and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
c2bbbb22
RP
5526@end itemize
5527
18fae2a8 5528@ifclear CONLY
ed447b95 5529@node Cplus expressions
93928b60 5530@subsubsection C++ expressions
b80282d5
RP
5531
5532@cindex expressions in C++
93918348 5533@value{GDBN} expression handling has a number of extensions to
b1385986
RP
5534interpret a significant subset of C++ expressions.
5535
5536@cindex C++ support, not in @sc{coff}
5537@cindex @sc{coff} versus C++
5538@cindex C++ and object formats
5539@cindex object formats and C++
5540@cindex a.out and C++
5541@cindex @sc{ecoff} and C++
5542@cindex @sc{xcoff} and C++
5543@cindex @sc{elf}/stabs and C++
5544@cindex @sc{elf}/@sc{dwarf} and C++
5545@quotation
5546@emph{Warning:} Most of these extensions depend on the use of additional
5547debugging information in the symbol table, and thus require a rich,
5548extendable object code format. In particular, if your system uses
5549a.out, MIPS @sc{ecoff}, RS/6000 @sc{xcoff}, or Sun @sc{elf} with stabs
5550extensions to the symbol table, these facilities are all available.
5551Where the object code format is standard @sc{coff}, on the other hand,
18fae2a8 5552most of the C++ support in @value{GDBN} will @emph{not} work, nor can it.
b1385986 5553For the standard SVr4 debugging format, @sc{dwarf} in @sc{elf}, the
18fae2a8 5554standard is still evolving, so the C++ support in @value{GDBN} is still
b1385986
RP
5555fragile; when this debugging format stabilizes, however, C++ support
5556will also be available on systems that use it.
5557@end quotation
b80282d5
RP
5558
5559@enumerate
5560
5561@cindex member functions
e251e767 5562@item
b80282d5 5563Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
1041a570 5564
b80282d5
RP
5565@example
5566count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
5567@end example
5568
5569@kindex this
5570@cindex namespace in C++
e251e767 5571@item
b80282d5
RP
5572While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
5573expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
18fae2a8 5574that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
b80282d5
RP
5575pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C++.
5576
5577@cindex call overloaded functions
5578@cindex type conversions in C++
e251e767 5579@item
18fae2a8 5580You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} will resolve the function
b80282d5
RP
5581call to the right definition, with one restriction---you must use
5582arguments of the type required by the function that you want to call.
18fae2a8 5583@value{GDBN} will not perform conversions requiring constructors or
b80282d5
RP
5584user-defined type operators.
5585
5586@cindex reference declarations
5587@item
18fae2a8 5588@value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C++ references; you can use them in
b80282d5 5589expressions just as you do in C++ source---they are automatically
e251e767 5590dereferenced.
b80282d5 5591
18fae2a8 5592In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
b80282d5
RP
5593reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
5594avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
5595The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
1041a570 5596you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
b80282d5
RP
5597
5598@item
18fae2a8 5599@value{GDBN} supports the C++ name resolution operator @code{::}---your
c2bbbb22
RP
5600expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
5601one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
5602necessary, for example in an expression like
18fae2a8 5603@samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
c2bbbb22 5604resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C++
93928b60 5605debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program variables}).
b80282d5
RP
5606@end enumerate
5607
4eb4cf57 5608@node C Defaults
93928b60 5609@subsubsection C and C++ defaults
c2bbbb22
RP
5610@cindex C and C++ defaults
5611
18fae2a8 5612If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
e251e767 5613both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
18fae2a8 5614C or C++. This happens regardless of whether you, or @value{GDBN},
c2bbbb22
RP
5615selected the working language.
5616
18fae2a8 5617If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it sets the
5a2c1d85
RP
5618working language to C or C++ on entering code compiled from a source file
5619whose name ends with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or @file{.cc}.
18fae2a8 5620@xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language}, for
c2bbbb22
RP
5621further details.
5622
09934a2b
RP
5623@ifset MOD2
5624@c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
5625@c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
5626@c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. pesch 16jul93.
4eb4cf57 5627@node C Checks
93928b60 5628@subsubsection C and C++ type and range checks
c2bbbb22
RP
5629@cindex C and C++ checks
5630
18fae2a8
RP
5631By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C++ expressions, type checking
5632is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN} will
c2bbbb22
RP
5633consider two variables type equivalent if:
5634
5635@itemize @bullet
5636@item
5637The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
5638enumerated tag.
5639
e251e767 5640@item
c2bbbb22
RP
5641Two two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
5642declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
5643
5644@ignore
5645@c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
5646@c FIXME--beers?
5647@item
5648The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
5649declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
5650compilers.)
5651@end ignore
c2bbbb22
RP
5652@end itemize
5653
5654Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
5655indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
5656that is not itself an array.
09934a2b 5657@end ifset
18fae2a8 5658@end ifclear
c2bbbb22 5659
18fae2a8 5660@ifclear CONLY
4eb4cf57 5661@node Debugging C
18fae2a8
RP
5662@subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
5663@end ifclear
5664@ifset CONLY
5665@node Debugging C
5666@section @value{GDBN} and C
5667@end ifset
c2bbbb22
RP
5668
5669The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
5670the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
1d7c3357
RP
5671inside a @code{struct}
5672@ifclear CONLY
5673or @code{class}
5674@end ifclear
5675will also be printed.
c2bbbb22
RP
5676Otherwise, it will appear as @samp{@{...@}}.
5677
5678The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
ed447b95
RP
5679with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
5680,Expressions}.
c2bbbb22 5681
18fae2a8 5682@ifclear CONLY
4eb4cf57 5683@node Debugging C plus plus
93928b60 5684@subsubsection @value{GDBN} features for C++
b80282d5
RP
5685
5686@cindex commands for C++
18fae2a8 5687Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C++, and some are
b80282d5
RP
5688designed specifically for use with C++. Here is a summary:
5689
5690@table @code
5691@cindex break in overloaded functions
5692@item @r{breakpoint menus}
5693When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
93918348 5694@value{GDBN} breakpoint menus help you specify which function definition
93928b60 5695you want. @xref{Breakpoint Menus,,Breakpoint menus}.
b80282d5
RP
5696
5697@cindex overloading in C++
5698@item rbreak @var{regex}
5699Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
5700breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
e251e767 5701classes.
93928b60 5702@xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}.
b80282d5
RP
5703
5704@cindex C++ exception handling
5705@item catch @var{exceptions}
5706@itemx info catch
29a2b744 5707Debug C++ exception handling using these commands. @xref{Exception
93928b60 5708Handling, ,Breakpoints and exceptions}.
b80282d5 5709
e251e767 5710@cindex inheritance
b80282d5
RP
5711@item ptype @var{typename}
5712Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
e251e767 5713@var{typename}.
1041a570 5714@xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
b80282d5
RP
5715
5716@cindex C++ symbol display
5717@item set print demangle
5718@itemx show print demangle
5719@itemx set print asm-demangle
5720@itemx show print asm-demangle
5721Control whether C++ symbols display in their source form, both when
5722displaying code as C++ source and when displaying disassemblies.
93928b60 5723@xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
b80282d5
RP
5724
5725@item set print object
5726@itemx show print object
e251e767 5727Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
93928b60 5728@xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
b80282d5
RP
5729
5730@item set print vtbl
5731@itemx show print vtbl
5732Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
93928b60 5733@xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
6f3ec223
RP
5734
5735@item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
5736You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
93918348 5737the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C++: type
6f3ec223 5738@code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
93918348 5739also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
6f3ec223 5740available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
93928b60 5741@xref{Completion,, Command completion}, for details on how to do this.
b80282d5 5742@end table
09934a2b 5743@ifclear MOD2
6370267a
RP
5744@c cancels "raisesections" under same conditions near bgn of chapter
5745@lowersections
09934a2b 5746@end ifclear
b80282d5 5747
09934a2b 5748@ifset MOD2
4eb4cf57 5749@node Modula-2
c2bbbb22
RP
5750@subsection Modula-2
5751@cindex Modula-2
5752
ed447b95
RP
5753The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
5754output from the GNU Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
5755developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
5756attempting to debug executables produced by them will most likely
5757result in an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
5758table.
c2bbbb22
RP
5759
5760@cindex expressions in Modula-2
5761@menu
5762* M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
ed447b95
RP
5763* Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
5764* M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
c2bbbb22
RP
5765* M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
5766* Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
ed447b95 5767* M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
c2bbbb22 5768* M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
18fae2a8 5769* GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
c2bbbb22
RP
5770@end menu
5771
4eb4cf57 5772@node M2 Operators
c2bbbb22
RP
5773@subsubsection Operators
5774@cindex Modula-2 operators
5775
5776Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
5777@code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
5778often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
5779following definitions hold:
5780
5781@itemize @bullet
5782
5783@item
5784@emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
5785their subranges.
5786
5787@item
5788@emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
5789
5790@item
5791@emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
5792
5793@item
5794@emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
5795@var{type}}.
5796
5797@item
5798@emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
5799
5800@item
9aa964da 5801@emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
c2bbbb22
RP
5802
5803@item
5804@emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
c2bbbb22
RP
5805@end itemize
5806
5807@noindent
5808The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
5809increasing precedence:
5810
5811@table @code
c2bbbb22
RP
5812@item ,
5813Function argument or array index separator.
18fae2a8 5814
c2bbbb22
RP
5815@item :=
5816Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
5817@var{value}.
5818
5819@item <@r{, }>
5820Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
5821types.
5822
5823@item <=@r{, }>=
5824Less than, greater than, less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
5825on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
5826set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
5827
5828@item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
5829Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
18fae2a8 5830Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
c2bbbb22
RP
5831available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
5832comment character.
5833
5834@item IN
5835Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
5836Same precedence as @code{<}.
5837
5838@item OR
5839Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
5840
5841@item AND@r{, }&
5842Boolean conjuction. Defined on boolean types.
5843
5844@item @@
18fae2a8 5845The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
c2bbbb22
RP
5846
5847@item +@r{, }-
5848Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
5849and difference on set types.
5850
5851@item *
5852Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
5853on set types.
5854
5855@item /
5856Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
5857types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
5858
5859@item DIV@r{, }MOD
5860Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
5861precedence as @code{*}.
5862
5863@item -
9aa964da 5864Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
c2bbbb22
RP
5865
5866@item ^
e251e767 5867Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
c2bbbb22
RP
5868
5869@item NOT
5870Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
5871@code{^}.
5872
5873@item .
9aa964da 5874@code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
c2bbbb22
RP
5875precedence as @code{^}.
5876
5877@item []
9aa964da 5878Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
c2bbbb22
RP
5879
5880@item ()
9aa964da 5881Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
c2bbbb22
RP
5882as @code{^}.
5883
5884@item ::@r{, }.
18fae2a8 5885@value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
c2bbbb22
RP
5886@end table
5887
5888@quotation
18fae2a8 5889@emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
c2bbbb22
RP
5890will treat the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
5891@code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
5892@code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
5893@end quotation
18fae2a8 5894
29a2b744 5895@cindex Modula-2 built-ins
4eb4cf57 5896@node Built-In Func/Proc
93928b60 5897@subsubsection Built-in functions and procedures
c2bbbb22
RP
5898
5899Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
5900In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
5901
5902@table @var
5903
5904@item a
5905represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
5906
5907@item c
5908represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
5909
5910@item i
5911represents a variable or constant of integral type.
5912
5913@item m
5914represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
5915same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
6b51acad 5916be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
c2bbbb22
RP
5917
5918@item n
5919represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
5920
5921@item r
5922represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
5923
5924@item t
5925represents a type.
5926
5927@item v
5928represents a variable.
5929
5930@item x
5931represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
5932explanation of the function for details.
c2bbbb22
RP
5933@end table
5934
5935All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
5936
5937@table @code
5938@item ABS(@var{n})
5939Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
5940
5941@item CAP(@var{c})
5942If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
5943equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument
5944
5945@item CHR(@var{i})
5946Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
5947
5948@item DEC(@var{v})
5949Decrements the value in the variable @var{v}. Returns the new value.
5950
5951@item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
5952Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
5953new value.
5954
5955@item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
5956Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
5957set.
5958
5959@item FLOAT(@var{i})
5960Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
5961
5962@item HIGH(@var{a})
5963Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
5964
5965@item INC(@var{v})
5966Increments the value in the variable @var{v}. Returns the new value.
5967
5968@item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
5969Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
5970new value.
5971
5972@item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
5973Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
5974there. Returns the new set.
5975
5976@item MAX(@var{t})
5977Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
5978
5979@item MIN(@var{t})
5980Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
5981
5982@item ODD(@var{i})
5983Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
5984
5985@item ORD(@var{x})
5986Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
5987value of a character is its ASCII value (on machines supporting the
5988ASCII character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
5989integral, character and enumerated types.
