1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,
3 @c 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
4 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
7 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
8 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
25 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
26 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
30 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
31 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
34 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
37 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
39 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
40 @c manuals to an info tree.
41 @dircategory Software development
43 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
47 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
50 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
51 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
52 Version @value{GDBVN}.
54 Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,@*
55 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006@*
56 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
58 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
59 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
60 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
61 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
62 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
63 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
65 (a) The Free Software Foundation's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have
66 freedom to copy and modify this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies
67 published by the Free Software Foundation raise funds for GNU
72 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
73 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
75 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
76 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
80 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to bug-gdb\@gnu.org.)\par
81 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
82 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
86 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
87 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995,
88 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006
89 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
91 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
92 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
93 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
96 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
97 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
98 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
99 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
100 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
101 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
103 (a) The Free Software Foundation's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have
104 freedom to copy and modify this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies
105 published by the Free Software Foundation raise funds for GNU
111 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
113 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
115 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
117 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} Version
120 Copyright (C) 1988-2006 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
123 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
124 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
126 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
127 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
128 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
129 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
130 * Stack:: Examining the stack
131 * Source:: Examining source files
132 * Data:: Examining data
133 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
134 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
135 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
137 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
139 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
140 * Altering:: Altering execution
141 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
142 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
143 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
144 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
145 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
146 * Sequences:: Canned sequences of commands
147 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
148 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
149 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
150 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
151 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
153 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
154 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
156 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
157 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
158 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
159 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
160 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
161 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
162 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
163 how you can copy and share GDB
164 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
173 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
175 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
176 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
177 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
179 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
180 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
184 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
187 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
190 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
193 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
194 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
197 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
198 For more information, see @ref{Supported languages,,Supported languages}.
199 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
202 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
203 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
206 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
207 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
208 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
212 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
213 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
216 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
217 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
220 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
221 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
225 @unnumberedsec Free software
227 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
228 General Public License
229 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
230 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
231 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
232 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
233 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
234 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
236 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
237 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
240 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
242 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
243 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
244 include with the free software. Many of our most important
245 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
246 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
247 when an important free software package does not come with a free
248 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
251 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
252 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
253 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
254 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
255 them from the free software world.
257 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
258 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
259 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
260 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
261 contract to make it non-free.
263 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
264 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
265 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
266 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
267 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
268 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
269 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
271 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
272 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
273 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
274 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
276 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
277 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
278 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
279 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
280 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
281 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
284 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
285 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
286 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
287 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
288 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
289 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
290 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
291 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
294 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
295 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
296 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
297 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
298 manual to replace it.
300 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
301 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
302 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
303 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
304 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
305 the free software community.
307 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
308 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
309 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
310 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
311 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
312 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
313 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
314 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
315 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
317 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
318 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
319 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
320 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
321 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
322 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
323 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
324 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
326 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
327 published by other publishers, at
328 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
331 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
333 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
334 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
335 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
336 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
337 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
338 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
339 blow-by-blow account.
341 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
344 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
345 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
346 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
349 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
350 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
352 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
353 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
354 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
355 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
356 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
357 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
358 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
359 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
360 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
362 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
363 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
365 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
366 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
367 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
368 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
369 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
371 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
372 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
373 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
375 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
376 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
378 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
380 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
381 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
383 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
384 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
385 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
386 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
387 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
388 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
389 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
390 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
391 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
392 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
393 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
394 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
395 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
396 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
397 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
398 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
400 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
402 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
405 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
406 about several machine instruction sets.
408 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
409 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
410 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
411 and RDI targets, respectively.
413 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
414 command-line editing and command history.
416 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
417 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
419 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
420 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
423 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
424 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
426 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
428 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
431 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
433 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
435 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
437 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
440 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
442 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
444 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
445 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
447 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
448 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
449 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
450 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
451 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
452 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
453 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
455 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
456 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
458 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
459 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
460 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
461 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
462 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
463 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
464 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
465 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
466 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
467 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
468 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
469 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
470 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
471 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
472 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
474 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
475 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
477 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
480 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
481 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
482 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
483 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
484 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
485 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
488 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
490 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
491 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
492 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
495 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
496 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
499 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
500 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
502 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
503 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
504 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
505 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
506 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
507 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
508 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
509 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
510 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
519 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
523 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
525 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
528 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
532 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
535 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
536 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
537 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
538 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
539 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
541 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
544 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
549 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
550 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
551 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
552 that examples fit in this manual.
555 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
559 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
560 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
561 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
562 @code{break} command.
565 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
566 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
570 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
571 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
572 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
575 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
576 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
584 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
585 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
586 context where it stops.
589 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
591 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
593 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
597 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
598 the next line of the current function.
602 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
607 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
608 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
609 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
610 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
614 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
616 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
620 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
621 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
622 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
623 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
624 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
625 stack frame for each active subroutine.
628 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
629 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
631 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
633 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
634 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
636 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
637 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
641 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
642 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
643 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
647 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
649 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
650 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
652 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
655 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
659 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
660 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
661 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
662 (@code{print}) to see their values.
665 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
666 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
667 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
668 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
672 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
673 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
674 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
680 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
682 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
685 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
686 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
693 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
694 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
698 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
701 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
703 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
708 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
709 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
710 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
711 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
712 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
716 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
718 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
723 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
724 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
725 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
726 example that caused trouble initially:
732 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
739 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
740 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
741 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
745 Program exited normally.
749 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
750 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
751 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
754 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
758 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
760 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
764 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
766 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{C-d} to exit.
770 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
771 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
772 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
773 * Logging output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
777 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
779 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
780 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
782 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
783 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
785 The command-line options described here are designed
786 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
787 options may effectively be unavailable.
789 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
790 specifying an executable program:
793 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
797 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
801 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
804 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
805 to debug a running process:
808 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
812 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
813 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
815 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
816 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
817 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
818 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
819 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
821 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
822 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
825 gdb --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
827 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
828 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
830 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
831 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
838 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
839 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
849 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
850 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
852 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
853 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
854 @samp{-x} option is used.
858 * File Options:: Choosing files
859 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
860 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
864 @subsection Choosing files
866 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
867 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
868 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
869 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p} options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
870 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
871 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
872 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
873 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
874 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
875 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
876 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
877 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
878 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
880 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
881 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
882 argument and ignore it.
884 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
885 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
886 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
887 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
888 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
890 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
891 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
895 @item -symbols @var{file}
897 @cindex @code{--symbols}
899 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
901 @item -exec @var{file}
903 @cindex @code{--exec}
905 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
906 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
910 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
913 @item -core @var{file}
915 @cindex @code{--core}
917 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
919 @item -c @var{number}
920 @item -pid @var{number}
921 @itemx -p @var{number}
924 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
925 If there is no such process, @value{GDBN} will attempt to open a core
926 file named @var{number}.
928 @item -command @var{file}
930 @cindex @code{--command}
932 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}. @xref{Command
933 Files,, Command files}.
935 @item -eval-command @var{command}
936 @itemx -ex @var{command}
937 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
939 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
941 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
942 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
945 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
946 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
949 @item -directory @var{directory}
950 @itemx -d @var{directory}
951 @cindex @code{--directory}
953 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
957 @cindex @code{--readnow}
959 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
960 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
961 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
966 @subsection Choosing modes
968 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
969 batch mode or quiet mode.
976 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
977 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
978 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
984 @cindex @code{--quiet}
985 @cindex @code{--silent}
987 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
988 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
991 @cindex @code{--batch}
992 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
993 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
994 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
995 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
996 in the command files.
998 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
999 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1000 make this more useful, the message
1003 Program exited normally.
1007 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1008 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1012 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1013 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1014 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1015 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1016 for an interactive session.
1018 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1019 messages, for example.
1021 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1022 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1024 @item -return-child-result
1025 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1026 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1027 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1031 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1032 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1033 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1035 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1037 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1038 the exit code will be -1.
1041 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1042 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1047 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1049 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1050 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1051 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1055 @cindex @code{--windows}
1057 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1060 @item -cd @var{directory}
1062 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1063 instead of the current directory.
1067 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1069 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1070 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1071 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1072 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1073 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1074 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1075 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1076 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1080 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1081 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1082 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1083 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1086 @item -annotate @var{level}
1087 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1088 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1089 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1090 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1091 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1092 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1093 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1094 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1095 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1097 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1101 @cindex @code{--args}
1102 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1103 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1104 This option stops option processing.
1106 @item -baud @var{bps}
1108 @cindex @code{--baud}
1110 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1111 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1113 @item -l @var{timeout}
1115 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1116 for remote debugging.
1118 @item -tty @var{device}
1119 @itemx -t @var{device}
1120 @cindex @code{--tty}
1122 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1123 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1125 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1127 @cindex @code{--tui}
1128 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1129 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1130 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1131 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Alternatively, the
1132 Text User Interface can be enabled by invoking the program
1133 @samp{gdbtui}. Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from
1134 Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1137 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1138 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1139 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1140 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1143 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1144 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1145 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1146 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1147 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1148 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1150 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1151 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1152 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1153 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1154 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1155 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1158 @cindex @code{--write}
1159 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1160 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1164 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1165 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1166 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1169 @cindex @code{--version}
1170 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1171 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1176 @subsection What @value{GDBN} does during startup
1177 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1179 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1183 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1184 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1188 Reads the @dfn{init file} (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1189 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1190 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1194 Processes command line options and operands.
1197 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1198 working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1199 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1200 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1201 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1205 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option. @xref{Command
1206 Files}, for more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1209 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1210 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1211 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1214 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1215 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1216 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1217 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1218 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1219 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing modes}).
1221 @cindex init file name
1222 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1223 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1224 On some configurations of @value{GDBN}, the init file is known by a
1225 different name (these are typically environments where a specialized
1226 form of @value{GDBN} may need to coexist with other forms, hence a
1227 different name for the specialized version's init file). These are the
1228 environments with special init file names:
1231 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1233 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1234 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1235 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1236 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1237 the file to the standard name.
1239 @cindex @file{.vxgdbinit}
1241 VxWorks (Wind River Systems real-time OS): @file{.vxgdbinit}
1243 @cindex @file{.os68gdbinit}
1245 OS68K (Enea Data Systems real-time OS): @file{.os68gdbinit}
1247 @cindex @file{.esgdbinit}
1249 ES-1800 (Ericsson Telecom AB M68000 emulator): @file{.esgdbinit}
1252 CISCO 68k: @file{.cisco-gdbinit}
1257 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1258 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1259 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1262 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1263 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1264 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1266 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1267 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{C-d}). If you
1268 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1269 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1274 An interrupt (often @kbd{C-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1275 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1276 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1277 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1278 until a time when it is safe.
1280 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1281 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1282 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an already-running process}).
1284 @node Shell Commands
1285 @section Shell commands
1287 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1288 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1289 just use the @code{shell} command.
1293 @cindex shell escape
1294 @item shell @var{command string}
1295 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1296 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1297 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1298 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1301 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1302 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1307 @cindex calling make
1308 @item make @var{make-args}
1309 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1310 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1313 @node Logging output
1314 @section Logging output
1315 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1316 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1318 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1319 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1323 @item set logging on
1325 @item set logging off
1327 @cindex logging file name
1328 @item set logging file @var{file}
1329 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1330 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1331 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1332 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1333 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1334 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1335 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1336 @kindex show logging
1338 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1342 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1344 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1345 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1346 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1347 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1348 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1351 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1352 * Completion:: Command completion
1353 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1356 @node Command Syntax
1357 @section Command syntax
1359 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1360 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1361 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1362 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1363 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1364 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1366 @cindex abbreviation
1367 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1368 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1369 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1370 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1371 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1372 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1373 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1375 @cindex repeating commands
1376 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1377 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1378 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1379 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1380 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1381 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1382 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1384 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1385 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1386 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1388 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1389 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1390 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen size}). Since it is easy to press one
1391 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1392 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1394 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1396 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1397 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1398 Files,,Command files}).
1400 @cindex repeating command sequences
1401 @kindex C-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1402 The @kbd{C-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1403 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @kbd{RET}, and
1404 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1408 @section Command completion
1411 @cindex word completion
1412 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1413 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1414 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1415 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1417 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1418 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1419 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1420 enter it). For example, if you type
1422 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1423 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1424 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1425 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1427 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1431 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1432 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1435 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1439 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1440 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1441 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1442 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1443 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1444 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1446 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1447 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1448 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1449 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1450 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1451 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1452 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1453 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1457 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1458 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1459 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1460 make_abs_section make_function_type
1461 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1462 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1463 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1464 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1468 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1469 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1472 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1473 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1474 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1475 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1476 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1478 @cindex quotes in commands
1479 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1480 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1481 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1482 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1483 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1484 @value{GDBN} commands.
1486 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1487 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1488 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1489 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1490 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1491 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1492 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1493 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1494 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1495 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1496 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1499 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1500 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1501 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1504 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1505 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1506 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1510 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1511 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1512 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1516 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1517 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1518 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1520 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C plus plus
1521 expressions, ,C@t{++} expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1522 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1523 see @ref{Debugging C plus plus, ,@value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}}.
1527 @section Getting help
1528 @cindex online documentation
1531 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1532 using the command @code{help}.
1535 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1538 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1539 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1543 List of classes of commands:
1545 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1546 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1547 data -- Examining data
1548 files -- Specifying and examining files
1549 internals -- Maintenance commands
1550 obscure -- Obscure features
1551 running -- Running the program
1552 stack -- Examining the stack
1553 status -- Status inquiries
1554 support -- Support facilities
1555 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without@*
1556 stopping the program
1557 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1559 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1560 commands in that class.
1561 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1563 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1566 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1568 @item help @var{class}
1569 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1570 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1571 help display for the class @code{status}:
1574 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1579 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1580 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1581 info -- Generic command for showing things
1582 about the program being debugged
1583 show -- Generic command for showing things
1586 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1588 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1592 @item help @var{command}
1593 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1594 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1597 @item apropos @var{args}
1598 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1599 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1600 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1611 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1612 multiple times in one run
1613 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1614 multiple times in one run
1619 @item complete @var{args}
1620 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1621 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1622 command you want completed. For example:
1628 @noindent results in:
1639 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1642 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1643 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1644 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1645 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1646 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1647 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1652 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1654 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1655 program. For example, you can list the arguments given to your program
1656 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1657 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1658 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1659 @w{@code{help info}}.
1663 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1664 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1665 @code{set prompt $}.
1669 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1670 @value{GDBN} itself.
1671 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1672 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1673 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1674 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1677 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1678 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1679 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1680 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1681 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1682 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1686 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1687 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1690 @kindex show version
1691 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1693 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1694 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1695 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1696 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1697 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1698 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1699 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1700 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1703 @kindex show copying
1704 @kindex info copying
1705 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1708 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1710 @kindex show warranty
1711 @kindex info warranty
1713 @itemx info warranty
1714 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1715 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1720 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1722 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1723 debugging information when you compile it.