5990
5991@item SIZE(@var{x})
5992Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
5993
5994@item TRUNC(@var{r})
5995Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
5996
5997@item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
5998Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
5999@end table
6000
6001@quotation
6002@emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
18fae2a8 6003@value{GDBN} will treat the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
c2bbbb22
RP
6004an error.
6005@end quotation
6006
6007@cindex Modula-2 constants
4eb4cf57 6008@node M2 Constants
c2bbbb22
RP
6009@subsubsection Constants
6010
18fae2a8 6011@value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
c2bbbb22
RP
6012ways:
6013
6014@itemize @bullet
6015
6016@item
6017Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
6018expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
6019rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
6020trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
6021
6022@item
6023Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
6024decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
6025then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
6026@samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
6027digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
6028digits.
6029
6030@item
6031Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
6032like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
6033also be expressed by their ordinal value (their ASCII value, usually)
6034followed by a @samp{C}.
6035
6036@item
1041a570
RP
6037String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
6038pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
6039Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
93928b60 6040Constants, ,C and C++ constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
1041a570 6041sequences.
c2bbbb22
RP
6042
6043@item
6044Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
6045
6046@item
6047Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
6048@code{FALSE}.
6049
6050@item
6051Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
6052
6053@item
6054Set constants are not yet supported.
c2bbbb22
RP
6055@end itemize
6056
4eb4cf57 6057@node M2 Defaults
93928b60 6058@subsubsection Modula-2 defaults
c2bbbb22
RP
6059@cindex Modula-2 defaults
6060
18fae2a8 6061If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
e251e767 6062both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
18fae2a8 6063Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you, or @value{GDBN},
c2bbbb22
RP
6064selected the working language.
6065
18fae2a8 6066If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
c2bbbb22 6067code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} will set the
18fae2a8 6068working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} set
c2bbbb22
RP
6069the language automatically}, for further details.
6070
4eb4cf57 6071@node Deviations
93928b60 6072@subsubsection Deviations from standard Modula-2
c2bbbb22
RP
6073@cindex Modula-2, deviations from
6074
6075A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
6076This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
6077
6078@itemize @bullet
e251e767 6079@item
c2bbbb22
RP
6080Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
6081integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
6082debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
6083pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
6084through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
6085returned a pointer.)
6086
e251e767 6087@item
c2bbbb22 6088C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
18fae2a8 6089non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} will print out strings with these
c2bbbb22
RP
6090escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
6091printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
6092
6093@item
6094The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
6095argument.
6096
6097@item
29a2b744 6098All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
e251e767 6099@end itemize
c2bbbb22 6100
4eb4cf57 6101@node M2 Checks
93928b60 6102@subsubsection Modula-2 type and range checks
c2bbbb22
RP
6103@cindex Modula-2 checks
6104
6105@quotation
18fae2a8 6106@emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
c2bbbb22
RP
6107range checking.
6108@end quotation
6109@c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
6110
18fae2a8 6111@value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
c2bbbb22
RP
6112
6113@itemize @bullet
6114@item
6115They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
6116@var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
6117
6118@item
6119They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
6120GNU Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
c2bbbb22
RP
6121@end itemize
6122
6123As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
6124whose types are not equivalent is an error.
6125
6126Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
29a2b744 6127index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
c2bbbb22 6128
4eb4cf57 6129@node M2 Scope
c2bbbb22
RP
6130@subsubsection The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
6131@cindex scope
6132@kindex .
e94b4a2b 6133@cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
1041a570
RP
6134@ifinfo
6135@kindex colon-colon
ed447b95 6136@c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
1041a570
RP
6137@end ifinfo
6138@iftex
c2bbbb22 6139@kindex ::
1041a570 6140@end iftex
c2bbbb22
RP
6141
6142There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
18fae2a8 6143(@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
c2bbbb22
RP
6144similar syntax:
6145
6146@example
6147
6148@var{module} . @var{id}
6149@var{scope} :: @var{id}
c2bbbb22
RP
6150@end example
6151
6152@noindent
6153where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
29a2b744
RP
6154@var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
6155identifier within your program, except another module.
c2bbbb22 6156
18fae2a8 6157Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
c2bbbb22 6158specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
18fae2a8 6159found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} will search all scopes
c2bbbb22
RP
6160enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
6161
18fae2a8 6162Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
c2bbbb22
RP
6163the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
6164definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
6165an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
6166module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
6167@var{module}.
6168
4eb4cf57 6169@node GDB/M2
18fae2a8 6170@subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
c2bbbb22 6171
18fae2a8 6172Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
c2bbbb22
RP
6173Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
6174specifically to C and C++: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
6175@samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
93918348 6176apply to C++, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
c2bbbb22
RP
6177analogue in Modula-2.
6178
1041a570 6179The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
c2bbbb22
RP
6180while using any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
6181intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
6182created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C++. However, because an
6183address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
1041a570 6184@samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful. (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions})
18fae2a8 6185
c2bbbb22 6186@cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
18fae2a8 6187In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
c2bbbb22 6188interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
18fae2a8 6189
09934a2b 6190@end ifset
da374d80 6191@end ifclear
4eb4cf57
RP
6192
6193@node Symbols
70b88761
RP
6194@chapter Examining the Symbol Table
6195
6196The commands described in this section allow you to inquire about the
6197symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
6198program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
18fae2a8
RP
6199does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
6200program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
93928b60
RP
6201(@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing files}), or by one of the
6202file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
70b88761 6203
6c380b13
RP
6204@c FIXME! This might be intentionally specific to C and C++; if so, move
6205@c to someplace in C section of lang chapter.
6206@cindex symbol names
6207@cindex names of symbols
6208@cindex quoting names
6209Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
18fae2a8 6210characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
6c380b13 6211most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
93928b60 6212source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program variables}). File names
18fae2a8 6213are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
6c380b13 6214ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
18fae2a8 6215@samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
6c380b13
RP
6216@samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
6217
6218@example
6219p 'foo.c'::x
6220@end example
6221
6222@noindent
6223looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
6224
70b88761
RP
6225@table @code
6226@item info address @var{symbol}
6227@kindex info address
6228Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
6229variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
6230local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
6231is always stored.
6232
6233Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
6b51acad 6234at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
70b88761
RP
6235the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
6236
6237@item whatis @var{exp}
6238@kindex whatis
6239Print the data type of expression @var{exp}. @var{exp} is not
6240actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
6241assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
1041a570 6242@xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
70b88761
RP
6243
6244@item whatis
6245Print the data type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
6246
6247@item ptype @var{typename}
6248@kindex ptype
6249Print a description of data type @var{typename}. @var{typename} may be
6250the name of a type, or for C code it may have the form
25f9d853
JK
6251@ifclear CONLY
6252@samp{class @var{class-name}},
6253@end ifclear
70b88761 6254@samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
1041a570 6255@samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
70b88761
RP
6256
6257@item ptype @var{exp}
e0dacfd1 6258@itemx ptype
70b88761 6259Print a description of the type of expression @var{exp}. @code{ptype}
1041a570 6260differs from @code{whatis} by printing a detailed description, instead
ed447b95
RP
6261of just the name of the type.
6262
6263For example, for this variable declaration:
1041a570 6264
70b88761
RP
6265@example
6266struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
6267@end example
1041a570 6268
70b88761 6269@noindent
ed447b95 6270the two commands give this output:
1041a570 6271
70b88761 6272@example
1041a570 6273@group
18fae2a8 6274(@value{GDBP}) whatis v
70b88761 6275type = struct complex
18fae2a8 6276(@value{GDBP}) ptype v
70b88761
RP
6277type = struct complex @{
6278 double real;
6279 double imag;
6280@}
1041a570 6281@end group
70b88761 6282@end example
1041a570 6283
e0dacfd1
RP
6284@noindent
6285As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
6286the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
70b88761
RP
6287
6288@item info types @var{regexp}
6289@itemx info types
e251e767 6290@kindex info types
70b88761
RP
6291Print a brief description of all types whose name matches @var{regexp}
6292(or all types in your program, if you supply no argument). Each
6293complete typename is matched as though it were a complete line; thus,
6294@samp{i type value} gives information on all types in your program whose
6295name includes the string @code{value}, but @samp{i type ^value$} gives
6296information only on types whose complete name is @code{value}.
6297
6298This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
6299@code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
6300lists all source files where a type is defined.
6301
6302@item info source
6303@kindex info source
6304Show the name of the current source file---that is, the source file for
c2bbbb22
RP
6305the function containing the current point of execution---and the language
6306it was written in.
70b88761
RP
6307
6308@item info sources
6309@kindex info sources
29a2b744 6310Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
b80282d5
RP
6311debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
6312have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
70b88761
RP
6313
6314@item info functions
6315@kindex info functions
6316Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
6317
6318@item info functions @var{regexp}
6319Print the names and data types of all defined functions
6320whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
6321Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
6322include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
6323start with @code{step}.
6324
6325@item info variables
6326@kindex info variables
6327Print the names and data types of all variables that are declared
6328outside of functions (i.e., excluding local variables).
6329
6330@item info variables @var{regexp}
6331Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
6332variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
6333@var{regexp}.
6334
70b88761
RP
6335@ignore
6336This was never implemented.
6337@item info methods
6338@itemx info methods @var{regexp}
6339@kindex info methods
6340The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
6341methods within C++ program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
6342specific set of methods found in the various C++ classes. Many
6343C++ classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
6344from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
6345@code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
6346which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
6347@end ignore
6348
d48da190
RP
6349@item maint print symbols @var{filename}
6350@itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
6351@itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
6352@kindex maint print symbols
440d9834 6353@cindex symbol dump
d48da190 6354@kindex maint print psymbols
440d9834
RP
6355@cindex partial symbol dump
6356Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
18fae2a8 6357These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
d48da190 6358symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
18fae2a8 6359symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
d48da190 6360collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
18fae2a8 6361only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
d48da190
RP
6362command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
6363use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
18fae2a8
RP
6364symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
6365files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
d48da190 6366@samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
18fae2a8 6367required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
d55320a0
RP
6368@xref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}, for a discussion of how
6369@value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
70b88761
RP
6370@end table
6371
4eb4cf57 6372@node Altering
70b88761
RP
6373@chapter Altering Execution
6374
29a2b744 6375Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
70b88761
RP
6376find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
6377correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
18fae2a8 6378experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
70b88761
RP
6379program.
6380
6381For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
1d7c3357 6382locations,
18fae2a8 6383@ifclear BARETARGET
1d7c3357 6384give your program a signal, restart it
18fae2a8 6385@end ifclear
1d7c3357
RP
6386@ifset BARETARGET
6387restart your program
6388@end ifset
6389at a different address, or even return prematurely from a function to
6390its caller.
18fae2a8 6391
18fae2a8 6392@menu
ed447b95
RP
6393* Assignment:: Assignment to variables
6394* Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
1d7c3357 6395@ifclear BARETARGET
ed447b95 6396* Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
18fae2a8 6397@end ifclear
b0157555 6398
ed447b95
RP
6399* Returning:: Returning from a function
6400* Calling:: Calling your program's functions
6401* Patching:: Patching your program
18fae2a8 6402@end menu
70b88761 6403
4eb4cf57 6404@node Assignment
93928b60 6405@section Assignment to variables
70b88761
RP
6406
6407@cindex assignment
6408@cindex setting variables
6409To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
1041a570 6410@xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
70b88761
RP
6411
6412@example
6413print x=4
6414@end example
6415
6416@noindent
1041a570 6417stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
4eb4cf57 6418value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
18fae2a8
RP
6419@ifclear CONLY
6420@xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
4eb4cf57 6421information on operators in supported languages.
18fae2a8 6422@end ifclear
70b88761 6423
70b88761
RP
6424@kindex set variable
6425@cindex variables, setting
6426If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
6427@code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
93928b60
RP
6428really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
6429not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
6430,Value history}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
70b88761
RP
6431
6432If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
6433appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
6434variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
ed447b95
RP
6435to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if
6436your program has a variable @code{width}, you get
6437an error if you try to set a new value with just @samp{set width=13},
6438because @value{GDBN} has the command @code{set width}:
1041a570 6439
70b88761 6440@example
18fae2a8 6441(@value{GDBP}) whatis width
70b88761 6442type = double
18fae2a8 6443(@value{GDBP}) p width
70b88761 6444$4 = 13
18fae2a8 6445(@value{GDBP}) set width=47
70b88761
RP
6446Invalid syntax in expression.
6447@end example
1041a570 6448
70b88761 6449@noindent
ed447b95
RP
6450The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
6451order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
1041a570 6452
70b88761 6453@example
18fae2a8 6454(@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
70b88761
RP
6455@end example
6456
18fae2a8 6457@value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
1041a570 6458freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
ed447b95 6459and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
1041a570 6460same length or shorter.
e251e767 6461@comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
70b88761
RP
6462@comment /[email protected] 18dec1990
6463
6464To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
6465construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
1041a570 6466(@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
70b88761
RP
6467to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
6468and representation in memory), and
6469
6470@example
6471set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
6472@end example
6473
6474@noindent
6475stores the value 4 into that memory location.
6476
4eb4cf57 6477@node Jumping
93928b60 6478@section Continuing at a different address
70b88761 6479
29a2b744 6480Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
70b88761
RP
6481it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
6482an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
6483
6484@table @code
6485@item jump @var{linespec}
6486@kindex jump
6487Resume execution at line @var{linespec}. Execution will stop
29a2b744 6488immediately if there is a breakpoint there. @xref{List, ,Printing
93928b60 6489source lines}, for a description of the different forms of
29a2b744 6490@var{linespec}.
70b88761
RP
6491
6492The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
6493the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
6494register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
6495a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
6496be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
6497of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
6498confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
6499executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
29a2b744 6500well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
70b88761
RP
6501
6502@item jump *@var{address}
6503Resume execution at the instruction at address @var{address}.
6504@end table
6505
6506You can get much the same effect as the @code{jump} command by storing a
6507new value into the register @code{$pc}. The difference is that this
29a2b744 6508does not start your program running; it only changes the address where it
70b88761
RP
6509@emph{will} run when it is continued. For example,
6510
6511@example
6512set $pc = 0x485
6513@end example
6514
6515@noindent
6516causes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command to execute at
1041a570 6517address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
93928b60 6518@xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and stepping}.
70b88761
RP
6519
6520The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back up,
6521perhaps with more breakpoints set, over a portion of a program that has
6522already executed, in order to examine its execution in more detail.
6523
18fae2a8 6524@ifclear BARETARGET
70b88761 6525@c @group
ed447b95
RP
6526@node Signaling
6527@section Giving your program a signal
70b88761
RP
6528
6529@table @code
fd32a1dd 6530@item signal @var{signal}
70b88761 6531@kindex signal
6b51acad 6532Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
fd32a1dd
JK
6533signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
6534signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
6535SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
70b88761 6536
fd32a1dd 6537Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
29a2b744 6538giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
70b88761
RP
6539a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
6540@code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
6541signal.
6542
6543@code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
6544after executing the command.
6545@end table
6546@c @end group
fd32a1dd
JK
6547
6548Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
6549@code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
6550causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
6551the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
6552passes the signal directly to your program.
6553
18fae2a8 6554@end ifclear
70b88761 6555
4eb4cf57 6556@node Returning
93928b60 6557@section Returning from a function
70b88761
RP
6558
6559@table @code
6560@item return
6561@itemx return @var{expression}
6562@cindex returning from a function
6563@kindex return
6564You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
6565command. If you give an
6566@var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
e251e767 6567value.
70b88761
RP
6568@end table
6569
18fae2a8 6570When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
70b88761
RP
6571(and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
6572discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
6573be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
6574
29a2b744 6575This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
93928b60 6576frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
29a2b744
RP
6577innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
6578specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
6579of functions.
70b88761
RP
6580
6581The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
6582program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
1041a570 6583returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
93928b60 6584and Stepping, ,Continuing and stepping}) resumes execution until the
1041a570 6585selected stack frame returns naturally.
70b88761 6586
4eb4cf57 6587@node Calling
ed447b95 6588@section Calling program functions
70b88761
RP
6589
6590@cindex calling functions
6591@kindex call
6592@table @code
6593@item call @var{expr}
6594Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
6595returned values.
6596@end table
6597
6598You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
6599execute a function from your program, but without cluttering the output
6600with @code{void} returned values. The result is printed and saved in
6601the value history, if it is not void.
6602
4eb4cf57 6603@node Patching
ed447b95 6604@section Patching programs
c338a2fd
RP
6605@cindex patching binaries
6606@cindex writing into executables
1d7c3357 6607@ifclear BARETARGET
c338a2fd 6608@cindex writing into corefiles
1d7c3357 6609@end ifclear
1041a570 6610
18fae2a8 6611By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's executable
1d7c3357
RP
6612code
6613@ifclear BARETARGET
6614(or the corefile)
6615@end ifclear
6616read-only. This prevents accidental alterations
c338a2fd
RP
6617to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally patching
6618your program's binary.
6619
6620If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
6621explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
6622want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
e251e767 6623repairs.
c338a2fd
RP
6624
6625@table @code
6626@item set write on
6627@itemx set write off
6628@kindex set write
18fae2a8
RP
6629If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} will open executable
6630@ifclear BARETARGET
0f153e74 6631and core
18fae2a8 6632@end ifclear
0f153e74 6633files for both reading and writing; if you specify @samp{set write
18fae2a8 6634off} (the default), @value{GDBN} will open them read-only.
c338a2fd 6635
1d7c3357
RP
6636If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
6637@code{exec-file}
6638@ifclear BARETARGET
6639or @code{core-file}
6640@end ifclear
6641command) after changing @code{set write}, for your new setting to take
6642effect.
c338a2fd
RP
6643
6644@item show write
7d7ff5f6 6645@kindex show write
0f153e74 6646Display whether executable files
18fae2a8 6647@ifclear BARETARGET
0f153e74 6648and core files
18fae2a8 6649@end ifclear
0f153e74 6650will be opened for writing as well as reading.
c338a2fd
RP
6651@end table
6652
18fae2a8 6653@node GDB Files
93918348 6654@chapter @value{GDBN} Files
70b88761 6655
18fae2a8 6656@value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged, both in
4eb4cf57 6657order to read its symbol table and in order to start your program.
18fae2a8 6658@ifclear BARETARGET
93918348
RP
6659To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell @value{GDBN}
6660the name of the core dump file.
18fae2a8 6661@end ifclear
1041a570 6662
70b88761 6663@menu
ed447b95
RP
6664* Files:: Commands to specify files
6665* Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
70b88761
RP
6666@end menu
6667
4eb4cf57 6668@node Files
93928b60 6669@section Commands to specify files
70b88761 6670@cindex symbol table
70b88761 6671
18fae2a8 6672@ifclear BARETARGET
0f153e74 6673@cindex core dump file
1041a570 6674The usual way to specify executable and core dump file names is with
ed447b95 6675the command arguments given when you start @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation,
18fae2a8
RP
6676,Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}}.
6677@end ifclear
6678@ifset BARETARGET
4eb4cf57 6679The usual way to specify an executable file name is with
18fae2a8
RP
6680the command argument given when you start @value{GDBN}, (@pxref{Invocation,
6681,Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}}.
6682@end ifset
70b88761
RP
6683
6684Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
93918348
RP
6685@value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to specify
6686a file you want to use. In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands
6687to specify new files are useful.
70b88761
RP
6688
6689@table @code
6690@item file @var{filename}
6691@cindex executable file
6692@kindex file
6693Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
6694symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
6695executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
93918348 6696directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory, @value{GDBN}
1041a570
RP
6697uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of directories to
6698search, just as the shell does when looking for a program to run. You
18fae2a8 6699can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN} and your program,
1041a570 6700using the @code{path} command.
70b88761 6701
14d01801
RP
6702On systems with memory-mapped files, an auxiliary symbol table file
6703@file{@var{filename}.syms} may be available for @var{filename}. If it
18fae2a8 6704is, @value{GDBN} will map in the symbol table from
14d01801 6705@file{@var{filename}.syms}, starting up more quickly. See the
95d5ceb9 6706descriptions of the options @samp{-mapped} and @samp{-readnow} (available
77b46d13
JG
6707on the command line, and with the commands @code{file}, @code{symbol-file},
6708or @code{add-symbol-file}), for more information.
14d01801 6709
e0dacfd1 6710@item file
18fae2a8 6711@code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
70b88761
RP
6712has on both executable file and the symbol table.
6713
e0dacfd1 6714@item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
70b88761
RP
6715@kindex exec-file
6716Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
18fae2a8 6717in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} will search the environment variable @code{PATH}
29a2b744 6718if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
e0dacfd1 6719discard information on the executable file.
70b88761 6720
e0dacfd1 6721@item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
70b88761
RP
6722@kindex symbol-file
6723Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
6724searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
6725table and program to run from the same file.
6726
93918348 6727@code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
70b88761
RP
6728program's symbol table.
6729
18fae2a8 6730The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of its
70b88761
RP
6731convenience variables, the value history, and all breakpoints and
6732auto-display expressions. This is because they may contain pointers to
6733the internal data recording symbols and data types, which are part of
18fae2a8 6734the old symbol table data being discarded inside @value{GDBN}.
70b88761
RP
6735
6736@code{symbol-file} will not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
6737executing it once.
6738
18fae2a8 6739When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it will
14d01801
RP
6740understand debugging information in whatever format is the standard
6741generated for that environment; you may use either a GNU compiler, or
6742other compilers that adhere to the local conventions. Best results are
18fae2a8 6743usually obtained from GNU compilers; for example, using @code{@value{GCC}}
14d01801
RP
6744you can generate debugging information for optimized code.
6745
70b88761 6746On some kinds of object files, the @code{symbol-file} command does not
14d01801 6747normally read the symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans
70b88761
RP
6748the symbol table quickly to find which source files and which symbols
6749are present. The details are read later, one source file at a time,
1041a570 6750as they are needed.
70b88761 6751
18fae2a8 6752The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN} start up
1041a570
RP
6753faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for occasional
6754pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source file are
6755being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these pauses
93928b60
RP
6756into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings
6757and messages}.)
70b88761 6758
8c69096b
RP
6759We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
6760symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
6761symbol table data in full right away.
70b88761 6762
95d5ceb9
RP
6763@item symbol-file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @r{[} -mapped @r{]}
6764@itemx file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @r{[} -mapped @r{]}
14d01801
RP
6765@kindex readnow
6766@cindex reading symbols immediately
6767@cindex symbols, reading immediately
6768@kindex mapped
6769@cindex memory-mapped symbol file
38962738 6770@cindex saving symbol table
18fae2a8 6771You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
95d5ceb9 6772tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
18fae2a8 6773load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
14d01801
RP
6774entire symbol table available.
6775
18fae2a8 6776@ifclear BARETARGET
14d01801 6777If memory-mapped files are available on your system through the
95d5ceb9 6778@code{mmap} system call, you can use another option, @samp{-mapped}, to
18fae2a8
RP
6779cause @value{GDBN} to write the symbols for your program into a reusable
6780file. Future @value{GDBN} debugging sessions will map in symbol information
93918348 6781from this auxiliary symbol file (if the program has not changed), rather
77b46d13
JG
6782than spending time reading the symbol table from the executable
6783program. Using the @samp{-mapped} option has the same effect as
18fae2a8 6784starting @value{GDBN} with the @samp{-mapped} command-line option.
14d01801 6785
95d5ceb9 6786You can use both options together, to make sure the auxiliary symbol
14d01801
RP
6787file has all the symbol information for your program.
6788
6789The auxiliary symbol file for a program called @var{myprog} is called
6790@samp{@var{myprog}.syms}. Once this file exists (so long as it is newer
18fae2a8 6791than the corresponding executable), @value{GDBN} will always attempt to use
14d01801
RP
6792it when you debug @var{myprog}; no special options or commands are
6793needed.
93918348
RP
6794
6795The @file{.syms} file is specific to the host machine where you run
34ae25cd 6796@value{GDBN}. It holds an exact image of the internal @value{GDBN}
93918348
RP
6797symbol table. It cannot be shared across multiple host platforms.
6798
14d01801
RP
6799@c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
6800@c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
6801@c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
6802@c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
6803@c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
6804@c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
6805@c files.
70b88761 6806
e0dacfd1 6807@item core-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
70b88761
RP
6808@kindex core
6809@kindex core-file
6810Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
6811of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
18fae2a8 6812address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
70b88761
RP
6813executable file itself for other parts.
6814
6815@code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
6816to be used.
6817
6818Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
18fae2a8 6819under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you wish to
70b88761
RP
6820debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which the
6821program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
93928b60 6822(@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the child process}).
18fae2a8 6823@end ifclear
70b88761
RP
6824
6825@item load @var{filename}
6826@kindex load
18fae2a8 6827@ifset GENERIC
70b88761 6828Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
18fae2a8 6829@value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
70b88761
RP
6830is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
6831on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
93918348 6832@code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
70b88761
RP
6833the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
6834
ed447b95
RP
6835If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
6836execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
6837target is @dots{}}''
18fae2a8 6838@end ifset
70b88761 6839
99d1da6a 6840The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
22b5dba5
RP
6841For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
6842link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
6843specifies a fixed address.