1725 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1726 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1727 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1728 kill a child process.
1731 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1732 * Starting:: Starting your program
1733 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1734 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1736 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1737 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1738 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1739 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1741 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1742 * Processes:: Debugging programs with multiple processes
1743 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1747 @section Compiling for debugging
1749 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1750 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1751 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1752 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1753 and addresses in the executable code.
1755 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1758 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1759 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, many
1760 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1761 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1762 executables containing debugging information.
1764 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1765 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1766 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1767 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1768 in pushing your luck.
1770 @cindex optimized code, debugging
1771 @cindex debugging optimized code
1772 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
1773 optimizer is rearranging your code; the debugger shows you what is
1774 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
1775 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
1776 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
1777 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
1779 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
1780 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
1781 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
1782 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
1783 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
1785 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1786 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1787 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1789 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1790 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1791 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1792 the @option{-g} flag alone, because this information is rather large.
1793 Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
1794 provides macro information if you specify the options
1795 @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1796 debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1797 ``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact
1798 ways to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1803 @section Starting your program
1809 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1812 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1813 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1814 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1815 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1816 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
1820 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1821 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1822 that process run your program. (In environments without processes,
1823 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program.)
1825 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1826 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1827 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1828 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1829 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1830 divided into four categories:
1833 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1834 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1835 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1836 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1837 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1839 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1840 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1841 @xref{Arguments, ,Your program's arguments}.
1843 @item The @emph{environment.}
1844 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1845 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1846 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1847 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}.
1849 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1850 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1851 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1852 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your program's working directory}.
1854 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1855 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1856 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1857 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1858 set a different device for your program.
1859 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your program's input and output}.
1862 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1863 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1864 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1868 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1869 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and continuing}, for discussion
1870 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1871 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1872 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1874 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1875 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1876 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1877 your current breakpoints.
1882 @cindex run to main procedure
1883 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
1884 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
1885 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
1886 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
1887 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
1888 procedure, depending on the language used.
1890 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
1891 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
1892 the @samp{run} command.
1894 @cindex elaboration phase
1895 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
1896 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
1897 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
1898 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
1899 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
1900 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
1901 will remain to halt execution.
1903 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
1904 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
1905 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
1906 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
1907 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
1909 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
1910 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
1911 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
1912 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
1913 elaboration code before running your program.
1917 @section Your program's arguments
1919 @cindex arguments (to your program)
1920 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
1922 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
1923 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
1924 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
1925 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
1926 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
1928 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
1929 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
1930 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
1931 the program, not by the shell.
1933 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
1934 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
1939 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
1940 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
1941 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
1942 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
1943 it again without arguments.
1947 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
1951 @section Your program's environment
1953 @cindex environment (of your program)
1954 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
1955 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
1956 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
1957 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
1958 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
1959 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
1960 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
1964 @item path @var{directory}
1965 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
1966 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
1967 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
1968 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
1969 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
1970 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
1971 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
1973 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
1974 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
1975 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
1976 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
1977 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
1978 @var{directory} to the search path.
1979 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
1980 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
1984 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
1985 environment variable).
1987 @kindex show environment
1988 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
1989 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
1990 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
1991 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
1992 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
1994 @kindex set environment
1995 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
1996 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
1997 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
1998 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
1999 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2000 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2002 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2003 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2005 For example, this command:
2012 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2013 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2014 are not actually required.)
2016 @kindex unset environment
2017 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2018 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2019 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2020 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2021 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2024 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2026 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2027 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2028 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2029 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2030 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2031 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2034 @node Working Directory
2035 @section Your program's working directory
2037 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2038 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2039 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2040 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2041 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2042 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2044 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2045 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2050 @cindex change working directory
2051 @item cd @var{directory}
2052 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2056 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2059 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2060 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2061 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2062 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2063 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2064 current working directory of the debuggee.
2067 @section Your program's input and output
2072 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2073 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2074 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2075 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2076 running your program.
2079 @kindex info terminal
2081 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2085 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2086 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2093 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2096 @cindex controlling terminal
2097 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2098 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2099 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2100 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2101 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2108 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2109 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2110 that as their controlling terminal.
2112 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2113 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2116 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2117 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2118 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2119 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2121 @cindex inferior tty
2122 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2123 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2124 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2128 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2129 @kindex set inferior-tty
2130 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2132 @item show inferior-tty
2133 @kindex show inferior-tty
2134 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2138 @section Debugging an already-running process
2143 @item attach @var{process-id}
2144 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2145 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2146 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2147 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2148 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2150 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2151 executing the command.
2154 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2155 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2156 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2157 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2159 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2160 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2161 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2162 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying source directories}). You can also use
2163 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2166 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2167 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2168 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2169 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2170 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2171 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2172 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2177 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2178 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2179 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2180 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2181 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2182 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2183 executing the command.
2186 If you exit @value{GDBN} or use the @code{run} command while you have an
2187 attached process, you kill that process. By default, @value{GDBN} asks
2188 for confirmation if you try to do either of these things; you can
2189 control whether or not you need to confirm by using the @code{set
2190 confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
2194 @section Killing the child process
2199 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2202 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2203 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2206 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2207 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2208 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2209 outside the debugger.
2211 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2212 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2213 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2214 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2215 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2216 breakpoint settings).
2219 @section Debugging programs with multiple threads
2221 @cindex threads of execution
2222 @cindex multiple threads
2223 @cindex switching threads
2224 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2225 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2226 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2227 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2228 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2229 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2230 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2232 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2236 @item automatic notification of new threads
2237 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2238 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2239 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2240 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2241 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2245 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2246 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2247 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2248 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2249 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2253 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2254 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2255 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2256 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2258 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2259 @c doesn't support threads"?
2262 @cindex focus of debugging
2263 @cindex current thread
2264 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2265 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2266 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2267 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2268 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2270 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2271 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2272 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2273 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2274 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2275 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2276 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2277 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2278 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2279 LynxOS, you might see
2282 [New process 35 thread 27]
2286 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2287 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2290 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2291 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2292 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2294 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2295 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2296 @c threads ab initio?
2298 @cindex thread number
2299 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2300 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2301 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2304 @kindex info threads
2306 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2307 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2311 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2314 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2317 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2321 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2322 indicates the current thread.
2326 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2329 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2330 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2331 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2332 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2338 @cindex debugging multithreaded programs (on HP-UX)
2339 @cindex thread identifier (GDB), on HP-UX
2340 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2341 number---a small integer assigned in thread-creation order---with each
2342 thread in your program.
2344 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message, on HP-UX
2345 @cindex thread identifier (system), on HP-UX
2346 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2347 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2348 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2349 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2350 both @value{GDBN}'s thread number and the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2351 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2352 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2356 [New thread 2 (system thread 26594)]
2360 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread.
2363 @kindex info threads (HP-UX)
2365 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2366 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2369 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2371 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2373 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2377 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2378 indicates the current thread.
2382 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2385 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2386 * 3 system thread 26607 worker (wptr=0x7b09c318 "@@") \@*
2388 2 system thread 26606 0x7b0030d8 in __ksleep () \@*
2389 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2390 1 system thread 27905 0x7b003498 in _brk () \@*
2391 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2394 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2395 Solaris-specific command:
2398 @item maint info sol-threads
2399 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2400 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2401 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2405 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2406 @item thread @var{threadno}
2407 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2408 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2409 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2410 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2411 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2414 @c FIXME!! This example made up; find a @value{GDBN} w/threads and get real one
2415 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2416 [Switching to process 35 thread 23]
2417 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2421 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2422 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2425 @kindex thread apply
2426 @cindex apply command to several threads
2427 @item thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{command}
2428 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2429 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2430 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2431 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2432 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2433 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2434 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2437 @cindex automatic thread selection
2438 @cindex switching threads automatically
2439 @cindex threads, automatic switching
2440 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
2441 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
2442 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
2443 message of the form @samp{[Switching to @var{systag}]} to identify the
2446 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and starting multi-thread programs}, for
2447 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2448 programs with multiple threads.
2450 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting watchpoints}, for information about
2451 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2454 @section Debugging programs with multiple processes
2456 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2457 @cindex multiple processes
2458 @cindex processes, multiple
2459 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2460 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2461 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2462 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2463 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2464 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2465 will cause it to terminate.
2467 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2468 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2469 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2470 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2471 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2472 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2473 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2474 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2475 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2476 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2478 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2479 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2480 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2481 only?) and GNU/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2483 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2484 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2486 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2487 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2490 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2491 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2492 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2493 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2494 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2498 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2499 unimpeded. This is the default.
2502 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2507 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
2508 @item show follow-fork-mode
2509 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2512 @cindex debugging multiple processes
2513 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2514 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2517 @kindex set detach-on-fork
2518 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
2519 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
2520 retain debugger control over them both.
2524 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
2525 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
2526 independently. This is the default.
2529 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2530 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
2531 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
2536 @kindex show detach-on-follow
2537 @item show detach-on-follow
2538 Show whether detach-on-follow mode is on/off.
2541 If you choose to set @var{detach-on-follow} mode off, then
2542 @value{GDBN} will retain control of all forked processes (including
2543 nested forks). You can list the forked processes under the control of
2544 @value{GDBN} by using the @w{@code{info forks}} command, and switch
2545 from one fork to another by using the @w{@code{fork}} command.
2550 Print a list of all forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2551 The listing will include a fork id, a process id, and the current
2552 position (program counter) of the process.
2555 @kindex fork @var{fork-id}
2556 @item fork @var{fork-id}
2557 Make fork number @var{fork-id} the current process. The argument
2558 @var{fork-id} is the internal fork number assigned by @value{GDBN},
2559 as shown in the first field of the @samp{info forks} display.
2563 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
2564 from it by using the @w{@code{detach-fork}} command (allowing it to
2565 run independently), or delete (and kill) it using the
2566 @w{@code{delete-fork}} command.
2569 @kindex detach-fork @var{fork-id}
2570 @item detach-fork @var{fork-id}
2571 Detach from the process identified by @value{GDBN} fork number
2572 @var{fork-id}, and remove it from the fork list. The process will be
2573 allowed to run independently.
2575 @kindex delete-fork @var{fork-id}
2576 @item delete-fork @var{fork-id}
2577 Kill the process identified by @value{GDBN} fork number @var{fork-id},
2578 and remove it from the fork list.
2582 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2583 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2584 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2585 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2586 the child process's @code{main}.
2588 When a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you cannot debug the
2589 child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
2591 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
2592 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent process,
2593 use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name as its
2596 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
2597 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
2598 Catchpoints, ,Setting catchpoints}.
2600 @node Checkpoint/Restart
2601 @section Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
2606 @cindex snapshot of a process
2607 @cindex rewind program state
2609 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
2610 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
2611 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
2614 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
2615 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
2616 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
2617 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
2618 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
2620 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
2621 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
2622 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
2623 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
2624 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
2625 start again from there.
2627 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
2628 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
2630 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
2635 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
2636 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
2637 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
2639 @kindex info checkpoints
2640 @item info checkpoints
2641 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
2642 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
2649 @item Source line, or label
2652 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
2653 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
2654 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
2655 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
2656 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
2657 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
2658 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
2660 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
2661 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
2662 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
2665 @kindex delete-checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
2666 @item delete-checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
2667 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
2671 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
2672 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
2673 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
2674 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
2675 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
2676 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
2677 previously read data can be read again.
2679 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
2680 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
2681 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
2682 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
2683 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
2684 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
2686 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
2687 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
2688 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
2689 different execution path this time.
2691 @cindex checkpoints and process id
2692 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
2693 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
2694 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
2695 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
2696 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
2697 potentially pose a problem.
2699 @subsection A non-obvious benefit of using checkpoints
2701 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
2702 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
2703 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
2704 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
2705 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
2708 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
2709 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
2710 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
2711 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
2712 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
2715 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
2717 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
2718 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
2719 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
2721 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
2722 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
2723 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
2724 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
2725 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
2726 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
2727 explicitly request this information at any time.
2730 @kindex info program
2732 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
2733 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
2737 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
2738 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
2740 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
2744 @section Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
2747 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
2748 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
2749 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
2750 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
2751 Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
2752 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
2755 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
2756 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
2757 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
2758 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
2759 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
2763 @cindex memory tracing
2764 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
2765 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
2766 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
2767 when the value of an expression changes. You must use a different
2768 command to set watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting
2769 watchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a watchpoint like
2770 any other breakpoint: you enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints
2771 and watchpoints using the same commands.
2773 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
2774 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
2778 @cindex breakpoint on events
2779 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
2780 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
2781 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
2782 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
2783 catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
2784 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
2785 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
2787 @cindex breakpoint numbers
2788 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
2789 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
2790 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
2791 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
2792 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
2793 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
2794 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
2797 @cindex breakpoint ranges
2798 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
2799 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
2800 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
2801 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
2802 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
2803 all breakpoint in that range are operated on.
2806 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
2807 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
2808 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
2809 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
2810 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
2811 * Conditions:: Break conditions
2812 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
2813 * Breakpoint Menus:: Breakpoint menus
2814 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
2815 * Breakpoint related warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
2819 @subsection Setting breakpoints
2821 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
2822 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
2824 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
2827 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
2828 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
2829 @cindex latest breakpoint
2830 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
2831 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
2832 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
2833 Vars,, Convenience variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
2834 convenience variables.
2836 You have several ways to say where the breakpoint should go.
2839 @item break @var{function}
2840 Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function}.
2841 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
2842 C@t{++}, @var{function} may refer to more than one possible place to break.
2843 @xref{Breakpoint Menus,,Breakpoint menus}, for a discussion of that situation.
2845 @item break +@var{offset}
2846 @itemx break -@var{offset}
2847 Set a breakpoint some number of lines forward or back from the position
2848 at which execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}.
2849 (@xref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.)
2851 @item break @var{linenum}
2852 Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in the current source file.
2853 The current source file is the last file whose source text was printed.
2854 The breakpoint will stop your program just before it executes any of the
2857 @item break @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
2858 Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in source file @var{filename}.
2860 @item break @var{filename}:@var{function}
2861 Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function} found in file
2862 @var{filename}. Specifying a file name as well as a function name is
2863 superfluous except when multiple files contain similarly named
2866 @item break *@var{address}
2867 Set a breakpoint at address @var{address}. You can use this to set
2868 breakpoints in parts of your program which do not have debugging
2869 information or source files.
2872 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
2873 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
2874 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
2875 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
2876 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
2877 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
2878 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
2879 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
2880 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
2883 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
2884 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
2885 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
2886 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
2887 existed when your program stopped.
2889 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
2890 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
2891 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
2892 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
2893 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
2894 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
2895 ,Break conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
2898 @item tbreak @var{args}
2899 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
2900 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
2901 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
2902 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling breakpoints}.