6844@c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
99d1da6a 6845
18fae2a8 6846@ifset VXWORKS
70b88761 6847On VxWorks, @code{load} will dynamically link @var{filename} on the
18fae2a8
RP
6848current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
6849@end ifset
70b88761 6850
a64a6c2b 6851@ifset I960
70b88761
RP
6852@cindex download to Nindy-960
6853With the Nindy interface to an Intel 960 board, @code{load} will
6854download @var{filename} to the 960 as well as adding its symbols in
18fae2a8
RP
6855@value{GDBN}.
6856@end ifset
70b88761 6857
a64a6c2b 6858@ifset H8
1d7c3357
RP
6859@cindex download to H8/300 or H8/500
6860@cindex H8/300 or H8/500 download
a64a6c2b
RP
6861@cindex download to Hitachi SH
6862@cindex Hitachi SH download
72545cc6 6863When you select remote debugging to a Hitachi SH, H8/300, or H8/500 board
a64a6c2b 6864(@pxref{Hitachi Remote,,@value{GDBN} and Hitachi Microprocessors}),
1d7c3357
RP
6865the @code{load} command downloads your program to the Hitachi board and also
6866opens it as the current executable target for @value{GDBN} on your host
6867(like the @code{file} command).
18fae2a8 6868@end ifset
c7cb8acb 6869
70b88761
RP
6870@code{load} will not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
6871
18fae2a8 6872@ifclear BARETARGET
70b88761 6873@item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
95d5ceb9 6874@itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @r{[} -mapped @r{]}
70b88761
RP
6875@kindex add-symbol-file
6876@cindex dynamic linking
6877The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table information
b80282d5 6878from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command when @var{filename}
70b88761
RP
6879has been dynamically loaded (by some other means) into the program that
6880is running. @var{address} should be the memory address at which the
18fae2a8 6881file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure this out for itself.
d55320a0 6882You can specify @var{address} as an expression.
70b88761
RP
6883
6884The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
6885originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
6886@code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data thus
6887read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data instead,
e251e767 6888use the @code{symbol-file} command.
70b88761
RP
6889
6890@code{add-symbol-file} will not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
6891
95d5ceb9 6892You can use the @samp{-mapped} and @samp{-readnow} options just as with
18fae2a8 6893the @code{symbol-file} command, to change how @value{GDBN} manages the symbol
0f153e74 6894table information for @var{filename}.
18fae2a8 6895@end ifclear
95d5ceb9 6896
70b88761
RP
6897@item info files
6898@itemx info target
6899@kindex info files
6900@kindex info target
1041a570 6901@code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print
1d7c3357
RP
6902the current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
6903including the
6904@ifclear BARETARGET
6905names of the executable and core dump files
6906@end ifclear
6907@ifset BARETARGET
6908name of the executable file
6909@end ifset
6910currently in use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were
6911loaded. The command @code{help targets} lists all possible targets
6912rather than current ones.
70b88761
RP
6913@end table
6914
6915All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
18fae2a8 6916as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute path
70b88761
RP
6917name and remembers it that way.
6918
18fae2a8 6919@ifclear BARETARGET
70b88761 6920@cindex shared libraries
18fae2a8
RP
6921@value{GDBN} supports SunOS, SVR4, and IBM RS/6000 shared libraries.
6922@value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
77b46d13 6923when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
18fae2a8 6924(Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} will not understand
77b46d13
JG
6925references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
6926debugging a core file).
18fae2a8 6927@c FIXME: next @value{GDBN} release should permit some refs to undef
1041a570 6928@c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared lib
70b88761
RP
6929
6930@table @code
70b88761
RP
6931@item info share
6932@itemx info sharedlibrary
6933@kindex info sharedlibrary
6934@kindex info share
c338a2fd 6935Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded.
70b88761 6936
c338a2fd
RP
6937@item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
6938@itemx share @var{regex}
6939@kindex sharedlibrary
6940@kindex share
6b51acad
RP
6941This is an obsolescent command; you can use it to explicitly load shared
6942object library symbols for files matching a Unix regular expression, but
6943as with files loaded automatically, it will only load shared libraries
6944required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
6945@var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
6946loaded.
c338a2fd 6947@end table
18fae2a8 6948@end ifclear
70b88761 6949
4eb4cf57 6950@node Symbol Errors
93928b60 6951@section Errors reading symbol files
1041a570 6952
18fae2a8 6953While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} will occasionally encounter problems,
1041a570 6954such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
18fae2a8 6955output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
1041a570
RP
6956they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
6957debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
18fae2a8 6958about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
b80282d5 6959only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
18fae2a8 6960times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
1041a570 6961to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
93928b60
RP
6962complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
6963messages}).
70b88761 6964
d55320a0 6965The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
70b88761
RP
6966
6967@table @code
6968@item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
6969
6970The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
6971(such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
6972error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
e251e767 6973in its outer scope blocks.
70b88761 6974
18fae2a8 6975@value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
70b88761
RP
6976the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
6977may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
6978function.
6979
6980@item block at @var{address} out of order
6981
e251e767 6982The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
70b88761 6983order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
e251e767 6984do so.
70b88761 6985
ed447b95
RP
6986@value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and will have trouble
6987locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
6988can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
93928b60
RP
6989@code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
6990messages}.)
70b88761
RP
6991
6992@item bad block start address patched
6993
6994The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
6995smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
e251e767 6996to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
70b88761 6997
18fae2a8 6998@value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
70b88761
RP
6999starting on the previous source line.
7000
70b88761
RP
7001@item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
7002
7003@cindex foo
7004Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
e251e767 7005larger than the size of the string table.
70b88761 7006
18fae2a8 7007@value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
70b88761
RP
7008name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
7009with this name.
7010
7011@item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
7012
18fae2a8 7013The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does not yet
70b88761 7014know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the misunderstood
e251e767 7015information, in hexadecimal.
70b88761 7016
18fae2a8 7017@value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information. This
29a2b744 7018will usually allow your program to be debugged, though certain symbols
70b88761 7019will not be accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
18fae2a8 7020debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint on
70b88761
RP
7021@code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab} and
7022examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
7023
7024@item stub type has NULL name
1d7c3357
RP
7025@value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for
7026@ifclear CONLY
7027a struct or class.
7028@end ifclear
7029@ifset CONLY
7030a struct.
7031@end ifset
70b88761 7032
1d7c3357 7033@ifclear CONLY
440d9834 7034@item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
70b88761
RP
7035
7036The symbol information for a C++ member function is missing some
440d9834
RP
7037information that recent versions of the compiler should have output
7038for it.
1d7c3357 7039@end ifclear
70b88761 7040
440d9834 7041@item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
70b88761 7042
18fae2a8 7043@value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
70b88761
RP
7044@end table
7045
4eb4cf57 7046@node Targets
e251e767 7047@chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
70b88761
RP
7048@cindex debugging target
7049@kindex target
1041a570 7050
cedaf8bc 7051A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
18fae2a8
RP
7052@ifclear BARETARGET
7053Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program; in
1041a570
RP
7054that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when you
7055use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
18fae2a8 7056flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
1041a570 7057host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
0f153e74 7058realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you
18fae2a8
RP
7059@end ifclear
7060@ifset BARETARGET
0f153e74 7061You
18fae2a8 7062@end ifset
0f153e74 7063can use the @code{target} command to specify one of the target types
93928b60
RP
7064configured for @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for managing
7065targets}).
70b88761
RP
7066
7067@menu
ed447b95
RP
7068* Active Targets:: Active targets
7069* Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
7070* Remote:: Remote debugging
70b88761
RP
7071@end menu
7072
4eb4cf57 7073@node Active Targets
93928b60 7074@section Active targets
70b88761
RP
7075@cindex stacking targets
7076@cindex active targets
7077@cindex multiple targets
7078
18fae2a8 7079@ifclear BARETARGET
cedaf8bc 7080There are three classes of targets: processes, core files, and
18fae2a8 7081executable files. @value{GDBN} can work concurrently on up to three active
cedaf8bc
RP
7082targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for example) start a
7083process and inspect its activity without abandoning your work on a core
7084file.
70b88761 7085
ed447b95 7086For example, if you execute @samp{gdb a.out}, then the executable file
cedaf8bc
RP
7087@code{a.out} is the only active target. If you designate a core file as
7088well---presumably from a prior run that crashed and coredumped---then
18fae2a8 7089@value{GDBN} has two active targets and will use them in tandem, looking
cedaf8bc
RP
7090first in the corefile target, then in the executable file, to satisfy
7091requests for memory addresses. (Typically, these two classes of target
29a2b744 7092are complementary, since core files contain only a program's
cedaf8bc
RP
7093read-write memory---variables and so on---plus machine status, while
7094executable files contain only the program text and initialized data.)
18fae2a8 7095@end ifclear
cedaf8bc
RP
7096
7097When you type @code{run}, your executable file becomes an active process
18fae2a8 7098target as well. When a process target is active, all @value{GDBN} commands
0f153e74 7099requesting memory addresses refer to that target; addresses in an
18fae2a8 7100@ifclear BARETARGET
0f153e74 7101active core file or
18fae2a8 7102@end ifclear
0f153e74 7103executable file target are obscured while the process
cedaf8bc
RP
7104target is active.
7105
18fae2a8 7106@ifset BARETARGET
4eb4cf57 7107Use the @code{exec-file} command to select a
93928b60
RP
7108new executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify
7109files}).
18fae2a8
RP
7110@end ifset
7111@ifclear BARETARGET
1041a570 7112Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a
93928b60
RP
7113new core file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify
7114files}). To specify as a target a process that is already running, use
1041a570 7115the @code{attach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an
93928b60 7116already-running process}).
18fae2a8 7117@end ifclear
70b88761 7118
4eb4cf57 7119@node Target Commands
93928b60 7120@section Commands for managing targets
70b88761
RP
7121
7122@table @code
7123@item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
1d7c3357
RP
7124Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target
7125@ifset BARETARGET
7126machine.
7127@end ifset
7128@ifclear BARETARGET
7129machine or process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to
7130debugging facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the
7131type or protocol of the target machine.
70b88761
RP
7132
7133Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
7134typically include things like device names or host names to connect
e251e767 7135with, process numbers, and baud rates.
1d7c3357 7136@end ifclear
70b88761
RP
7137
7138The @code{target} command will not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
7139after executing the command.
7140
7141@item help target
7142@kindex help target
7143Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
7144currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
93928b60 7145(@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
70b88761
RP
7146
7147@item help target @var{name}
7148Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
7149select it.
7150@end table
7151
c7cb8acb 7152Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
70b88761
RP
7153configuration):
7154
7155@table @code
fe715d06 7156@item target exec @var{program}
70b88761 7157@kindex target exec
fe715d06
RP
7158An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
7159@samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
70b88761 7160
1d7c3357 7161@ifclear BARETARGET
70b88761
RP
7162@item target core @var{filename}
7163@kindex target core
7164A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
7165@samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
1d7c3357 7166@end ifclear
70b88761 7167
18fae2a8 7168@ifset REMOTESTUB
70b88761
RP
7169@item target remote @var{dev}
7170@kindex target remote
c7cb8acb 7171Remote serial target in GDB-specific protocol. The argument @var{dev}
70b88761 7172specifies what serial device to use for the connection (e.g.
93928b60 7173@file{/dev/ttya}). @xref{Remote, ,Remote debugging}.
18fae2a8 7174@end ifset
70b88761 7175
fe715d06
RP
7176@ifset SIMS
7177@item target sim
7178@kindex target sim
7179CPU simulator. @xref{Simulator,,Simulated CPU Target}.
7180@end ifset
7181
a64a6c2b 7182@ifset AMD29K
fe715d06
RP
7183@item target udi @var{keyword}
7184@kindex target udi
7185Remote AMD29K target, using the AMD UDI protocol. The @var{keyword}
7186argument specifies which 29K board or simulator to use. @xref{UDI29K
b1955f0b 7187Remote,,The UDI protocol for AMD29K}.
fe715d06 7188
70b88761
RP
7189@item target amd-eb @var{dev} @var{speed} @var{PROG}
7190@kindex target amd-eb
7191@cindex AMD EB29K
7192Remote PC-resident AMD EB29K board, attached over serial lines.
7193@var{dev} is the serial device, as for @code{target remote};
7194@var{speed} allows you to specify the linespeed; and @var{PROG} is the
7195name of the program to be debugged, as it appears to DOS on the PC.
b1955f0b 7196@xref{EB29K Remote, ,The EBMON protocol for AMD29K}.
77fe5411 7197
18fae2a8 7198@end ifset
a64a6c2b 7199@ifset H8
c7cb8acb
RP
7200@item target hms
7201@kindex target hms
72545cc6 7202A Hitachi SH, H8/300, or H8/500 board, attached via serial line to your host.
a64a6c2b
RP
7203@ifclear H8EXCLUSIVE
7204@c Unix only, not currently of interest for H8-only manual
7205Use special commands @code{device} and @code{speed} to control the serial
7206line and the communications speed used.
7207@end ifclear
7208@xref{Hitachi Remote,,@value{GDBN} and Hitachi Microprocessors}.
c7cb8acb 7209
18fae2a8 7210@end ifset
a64a6c2b 7211@ifset I960
70b88761
RP
7212@item target nindy @var{devicename}
7213@kindex target nindy
7214An Intel 960 board controlled by a Nindy Monitor. @var{devicename} is
7215the name of the serial device to use for the connection, e.g.
ed447b95 7216@file{/dev/ttya}. @xref{i960-Nindy Remote, ,@value{GDBN} with a remote i960 (Nindy)}.
70b88761 7217
18fae2a8 7218@end ifset
a64a6c2b 7219@ifset ST2000
77fe5411
RP
7220@item target st2000 @var{dev} @var{speed}
7221@kindex target st2000
7222A Tandem ST2000 phone switch, running Tandem's STDBUG protocol. @var{dev}
7223is the name of the device attached to the ST2000 serial line;
7224@var{speed} is the communication line speed. The arguments are not used
18fae2a8
RP
7225if @value{GDBN} is configured to connect to the ST2000 using TCP or Telnet.
7226@xref{ST2000 Remote,,@value{GDBN} with a Tandem ST2000}.
77fe5411 7227
18fae2a8
RP
7228@end ifset
7229@ifset VXWORKS
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RP
7230@item target vxworks @var{machinename}
7231@kindex target vxworks
7232A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
7233is the target system's machine name or IP address.
18fae2a8
RP
7234@xref{VxWorks Remote, ,@value{GDBN} and VxWorks}.
7235@end ifset
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RP
7236@end table
7237
18fae2a8
RP
7238@ifset GENERIC
7239Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN}; your
70b88761 7240configuration may have more or fewer targets.
18fae2a8 7241@end ifset
70b88761 7242
4eb4cf57 7243@node Remote
93928b60 7244@section Remote debugging
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RP
7245@cindex remote debugging
7246
29a2b744 7247If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
c7cb8acb 7248GDB in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging. For
70b88761
RP
7249example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel, or on
7250a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
e251e767 7251powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
70b88761 7252
c7cb8acb 7253Some configurations of GDB have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
70b88761 7254to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
c7cb8acb 7255GDB comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to GDB, but
70b88761
RP
7256not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
7257write the remote stubs---the code that will run on the remote system to
c7cb8acb 7258communicate with GDB.
70b88761 7259
70b88761 7260Other remote targets may be available in your
c7cb8acb 7261configuration of GDB; use @code{help targets} to list them.
70b88761 7262
18fae2a8
RP
7263@ifset GENERIC
7264@c Text on starting up GDB in various specific cases; it goes up front
7265@c in manuals configured for any of those particular situations, here
7266@c otherwise.
18fae2a8
RP
7267@menu
7268@ifset REMOTESTUB
7269* Remote Serial:: @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol
7270@end ifset
a64a6c2b 7271@ifset I960
18fae2a8
RP
7272* i960-Nindy Remote:: @value{GDBN} with a remote i960 (Nindy)
7273@end ifset
a64a6c2b 7274@ifset AMD29K
b1955f0b
RP
7275* UDI29K Remote:: The UDI protocol for AMD29K
7276* EB29K Remote:: The EBMON protocol for AMD29K
18fae2a8
RP
7277@end ifset
7278@ifset VXWORKS
7279* VxWorks Remote:: @value{GDBN} and VxWorks
7280@end ifset
a64a6c2b 7281@ifset ST2000
18fae2a8
RP
7282* ST2000 Remote:: @value{GDBN} with a Tandem ST2000
7283@end ifset
a64a6c2b
RP
7284@ifset H8
7285* Hitachi Remote:: @value{GDBN} and Hitachi Microprocessors
18fae2a8 7286@end ifset
34ae25cd
RP
7287@ifset MIPS
7288* MIPS Remote:: @value{GDBN} and MIPS boards
7289@end ifset
fe715d06
RP
7290@ifset SIMS
7291* Simulator:: Simulated CPU target
18fae2a8
RP
7292@end ifset
7293@end menu
70b88761 7294
4af6d502 7295@include remote.texi
18fae2a8
RP
7296@end ifset
7297
7298@node Controlling GDB
7299@chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
70b88761 7300
93918348 7301You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using
18fae2a8 7302the @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
93928b60 7303data, @pxref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}; other settings are described here.
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RP
7304
7305@menu
b80282d5 7306* Prompt:: Prompt
ed447b95
RP
7307* Editing:: Command editing
7308* History:: Command history
7309* Screen Size:: Screen size
b80282d5 7310* Numbers:: Numbers
ed447b95 7311* Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
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RP
7312@end menu
7313
4eb4cf57 7314@node Prompt
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RP
7315@section Prompt
7316@cindex prompt
1041a570 7317
18fae2a8
RP
7318@value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
7319called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
70b88761 7320can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
18fae2a8 7321instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
9aa964da 7322the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell which
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RP
7323one you are talking to.
7324
7325@table @code
7326@item set prompt @var{newprompt}
7327@kindex set prompt
18fae2a8 7328Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
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RP
7329@kindex show prompt
7330@item show prompt
7331Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
7332@end table
7333
4eb4cf57 7334@node Editing
93928b60 7335@section Command editing
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RP
7336@cindex readline
7337@cindex command line editing
1041a570 7338
18fae2a8 7339@value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{readline} interface. This
70b88761
RP
7340GNU library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
7341command line interface to the user. Advantages are @code{emacs}-style
7342or @code{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
7343substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
7344debugging sessions.
7345
18fae2a8 7346You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
e251e767 7347command @code{set}.
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RP
7348
7349@table @code
7350@kindex set editing
7351@cindex editing
7352@item set editing
7353@itemx set editing on
7354Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
7355
7356@item set editing off
7357Disable command line editing.
7358
7359@kindex show editing
7360@item show editing
7361Show whether command line editing is enabled.
7362@end table
7363
4eb4cf57 7364@node History
ed447b95
RP
7365@section Command history
7366
7367@value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
7368debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
7369happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
7370history facility.
1041a570 7371
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RP
7372@table @code
7373@cindex history substitution
7374@cindex history file
7375@kindex set history filename
7376@item set history filename @var{fname}
18fae2a8
RP
7377Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}. This is
7378the file from which @value{GDBN} will read an initial command history
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RP
7379list or to which it will write this list when it exits. This list is
7380accessed through history expansion or through the history
7381command editing characters listed below. This file defaults to the
7382value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
7383@file{./.gdb_history} if this variable is not set.
7384
7385@cindex history save
7386@kindex set history save
7387@item set history save
7388@itemx set history save on
7389Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
7390@code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
7391
7392@item set history save off
7393Stop recording command history in a file.
7394
7395@cindex history size
7396@kindex set history size
7397@item set history size @var{size}
18fae2a8 7398Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} will keep in its history list.
70b88761
RP
7399This defaults to the value of the environment variable
7400@code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
7401@end table
7402
7403@cindex history expansion
7404History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
ed447b95 7405@ifset have-readline-appendices
1041a570 7406@xref{Event Designators}.
ed447b95
RP
7407@end ifset
7408
70b88761
RP
7409Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
7410is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
7411@code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
7412follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
7413a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
7414history facilities will not attempt substitution on the strings
7415@kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
7416
7417The commands to control history expansion are:
7418
7419@table @code
7420
7421@kindex set history expansion
7422@item set history expansion on
7423@itemx set history expansion
7424Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
7425
7426@item set history expansion off
7427Disable history expansion.
7428
7429The readline code comes with more complete documentation of
7430editing and history expansion features. Users unfamiliar with @code{emacs}
e251e767 7431or @code{vi} may wish to read it.
ed447b95 7432@ifset have-readline-appendices
70b88761 7433@xref{Command Line Editing}.
ed447b95 7434@end ifset
70b88761
RP
7435
7436@c @group
7437@kindex show history
7438@item show history
7439@itemx show history filename
7440@itemx show history save
7441@itemx show history size
7442@itemx show history expansion
18fae2a8 7443These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
70b88761
RP
7444@code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
7445@c @end group
70b88761
RP
7446@end table
7447
7448@table @code
7449@kindex show commands
7450@item show commands
7451Display the last ten commands in the command history.
7452
7453@item show commands @var{n}
7454Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
7455
7456@item show commands +
7457Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
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RP
7458@end table
7459
4eb4cf57 7460@node Screen Size
93928b60 7461@section Screen size
70b88761
RP
7462@cindex size of screen
7463@cindex pauses in output
1041a570 7464
a1eff6c2
RP
7465Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
7466information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
7467@value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
7468output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
34ae25cd
RP
7469to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
7470determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
7471printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
70b88761
RP
7472rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
7473
18fae2a8 7474Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the termcap data base
70b88761
RP
7475together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
7476@code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
7477you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
7478width} commands:
7479
7480@table @code
7481@item set height @var{lpp}
7482@itemx show height
7483@itemx set width @var{cpl}
7484@itemx show width
7485@kindex set height
7486@kindex set width
7487@kindex show width
7488@kindex show height
7489These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
7490a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
7491commands display the current settings.
7492
18fae2a8 7493If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} will not pause during output
70b88761
RP
7494no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a file
7495or to an editor buffer.
d55320a0
RP
7496
7497Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
7498from wrapping its output.
70b88761
RP
7499@end table
7500
4eb4cf57 7501@node Numbers
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RP
7502@section Numbers
7503@cindex number representation
7504@cindex entering numbers
1041a570 7505
18fae2a8 7506You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in @value{GDBN} by
70b88761
RP
7507the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with @samp{0}, decimal
7508numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers begin with @samp{0x}.
7509Numbers that begin with none of these are, by default, entered in base
751010; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
7511format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
7512both input and output with the @code{set radix} command.
7513
7514@table @code
7515@kindex set radix
7516@item set radix @var{base}
7517Set the default base for numeric input and display. Supported choices
d55320a0 7518for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
70b88761
RP
7519specified either unambiguously or using the current default radix; for
7520example, any of
7521
7522@example
7523set radix 012
7524set radix 10.
7525set radix 0xa
7526@end example
7527
7528@noindent
7529will set the base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set radix 10}
7530will leave the radix unchanged no matter what it was.
7531
7532@kindex show radix
7533@item show radix
7534Display the current default base for numeric input and display.
70b88761
RP
7535@end table
7536
4eb4cf57 7537@node Messages/Warnings
93928b60 7538@section Optional warnings and messages
1041a570 7539
18fae2a8 7540By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are running
70b88761 7541on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose} command.
18fae2a8 7542It will make @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy internal operation, so
1041a570 7543you will not think it has crashed.
70b88761 7544
1041a570 7545Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
d48da190 7546which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
93928b60 7547see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}.
70b88761
RP
7548
7549@table @code
7550@kindex set verbose
7551@item set verbose on
93918348 7552Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
70b88761
RP
7553
7554@item set verbose off
93918348 7555Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
70b88761
RP
7556
7557@kindex show verbose
7558@item show verbose
7559Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
7560@end table
7561
18fae2a8 7562By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an object
b80282d5 7563file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may find
93928b60 7564this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors reading symbol files}).
70b88761
RP
7565
7566@table @code
7567@kindex set complaints
7568@item set complaints @var{limit}
18fae2a8 7569Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of unusual
70b88761
RP
7570symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set @var{limit} to
7571zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number to prevent
7572complaints from being suppressed.
7573
7574@kindex show complaints
7575@item show complaints
18fae2a8 7576Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
70b88761
RP
7577@end table
7578
18fae2a8 7579By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
70b88761
RP
7580lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
7581you try to run a program which is already running:
1041a570 7582
70b88761 7583@example
18fae2a8 7584(@value{GDBP}) run
70b88761 7585The program being debugged has been started already.
e251e767 7586Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
70b88761
RP
7587@end example
7588
29a2b744 7589If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
70b88761
RP
7590commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
7591
7592@table @code
7593@kindex set confirm
7594@cindex flinching
7595@cindex confirmation
7596@cindex stupid questions
7597@item set confirm off
7598Disables confirmation requests.