2905 @cindex hardware breakpoints
2906 @item hbreak @var{args}
2907 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
2908 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
2909 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
2910 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
2911 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
2912 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
2913 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
2914 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
2915 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
2916 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
2917 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
2918 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
2919 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
2920 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling}). @xref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}.
2921 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
2922 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
2923 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
2927 @item thbreak @var{args}
2928 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
2929 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
2930 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
2931 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
2932 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
2933 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
2934 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling breakpoints}.
2935 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}.
2938 @cindex regular expression
2939 @cindex breakpoints in functions matching a regexp
2940 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
2941 @item rbreak @var{regex}
2942 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
2943 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
2944 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
2945 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
2946 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
2947 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
2949 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
2950 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
2951 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
2952 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
2953 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
2954 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
2956 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
2957 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
2958 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
2961 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
2962 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
2963 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
2966 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
2969 @kindex info breakpoints
2970 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
2971 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2972 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2973 @itemx info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2974 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
2975 not deleted, with the following columns for each breakpoint:
2978 @item Breakpoint Numbers
2980 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
2982 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
2983 @item Enabled or Disabled
2984 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
2985 that are not enabled.
2987 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. If the
2988 breakpoint is pending (see below for details) on a future load of a shared library, the address
2989 will be listed as @samp{<PENDING>}.
2991 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
2992 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
2993 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
2994 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
2998 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
2999 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
3000 are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
3001 specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
3002 library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
3006 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3007 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3008 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3009 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3010 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining memory}).
3013 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3014 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3015 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3016 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3017 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3018 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3021 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3022 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3023 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3024 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}).
3026 @cindex pending breakpoints
3027 If a specified breakpoint location cannot be found, it may be due to the fact
3028 that the location is in a shared library that is yet to be loaded. In such
3029 a case, you may want @value{GDBN} to create a special breakpoint (known as
3030 a @dfn{pending breakpoint}) that
3031 attempts to resolve itself in the future when an appropriate shared library
3034 Pending breakpoints are useful to set at the start of your
3035 @value{GDBN} session for locations that you know will be dynamically loaded
3036 later by the program being debugged. When shared libraries are loaded,
3037 a check is made to see if the load resolves any pending breakpoint locations.
3038 If a pending breakpoint location gets resolved,
3039 a regular breakpoint is created and the original pending breakpoint is removed.
3041 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling pending
3044 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3045 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3047 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3048 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3049 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3051 @item set breakpoint pending on
3052 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3053 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3055 @item set breakpoint pending off
3056 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3057 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3058 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3060 @item show breakpoint pending
3061 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3064 @cindex operations allowed on pending breakpoints
3065 Normal breakpoint operations apply to pending breakpoints as well. You may
3066 specify a condition for a pending breakpoint and/or commands to run when the
3067 breakpoint is reached. You can also enable or disable
3068 the pending breakpoint. When you specify a condition for a pending breakpoint,
3069 the parsing of the condition will be deferred until the point where the
3070 pending breakpoint location is resolved. Disabling a pending breakpoint
3071 tells @value{GDBN} to not attempt to resolve the breakpoint on any subsequent
3072 shared library load. When a pending breakpoint is re-enabled,
3073 @value{GDBN} checks to see if the location is already resolved.
3074 This is done because any number of shared library loads could have
3075 occurred since the time the breakpoint was disabled and one or more
3076 of these loads could resolve the location.
3078 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3079 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3080 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3081 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3082 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3083 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3084 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3085 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3088 @node Set Watchpoints
3089 @subsection Setting watchpoints
3091 @cindex setting watchpoints
3092 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3093 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3096 @cindex software watchpoints
3097 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3098 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3099 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3100 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3101 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3102 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3105 On some systems, such as HP-UX, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3106 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3107 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3111 @item watch @var{expr}
3112 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when @var{expr}
3113 is written into by the program and its value changes.
3116 @item rwatch @var{expr}
3117 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3121 @item awatch @var{expr}
3122 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3123 or written into by the program.
3125 @kindex info watchpoints
3126 @item info watchpoints
3127 This command prints a list of watchpoints, breakpoints, and catchpoints;
3128 it is the same as @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3131 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3132 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3133 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3134 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3135 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3136 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3138 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3139 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3140 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3141 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3142 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3143 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3144 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3145 mechanism of watching expressiion values.)
3148 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3149 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3150 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3152 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3153 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3154 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3157 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3158 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3159 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3161 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3164 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3168 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3170 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3171 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3172 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3173 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3174 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3175 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3176 will print a message like this:
3179 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3182 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3183 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3184 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3185 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3186 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3187 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3188 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3189 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3191 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3192 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3193 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3194 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3195 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3196 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3199 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3203 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3205 The SPARClite DSU will generate traps when a program accesses some data
3206 or instruction address that is assigned to the debug registers. For the
3207 data addresses, DSU facilitates the @code{watch} command. However the
3208 hardware breakpoint registers can only take two data watchpoints, and
3209 both watchpoints must be the same kind. For example, you can set two
3210 watchpoints with @code{watch} commands, two with @code{rwatch} commands,
3211 @strong{or} two with @code{awatch} commands, but you cannot set one
3212 watchpoint with one command and the other with a different command.
3213 @value{GDBN} will reject the command if you try to mix watchpoints.
3214 Delete or disable unused watchpoint commands before setting new ones.
3216 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3217 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3218 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3220 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3221 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3222 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3223 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3224 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3225 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3226 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3227 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3228 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3231 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3232 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3233 @emph{Warning:} In multi-thread programs, watchpoints have only limited
3234 usefulness. With the current watchpoint implementation, @value{GDBN}
3235 can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a single thread}. If
3236 you are confident that the expression can only change due to the current
3237 thread's activity (and if you are also confident that no other thread
3238 can become current), then you can use watchpoints as usual. However,
3239 @value{GDBN} may not notice when a non-current thread's activity changes
3242 @c FIXME: this is almost identical to the previous paragraph.
3243 @emph{HP-UX Warning:} In multi-thread programs, software watchpoints
3244 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3245 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3246 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3247 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3248 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3249 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3250 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3251 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3254 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3256 @node Set Catchpoints
3257 @subsection Setting catchpoints
3258 @cindex catchpoints, setting
3259 @cindex exception handlers
3260 @cindex event handling
3262 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3263 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3264 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3268 @item catch @var{event}
3269 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3272 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3273 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3276 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3279 @cindex break on fork/exec
3280 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
3283 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
3286 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
3289 @itemx load @var{libname}
3290 @cindex break on load/unload of shared library
3291 The dynamic loading of any shared library, or the loading of the library
3292 @var{libname}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
3295 @itemx unload @var{libname}
3296 The unloading of any dynamically loaded shared library, or the unloading
3297 of the library @var{libname}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
3300 @item tcatch @var{event}
3301 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
3302 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
3306 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
3308 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
3309 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
3313 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
3314 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
3315 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
3316 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
3317 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
3318 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
3319 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
3320 disabled within interactive calls.
3323 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
3326 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
3329 @cindex raise exceptions
3330 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
3331 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
3332 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
3333 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
3334 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
3335 out where the exception was raised.
3337 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
3338 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
3339 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
3340 which has the following ANSI C interface:
3343 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
3344 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
3345 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
3349 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
3350 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
3351 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; watchpoints; and exceptions}).
3353 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions})
3354 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
3355 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
3356 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
3361 @subsection Deleting breakpoints
3363 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
3364 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
3365 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3366 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
3367 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
3368 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
3370 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
3371 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
3372 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
3373 their breakpoint numbers.
3375 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
3376 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
3377 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
3382 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
3383 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}). When
3384 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
3385 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
3387 @item clear @var{function}
3388 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
3389 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
3391 @item clear @var{linenum}
3392 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
3393 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
3394 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
3396 @cindex delete breakpoints
3398 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
3399 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
3400 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
3401 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
3402 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
3403 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
3407 @subsection Disabling breakpoints
3409 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
3410 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
3411 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
3412 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
3413 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
3415 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
3416 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying one
3417 or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} or
3418 @code{info watch} to print a list of breakpoints, watchpoints, and
3419 catchpoints if you do not know which numbers to use.
3421 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
3422 states of enablement:
3426 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
3427 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
3429 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
3431 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
3434 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
3435 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
3436 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
3439 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
3440 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
3444 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
3445 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
3446 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
3447 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
3448 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
3449 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
3450 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
3453 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
3454 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
3455 become effective once again in stopping your program.
3457 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
3458 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
3459 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
3461 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
3462 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
3463 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
3464 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
3467 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
3468 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
3469 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
3470 ,Setting breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
3471 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
3472 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
3473 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
3474 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
3478 @subsection Break conditions
3479 @cindex conditional breakpoints
3480 @cindex breakpoint conditions
3482 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
3483 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
3484 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
3485 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
3486 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
3487 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
3488 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
3489 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
3491 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
3492 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
3493 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
3494 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
3495 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
3497 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
3498 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
3499 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
3500 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
3503 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
3504 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
3505 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
3506 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
3507 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
3508 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
3509 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
3510 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
3512 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
3513 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint command lists}).
3515 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
3516 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
3517 Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
3518 with the @code{condition} command.
3520 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
3521 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
3522 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
3527 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
3528 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
3529 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
3530 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
3531 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
3532 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
3533 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
3534 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
3535 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
3536 prints an error message:
3539 No symbol "foo" in current context.
3544 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
3545 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
3546 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
3548 @item condition @var{bnum}
3549 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
3550 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
3553 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
3554 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
3555 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
3556 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
3557 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
3558 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
3559 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
3560 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
3561 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
3562 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
3563 your program reaches it.
3567 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
3568 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
3569 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
3570 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
3573 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
3576 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
3577 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
3578 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
3579 Stepping,,Continuing and stepping}.
3581 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
3582 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
3583 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
3585 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
3586 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
3587 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
3591 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
3594 @node Break Commands
3595 @subsection Breakpoint command lists
3597 @cindex breakpoint commands
3598 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
3599 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
3600 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
3601 enable other breakpoints.
3605 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
3606 @item commands @r{[}@var{bnum}@r{]}
3607 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
3609 Specify a list of commands for breakpoint number @var{bnum}. The commands
3610 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
3611 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
3613 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
3614 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
3616 With no @var{bnum} argument, @code{commands} refers to the last
3617 breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most
3618 recently encountered).
3621 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
3622 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
3624 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
3625 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
3626 that resumes execution.
3628 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
3629 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
3630 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
3631 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
3632 ambiguities about which list to execute.
3635 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
3636 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
3637 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
3638 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
3639 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
3640 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
3642 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
3643 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
3644 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for controlled output}.
3646 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
3647 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
3653 printf "x is %d\n",x
3658 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
3659 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
3660 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
3661 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
3662 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
3663 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
3664 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
3675 @node Breakpoint Menus
3676 @subsection Breakpoint menus
3678 @cindex symbol overloading
3680 Some programming languages (notably C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit a
3681 single function name
3682 to be defined several times, for application in different contexts.
3683 This is called @dfn{overloading}. When a function name is overloaded,
3684 @samp{break @var{function}} is not enough to tell @value{GDBN} where you want
3685 a breakpoint. If you realize this is a problem, you can use
3686 something like @samp{break @var{function}(@var{types})} to specify which
3687 particular version of the function you want. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} offers
3688 you a menu of numbered choices for different possible breakpoints, and
3689 waits for your selection with the prompt @samp{>}. The first two
3690 options are always @samp{[0] cancel} and @samp{[1] all}. Typing @kbd{1}
3691 sets a breakpoint at each definition of @var{function}, and typing
3692 @kbd{0} aborts the @code{break} command without setting any new
3695 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
3696 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
3697 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
3699 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
3702 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
3705 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
3706 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
3707 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
3708 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
3709 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
3710 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
3712 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
3713 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
3714 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
3715 Multiple breakpoints were set.
3716 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
3722 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
3723 @node Error in Breakpoints
3724 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3726 @c FIXME!! 14/6/95 Is there a real example of this? Let's use it.
3728 Under some operating systems, breakpoints cannot be used in a program if
3729 any other process is running that program. In this situation,
3730 attempting to run or continue a program with a breakpoint causes
3731 @value{GDBN} to print an error message:
3734 Cannot insert breakpoints.
3735 The same program may be running in another process.
3738 When this happens, you have three ways to proceed:
3742 Remove or disable the breakpoints, then continue.
3745 Suspend @value{GDBN}, and copy the file containing your program to a new
3746 name. Resume @value{GDBN} and use the @code{exec-file} command to specify
3747 that @value{GDBN} should run your program under that name.
3748 Then start your program again.
3751 Relink your program so that the text segment is nonsharable, using the
3752 linker option @samp{-N}. The operating system limitation may not apply
3753 to nonsharable executables.
3757 A similar message can be printed if you request too many active
3758 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints:
3760 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
3761 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
3763 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
3764 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
3768 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
3769 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
3770 watchpoints it needs to insert.
3772 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
3773 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
3775 @node Breakpoint related warnings
3776 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3777 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
3779 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
3780 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
3781 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
3782 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
3784 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
3785 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
3786 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
3787 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
3788 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
3789 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
3790 first in the bundle.
3792 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
3793 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
3794 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
3795 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
3796 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
3797 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
3800 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
3801 that's been subject to address adjustment:
3804 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
3807 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
3808 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
3809 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
3810 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
3811 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
3812 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
3813 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
3814 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
3816 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
3817 adjusted breakpoints:
3820 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
3824 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
3825 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
3826 frequently than expected.
3828 @node Continuing and Stepping
3829 @section Continuing and stepping
3833 @cindex resuming execution
3834 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
3835 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
3836 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
3837 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
3838 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
3839 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
3840 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
3841 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3845 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
3846 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
3847 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3848 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3849 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3850 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
3851 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
3852 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
3853 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
3854 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}).
3856 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
3857 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
3858 @code{continue} is ignored.
3860 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
3861 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
3862 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
3866 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
3867 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a function}) to go back to the
3868 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
3869 different address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
3871 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
3872 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; watchpoints; and catchpoints}) at the
3873 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
3874 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
3875 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
3876 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
3880 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
3882 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
3883 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
3884 abbreviated @code{s}.
3887 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
3888 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
3889 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
3890 @c distinction here.
3891 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
3892 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
3893 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
3894 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
3895 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
3896 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
3900 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
3901 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
3902 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
3903 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
3904 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
3905 called within the line.
3907 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
3908 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
3909 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
3910 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
3911 was any debugging information about the routine.
3913 @item step @var{count}
3914 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
3915 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
3916 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
3919 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
3920 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
3921 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
3922 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
3923 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
3924 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
3925 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
3926 is abbreviated @code{n}.
3928 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
3931 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
3932 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
3934 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
3935 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
3936 @c function are executed without stopping.