7599
7600@item set confirm on
7601Enables confirmation requests (the default).
7602
7603@item show confirm
7604@kindex show confirm
7605Displays state of confirmation requests.
7606@end table
7607
29a2b744 7608@c FIXME this does not really belong here. But where *does* it belong?
b80282d5
RP
7609@cindex reloading symbols
7610Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
7611be replaced without stopping and restarting your program.
18fae2a8 7612@ifset VXWORKS
b80282d5
RP
7613For example, in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file
7614and keep on running.
18fae2a8
RP
7615@end ifset
7616If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow @value{GDBN} to
1041a570
RP
7617reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
7618
b80282d5
RP
7619@table @code
7620@kindex set symbol-reloading
7621@item set symbol-reloading on
7622Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
7623object file with a particular name is seen again.
7624
7625@item set symbol-reloading off
1041a570 7626Do not replace symbol definitions when re-encountering object files of
29a2b744 7627the same name. This is the default state; if you are not running on a
b80282d5 7628system that permits automatically relinking modules, you should leave
18fae2a8 7629@code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN} may discard symbols
b80282d5
RP
7630when linking large programs, that may contain several modules (from
7631different directories or libraries) with the same name.
7632
7633@item show symbol-reloading
7634Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
7635@end table
7636
4eb4cf57 7637@node Sequences
70b88761
RP
7638@chapter Canned Sequences of Commands
7639
29a2b744 7640Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
93928b60 7641command lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of commands
1041a570 7642for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command files.
70b88761
RP
7643
7644@menu
ed447b95
RP
7645* Define:: User-defined commands
7646* Hooks:: User-defined command hooks
7647* Command Files:: Command files
7648* Output:: Commands for controlled output
70b88761
RP
7649@end menu
7650
4eb4cf57 7651@node Define
ed447b95 7652@section User-defined commands
70b88761
RP
7653
7654@cindex user-defined command
18fae2a8 7655A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to which you
70b88761
RP
7656assign a new name as a command. This is done with the @code{define}
7657command.
7658
7659@table @code
7660@item define @var{commandname}
7661@kindex define
7662Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
7663by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
7664
18fae2a8 7665The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
70b88761
RP
7666which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
7667commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
7668
7669@item document @var{commandname}
7670@kindex document
7671Give documentation to the user-defined command @var{commandname}. The
7672command @var{commandname} must already be defined. This command reads
7673lines of documentation just as @code{define} reads the lines of the
7674command definition, ending with @code{end}. After the @code{document}
7675command is finished, @code{help} on command @var{commandname} will print
7676the documentation you have specified.
7677
7678You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
7679documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
7680does not change the documentation.
7681
7682@item help user-defined
7683@kindex help user-defined
7684List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
7685(if any) for each.
7686
4768ba62
JG
7687@item show user
7688@itemx show user @var{commandname}
7689@kindex show user
18fae2a8 7690Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but not its
70b88761
RP
7691documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
7692definitions for all user-defined commands.
7693@end table
7694
7695User-defined commands do not take arguments. When they are executed, the
7696commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
7697stops execution of the user-defined command.
7698
7699Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
18fae2a8 7700without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN} commands
70b88761
RP
7701that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
7702when used in a user-defined command.
7703
35a15d60 7704@node Hooks
93928b60 7705@section User-defined command hooks
35a15d60
JG
7706@cindex command files
7707
7708You may define @emph{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
7709command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
7710command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
7711before that command.
7712
1d7c3357
RP
7713In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
7714(@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
7715execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
7716displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
35a15d60 7717
1d7c3357
RP
7718@ifclear BARETARGET
7719For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
7720single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
7721you could define:
35a15d60
JG
7722
7723@example
7724define hook-stop
7725handle SIGALRM nopass
7726end
7727
7728define hook-run
7729handle SIGALRM pass
7730end
7731
7732define hook-continue
7733handle SIGLARM pass
7734end
7735@end example
1d7c3357 7736@end ifclear
35a15d60 7737
1d7c3357
RP
7738You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
7739not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
7740name, e.g. @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
7741@c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
7742@c or not?
7743If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
7744@value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
7745(before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
35a15d60 7746
93918348 7747If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
35a15d60
JG
7748will get a warning from the @code{define} command.
7749
4eb4cf57 7750@node Command Files
93928b60 7751@section Command files
70b88761
RP
7752
7753@cindex command files
18fae2a8 7754A command file for @value{GDBN} is a file of lines that are @value{GDBN} commands. Comments
70b88761
RP
7755(lines starting with @kbd{#}) may also be included. An empty line in a
7756command file does nothing; it does not mean to repeat the last command, as
7757it would from the terminal.
7758
7759@cindex init file
18fae2a8
RP
7760@cindex @file{@value{GDBINIT}}
7761When you start @value{GDBN}, it automatically executes commands from its
64a01450
JK
7762@dfn{init files}. These are files named @file{@value{GDBINIT}}.
7763@value{GDBN} reads the init file (if any) in your home directory, then
7764processes command line options and operands, and then reads the init
7765file (if any) in the current working directory. This is so the init
7766file in your home directory can set options (such as @code{set
8d43be62 7767complaints}) which affect the processing of the command line options and
64a01450
JK
7768operands. The init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
7769option; @pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing modes}.
51b65b74
RP
7770
7771@ifset GENERIC
7772@cindex init file name
7773On some configurations of @value{GDBN}, the init file is known by a
7774different name (these are typically environments where a specialized
7775form of GDB may need to coexist with other forms, hence a different name
7776for the specialized version's init file). These are the environments
7777with special init file names:
7778
7779@itemize @bullet
7780@kindex .vxgdbinit
7781@item
7782VxWorks (Wind River Systems real-time OS): @samp{.vxgdbinit}
7783
7784@kindex .os68gdbinit
7785@item
7786OS68K (Enea Data Systems real-time OS): @samp{.os68gdbinit}
7787
7788@kindex .esgdbinit
7789@item
7790ES-1800 (Ericsson Telecom AB M68000 emulator): @samp{.esgdbinit}
7791@end itemize
7792@end ifset
7793
7794You can also request the execution of a command file with the
7795@code{source} command:
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7796
7797@table @code
7798@item source @var{filename}
7799@kindex source
7800Execute the command file @var{filename}.
7801@end table
7802
7803The lines in a command file are executed sequentially. They are not
7804printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates execution
7805of the command file.
7806
7807Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
18fae2a8 7808without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
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7809normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
7810when called from command files.
7811
4eb4cf57 7812@node Output
93928b60 7813@section Commands for controlled output
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7814
7815During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
18fae2a8 7816@value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
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7817explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
7818describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
7819want.
7820
7821@table @code
7822@item echo @var{text}
7823@kindex echo
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7824@c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
7825@c because it is not in ANSI.
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7826Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
7827@var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
7828newline. @strong{No newline will be printed unless you specify one.}
7829In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
ed447b95 7830by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
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7831string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
7832trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
7833To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
7834@samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
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7835
7836A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
7837the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
7838
7839@example
7840echo This is some text\n\
7841which is continued\n\
7842onto several lines.\n
7843@end example
7844
7845produces the same output as
7846
7847@example
7848echo This is some text\n
7849echo which is continued\n
7850echo onto several lines.\n
7851@end example
7852
7853@item output @var{expression}
7854@kindex output
7855Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
7856newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
1041a570 7857value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on
e251e767 7858expressions.
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7859
7860@item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
7861Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
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7862the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
7863formats}, for more information.
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7864
7865@item printf @var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
7866@kindex printf
7867Print the values of the @var{expressions} under the control of
d55320a0
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7868@var{string}. The @var{expressions} are separated by commas and may be
7869either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as specified by
7870@var{string}, exactly as if your program were to execute the C
7871subroutine
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7872
7873@example
7874printf (@var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
7875@end example
7876
7877For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
7878
0fd24984 7879@smallexample
70b88761 7880printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
0fd24984 7881@end smallexample
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7882
7883The only backslash-escape sequences that you can use in the format
7884string are the simple ones that consist of backslash followed by a
7885letter.
7886@end table
7887
18fae2a8 7888@ifclear DOSHOST
4eb4cf57 7889@node Emacs
18fae2a8 7890@chapter Using @value{GDBN} under GNU Emacs
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7891
7892@cindex emacs
7893A special interface allows you to use GNU Emacs to view (and
7894edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
18fae2a8 7895@value{GDBN}.
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7896
7897To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
7898executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
18fae2a8 7899@value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
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7900created Emacs buffer.
7901
18fae2a8 7902Using @value{GDBN} under Emacs is just like using @value{GDBN} normally except for two
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7903things:
7904
7905@itemize @bullet
7906@item
e251e767 7907All ``terminal'' input and output goes through the Emacs buffer.
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7908@end itemize
7909
18fae2a8 7910This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
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7911and output done by the program you are debugging.
7912
7913This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
7914commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
7915in this way.
7916
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7917All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
7918with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
7919way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
7920stop.
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7921
7922@itemize @bullet
7923@item
18fae2a8 7924@value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
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7925@end itemize
7926
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RP
7927Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
7928source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
70b88761 7929left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
fe715d06 7930source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
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7931and the source.
7932
18fae2a8 7933Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
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7934usual, but you probably will have no reason to use them.
7935
7936@quotation
7937@emph{Warning:} If the directory where your program resides is not your
7938current directory, it can be easy to confuse Emacs about the location of
7939the source files, in which case the auxiliary display buffer will not
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RP
7940appear to show your source. @value{GDBN} can find programs by searching your
7941environment's @code{PATH} variable, so the @value{GDBN} input and output
29a2b744 7942session will proceed normally; but Emacs does not get enough information
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RP
7943back from @value{GDBN} to locate the source files in this situation. To
7944avoid this problem, either start @value{GDBN} mode from the directory where
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7945your program resides, or specify a full path name when prompted for the
7946@kbd{M-x gdb} argument.
7947
18fae2a8 7948A similar confusion can result if you use the @value{GDBN} @code{file} command to
70b88761 7949switch to debugging a program in some other location, from an existing
18fae2a8 7950@value{GDBN} buffer in Emacs.
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7951@end quotation
7952
7953By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If
18fae2a8 7954you need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you keep
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7955several configurations around, with different names) you can set the
7956Emacs variable @code{gdb-command-name}; for example,
1041a570 7957
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7958@example
7959(setq gdb-command-name "mygdb")
7960@end example
1041a570 7961
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7962@noindent
7963(preceded by @kbd{ESC ESC}, or typed in the @code{*scratch*} buffer, or
7964in your @file{.emacs} file) will make Emacs call the program named
7965``@code{mygdb}'' instead.
7966
18fae2a8 7967In the @value{GDBN} I/O buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
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7968addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
7969
7970@table @kbd
7971@item C-h m
18fae2a8 7972Describe the features of Emacs' @value{GDBN} Mode.
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7973
7974@item M-s
18fae2a8 7975Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
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7976update the display window to show the current file and location.
7977
7978@item M-n
7979Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
18fae2a8 7980calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
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7981to show the current file and location.
7982
7983@item M-i
18fae2a8 7984Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
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7985display window accordingly.
7986
7987@item M-x gdb-nexti
18fae2a8 7988Execute to next instruction, using the @value{GDBN} @code{nexti} command; update
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7989display window accordingly.
7990
7991@item C-c C-f
18fae2a8 7992Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
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7993@code{finish} command.
7994
7995@item M-c
18fae2a8 7996Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
1041a570 7997command.
203eea5d
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7998
7999@emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-p}.
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8000
8001@item M-u
8002Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
8003(@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}),
18fae2a8 8004like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
203eea5d 8005
1041a570 8006@emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-u}.
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8007
8008@item M-d
8009Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
18fae2a8 8010@value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
203eea5d
RP
8011
8012@emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-d}.
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8013
8014@item C-x &
8015Read the number where the cursor is positioned, and insert it at the end
18fae2a8 8016of the @value{GDBN} I/O buffer. For example, if you wish to disassemble code
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8017around an address that was displayed earlier, type @kbd{disassemble};
8018then move the cursor to the address display, and pick up the
e251e767 8019argument for @code{disassemble} by typing @kbd{C-x &}.
70b88761 8020
ed447b95 8021You can customize this further by defining elements of the list
70b88761
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8022@code{gdb-print-command}; once it is defined, you can format or
8023otherwise process numbers picked up by @kbd{C-x &} before they are
c2bbbb22 8024inserted. A numeric argument to @kbd{C-x &} will both indicate that you
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8025wish special formatting, and act as an index to pick an element of the
8026list. If the list element is a string, the number to be inserted is
8027formatted using the Emacs function @code{format}; otherwise the number
8028is passed as an argument to the corresponding list element.