3938 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
3939 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
3940 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
3942 @kindex set step-mode
3944 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
3945 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
3946 @itemx set step-mode on
3947 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
3948 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
3949 information rather than stepping over it.
3951 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
3952 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
3953 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
3955 @item set step-mode off
3956 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
3957 debug information. This is the default.
3959 @item show step-mode
3960 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
3961 source line debug information.
3965 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
3966 returns. Print the returned value (if any).
3968 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
3969 ,Returning from a function}).
3972 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
3973 @cindex run until specified location
3976 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
3977 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
3978 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
3979 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
3980 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
3981 than the address of the jump.
3983 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
3984 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
3985 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
3986 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
3987 through the next iteration.
3989 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
3992 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
3993 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
3994 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
3995 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
3996 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4000 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4002 (@value{GDBP}) until
4003 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4006 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4007 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4008 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4009 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4010 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4011 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4012 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4014 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4015 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4018 @item until @var{location}
4019 @itemx u @var{location}
4020 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4021 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4022 the forms of argument acceptable to @code{break} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4023 ,Setting breakpoints}). This form of the command uses breakpoints, and
4024 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4025 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4026 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4027 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4028 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4029 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e. after the inner
4030 invocations have returned.
4033 94 int factorial (int value)
4035 96 if (value > 1) @{
4036 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
4043 @kindex advance @var{location}
4044 @itemx advance @var{location}
4045 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4046 required, which should be of the same form as arguments for the @code{break}
4047 command. Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4048 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4049 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4050 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4054 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4056 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
4058 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4060 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4061 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4062 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4063 Display,, Automatic display}.
4065 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4069 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4071 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
4073 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4074 proceed until the function returns.
4076 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4083 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
4084 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
4085 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
4086 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{C-c});
4087 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
4088 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
4089 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
4090 requested an alarm).
4092 @cindex fatal signals
4093 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
4094 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
4095 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
4096 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
4097 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
4098 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
4100 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
4101 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
4104 @cindex handling signals
4105 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
4106 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
4107 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
4108 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
4109 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
4112 @kindex info signals
4116 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
4117 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
4118 the defined types of signals.
4120 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
4123 @item handle @var{signal} @var{keywords}@dots{}
4124 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
4125 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
4126 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
4127 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
4128 known signals. The @var{keywords} say what change to make.
4132 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
4133 Their full names are:
4137 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
4138 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
4141 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
4142 the @code{print} keyword as well.
4145 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
4148 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
4149 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
4153 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
4154 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
4155 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
4159 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
4160 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
4164 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
4166 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
4167 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
4168 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
4169 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
4170 program sees that signal when you continue.
4172 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
4173 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
4174 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
4177 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
4178 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
4179 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
4180 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
4181 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
4182 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
4183 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
4184 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4188 @section Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
4190 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
4191 programs with multiple threads}), you can choose whether to set
4192 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
4195 @cindex breakpoints and threads
4196 @cindex thread breakpoints
4197 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
4198 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
4199 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
4200 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
4201 writing them, but the effect is always to specify some source line.
4203 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
4204 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
4205 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
4206 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
4207 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
4209 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
4210 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
4213 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
4214 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before the
4215 breakpoint condition, like this:
4218 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
4223 @cindex stopped threads
4224 @cindex threads, stopped
4225 Whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
4226 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
4227 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
4228 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
4231 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
4232 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
4233 @cindex premature return from system calls
4234 There is an unfortunate side effect. If one thread stops for a
4235 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
4236 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
4237 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
4238 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
4241 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
4242 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
4245 For example, do not write code like this:
4251 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
4252 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
4254 Instead, write this:
4259 unslept = sleep (unslept);
4262 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
4263 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
4264 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
4267 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
4268 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
4269 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
4270 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
4272 @cindex continuing threads
4273 @cindex threads, continuing
4274 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
4275 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
4276 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
4278 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
4279 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
4280 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
4281 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
4282 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
4283 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
4286 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
4287 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
4288 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
4289 first thread completes whatever you requested.
4291 On some OSes, you can lock the OS scheduler and thus allow only a single
4295 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
4296 @cindex scheduler locking mode
4297 @cindex lock scheduler
4298 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
4299 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
4300 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
4301 mode optimizes for single-stepping. It stops other threads from
4302 ``seizing the prompt'' by preempting the current thread while you are
4303 stepping. Other threads will only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
4304 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
4305 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
4306 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
4307 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, they will never steal the
4308 @value{GDBN} prompt away from the thread that you are debugging.
4310 @item show scheduler-locking
4311 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
4316 @chapter Examining the Stack
4318 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
4319 stopped and how it got there.
4322 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
4324 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
4325 the arguments of the call,
4326 and the local variables of the function being called.
4327 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
4328 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
4331 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
4332 stack allow you to see all of this information.
4334 @cindex selected frame
4335 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
4336 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
4337 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
4338 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
4339 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
4340 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
4342 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
4343 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
4344 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a frame}).
4347 * Frames:: Stack frames
4348 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
4349 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
4350 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
4355 @section Stack frames
4357 @cindex frame, definition
4359 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
4360 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
4361 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
4362 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
4363 which the function is executing.
4365 @cindex initial frame
4366 @cindex outermost frame
4367 @cindex innermost frame
4368 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
4369 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
4370 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
4371 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
4372 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
4373 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
4374 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
4375 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
4377 @cindex frame pointer
4378 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
4379 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
4380 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
4381 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
4382 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
4383 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
4385 @cindex frame number
4386 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
4387 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
4388 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
4389 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
4390 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
4392 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
4393 @c underflow problems.
4394 @cindex frameless execution
4395 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
4396 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{GCC} option
4398 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
4400 generates functions without a frame.)
4401 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
4402 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
4403 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
4404 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
4405 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
4406 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
4407 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
4410 @kindex frame@r{, command}
4411 @cindex current stack frame
4412 @item frame @var{args}
4413 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
4414 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
4415 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
4416 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
4418 @kindex select-frame
4419 @cindex selecting frame silently
4421 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
4422 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
4430 @cindex call stack traces
4431 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
4432 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
4433 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
4438 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
4441 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
4442 frames in the stack.
4444 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
4445 character, normally @kbd{C-c}.
4447 @item backtrace @var{n}
4449 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
4451 @item backtrace -@var{n}
4453 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
4455 @item backtrace full
4456 Print the values of the local variables also.
4462 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
4463 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
4465 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
4466 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
4467 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
4468 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
4469 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
4470 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
4471 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
4472 multi-threaded program.
4474 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
4475 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
4476 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
4477 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
4478 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
4481 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
4482 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
4486 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
4488 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600) at macro.c:242
4489 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
4491 (More stack frames follow...)
4496 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
4497 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
4498 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
4500 @cindex value optimized out, in backtrace
4501 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
4502 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
4503 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
4504 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
4505 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
4506 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
4507 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
4508 such a backtrace might look like:
4512 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
4514 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<value optimized out>) at macro.c:242
4515 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<value optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
4517 (More stack frames follow...)
4522 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
4523 shown as @samp{<value optimized out>}.
4525 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
4526 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
4527 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
4529 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
4530 @cindex program entry point
4531 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
4532 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
4533 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
4534 @code{main}@footnote{
4535 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
4536 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
4537 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
4538 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
4539 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
4540 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
4542 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
4543 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
4546 @item set backtrace past-main
4547 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
4548 @kindex set backtrace
4549 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
4551 @item set backtrace past-main off
4552 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
4555 @item show backtrace past-main
4556 @kindex show backtrace
4557 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
4559 @item set backtrace past-entry
4560 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
4561 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
4562 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
4563 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
4565 @item set backtrace past-entry off
4566 Backtraces will stop when they encouter the internal entry point of an
4567 application. This is the default.
4569 @item show backtrace past-entry
4570 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
4572 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
4573 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
4574 @cindex backtrace limit
4575 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
4578 @item show backtrace limit
4579 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
4583 @section Selecting a frame
4585 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
4586 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
4587 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
4588 of the stack frame just selected.
4591 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
4592 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
4595 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
4596 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
4597 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
4600 @item frame @var{addr}
4602 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
4603 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
4604 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
4605 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
4606 switches between them.
4608 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
4609 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
4611 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
4612 pointer and a program counter.
4614 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
4615 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
4619 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
4620 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
4621 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
4624 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
4626 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
4627 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
4628 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
4629 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
4632 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
4633 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
4634 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
4635 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
4643 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
4645 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
4649 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
4650 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
4651 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
4652 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
4653 @xref{List, ,Printing source lines},
4657 @kindex down-silently
4659 @item up-silently @var{n}
4660 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
4661 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
4662 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
4663 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
4664 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
4669 @section Information about a frame
4671 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
4677 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
4678 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
4679 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
4680 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
4681 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
4684 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
4687 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
4692 the address of the frame
4694 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
4696 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
4698 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
4700 the address of the frame's arguments
4702 the address of the frame's local variables
4704 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
4706 which registers were saved in the frame
4709 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
4710 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
4711 the usual conventions.
4713 @item info frame @var{addr}
4714 @itemx info f @var{addr}
4715 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
4716 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
4717 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
4718 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
4719 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
4723 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
4727 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
4728 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
4729 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
4732 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
4733 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
4735 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
4736 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
4737 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
4738 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
4739 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting catchpoints}.
4745 @chapter Examining Source Files
4747 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
4748 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
4749 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
4750 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
4751 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
4752 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
4753 source files by explicit command.
4755 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
4756 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
4757 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
4760 * List:: Printing source lines
4761 * Edit:: Editing source files
4762 * Search:: Searching source files
4763 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
4764 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
4768 @section Printing source lines
4771 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
4772 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
4773 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
4774 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to print.
4776 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
4779 @item list @var{linenum}
4780 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
4781 current source file.
4783 @item list @var{function}
4784 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
4788 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
4789 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
4790 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
4791 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
4792 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
4795 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
4798 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
4799 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
4800 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
4803 @kindex set listsize
4804 @item set listsize @var{count}
4805 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
4806 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
4808 @kindex show listsize
4810 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
4813 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
4814 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
4815 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
4816 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
4817 each repetition moves up in the source file.
4820 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
4821 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
4822 of writing them, but the effect is always to specify some source line.
4823 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
4826 @item list @var{linespec}
4827 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
4829 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
4830 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
4833 @item list ,@var{last}
4834 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
4836 @item list @var{first},
4837 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
4840 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
4843 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
4846 As described in the preceding table.
4849 Here are the ways of specifying a single source line---all the
4854 Specifies line @var{number} of the current source file.
4855 When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, this refers to
4856 the same source file as the first linespec.
4859 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines after the last line printed.
4860 When used as the second linespec in a @code{list} command that has
4861 two, this specifies the line @var{offset} lines down from the
4865 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before the last line printed.
4867 @item @var{filename}:@var{number}
4868 Specifies line @var{number} in the source file @var{filename}.
4870 @item @var{function}
4871 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
4872 For example: in C, this is the line with the open brace.
4874 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
4875 Specifies the line of the open-brace that begins the body of the
4876 function @var{function} in the file @var{filename}. You only need the
4877 file name with a function name to avoid ambiguity when there are
4878 identically named functions in different source files.
4880 @item *@var{address}
4881 Specifies the line containing the program address @var{address}.
4882 @var{address} may be any expression.
4886 @section Editing source files
4887 @cindex editing source files
4890 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
4891 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
4892 The editing program of your choice
4893 is invoked with the current line set to
4894 the active line in the program.
4895 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
4896 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program.
4898 Here are the forms of the @code{edit} command most commonly used:
4902 Edit the current source file at the active line number in the program.
4904 @item edit @var{number}
4905 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
4907 @item edit @var{function}
4908 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
4910 @item edit @var{filename}:@var{number}
4911 Specifies line @var{number} in the source file @var{filename}.
4913 @item edit @var{filename}:@var{function}
4914 Specifies the line that begins the body of the
4915 function @var{function} in the file @var{filename}. You only need the
4916 file name with a function name to avoid ambiguity when there are
4917 identically named functions in different source files.
4919 @item edit *@var{address}
4920 Specifies the line containing the program address @var{address}.
4921 @var{address} may be any expression.
4924 @subsection Choosing your editor
4925 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
4927 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
4928 following command-line syntax:
4930 ex +@var{number} file
4932 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
4933 the file where to start editing.}.
4934 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
4935 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
4936 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
4937 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
4943 or in the @code{csh} shell,
4945 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
4950 @section Searching source files
4951 @cindex searching source files
4953 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
4958 @kindex forward-search
4959 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
4960 @itemx search @var{regexp}
4961 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
4962 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
4963 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
4964 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
4967 @kindex reverse-search
4968 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
4969 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
4970 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
4971 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
4972 this command as @code{rev}.
4976 @section Specifying source directories
4979 @cindex directories for source files
4980 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
4981 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
4982 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
4983 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
4984 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
4985 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
4986 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
4988 For example, suppose an executable references the file
4989 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
4990 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
4991 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
4992 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
4993 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
4994 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
4995 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
4996 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
4997 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
4998 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
5000 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
5001 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
5002 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
5003 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
5004 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
5005 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
5007 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
5010 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
5011 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
5012 each line is in the file.
5016 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
5017 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
5018 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
5020 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
5021 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
5024 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
5025 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
5026 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
5027 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
5028 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
5029 part of absolute file names) or
5030 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
5031 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
5035 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
5036 @vindex $cwdr@r{, convenience variable}
5037 @cindex compilation directory
5038 @cindex current directory
5039 @cindex working directory
5040 @cindex directory, current
5041 @cindex directory, compilation
5042 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
5043 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
5044 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
5045 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
5046 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
5047 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
5050 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
5052 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
5053 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
5055 @item show directories
5056 @kindex show directories
5057 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
5060 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
5061 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
5062 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
5066 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
5069 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
5070 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
5071 directories in one command.
5075 @section Source and machine code
5076 @cindex source line and its code address
5078 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
5079 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
5080 a range of addresses as machine instructions. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
5081 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
5082 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
5087 @item info line @var{linespec}
5088 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
5089 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
5090 the ways understood by the @code{list} command (@pxref{List, ,Printing
5094 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
5095 the object code for the first line of function
5096 @code{m4_changequote}:
5098 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
5099 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
5101 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
5102 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
5106 @cindex code address and its source line
5107 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
5108 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
5110 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
5111 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
5114 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
5115 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
5116 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
5117 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
5118 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
5119 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
5120 ,Examining memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
5121 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
5126 @cindex assembly instructions
5127 @cindex instructions, assembly
5128 @cindex machine instructions
5129 @cindex listing machine instructions
5131 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
5132 instructions. The default memory range is the function surrounding the
5133 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
5134 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
5135 surrounding this value. Two arguments specify a range of addresses
5136 (first inclusive, second exclusive) to dump.
5139 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
5140 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
5143 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4 0x32e4
5144 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
5145 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
5146 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
5147 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
5148 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
5149 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
5150 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
5151 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
5152 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
5153 End of assembler dump.
5156 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
5157 mnemonics or other syntax.
5159 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
5160 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
5161 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
5162 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
5163 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
5166 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
5167 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
5168 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
5169 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
5170 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
5171 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
5173 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
5174 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
5175 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
5176 assemblers for x86-based targets.
5178 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
5179 @item show disassembly-flavor
5180 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
5185 @chapter Examining Data
5187 @cindex printing data
5188 @cindex examining data
5191 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
5192 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
5193 @c different window or something like that.
5194 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
5195 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
5196 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
5197 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
5198 Different Languages}).
5201 @item print @var{expr}
5202 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
5203 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
5204 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
5205 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
5206 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
5210 @itemx print /@var{f}
5211 @cindex reprint the last value
5212 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
5213 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value history}). This allows you to
5214 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
5217 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
5218 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
5219 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining memory}.
5221 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
5222 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
5223 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
5227 * Expressions:: Expressions
5228 * Variables:: Program variables
5229 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
5230 * Output Formats:: Output formats
5231 * Memory:: Examining memory
5232 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
5233 * Print Settings:: Print settings
5234 * Value History:: Value history
5235 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
5236 * Registers:: Registers
5237 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
5238 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
5239 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
5240 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
5241 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
5242 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
5243 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
5244 character set than GDB does
5245 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
5249 @section Expressions
5252 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
5253 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
5254 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
5255 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
5256 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
5257 you compiled your program to include this information; see
5260 @cindex arrays in expressions
5261 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
5262 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
5263 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to build up an array in
5264 memory that is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
5266 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
5267 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
5268 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
5271 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
5272 expressions regardless of your programming language.
5274 @cindex casts, in expressions
5275 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
5276 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
5277 at that address in memory.
5278 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
5280 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
5281 to programming languages:
5285 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
5286 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial arrays}, for more information.
5289 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
5290 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program variables}.
5292 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
5293 @cindex type casting memory
5294 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
5295 @cindex casts, to view memory
5296 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
5297 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
5298 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
5299 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
5300 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
5301 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
5305 @section Program variables
5307 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
5310 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
5311 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}); they must be either:
5315 global (or file-static)
5322 visible according to the scope rules of the
5323 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
5326 @noindent This means that in the function
5341 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
5342 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
5343 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
5344 the block where @code{b} is declared.
5346 @cindex variable name conflict
5347 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
5348 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
5349 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
5350 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
5351 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
5352 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
5353 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
5355 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
5357 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
5358 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
5361 @var{file}::@var{variable}
5362 @var{function}::@var{variable}
5366 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
5367 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
5368 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
5369 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
5372 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
5375 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
5376 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
5377 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
5378 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
5379 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
5382 @cindex wrong values
5383 @cindex variable values, wrong
5384 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
5385 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
5387 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
5388 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
5389 scope, and just before exit.
5391 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
5392 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
5393 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
5394 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
5395 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
5396 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
5397 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
5398 variable definitions may be gone.
5400 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
5401 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
5404 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
5405 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
5406 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
5407 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
5408 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
5409 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
5410 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
5413 No symbol "foo" in current context.
5416 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
5417 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
5418 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
5419 usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
5420 produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
5421 COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
5422 an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
5423 for Debugging Your Program or @sc{gnu} CC, gcc.info, Using @sc{gnu} CC}.
5424 @xref{C, , Debugging C++}, for more info about debug info formats
5425 that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
5427 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
5428 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
5429 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
5430 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
5433 @section Artificial arrays
5435 @cindex artificial array
5437 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
5438 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
5439 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
5440 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
5443 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
5444 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
5445 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
5446 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
5447 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
5448 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
5449 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
5450 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
5451 example. If a program says
5454 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
5458 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
5464 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
5465 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
5466 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
5467 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
5468 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value history}), after printing one out.
5470 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
5471 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
5472 The value need not be in memory:
5474 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
5475 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
5478 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
5479 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
5480 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
5482 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
5483 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
5486 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
5487 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
5488 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
5489 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
5490 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
5491 variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
5492 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
5493 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
5494 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
5495 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
5505 @node Output Formats
5506 @section Output formats
5508 @cindex formatted output
5509 @cindex output formats
5510 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
5511 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
5512 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
5513 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
5514 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
5516 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
5517 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
5518 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
5519 letters supported are:
5523 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
5527 Print as integer in signed decimal.
5530 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
5533 Print as integer in octal.
5536 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
5537 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
5538 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
5539 see @ref{Memory,,Examining memory}.}
5542 @cindex unknown address, locating
5543 @cindex locate address
5544 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
5545 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
5546 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
5549 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
5550 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
5554 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
5555 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
5558 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
5559 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
5560 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
5561 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
5564 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
5565 using typical floating point syntax.
5568 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
5575 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
5576 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
5578 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
5579 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
5580 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
5583 @section Examining memory
5585 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
5586 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
5588 @cindex examining memory
5590 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
5591 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
5594 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
5597 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
5598 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
5599 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
5600 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
5601 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
5604 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
5605 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
5606 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
5607 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
5610 @item @var{f}, the display format
5611 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
5612 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
5613 @samp{f}), and in addition @samp{s} (for null-terminated strings) and
5614 @samp{i} (for machine instructions). The default is @samp{x}
5615 (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes each time you use either
5616 @code{x} or @code{print}.
5618 @item @var{u}, the unit size
5619 The unit size is any of
5625 Halfwords (two bytes).
5627 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
5629 Giant words (eight bytes).
5632 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
5633 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. (For the @samp{s} and
5634 @samp{i} formats, the unit size is ignored and is normally not written.)
5636 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
5637 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
5638 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
5639 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
5640 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
5641 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
5642 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
5643 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
5644 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
5645 a value from memory).
5648 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
5649 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
5650 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
5651 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
5652 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
5654 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
5655 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
5656 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
5657 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
5658 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
5660 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
5661 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
5662 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
5663 including any operands. The command @code{disassemble} gives an
5664 alternative way of inspecting machine instructions; see @ref{Machine
5665 Code,,Source and machine code}.
5667 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
5668 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
5669 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
5670 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
5671 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
5672 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
5673 for successive uses of @code{x}.
5675 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
5676 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
5677 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
5678 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
5679 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
5680 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
5681 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
5682 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
5683 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
5685 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
5686 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
5687 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
5689 @cindex remote memory comparison
5690 @cindex verify remote memory image
5691 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
5692 (@pxref{Remote}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
5693 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
5694 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
5698 @kindex compare-sections
5699 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
5700 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
5701 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
5702 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
5703 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
5704 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
5709 @section Automatic display
5710 @cindex automatic display
5711 @cindex display of expressions
5713 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
5714 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
5715 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
5716 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
5717 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
5718 The automatic display looks like this:
5722 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
5726 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
5727 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
5728 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
5729 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending on how elaborate your
5730 format specification is---it uses @code{x} if you specify a unit size,
5731 or one of the two formats (@samp{i} and @samp{s}) that are only
5732 supported by @code{x}; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
5736 @item display @var{expr}
5737 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
5738 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
5740 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
5742 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
5743 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
5744 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
5745 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
5746 @xref{Output Formats,,Output formats}.
5748 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
5749 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
5750 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
5751 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
5752 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining memory}.
5755 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
5756 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
5757 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
5760 @kindex delete display
5762 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
5763 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
5764 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
5766 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
5767 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
5769 @kindex disable display
5770 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
5771 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
5772 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
5773 enabled again later.
5775 @kindex enable display
5776 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
5777 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
5778 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
5781 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
5782 done when your program stops.
5784 @kindex info display
5786 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
5787 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
5788 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
5789 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
5790 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
5793 @cindex display disabled out of scope
5794 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
5795 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
5796 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
5797 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
5798 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
5799 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
5800 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
5801 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
5802 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
5803 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
5805 @node Print Settings
5806 @section Print settings
5808 @cindex format options
5809 @cindex print settings
5810 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
5811 and symbols are printed.
5814 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
5818 @item set print address
5819 @itemx set print address on
5820 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
5821 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
5822 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
5823 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
5824 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
5825 @code{set print address on}:
5830 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
5832 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
5836 @item set print address off
5837 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
5838 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
5842 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
5844 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
5845 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
5849 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
5850 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
5851 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
5852 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
5855 @item show print address
5856 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
5859 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
5860 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
5861 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
5862 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
5863 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
5864 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
5865 it prints a symbolic address:
5868 @item set print symbol-filename on
5869 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
5870 @cindex symbol, source file and line
5871 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
5872 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
5874 @item set print symbol-filename off
5875 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
5878 @item show print symbol-filename
5879 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
5880 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
5883 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
5884 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
5885 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
5887 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
5888 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
5891 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
5892 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
5893 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
5894 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
5895 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
5896 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
5898 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
5899 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
5903 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
5904 @cindex pointer, finding referent
5905 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
5906 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
5907 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
5908 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
5909 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
5910 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
5913 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
5914 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
5915 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
5919 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
5920 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
5921 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
5924 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
5927 @item set print array
5928 @itemx set print array on
5929 @cindex pretty print arrays
5930 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
5931 but uses more space. The default is off.
5933 @item set print array off
5934 Return to compressed format for arrays.
5936 @item show print array
5937 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
5940 @cindex print array indexes
5941 @item set print array-indexes
5942 @itemx set print array-indexes on
5943 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
5944 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
5945 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
5947 @item set print array-indexes off
5948 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
5950 @item show print array-indexes
5951 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
5954 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
5955 @cindex number of array elements to print
5956 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
5957 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
5958 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
5959 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
5960 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
5961 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
5962 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
5964 @item show print elements
5965 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
5966 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
5968 @item set print repeats
5969 @cindex repeated array elements
5970 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
5971 elelments. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
5972 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
5973 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
5974 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
5975 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
5976 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
5978 @item show print repeats
5979 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
5982 @item set print null-stop
5983 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
5984 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
5985 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
5986 contain only short strings.
5989 @item show print null-stop
5990 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
5991 @sc{null} character.
5993 @item set print pretty on
5994 @cindex print structures in indented form
5995 @cindex indentation in structure display
5996 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
5997 per line, like this:
6012 @item set print pretty off
6013 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
6017 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
6018 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
6023 This is the default format.
6025 @item show print pretty
6026 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
6028 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
6029 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
6030 @cindex octal escapes in strings
6031 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
6032 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
6033 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
6034 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
6035 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
6037 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
6038 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
6039 international character sets, and is the default.
6041 @item show print sevenbit-strings
6042 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
6044 @item set print union on
6045 @cindex unions in structures, printing
6046 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
6047 and other unions. This is the default setting.
6049 @item set print union off
6050 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
6051 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
6054 @item show print union
6055 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
6056 structures and other unions.
6058 For example, given the declarations
6061 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
6062 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
6063 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
6074 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
6078 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
6081 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
6085 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
6088 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
6092 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
6098 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
6101 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
6102 @item set print demangle
6103 @itemx set print demangle on
6104 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
6105 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
6106 linkage. The default is on.
6108 @item show print demangle
6109 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
6111 @item set print asm-demangle
6112 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
6113 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
6114 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
6117 @item show print asm-demangle
6118 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
6121 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
6122 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
6123 @kindex set demangle-style
6124 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
6125 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
6126 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
6130 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
6133 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
6134 This is the default.
6137 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
6140 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
6143 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
6144 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
6145 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
6146 require further enhancement to permit that.
6149 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
6151 @item show demangle-style
6152 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
6154 @item set print object
6155 @itemx set print object on
6156 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
6157 @cindex display derived types
6158 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
6159 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
6160 the virtual function table.
6162 @item set print object off
6163 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
6164 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
6166 @item show print object
6167 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
6169 @item set print static-members
6170 @itemx set print static-members on
6171 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
6172 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
6174 @item set print static-members off
6175 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
6177 @item show print static-members
6178 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
6180 @item set print pascal_static-members
6181 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
6182 @cindex static members of Pacal objects
6183 @cindex Pacal objects, static members display
6184 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
6186 @item set print pascal_static-members off
6187 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
6189 @item show print pascal_static-members
6190 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
6192 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
6193 @item set print vtbl
6194 @itemx set print vtbl on
6195 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
6196 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
6197 @cindex VTBL display
6198 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
6199 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
6200 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
6202 @item set print vtbl off
6203 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
6205 @item show print vtbl
6206 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
6210 @section Value history
6212 @cindex value history
6213 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
6214 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
6215 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
6216 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
6217 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
6218 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
6219 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
6224 @cindex history number
6225 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
6226 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
6227 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
6228 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
6231 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
6232 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
6233 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
6234 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
6235 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
6236 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
6237 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
6239 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
6240 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
6246 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
6247 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
6254 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
6255 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
6257 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
6258 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
6266 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
6267 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
6272 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
6273 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
6274 values} does not change the history.
6276 @item show values @var{n}
6277 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
6280 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
6281 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
6284 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
6285 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
6287 @node Convenience Vars
6288 @section Convenience variables
6290 @cindex convenience variables
6291 @cindex user-defined variables
6292 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
6293 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
6294 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
6295 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
6296 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
6298 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
6299 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
6300 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
6301 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
6302 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value history}.)
6304 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
6305 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
6309 set $foo = *object_ptr
6313 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
6316 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
6317 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
6318 value with another assignment at any time.
6320 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
6321 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
6322 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
6323 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
6326 @kindex show convenience
6327 @cindex show all user variables
6328 @item show convenience
6329 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
6330 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
6332 @kindex init-if-undefined
6333 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
6334 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
6335 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
6336 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
6337 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
6338 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
6339 override default values used in a command script.
6341 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
6342 any side-effects do not occur.
6345 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
6346 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
6347 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
6351 print bar[$i++]->contents
6355 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
6357 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
6358 values likely to be useful.
6361 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
6363 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
6364 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining memory}). Other
6365 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
6366 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
6367 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
6368 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
6369 to the type of @code{$__}.
6371 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
6373 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
6374 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
6375 to match the format in which the data was printed.
6378 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
6379 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
6380 the program being debugged terminates.
6383 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
6384 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
6385 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
6391 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
6392 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
6393 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
6397 @kindex info registers
6398 @item info registers
6399 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
6400 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
6402 @kindex info all-registers
6403 @cindex floating point registers
6404 @item info all-registers
6405 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
6406 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
6408 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
6409 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
6410 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
6411 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
6412 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
6415 @cindex stack pointer register
6416 @cindex program counter register
6417 @cindex process status register
6418 @cindex frame pointer register
6419 @cindex standard registers
6420 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
6421 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
6422 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
6423 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
6424 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
6425 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
6426 register that contains the processor status. For example,
6427 you could print the program counter in hex with
6434 or print the instruction to be executed next with
6441 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
6442 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
6443 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
6444 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
6445 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
6446 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
6447 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a function}.} with
6453 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
6454 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
6455 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
6456 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
6457 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
6458 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
6459 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
6461 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
6462 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
6463 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
6464 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
6465 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
6466 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
6467 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
6469 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
6470 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
6471 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
6472 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
6473 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
6474 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
6475 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
6476 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
6477 prints the data in both formats.