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8029@end table
8030
8031In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x SPC} (@code{gdb-break})
18fae2a8 8032tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
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8033
8034If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
18fae2a8 8035it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
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8036request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this will recreate
8037the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
8038frame.
8039
8040The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
8041which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
18fae2a8 8042the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
70b88761 8043communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
18fae2a8 8044delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows will cease
ed447b95 8045to correspond properly with the code.
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8046
8047@c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
8048@c if/when v19 does something similar. [email protected] 19dec1990
8049@ignore
e251e767 8050@kindex emacs epoch environment
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8051@kindex epoch
8052@kindex inspect
8053
8054Version 18 of Emacs has a built-in window system called the @code{epoch}
8055environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
8056@code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
8057each value is printed in its own window.
8058@end ignore
18fae2a8 8059@end ifclear
70b88761 8060
18fae2a8 8061@ifset LUCID
4eb4cf57 8062@node Energize
18fae2a8 8063@chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Energize
6ca72cc6
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8064
8065@cindex Energize
8066The Energize Programming System is an integrated development environment
8067that includes a point-and-click interface to many programming tools.
18fae2a8
RP
8068When you use @value{GDBN} in this environment, you can use the standard
8069Energize graphical interface to drive @value{GDBN}; you can also, if you
8070choose, type @value{GDBN} commands as usual in a debugging window. Even if
6ca72cc6 8071you use the graphical interface, the debugging window (which uses Emacs,
18fae2a8 8072and resembles the standard Emacs interface to @value{GDBN}) displays the
6ca72cc6
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8073equivalent commands, so that the history of your debugging session is
8074properly reflected.
8075
18fae2a8 8076When Energize starts up a @value{GDBN} session, it uses one of the
6ca72cc6
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8077command-line options @samp{-energize} or @samp{-cadillac} (``cadillac''
8078is the name of the communications protocol used by the Energize system).
18fae2a8 8079This option makes @value{GDBN} run as one of the tools in the Energize Tool
6ca72cc6
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8080Set: it sends all output to the Energize kernel, and accept input from
8081it as well.
8082
8083See the user manual for the Energize Programming System for
8084information on how to use the Energize graphical interface and the other
18fae2a8 8085development tools that Energize integrates with @value{GDBN}.
6ca72cc6 8086
18fae2a8 8087@end ifset
4eb4cf57 8088
18fae2a8
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8089@node GDB Bugs
8090@chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
ed447b95
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8091@cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
8092@cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
70b88761 8093
18fae2a8 8094Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
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8095
8096Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
8097may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
18fae2a8
RP
8098the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
8099reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
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8100
8101In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
8102information that enables us to fix the bug.
8103
8104@menu
ed447b95
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8105* Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
8106* Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
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8107@end menu
8108
4eb4cf57 8109@node Bug Criteria
93928b60 8110@section Have you found a bug?
ed447b95 8111@cindex bug criteria
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8112
8113If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
8114
8115@itemize @bullet
8116@item
0f153e74 8117@cindex fatal signal
1d7c3357
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8118@cindex debugger crash
8119@cindex crash of debugger
70b88761 8120If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
18fae2a8 8121@value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
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8122
8123@item
0f153e74 8124@cindex error on valid input
18fae2a8 8125If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a bug.
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8126
8127@item
ed447b95 8128@cindex invalid input
18fae2a8 8129If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
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8130that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
8131``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
8132for traditional practice''.
8133
8134@item
8135If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
18fae2a8 8136for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
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8137@end itemize
8138
4eb4cf57 8139@node Bug Reporting
93928b60 8140@section How to report bugs
0f153e74 8141@cindex bug reports
18fae2a8 8142@cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
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8143
8144A number of companies and individuals offer support for GNU products.
18fae2a8 8145If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
e251e767 8146contact that organization first.
70b88761 8147
ed447b95
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8148You can find contact information for many support companies and
8149individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the GNU Emacs
8150distribution.
70b88761 8151
18fae2a8 8152In any event, we also recommend that you send bug reports for @value{GDBN} to one
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8153of these addresses:
8154
8155@example
8156bug-gdb@@prep.ai.mit.edu
8157@{ucbvax|mit-eddie|uunet@}!prep.ai.mit.edu!bug-gdb
8158@end example
8159
8160@strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
18fae2a8 8161@samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do not want to
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8162receive bug reports. Those that do, have arranged to receive @samp{bug-gdb}.
8163
3d3ab540
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8164The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
8165serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
8166the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
8167newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
8168problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
8169path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
8170we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
8171bug reports to the mailing list.
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8172
8173As a last resort, send bug reports on paper to:
8174
8175@example
8176GNU Debugger Bugs
3d3ab540 8177Free Software Foundation
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8178545 Tech Square
8179Cambridge, MA 02139
8180@end example
8181
8182The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
8183@strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
8184fact or leave it out, state it!
8185
8186Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
29a2b744 8187problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
70b88761 8188assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
29a2b744 8189Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
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8190stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
8191name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
8192of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
8193the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
8194easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
8195
8196Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix
1041a570 8197the bug if it is new to us. It is not as important as what happens if
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8198the bug is already known. Therefore, always write your bug reports on
8199the assumption that the bug has not been reported previously.
8200
8201Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
8202bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
8203@emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
8204bugs properly.
8205
8206To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
8207
8208@itemize @bullet
8209@item
18fae2a8 8210The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start with no
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8211arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show version}.
8212
1041a570 8213Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
18fae2a8 8214the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
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8215
8216@item
ddf21240
JG
8217The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
8218version number.
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8219
8220@item
18fae2a8
RP
8221What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.
8222``@value{GCC}--2.0''.
70b88761 8223
ddf21240
JG
8224@item
8225What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you
18fae2a8 8226are debugging---e.g. ``@value{GCC}--2.0''.
ddf21240 8227
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8228@item
8229The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
8230observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
1041a570 8231you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
ddf21240 8232Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
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8233
8234If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
8235and then we might not encounter the bug.
8236
8237@item
ddf21240
JG
8238A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
8239reproduce the bug.
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8240
8241@item
8242A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
8243incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
8244
18fae2a8 8245Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we will
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8246certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might not
8247notice unless it is glaringly wrong. We are human, after all. You
8248might as well not give us a chance to make a mistake.
8249
8250Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
8251say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as,
18fae2a8 8252your copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a
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8253bug in the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy
8254might crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash,
8255then when ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not
8256happening for us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we
8257would not be able to draw any conclusion from our observations.
8258
8259@item
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8260If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
8261diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
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8262it by context, not by line number.
8263
1041a570 8264The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
70b88761 8265sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
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8266@end itemize
8267
8268Here are some things that are not necessary:
8269
8270@itemize @bullet
8271@item
8272A description of the envelope of the bug.
8273
8274Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
8275which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
8276changes will not affect it.
8277
8278This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
8279will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
8280with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
8281We recommend that you save your time for something else.
8282
8283Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
8284of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
8285output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
b1955f0b 8286less time, and so on.
70b88761 8287
29a2b744 8288However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
70b88761
RP
8289report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
8290
8291@item
8292A patch for the bug.
8293
29a2b744 8294A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
70b88761
RP
8295the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
8296a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
8297to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
8298
18fae2a8 8299Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
70b88761 8300construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
1041a570
RP
8301through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
8302to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
70b88761 8303
29a2b744 8304And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
1041a570 8305patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
70b88761
RP
8306help us to understand.
8307
8308@item
8309A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
8310
29a2b744 8311Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
70b88761
RP
8312things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
8313@end itemize
8314
da24340c
RP
8315@c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
8316@c and consists of the two following files:
8317@c rluser.texinfo
8318@c inc-hist.texi
8319@c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
8320@c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
cacf5942
RP
8321@include rluser.texinfo
8322@include inc-hist.texi
70b88761 8323
18fae2a8 8324@ifset NOVEL
4eb4cf57 8325@node Renamed Commands
70b88761
RP
8326@appendix Renamed Commands
8327
c7cb8acb 8328The following commands were renamed in GDB 4, in order to make the
70b88761
RP
8329command set as a whole more consistent and easier to use and remember:
8330
e251e767
RP
8331@kindex add-syms
8332@kindex delete environment
8333@kindex info copying
8334@kindex info convenience
8335@kindex info directories
8336@kindex info editing
8337@kindex info history
8338@kindex info targets
8339@kindex info values
8340@kindex info version
8341@kindex info warranty
8342@kindex set addressprint
8343@kindex set arrayprint
8344@kindex set prettyprint
8345@kindex set screen-height
8346@kindex set screen-width
8347@kindex set unionprint
8348@kindex set vtblprint
8349@kindex set demangle
8350@kindex set asm-demangle
8351@kindex set sevenbit-strings
8352@kindex set array-max
8353@kindex set caution
8354@kindex set history write
8355@kindex show addressprint
8356@kindex show arrayprint
8357@kindex show prettyprint
8358@kindex show screen-height
8359@kindex show screen-width
8360@kindex show unionprint
8361@kindex show vtblprint
8362@kindex show demangle
8363@kindex show asm-demangle
8364@kindex show sevenbit-strings
8365@kindex show array-max
8366@kindex show caution
8367@kindex show history write
8368@kindex unset
70b88761 8369
92b73793 8370@c TEXI2ROFF-KILL
70b88761 8371@ifinfo
92b73793 8372@c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
cf496415
RP
8373@example
8374OLD COMMAND NEW COMMAND
92b73793 8375@c TEXI2ROFF-KILL
cf496415 8376--------------- -------------------------------
92b73793 8377@c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
cf496415
RP
8378add-syms add-symbol-file
8379delete environment unset environment
8380info convenience show convenience
8381info copying show copying
e251e767 8382info directories show directories
cf496415
RP
8383info editing show commands
8384info history show values
8385info targets help target
8386info values show values
8387info version show version
8388info warranty show warranty
8389set/show addressprint set/show print address
8390set/show array-max set/show print elements
8391set/show arrayprint set/show print array
8392set/show asm-demangle set/show print asm-demangle
8393set/show caution set/show confirm
8394set/show demangle set/show print demangle
8395set/show history write set/show history save
8396set/show prettyprint set/show print pretty
8397set/show screen-height set/show height
8398set/show screen-width set/show width
8399set/show sevenbit-strings set/show print sevenbit-strings
8400set/show unionprint set/show print union
8401set/show vtblprint set/show print vtbl
8402
8403unset [No longer an alias for delete]
8404@end example
92b73793 8405@c TEXI2ROFF-KILL
70b88761
RP
8406@end ifinfo
8407
8408@tex
8409\vskip \parskip\vskip \baselineskip
8410\halign{\tt #\hfil &\qquad#&\tt #\hfil\cr
8411{\bf Old Command} &&{\bf New Command}\cr
8412add-syms &&add-symbol-file\cr
8413delete environment &&unset environment\cr
8414info convenience &&show convenience\cr
8415info copying &&show copying\cr
8416info directories &&show directories \cr
8417info editing &&show commands\cr
8418info history &&show values\cr
8419info targets &&help target\cr
8420info values &&show values\cr
8421info version &&show version\cr
8422info warranty &&show warranty\cr
8423set{\rm / }show addressprint &&set{\rm / }show print address\cr
8424set{\rm / }show array-max &&set{\rm / }show print elements\cr
8425set{\rm / }show arrayprint &&set{\rm / }show print array\cr
8426set{\rm / }show asm-demangle &&set{\rm / }show print asm-demangle\cr
8427set{\rm / }show caution &&set{\rm / }show confirm\cr
8428set{\rm / }show demangle &&set{\rm / }show print demangle\cr
8429set{\rm / }show history write &&set{\rm / }show history save\cr
8430set{\rm / }show prettyprint &&set{\rm / }show print pretty\cr
8431set{\rm / }show screen-height &&set{\rm / }show height\cr
8432set{\rm / }show screen-width &&set{\rm / }show width\cr
8433set{\rm / }show sevenbit-strings &&set{\rm / }show print sevenbit-strings\cr
8434set{\rm / }show unionprint &&set{\rm / }show print union\cr
8435set{\rm / }show vtblprint &&set{\rm / }show print vtbl\cr
8436\cr
8437unset &&\rm(No longer an alias for delete)\cr
8438}
8439@end tex
92b73793 8440@c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
18fae2a8 8441@end ifset
70b88761 8442
18fae2a8 8443@ifclear PRECONFIGURED
4eb4cf57 8444@node Formatting Documentation
fe715d06 8445@appendix Formatting Documentation
77b46d13
JG
8446
8447@cindex GDB reference card
8448@cindex reference card
8449The GDB 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
b1385986 8450for printing with PostScript or GhostScript, in the @file{gdb}
ed447b95
RP
8451subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
8452@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
8453release.}. If you can use PostScript or GhostScript with your printer,
8454you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
77b46d13
JG
8455
8456The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
8457can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
8458
8459@example
8460make refcard.dvi
8461@end example
8462
8463The GDB reference card is designed to print in landscape mode on US
8464``letter'' size paper; that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
8465high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
8466your @sc{dvi} output program.