6479 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
6480 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
6481 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
6482 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
6483 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
6484 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
6485 registers in @code{struct} notation:
6488 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
6490 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
6491 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
6492 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
6493 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
6494 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
6495 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
6496 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
6501 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
6502 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
6503 value to a @code{struct} member:
6506 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
6509 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
6510 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}). This means that you get the
6511 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
6512 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
6513 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
6514 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
6516 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
6517 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
6518 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
6519 frame makes no difference.
6521 @node Floating Point Hardware
6522 @section Floating point hardware
6523 @cindex floating point
6525 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
6526 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
6531 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
6532 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
6533 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
6534 the ARM and x86 machines.
6538 @section Vector Unit
6541 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
6542 more information about the status of the vector unit.
6547 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
6548 layout vary depending on the hardware.
6551 @node OS Information
6552 @section Operating system auxiliary information
6553 @cindex OS information
6555 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
6556 you debug your program.
6558 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
6559 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
6560 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
6561 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
6562 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
6563 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
6564 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
6570 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
6571 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
6572 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
6573 the @code{examine} command.
6576 @cindex auxiliary vector
6577 @cindex vector, auxiliary
6578 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
6579 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
6580 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
6581 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
6582 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
6583 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
6584 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
6585 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
6586 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
6587 support of the @samp{qPart:auxv:read} packet, see @ref{Remote
6588 configuration, auxiliary vector}.
6593 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
6594 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
6595 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
6596 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
6597 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
6598 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
6599 an unrecognized tag.
6603 @node Memory Region Attributes
6604 @section Memory region attributes
6605 @cindex memory region attributes
6607 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
6608 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses attributes
6609 to determine whether to allow certain types of memory accesses; whether to
6610 use specific width accesses; and whether to cache target memory.
6612 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
6613 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
6614 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
6615 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
6618 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
6619 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
6623 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
6624 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
6625 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
6626 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
6627 case: it is treated as the the target's maximum memory address.
6628 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
6631 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
6632 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
6633 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
6636 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
6637 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
6638 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
6639 It may be enabled again later.
6642 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
6643 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
6647 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
6651 @item Memory Region Number
6652 @item Enabled or Disabled.
6653 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
6654 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
6657 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
6660 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
6663 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
6668 @subsection Attributes
6670 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
6671 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
6672 write accesses to a memory region.
6674 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
6675 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
6676 etc.@: from accessing memory.
6680 Memory is read only.
6682 Memory is write only.
6684 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
6687 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
6688 The acccess size attributes tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
6689 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
6690 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
6691 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
6695 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
6697 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
6699 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
6701 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
6704 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
6705 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
6706 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
6707 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
6711 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
6712 @c @item swbreak (default)
6715 @subsubsection Data Cache
6716 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
6717 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
6718 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
6719 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
6724 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
6726 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
6729 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
6730 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
6731 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
6735 @c @item noverify (default)
6738 @node Dump/Restore Files
6739 @section Copy between memory and a file
6740 @cindex dump/restore files
6741 @cindex append data to a file
6742 @cindex dump data to a file
6743 @cindex restore data from a file
6745 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
6746 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
6747 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
6748 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
6749 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
6750 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
6756 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
6757 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
6758 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
6759 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
6761 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
6768 Motorola S-record format.
6770 Tektronix Hex format.
6773 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
6774 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
6775 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
6779 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
6780 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
6781 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
6782 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
6783 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
6786 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
6787 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
6788 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
6789 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
6790 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
6792 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
6793 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
6794 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
6795 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
6798 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
6799 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
6800 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
6801 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
6805 @node Core File Generation
6806 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
6807 @cindex dump core from inferior
6809 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
6810 image of a running process and its process status (register values
6811 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
6812 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
6813 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
6814 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
6815 the post-mortem debugging mode.
6817 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
6818 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
6819 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
6823 @kindex generate-core-file
6824 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
6825 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
6826 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
6827 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
6828 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
6829 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
6831 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
6832 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
6835 @node Character Sets
6836 @section Character Sets
6837 @cindex character sets
6839 @cindex translating between character sets
6840 @cindex host character set
6841 @cindex target character set
6843 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
6844 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
6845 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
6846 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
6847 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
6848 @dfn{target character set}.
6850 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
6851 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
6852 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote,Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
6853 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
6854 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
6855 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
6856 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
6857 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
6858 character and string literals in expressions.
6860 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
6861 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
6862 target-charset} command, described below.
6864 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
6868 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
6869 @kindex set target-charset
6870 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. We list the
6871 character set names @value{GDBN} recognizes below, but if you type
6872 @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} will
6873 list the target character sets it supports.
6877 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
6878 @kindex set host-charset
6879 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
6881 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
6882 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
6883 @code{set host-charset} command.
6885 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
6886 set. We list the character set names @value{GDBN} recognizes below, and
6887 indicate which can be host character sets, but if you type
6888 @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} will
6889 list the host character sets it supports.
6891 @item set charset @var{charset}
6893 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
6894 above, if you type @code{set charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
6895 @value{GDBN} will list the name of the character sets that can be used
6896 for both host and target.
6900 @kindex show charset
6901 Show the names of the current host and target charsets.
6903 @itemx show host-charset
6904 @kindex show host-charset
6905 Show the name of the current host charset.
6907 @itemx show target-charset
6908 @kindex show target-charset
6909 Show the name of the current target charset.
6913 @value{GDBN} currently includes support for the following character
6919 @cindex ASCII character set
6920 Seven-bit U.S. @sc{ascii}. @value{GDBN} can use this as its host
6924 @cindex ISO 8859-1 character set
6925 @cindex ISO Latin 1 character set
6926 The ISO Latin 1 character set. This extends @sc{ascii} with accented
6927 characters needed for French, German, and Spanish. @value{GDBN} can use
6928 this as its host character set.
6932 @cindex EBCDIC character set
6933 @cindex IBM1047 character set
6934 Variants of the @sc{ebcdic} character set, used on some of IBM's
6935 mainframe operating systems. (@sc{gnu}/Linux on the S/390 uses U.S. @sc{ascii}.)
6936 @value{GDBN} cannot use these as its host character set.
6940 Note that these are all single-byte character sets. More work inside
6941 GDB is needed to support multi-byte or variable-width character
6942 encodings, like the UTF-8 and UCS-2 encodings of Unicode.
6944 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
6945 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
6946 @file{charset-test.c}:
6952 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
6953 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
6954 char ibm1047_hello[]
6955 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
6956 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
6960 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
6964 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
6965 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
6966 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
6968 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
6971 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
6972 $ gdb -nw charset-test
6973 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
6974 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
6979 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
6980 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
6984 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
6985 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
6989 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
6990 initial character set:
6992 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
6993 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
6994 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
6998 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
6999 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
7000 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
7001 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
7002 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
7005 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
7006 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
7007 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
7012 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
7013 literals you use in expressions:
7016 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
7021 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
7024 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
7025 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
7026 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
7029 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
7030 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
7031 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
7036 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
7037 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
7040 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
7041 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
7042 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
7045 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
7046 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
7047 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
7048 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
7049 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
7052 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
7053 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
7054 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
7055 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
7056 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
7057 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
7058 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
7060 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
7061 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
7062 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
7067 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
7068 string literals you use in expressions:
7071 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
7076 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
7079 @node Caching Remote Data
7080 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
7081 @cindex caching data of remote targets
7083 @value{GDBN} can cache data exchanged between the debugger and a
7084 remote target (@pxref{Remote}). Such caching generally improves
7085 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
7086 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately,
7087 @value{GDBN} does not currently know anything about volatile
7088 registers, and thus data caching will produce incorrect results when
7089 volatile registers are in use.
7092 @kindex set remotecache
7093 @item set remotecache on
7094 @itemx set remotecache off
7095 Set caching state for remote targets. When @code{ON}, use data
7096 caching. By default, this option is @code{OFF}.
7098 @kindex show remotecache
7099 @item show remotecache
7100 Show the current state of data caching for remote targets.
7104 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
7105 information displayed includes: the dcache width and depth; and for
7106 each cache line, how many times it was referenced, and its data and
7107 state (dirty, bad, ok, etc.). This command is useful for debugging
7108 the data cache operation.
7113 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
7115 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
7116 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
7117 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
7118 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
7119 where it was defined.
7121 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
7122 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
7123 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
7124 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
7126 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
7127 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
7128 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
7129 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
7130 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
7131 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
7134 At the moment, @value{GDBN} does not support the @code{##}
7135 token-splicing operator, the @code{#} stringification operator, or
7136 variable-arity macros.
7138 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
7139 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
7140 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
7144 @kindex macro expand
7145 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
7146 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
7147 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
7148 @item macro expand @var{expression}
7149 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
7150 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
7151 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
7152 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
7153 it can be any string of tokens.
7156 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
7157 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
7158 @cindex expand macro once
7159 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
7160 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
7161 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
7162 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
7163 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
7164 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
7165 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
7166 can be any string of tokens.
7169 @cindex macro definition, showing
7170 @cindex definition, showing a macro's
7171 @item info macro @var{macro}
7172 Show the definition of the macro named @var{macro}, and describe the
7173 source location where that definition was established.
7175 @kindex macro define
7176 @cindex user-defined macros
7177 @cindex defining macros interactively
7178 @cindex macros, user-defined
7179 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
7180 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
7181 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Introduce a definition for a
7182 preprocessor macro named @var{macro}, invocations of which are replaced
7183 by the tokens given in @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this
7184 command defines an ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the
7185 second form defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments
7186 given in @var{arglist}.
7188 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every expression
7189 evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the @command{macro
7190 undef} command, described below. The definition overrides all
7191 definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged, as
7192 well as any previous user-supplied definition.
7195 @item macro undef @var{macro}
7196 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Remove any user-supplied
7197 definition for the macro named @var{macro}. This command only affects
7198 definitions provided with the @command{macro define} command, described
7199 above; it cannot remove definitions present in the program being
7204 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} List all the macros
7205 defined using the @code{macro define} command.
7208 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
7209 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
7210 show our source files:
7218 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
7223 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
7225 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
7227 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
7234 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
7235 We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
7236 compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
7240 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
7244 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
7248 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
7249 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
7250 GDB is free software, @dots{}
7254 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
7255 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
7256 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
7259 (@value{GDBP}) list main
7262 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
7267 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
7269 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
7270 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
7271 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
7272 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
7273 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
7274 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
7275 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
7277 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
7278 expands to: (42 + 1)
7279 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
7280 expands to: once (M + 1)
7284 In the example above, note that @command{macro expand-once} expands only
7285 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
7286 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
7287 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
7289 Once the program is running, GDB uses the macro definitions in force at
7290 the source line of the current stack frame:
7293 (@value{GDBP}) break main
7294 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
7296 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
7298 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
7299 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
7303 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
7306 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
7307 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
7309 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
7311 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
7316 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
7317 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
7318 thereof) in force at each point:
7323 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
7324 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
7325 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
7326 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
7329 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
7330 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
7331 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
7333 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
7334 expands to: 1729 < 42
7335 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
7342 @chapter Tracepoints
7343 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
7344 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
7347 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
7348 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
7349 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
7350 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
7351 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
7352 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
7353 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
7355 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
7356 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
7357 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
7358 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
7359 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
7360 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
7361 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
7362 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
7363 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
7364 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
7365 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
7367 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
7368 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
7369 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
7370 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
7371 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
7372 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
7375 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
7379 * Analyze Collected Data::
7380 * Tracepoint Variables::
7383 @node Set Tracepoints
7384 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
7386 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
7387 tracepoints can be set. Like a breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), a
7388 tracepoint has a number assigned to it by @value{GDBN}. Like with
7389 breakpoints, tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from
7390 one. Many of the commands associated with tracepoints take the
7391 tracepoint number as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to
7394 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
7395 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
7396 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
7397 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
7398 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
7401 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
7402 conditions and actions.
7405 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
7406 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
7407 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
7408 * Tracepoint Actions::
7409 * Listing Tracepoints::
7410 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiment::
7413 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
7414 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
7417 @cindex set tracepoint
7420 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
7421 Its argument can be a source line, a function name, or an address in
7422 the target program. @xref{Set Breaks}. The @code{trace} command
7423 defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the target program where the
7424 debugger will briefly stop, collect some data, and then allow the
7425 program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or changing its commands
7426 doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart} command; thus, you
7427 cannot change the tracepoint attributes once a trace experiment is
7430 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
7433 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
7435 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
7437 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
7439 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
7441 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
7445 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
7448 @cindex last tracepoint number
7449 @cindex recent tracepoint number
7450 @cindex tracepoint number
7451 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
7452 of the most recently set tracepoint.
7454 @kindex delete tracepoint
7455 @cindex tracepoint deletion
7456 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
7457 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
7458 default is to delete all tracepoints.
7463 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
7465 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
7469 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
7472 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
7473 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
7476 @kindex disable tracepoint
7477 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
7478 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
7479 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
7480 the next trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
7481 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
7483 @kindex enable tracepoint
7484 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
7485 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. The enabled
7486 tracepoints will become effective the next time a trace experiment is
7490 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
7491 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
7495 @cindex tracepoint pass count
7496 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
7497 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
7498 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
7499 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
7500 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
7501 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
7502 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
7503 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
7509 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
7510 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
7512 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
7513 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
7514 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
7515 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
7516 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
7517 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
7518 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
7519 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
7520 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
7521 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
7522 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
7526 @node Tracepoint Actions
7527 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
7531 @cindex tracepoint actions
7532 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
7533 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
7534 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
7535 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
7536 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
7537 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
7538 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
7539 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
7540 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect} and
7541 @code{while-stepping}.
7543 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
7544 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
7545 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
7548 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
7550 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
7552 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
7555 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
7556 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
7557 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
7558 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
7559 followed by the list of things to be collected while stepping. The
7560 @code{while-stepping} command is terminated by its own separate
7561 @code{end} command. Lastly, the action list is terminated by an
7565 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
7566 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
7567 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
7576 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
7577 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
7578 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
7579 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
7580 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
7581 special arguments are supported:
7585 collect all registers
7588 collect all function arguments
7591 collect all local variables.
7594 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
7595 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
7596 arguments separated by commas: the effect is the same.
7598 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
7599 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
7601 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
7602 @item while-stepping @var{n}
7603 Perform @var{n} single-step traces after the tracepoint, collecting
7604 new data at each step. The @code{while-stepping} command is
7605 followed by the list of what to collect while stepping (followed by
7606 its own @code{end} command):
7610 > collect $regs, myglobal
7616 You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
7620 @node Listing Tracepoints
7621 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
7624 @kindex info tracepoints
7626 @cindex information about tracepoints
7627 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
7628 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't specify
7629 a tracepoint number, displays information about all the tracepoints
7630 defined so far. For each tracepoint, the following information is
7637 whether it is enabled or disabled
7641 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
7643 its step count as given by the @code{while-stepping @var{n}} command
7645 where in the source files is the tracepoint set
7647 its action list as given by the @code{actions} command
7651 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
7652 Num Enb Address PassC StepC What
7653 1 y 0x002117c4 0 0 <gdb_asm>
7654 2 y 0x0020dc64 0 0 in g_test at g_test.c:1375
7655 3 y 0x0020b1f4 0 0 in get_data at ../foo.c:41
7660 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
7663 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiment
7664 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiment
7668 @cindex start a new trace experiment
7669 @cindex collected data discarded
7671 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
7672 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
7673 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
7677 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
7679 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
7680 stops collecting data.
7682 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
7683 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
7684 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
7687 @cindex status of trace data collection
7688 @cindex trace experiment, status of
7690 This command displays the status of the current trace data
7694 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
7697 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
7698 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
7699 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
7700 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
7705 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
7706 [time passes @dots{}]
7707 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
7711 @node Analyze Collected Data
7712 @section Using the collected data
7714 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
7715 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
7716 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
7717 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
7718 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
7719 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
7720 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
7721 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
7722 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
7723 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
7724 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
7725 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
7726 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
7727 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
7728 the buffer will fail.
7731 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
7732 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
7733 * save-tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
7737 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
7740 @cindex select trace snapshot
7741 @cindex find trace snapshot
7742 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
7743 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
7744 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
7745 snapshot is selected.
7747 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
7751 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
7752 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
7755 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
7758 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
7761 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
7764 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
7765 retracing earlier steps.
7767 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
7768 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
7769 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
7770 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
7771 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
7773 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
7774 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
7775 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
7776 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
7777 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
7779 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
7780 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
7783 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
7784 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
7785 @var{addr2}. @c FIXME: Is the range inclusive or exclusive?
7787 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
7788 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
7789 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
7790 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
7791 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
7792 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
7793 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
7794 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
7797 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
7798 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
7799 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
7800 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
7801 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
7802 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
7803 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
7804 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
7805 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
7806 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
7807 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
7808 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
7809 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
7810 tracepoint as the current one.
7812 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
7813 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
7814 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
7815 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
7816 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
7819 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
7820 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
7821 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
7822 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
7826 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
7827 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
7828 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
7829 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
7830 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
7831 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
7832 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
7833 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
7834 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
7835 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
7836 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
7839 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
7843 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
7844 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
7845 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
7855 @subsection @code{tdump}
7857 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
7858 @cindex tracepoint data, display
7860 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
7861 the current trace snapshot.
7864 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
7865 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
7866 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
7867 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
7870 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
7872 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
7873 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
7875 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
7877 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
7878 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
7879 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
7883 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
7888 a1 0x3000668 50333288
7891 a4 0x3000698 50333336
7893 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
7894 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
7896 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
7900 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
7907 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
7912 @node save-tracepoints
7913 @subsection @code{save-tracepoints @var{filename}}
7914 @kindex save-tracepoints
7915 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
7917 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
7918 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
7919 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
7920 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
7923 @node Tracepoint Variables
7924 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
7925 @cindex tracepoint variables
7926 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
7929 @vindex $trace_frame
7930 @item (int) $trace_frame
7931 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
7932 snapshot is selected.
7935 @item (int) $tracepoint
7936 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
7939 @item (int) $trace_line
7940 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
7943 @item (char []) $trace_file
7944 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
7947 @item (char []) $trace_func
7948 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
7951 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
7952 use @code{output} instead.
7954 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
7955 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
7959 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
7961 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
7962 > output $trace_file
7963 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
7969 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
7972 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
7973 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
7974 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
7978 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
7979 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
7980 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
7981 mapped by asking the inferior.
7982 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
7985 @node How Overlays Work
7986 @section How Overlays Work
7987 @cindex mapped overlays
7988 @cindex unmapped overlays
7989 @cindex load address, overlay's
7990 @cindex mapped address
7991 @cindex overlay area
7993 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
7994 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
7995 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
7996 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
7997 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
7999 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
8000 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
8001 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
8002 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
8003 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
8004 largest overlay as well.
8006 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
8007 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
8008 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
8011 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
8012 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
8013 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
8017 Data Instruction Larger
8018 Address Space Address Space Address Space
8019 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
8021 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
8022 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
8023 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
8024 | and heap | | | | | |
8025 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
8026 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
8027 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
8029 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
8031 | overlay | <-' | | |
8032 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
8033 | | <---. | | load address
8034 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
8041 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
8045 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
8046 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
8047 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
8048 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
8049 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
8050 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
8051 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
8052 program and the overlay area.
8054 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
8055 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
8056 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
8057 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
8058 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
8059 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
8060 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
8062 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
8063 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
8064 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
8069 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
8070 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
8071 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
8072 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
8075 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
8076 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
8077 your program's performance.
8080 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
8081 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
8082 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
8083 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
8084 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
8085 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
8086 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
8089 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
8090 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
8091 instruction and data spaces.
8095 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
8096 improved in many ways:
8101 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
8102 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
8103 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
8104 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
8105 area in the usual way.
8108 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
8109 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
8112 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
8113 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
8114 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
8115 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
8116 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
8117 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
8118 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
8123 @node Overlay Commands
8124 @section Overlay Commands
8126 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
8127 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
8128 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
8129 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
8130 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
8131 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
8133 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
8134 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
8139 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
8140 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
8141 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
8142 overlay support is disabled.
8144 @item overlay manual
8145 @cindex manual overlay debugging
8146 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
8147 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
8148 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
8149 commands described below.
8151 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
8152 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
8153 @cindex map an overlay
8154 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
8155 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
8156 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
8157 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
8158 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
8159 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
8161 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
8162 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
8163 @cindex unmap an overlay
8164 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
8165 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
8166 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
8167 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
8170 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
8171 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
8172 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
8175 @item overlay load-target
8177 @cindex reloading the overlay table
8178 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
8179 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
8180 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
8181 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
8182 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
8184 @item overlay list-overlays
8186 @cindex listing mapped overlays
8187 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
8188 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
8192 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
8193 of the function the address falls in:
8196 (@value{GDBP}) print main
8197 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
8200 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
8201 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
8202 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
8203 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
8206 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
8207 No sections are mapped.
8208 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
8209 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
8212 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
8216 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
8217 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
8218 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
8219 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
8220 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
8223 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
8224 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
8225 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
8226 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
8227 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
8231 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
8232 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
8233 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
8234 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
8236 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
8237 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
8238 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
8239 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
8240 breakpoints properly.
8244 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
8245 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
8246 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
8248 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
8249 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
8250 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
8251 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
8252 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
8253 current state of the overlays.
8255 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
8256 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
8260 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
8261 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
8266 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
8269 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
8272 /* The overlay's load address. */
8275 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
8277 unsigned long mapped;
8281 @item @code{_novlys}:
8282 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
8283 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
8287 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
8288 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
8289 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
8290 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
8291 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
8294 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
8295 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
8296 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
8297 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
8298 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
8299 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
8300 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
8301 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
8302 are not being executed.
8304 @node Overlay Sample Program
8305 @section Overlay Sample Program
8306 @cindex overlay example program
8308 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
8309 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
8310 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
8311 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
8312 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
8313 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
8314 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
8316 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
8317 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
8318 suite. The program consists of the following files from
8319 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
8323 The main program file.
8325 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
8330 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
8333 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
8334 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
8337 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
8338 cross-compiler like this:
8341 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
8342 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
8343 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
8344 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
8345 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
8346 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
8347 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
8348 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
8351 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
8352 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
8353 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
8357 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
8360 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
8361 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
8362 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
8363 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
8364 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
8365 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
8367 @cindex working language
8368 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
8369 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
8370 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
8371 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
8372 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
8376 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
8377 * Show:: Displaying the language
8378 * Checks:: Type and range checks
8379 * Supported languages:: Supported languages
8380 * Unsupported languages:: Unsupported languages
8384 @section Switching between source languages
8386 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
8387 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
8388 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
8389 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
8390 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
8393 In addition to the working language, every source file that
8394 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
8395 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
8396 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
8397 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
8398 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
8399 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
8400 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
8401 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
8402 Displaying the language}.
8404 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
8405 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
8406 another language. In that case, make the
8407 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
8408 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
8409 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
8412 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
8413 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
8414 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
8418 @subsection List of filename extensions and languages
8420 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
8421 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
8442 Objective-C source file
8449 Modula-2 source file
8453 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
8454 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
8457 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
8458 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the language}.
8461 @subsection Setting the working language
8463 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
8464 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
8467 @kindex set language
8468 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
8469 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
8471 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
8472 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
8474 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
8475 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
8476 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
8477 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
8478 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
8479 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
8487 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
8488 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
8489 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
8490 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
8493 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
8495 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
8496 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
8497 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
8498 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
8499 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
8500 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
8501 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
8502 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
8503 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
8505 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
8506 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
8507 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
8508 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
8509 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
8512 @section Displaying the language
8514 The following commands help you find out which language is the
8515 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
8519 @kindex show language
8520 Display the current working language. This is the
8521 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
8522 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
8525 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
8526 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
8527 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
8528 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a frame}, to identify the other
8529 information listed here.
8532 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
8533 Display the source language of this source file.
8534 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
8535 information listed here.
8538 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
8539 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
8540 with a language explicitly:
8543 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
8544 @kindex set extension-language
8545 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
8546 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
8548 @item info extensions
8549 @kindex info extensions
8550 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
8554 @section Type and range checking
8557 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
8558 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
8559 section documents the intended facilities.
8561 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
8563 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
8564 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
8565 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
8566 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
8567 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
8568 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
8569 errors when your program is running.
8571 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
8572 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
8573 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
8574 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
8575 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
8576 automatically based on your program's source language.
8577 @xref{Supported languages, ,Supported languages}, for the default
8578 settings of supported languages.
8581 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
8582 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
8585 @cindex type checking
8586 @cindex checks, type
8588 @subsection An overview of type checking
8590 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
8591 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
8592 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
8593 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
8601 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
8602 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
8604 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
8605 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
8606 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
8607 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
8608 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
8609 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
8610 also issues a warning.
8612 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
8613 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
8614 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
8615 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
8616 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
8617 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
8619 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
8620 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
8621 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
8622 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
8623 operators. @xref{Supported languages, ,Supported languages}, for further
8624 details on specific languages.
8626 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
8628 @kindex set check type
8629 @kindex show check type
8631 @item set check type auto
8632 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
8633 @xref{Supported languages, ,Supported languages}, for the default settings for
8636 @item set check type on
8637 @itemx set check type off
8638 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
8639 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
8640 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
8641 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
8642 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
8644 @item set check type warn
8645 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
8646 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
8647 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
8648 numbers and structures.
8651 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
8652 is setting it automatically.
8655 @cindex range checking
8656 @cindex checks, range
8657 @node Range Checking
8658 @subsection An overview of range checking
8660 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
8661 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
8662 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
8663 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
8664 not exceed the bounds of the array.
8666 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
8667 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
8668 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
8669 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
8671 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
8672 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
8673 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
8674 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
8675 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
8676 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
8679 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
8682 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
8683 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported languages, ,
8684 Supported languages}, for further details on specific languages.
8686 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
8688 @kindex set check range
8689 @kindex show check range
8691 @item set check range auto
8692 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
8693 @xref{Supported languages, ,Supported languages}, for the default settings for
8696 @item set check range on
8697 @itemx set check range off
8698 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
8699 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
8700 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
8701 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
8703 @item set check range warn
8704 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
8705 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
8706 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
8707 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
8711 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
8712 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
8715 @node Supported languages
8716 @section Supported languages
8718 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, Pascal,
8719 assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
8720 @c This is false ...
8721 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
8722 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
8723 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
8724 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
8727 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
8728 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
8729 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
8730 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
8731 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
8732 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
8733 language reference or tutorial.
8737 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
8740 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
8745 @subsection C and C@t{++}
8747 @cindex C and C@t{++}
8748 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
8750 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
8751 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
8755 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
8756 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
8757 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
8758 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
8759 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
8760 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
8761 compiler (@code{aCC}).
8763 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
8764 format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
8765 format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
8766 command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
8767 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or @sc{gnu}
8768 CC, gcc.info, Using @sc{gnu} CC}.
8771 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
8772 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
8773 * C plus plus expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
8774 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
8775 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
8776 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
8777 * Debugging C plus plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
8781 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} operators
8783 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
8785 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
8786 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
8787 often defined on groups of types.
8789 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
8794 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
8795 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
8798 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
8799 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
8802 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
8805 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
8810 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
8811 in order of increasing precedence:
8815 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
8816 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
8817 expression being the last expression evaluated.
8820 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
8821 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
8824 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
8825 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
8826 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
8827 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
8828 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
8831 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
8832 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
8836 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
8839 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
8842 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
8845 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
8848 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
8851 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
8852 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
8854 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
8855 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
8856 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
8857 and non-zero for true.
8860 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
8863 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
8866 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
8869 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
8870 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
8871 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
8875 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
8876 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
8877 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
8878 operation takes place.
8881 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
8885 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
8887 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
8888 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
8889 (or, if you prefer, simply @samp{&&@var{ref}}) to examine the address
8890 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
8894 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
8895 precedence as @code{++}.
8898 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
8902 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
8907 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
8908 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
8909 pointer based on the stored type information.
8910 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
8913 Dereferences of pointers to members.
8916 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
8917 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
8920 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
8923 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
8924 and @code{class} types.
8927 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
8928 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
8932 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
8933 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
8941 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} constants
8943 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
8945 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
8950 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
8951 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
8952 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
8953 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
8957 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
8958 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
8959 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
8960 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
8961 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
8962 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
8963 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
8964 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
8965 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
8969 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
8970 integral equivalents.
8973 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
8974 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
8975 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
8976 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
8977 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
8978 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
8979 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
8980 @samp{\n} for newline.
8983 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
8984 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
8985 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
8986 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
8990 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
8991 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
8994 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
8995 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
8996 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
8997 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
9001 * C plus plus expressions::
9008 @node C plus plus expressions
9009 @subsubsection C@t{++} expressions
9011 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
9012 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
9014 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
9015 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
9016 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
9017 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
9019 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
9020 proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
9021 works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
9022 @value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
9023 @option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
9024 stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
9025 stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
9026 specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
9027 are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
9033 @cindex member functions
9035 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
9038 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
9041 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
9042 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
9044 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
9045 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
9046 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
9047 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
9049 @cindex call overloaded functions
9050 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
9051 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
9053 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
9054 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
9055 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
9056 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
9057 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
9060 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
9061 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
9062 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
9063 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
9064 number of function arguments.