8467
8468@cindex documentation
8469
8470All the documentation for GDB comes as part of the machine-readable
8471distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
8472a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
8473on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
8474formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
8475and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
8476
8477GDB includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info version of
8478this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info file is
8479@file{gdb-@var{version-number}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
a89f94c2
RP
8480subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
8481necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
8482but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in GNU Emacs
8483or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the GNU
8484Texinfo distribution.
77b46d13
JG
8485
8486If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
8487Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
8488@code{makeinfo}.
8489
8490If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level GDB
18fae2a8 8491source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of version @value{GDBVN}), you can
77b46d13
JG
8492make the Info file by typing:
8493
8494@example
8495cd gdb
8496make gdb.info
8497@end example
8498
fe715d06
RP
8499If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
8500a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
8501Texinfo definitions file.
77b46d13 8502
83bfcbae 8503@TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
77b46d13
JG
8504produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
8505document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
8506has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
8507command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
fe715d06
RP
8508(for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
8509require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
77b46d13
JG
8510
8511@TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
8512@file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
8513written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot read, much less
8514typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
8515and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
8516directory.
8517
8518If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
8519typeset and print this manual. First switch to the the @file{gdb}
8520subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
18fae2a8 8521@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and then type:
77b46d13
JG
8522
8523@example
8524make gdb.dvi
8525@end example
8526
4eb4cf57 8527@node Installing GDB
c7cb8acb
RP
8528@appendix Installing GDB
8529@cindex configuring GDB
70b88761
RP
8530@cindex installation
8531
ed447b95
RP
8532GDB comes with a @code{configure} script that automates the process
8533of preparing GDB for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
8534build the @code{gdb} program.
f672bb7f
RP
8535@iftex
8536@c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
ed447b95
RP
8537@footnote{If you have a more recent version of GDB than @value{GDBVN},
8538look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
8539installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
f672bb7f
RP
8540@end iftex
8541
c7cb8acb 8542The GDB distribution includes all the source code you need for GDB in
1041a570
RP
8543a single directory, whose name is usually composed by appending the
8544version number to @samp{gdb}.
8545
ed447b95
RP
8546For example, the GDB version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
8547@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
b80282d5 8548
3d3ab540 8549@table @code
18fae2a8 8550@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
c7cb8acb 8551script for configuring GDB and all its supporting libraries.
b80282d5 8552
18fae2a8 8553@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
c7cb8acb 8554the source specific to GDB itself
3d3ab540 8555
18fae2a8 8556@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
77b46d13 8557source for the Binary File Descriptor library
3d3ab540 8558
18fae2a8 8559@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
b80282d5 8560GNU include files
3d3ab540 8561
18fae2a8 8562@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
3d3ab540
RP
8563source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
8564
18fae2a8 8565@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
3214c51c
JG
8566source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
8567
18fae2a8 8568@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
b80282d5 8569source for the GNU command-line interface
77b46d13 8570
18fae2a8 8571@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
77b46d13
JG
8572source for the GNU filename pattern-matching subroutine
8573
18fae2a8 8574@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
77b46d13 8575source for the GNU memory-mapped malloc package
3d3ab540 8576@end table
1041a570 8577
c7cb8acb 8578The simplest way to configure and build GDB is to run @code{configure}
1041a570 8579from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
18fae2a8 8580this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
1041a570
RP
8581
8582First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
8583if you are not already in it; then run @code{configure}. Pass the
c7cb8acb 8584identifier for the platform on which GDB will run as an
1041a570
RP
8585argument.
8586
8587For example:
8588
7463aadd 8589@example
18fae2a8 8590cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
3d3ab540 8591./configure @var{host}
7463aadd
RP
8592make
8593@end example
1041a570 8594
7463aadd 8595@noindent
1041a570 8596where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
c7cb8acb 8597@samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where GDB will run.
d55320a0
RP
8598(You can often leave off @var{host}; @code{configure} tries to guess the
8599correct value by examining your system.)
1041a570 8600
8c69096b 8601Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
38962738
RP
8602@file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
8603libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
8604binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
3d3ab540 8605
e251e767 8606@code{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
29a2b744 8607system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
1041a570
RP
8608shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
8609
8610@example
8611sh configure @var{host}
8612@end example
e251e767 8613
f672bb7f
RP
8614If you run @code{configure} from a directory that contains source
8615directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
18fae2a8 8616@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN}, @code{configure}
f672bb7f 8617creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
98349959 8618you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
f672bb7f
RP
8619
8620You can run the @code{configure} script from any of the
d55320a0
RP
8621subordinate directories in the GDB distribution if you only want to
8622configure that subdirectory, but be sure to specify a path to it.
1041a570 8623
18fae2a8 8624For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, type the following to configure only
1041a570
RP
8625the @code{bfd} subdirectory:
8626
e251e767 8627@example
203eea5d 8628@group
18fae2a8 8629cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
e251e767 8630../configure @var{host}
203eea5d 8631@end group
e251e767
RP
8632@end example
8633
18fae2a8 8634You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
1041a570
RP
8635However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
8636the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
c7cb8acb
RP
8637that GDB uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
8638let GDB debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
3d3ab540
RP
8639
8640@menu
c7cb8acb 8641* Separate Objdir:: Compiling GDB in another directory
b80282d5
RP
8642* Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
8643* configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
3d3ab540
RP
8644@end menu
8645
4eb4cf57 8646@node Separate Objdir
93928b60 8647@section Compiling GDB in another directory
1041a570 8648
c7cb8acb 8649If you want to run GDB versions for several host or target machines,
ed447b95 8650you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
1041a570 8651host and target. @code{configure} is designed to make this easy by
f672bb7f
RP
8652allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
8653rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
8654handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (GNU @code{make} does), running
ed447b95 8655@code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
f672bb7f 8656program specified there.
b80282d5 8657
c7cb8acb 8658To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @code{configure}
f672bb7f 8659with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
93918348 8660(You also need to specify a path to find @code{configure}
77b46d13
JG
8661itself from your working directory. If the path to @code{configure}
8662would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
8663the @samp{--srcdir} option; it will be assumed.)
1041a570 8664
18fae2a8 8665For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build GDB in a separate
f672bb7f 8666directory for a Sun 4 like this:
70b88761
RP
8667
8668@example
3d3ab540 8669@group
18fae2a8 8670cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
f672bb7f
RP
8671mkdir ../gdb-sun4
8672cd ../gdb-sun4
18fae2a8 8673../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
70b88761 8674make
3d3ab540 8675@end group
70b88761
RP
8676@end example
8677
f672bb7f
RP
8678When @code{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
8679directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
8680(and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
8681the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
c7cb8acb 8682directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and GDB itself in
f672bb7f 8683@file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
1041a570 8684
38962738 8685One popular reason to build several GDB configurations in separate
c7cb8acb 8686directories is to configure GDB for cross-compiling (where GDB
f672bb7f
RP
8687runs on one machine---the host---while debugging programs that run on
8688another machine---the target). You specify a cross-debugging target by
8689giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @code{configure}.
c7637ea6 8690
1041a570 8691When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
f672bb7f
RP
8692it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
8693called @code{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
c7637ea6 8694
fe715d06 8695The @code{Makefile} that @code{configure} generates in each source
f672bb7f 8696directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
18fae2a8
RP
8697directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
8698directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{path}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
ed447b95 8699will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
3d3ab540 8700
f672bb7f
RP
8701When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
8702directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
8703if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
8704with each other.
3d3ab540 8705
4eb4cf57 8706@node Config Names
93928b60 8707@section Specifying names for hosts and targets
b80282d5
RP
8708
8709The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @code{configure}
8710script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
8711aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
e251e767 8712of information in the following pattern:
1041a570 8713
b80282d5
RP
8714@example
8715@var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
8716@end example
8717
8c69096b
RP
8718For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
8719or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
8720option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
b80282d5 8721
c7cb8acb 8722The @code{configure} script accompanying GDB does not provide
b80282d5
RP
8723any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
8724aliases. @code{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
8725@code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
8726script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
8727abbreviations---for example:
1041a570 8728
b1385986 8729@smallexample
b80282d5 8730% sh config.sub sun4
d55320a0 8731sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
b80282d5 8732% sh config.sub sun3
d55320a0 8733m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
b80282d5 8734% sh config.sub decstation
d55320a0 8735mips-dec-ultrix4.2
b80282d5
RP
8736% sh config.sub hp300bsd
8737m68k-hp-bsd
8738% sh config.sub i386v
6a8cb0e7 8739i386-unknown-sysv
e94b4a2b 8740% sh config.sub i786v
6a8cb0e7 8741Invalid configuration `i786v': machine `i786v' not recognized
b1385986 8742@end smallexample
1041a570 8743
c7637ea6 8744@noindent
1041a570 8745@code{config.sub} is also distributed in the GDB source
18fae2a8 8746directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
b80282d5 8747
4eb4cf57 8748@node configure Options
93928b60 8749@section @code{configure} options
7463aadd 8750
d48da190 8751Here is a summary of the @code{configure} options and arguments that
18fae2a8 8752are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @code{configure} also has
d48da190
RP
8753several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
8754Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @code{configure}.
8755@c FIXME: Would this be more, or less, useful as an xref (ref to printed
8756@c manual in the printed manual, ref to info file only from the info file)?
7463aadd
RP
8757
8758@example
d48da190
RP
8759configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
8760 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
8761 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{path}@r{]}
f672bb7f
RP
8762 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
8763 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]} @var{host}
7463aadd 8764@end example
1041a570 8765
3d3ab540 8766@noindent
f672bb7f
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8767You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
8768@samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
8769@samp{--}.
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8770
8771@table @code
d48da190
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8772@item --help
8773Display a quick summary of how to invoke @code{configure}.
8774
8775@item -prefix=@var{dir}
8776Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
8777@file{@var{dir}}.
8778
b1955f0b
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8779@c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
8780@need 2000
f672bb7f 8781@item --srcdir=@var{path}
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8782@strong{Warning: using this option requires GNU @code{make}, or another
8783@code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
f672bb7f 8784Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
c7cb8acb 8785GDB source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
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8786build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
8787directories. @code{configure} writes configuration specific files in
8788the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
8789directory @var{path}. @code{configure} will create directories under
8790the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
8791@var{path}.
8792
8793@item --norecursion
8794Configure only the directory level where @code{configure} is executed; do not
7463aadd
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8795propagate configuration to subdirectories.
8796
f672bb7f 8797@item --rm
d55320a0 8798@emph{Remove} files otherwise built during configuration.
7463aadd 8799
29a2b744 8800@c This does not work (yet if ever). FIXME.
f672bb7f 8801@c @item --parse=@var{lang} @dots{}
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RP
8802@c Configure the GDB expression parser to parse the listed languages.
8803@c @samp{all} configures GDB for all supported languages. To get a
d7b569d5 8804@c list of all supported languages, omit the argument. Without this
c7cb8acb 8805@c option, GDB is configured to parse all supported languages.
c2bbbb22 8806
f672bb7f 8807@item --target=@var{target}
c7cb8acb
RP
8808Configure GDB for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
8809@var{target}. Without this option, GDB is configured to debug
8810programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as GDB itself.
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8811
8812There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
7463aadd
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8813
8814@item @var{host} @dots{}
c7cb8acb 8815Configure GDB to run on the specified @var{host}.
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8816
8817There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
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8818@end table
8819
3d3ab540
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8820@noindent
8821@code{configure} accepts other options, for compatibility with
b80282d5 8822configuring other GNU tools recursively; but these are the only
c7cb8acb 8823options that affect GDB or its supporting libraries.
18fae2a8 8824@end ifclear
3d3ab540 8825
4eb4cf57 8826@node Index
d2e08421 8827@unnumbered Index
e91b87a3 8828
8829@printindex cp
8830
fe3f5fc8
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8831@tex
8832% I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
8833% meantime:
8834\long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
8835\centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
8836\centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
8837\centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
8838\centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
a6d0b6d3
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8839\centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
8840\centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
fe3f5fc8
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8841\centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
8842\centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
8843\page\colophon
a6d0b6d3 8844% Blame: [email protected], 1991.
fe3f5fc8
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8845@end tex
8846
e91b87a3 8847@contents
8848@bye
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