9066 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
9067 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C plus plus,
9068 ,@value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}}.
9070 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
9071 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
9073 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
9076 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
9077 see @ref{Completion, ,Command completion}.
9079 @cindex reference declarations
9081 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
9082 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
9085 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
9086 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
9087 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
9088 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
9089 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
9092 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
9093 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
9094 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
9095 necessary, for example in an expression like
9096 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
9097 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
9098 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program variables}).
9101 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
9102 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
9103 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
9104 invoking user-defined operators.
9107 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} defaults
9109 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
9111 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
9112 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
9113 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
9114 selects the working language.
9116 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
9117 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
9118 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
9119 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
9120 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language},
9121 for further details.
9123 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
9124 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
9125 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
9128 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} type and range checks
9130 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
9132 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
9133 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
9134 considers two variables type equivalent if:
9138 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
9142 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
9143 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
9146 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
9149 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
9150 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
9155 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
9156 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
9157 that is not itself an array.
9160 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
9162 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
9163 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
9164 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
9165 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
9167 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
9168 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
9172 * Debugging C plus plus::
9175 @node Debugging C plus plus
9176 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
9178 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
9180 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
9181 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
9184 @cindex break in overloaded functions
9185 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
9186 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
9187 @value{GDBN} breakpoint menus help you specify which function definition
9188 you want. @xref{Breakpoint Menus,,Breakpoint menus}.
9190 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
9191 @item rbreak @var{regex}
9192 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
9193 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
9195 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}.
9197 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
9200 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
9201 Catchpoints, , Setting catchpoints}.
9204 @item ptype @var{typename}
9205 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
9207 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
9209 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
9210 @item set print demangle
9211 @itemx show print demangle
9212 @itemx set print asm-demangle
9213 @itemx show print asm-demangle
9214 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
9215 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
9216 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
9218 @item set print object
9219 @itemx show print object
9220 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
9221 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
9223 @item set print vtbl
9224 @itemx show print vtbl
9225 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
9226 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
9227 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
9228 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
9230 @kindex set overload-resolution
9231 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
9232 @item set overload-resolution on
9233 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
9234 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
9235 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
9236 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C plus plus expressions, ,C@t{++}
9237 expressions}, for details). If it cannot find a match, it emits a
9240 @item set overload-resolution off
9241 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
9242 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
9243 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
9244 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
9245 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
9246 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
9249 @kindex show overload-resolution
9250 @item show overload-resolution
9251 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
9253 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
9254 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
9255 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
9256 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
9257 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
9258 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
9259 @xref{Completion,, Command completion}, for details on how to do this.
9263 @subsection Objective-C
9266 This section provides information about some commands and command
9267 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
9268 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
9269 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
9272 * Method Names in Commands::
9273 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
9276 @node Method Names in Commands, The Print Command with Objective-C, Objective-C, Objective-C
9277 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
9279 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
9280 names as line specifications:
9282 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
9283 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
9284 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
9285 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
9286 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
9290 @item @code{info line}
9295 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
9298 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
9301 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
9302 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
9303 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
9304 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
9305 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
9306 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
9310 break -[Fruit create]
9313 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
9317 list +[NSText initialize]
9320 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
9321 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
9322 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
9323 is also possible to specify just a method name:
9329 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
9330 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
9331 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
9332 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
9335 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
9336 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
9339 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
9342 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
9343 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
9344 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
9345 @kindex print-object
9346 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
9348 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
9351 print -[@var{object} hash]
9354 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
9355 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
9357 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
9358 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
9359 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
9360 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
9361 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
9362 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
9366 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
9368 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
9369 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
9371 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
9372 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
9373 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
9374 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
9375 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
9379 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
9380 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
9381 * Special Fortran commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
9384 @node Fortran Operators
9385 @subsubsection Fortran operators and expressions
9387 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
9389 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
9390 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
9391 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
9395 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
9399 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
9400 represent a section of array.
9403 @node Fortran Defaults
9404 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
9406 @cindex Fortran Defaults
9408 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
9409 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
9410 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
9411 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
9413 @node Special Fortran commands
9414 @subsubsection Special Fortran commands
9416 @cindex Special Fortran commands
9418 @value{GDBN} had some commands to support Fortran specific feature,
9419 such as common block displaying.
9422 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
9424 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
9425 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
9426 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
9427 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at current program location are
9434 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
9435 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
9436 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
9437 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
9440 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
9441 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
9442 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
9445 @subsection Modula-2
9447 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
9449 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
9450 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
9451 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
9452 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
9453 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
9456 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
9458 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
9459 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
9460 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
9461 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
9462 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
9463 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
9464 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
9465 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
9469 @subsubsection Operators
9470 @cindex Modula-2 operators
9472 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
9473 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
9474 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
9475 following definitions hold:
9480 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
9484 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
9487 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
9490 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
9494 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
9497 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
9500 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
9504 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
9505 increasing precedence:
9509 Function argument or array index separator.
9512 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
9516 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
9520 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
9521 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
9522 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
9524 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
9525 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
9526 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
9527 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
9531 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
9532 Same precedence as @code{<}.
9535 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
9538 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
9541 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
9544 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
9545 and difference on set types.
9548 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
9552 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
9553 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
9556 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
9557 precedence as @code{*}.
9560 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
9563 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
9566 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
9570 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
9571 precedence as @code{^}.
9574 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
9577 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
9581 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
9585 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
9586 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
9587 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
9588 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
9592 @node Built-In Func/Proc
9593 @subsubsection Built-in functions and procedures
9594 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
9596 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
9597 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
9602 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
9605 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
9608 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
9611 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
9612 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
9613 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
9616 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
9619 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
9625 represents a variable.
9628 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
9629 explanation of the function for details.
9632 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
9636 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
9639 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
9640 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
9643 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
9646 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
9648 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
9649 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
9652 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
9653 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
9656 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
9657 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
9660 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
9663 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
9665 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
9666 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
9669 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
9670 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
9671 there. Returns the new set.
9674 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
9677 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
9680 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
9683 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
9684 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
9685 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
9686 integral, character and enumerated types.
9689 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
9691 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
9692 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
9694 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
9695 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
9699 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
9700 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
9704 @cindex Modula-2 constants
9706 @subsubsection Constants
9708 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
9714 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
9715 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
9716 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
9717 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
9720 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
9721 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
9722 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
9723 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
9724 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
9728 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
9729 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
9730 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
9731 followed by a @samp{C}.
9734 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
9735 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
9736 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
9737 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
9741 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
9744 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
9748 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
9751 Set constants are not yet supported.
9755 @subsubsection Modula-2 defaults
9756 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
9758 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
9759 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
9760 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
9761 selected the working language.
9763 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
9764 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
9765 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} set
9766 the language automatically}, for further details.
9769 @subsubsection Deviations from standard Modula-2
9770 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
9772 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
9773 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
9777 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
9778 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
9779 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
9780 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
9781 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
9782 returned a pointer.)
9785 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
9786 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
9787 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
9788 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
9791 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
9795 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
9799 @subsubsection Modula-2 type and range checks
9800 @cindex Modula-2 checks
9803 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
9806 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
9808 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
9812 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
9813 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
9816 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
9817 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
9820 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
9821 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
9823 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
9824 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
9827 @subsubsection The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
9829 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
9830 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
9832 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
9833 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
9836 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
9839 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
9840 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
9845 @var{module} . @var{id}
9846 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
9850 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
9851 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
9852 identifier within your program, except another module.
9854 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
9855 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
9856 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
9857 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
9859 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
9860 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
9861 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
9862 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
9863 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
9867 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
9869 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
9870 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
9871 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
9872 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
9873 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
9874 analogue in Modula-2.
9876 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
9877 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
9878 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
9879 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
9880 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
9881 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
9883 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
9884 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
9885 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
9891 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
9892 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
9893 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
9894 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
9898 @cindex expressions in Ada
9900 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
9901 and semantics supported by Ada mode
9903 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
9904 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
9905 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
9906 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
9909 @node Ada Mode Intro
9910 @subsubsection Introduction
9911 @cindex Ada mode, general
9913 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
9914 syntax, with some extensions.
9915 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
9919 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
9920 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
9921 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
9922 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
9925 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
9926 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
9929 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
9932 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if there were
9933 implicit @code{with} and @code{use} clauses in effect for all user-written
9934 packages, making it unnecessary to fully qualify most names with
9935 their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes ambiguity,
9936 @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
9938 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
9939 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
9940 was translated from an Ada source file.
9942 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
9943 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
9944 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
9945 middle (to allow based literals).
9947 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
9948 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
9949 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
9950 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
9951 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
9952 functions to procedures elsewhere.
9954 @node Omissions from Ada
9955 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
9956 @cindex Ada, omissions from
9958 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
9962 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
9966 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
9967 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
9970 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
9973 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
9979 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
9980 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
9983 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
9984 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
9992 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
9993 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
9994 not currently available.
9997 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
9998 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
9999 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
10000 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
10001 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
10002 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
10003 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
10004 indeterminate values.
10007 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
10008 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
10009 are not implemented.
10012 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
10013 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
10014 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
10015 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
10016 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
10019 set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
10020 set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
10021 set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
10022 set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
10023 set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
10024 set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
10028 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
10029 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
10030 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
10031 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
10032 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
10033 declared to have a type such as:
10036 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
10038 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
10042 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
10047 set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
10050 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
10051 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
10052 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
10053 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
10054 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
10055 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
10056 redundant component associations, although which component values are
10057 assigned in such cases is not defined.
10060 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
10063 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
10064 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in which a subexpression
10065 appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much looser in its rules for allowing
10066 type matches. As a result, some function calls will be ambiguous, and the user
10067 will be asked to choose the proper resolution.
10070 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
10073 Entry calls are not implemented.
10076 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
10077 formats are not supported.
10080 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
10083 @node Additions to Ada
10084 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
10085 @cindex Ada, deviations from
10087 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
10088 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
10092 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory
10093 (typically a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is
10094 a positive integer, then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of
10095 @var{E} and the @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array.
10096 In Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use
10097 is in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in Ada.
10098 However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs
10099 in which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
10102 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that appears
10103 in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name, you must typically
10104 surround it in single quotes.
10107 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
10108 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
10111 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
10112 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
10115 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright additions specific
10120 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
10121 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
10125 print A(tmp := y + 1)
10129 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
10130 the value of its right-hand operand.
10131 This allows, for example,
10132 complex conditional breaks:
10136 condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
10140 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
10141 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
10142 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
10143 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
10144 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
10145 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
10146 in strings. For example,
10148 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
10151 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF}) after each
10155 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
10156 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
10164 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
10165 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
10166 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound of 3 might print as
10173 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
10177 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
10178 multi-character subsequence of
10179 their names (an exact match gets preference).
10180 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
10181 in place of @t{a'length}.
10184 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
10185 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
10186 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
10187 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
10188 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
10189 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
10192 @value{GDBP} print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
10196 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
10197 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
10198 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
10199 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
10204 @node Stopping Before Main Program
10205 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
10207 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
10208 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
10209 before reaching the main procedure.
10210 As defined in the Ada Reference
10211 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
10212 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
10213 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
10214 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
10217 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
10218 @cindex Ada, problems
10220 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
10221 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
10223 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
10224 and the GNU Ada compiler.
10228 Currently, the debugger
10229 has insufficient information to determine whether certain pointers represent
10230 pointers to objects or the objects themselves.
10231 Thus, the user may have to tack an extra @code{.all} after an expression
10232 to get it printed properly.
10235 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
10236 storage are invisible to the debugger.
10239 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
10240 argument lists are treated as positional).
10243 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
10246 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
10247 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
10251 The type of the @t{'Address} attribute may not be @code{System.Address}.
10254 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
10255 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
10256 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
10257 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
10258 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
10259 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
10260 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
10261 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
10262 you can usually resolve the confusion
10263 by qualifying the problematic names with package
10264 @code{Standard} explicitly.
10267 @node Unsupported languages
10268 @section Unsupported languages
10270 @cindex unsupported languages
10271 @cindex minimal language
10272 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
10273 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
10274 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
10275 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
10276 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
10277 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
10279 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
10280 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
10284 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
10286 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
10287 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
10288 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
10289 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
10290 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
10291 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing files}), or by one of the
10292 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
10294 @cindex symbol names
10295 @cindex names of symbols
10296 @cindex quoting names
10297 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
10298 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
10299 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
10300 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program variables}). File names
10301 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
10302 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
10303 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
10304 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
10311 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
10314 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
10315 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
10316 @kindex set case-sensitive
10317 @item set case-sensitive on
10318 @itemx set case-sensitive off
10319 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
10320 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
10321 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
10322 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
10323 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
10324 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
10325 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
10326 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
10327 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
10328 case-insensitive matches.
10330 @kindex show case-sensitive
10331 @item show case-sensitive
10332 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
10335 @kindex info address
10336 @cindex address of a symbol
10337 @item info address @var{symbol}
10338 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
10339 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
10340 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
10343 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
10344 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
10345 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
10347 @kindex info symbol
10348 @cindex symbol from address
10349 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
10350 @item info symbol @var{addr}
10351 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
10352 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
10353 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
10356 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
10357 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
10361 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
10362 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
10365 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
10366 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression or
10367 a data type. With no argument, print the data type of @code{$}, the
10368 last value in the value history. If @var{arg} is an expression, it is
10369 not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
10370 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place. If
10371 @var{arg} is a type name, it may be the name of a type or typedef, or
10372 for C code it may have the form @samp{class @var{class-name}},
10373 @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
10374 @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
10375 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
10378 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
10379 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
10380 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
10381 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
10383 For example, for this variable declaration:
10386 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
10390 the two commands give this output:
10394 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
10395 type = struct complex
10396 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
10397 type = struct complex @{
10405 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
10406 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
10408 @cindex incomplete type
10409 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
10410 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
10411 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
10412 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
10413 given these declarations:
10417 struct foo *fooptr;
10421 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
10425 $1 = <incomplete type>
10429 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
10430 completely specified.
10433 @item info types @var{regexp}
10435 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
10436 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
10437 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
10438 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
10439 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
10440 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
10441 name is @code{value}.
10443 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
10444 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
10445 lists all source files where a type is defined.
10448 @cindex local variables
10449 @item info scope @var{location}
10450 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
10451 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
10452 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
10453 to the scope defined by that location. For example:
10456 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
10457 Scope for command_line_handler:
10458 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
10459 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
10460 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
10461 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
10462 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
10463 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
10464 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
10468 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
10469 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
10472 @kindex info source
10474 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
10475 the function containing the current point of execution:
10478 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
10480 the directory it was compiled in,
10482 its length, in lines,
10484 which programming language it is written in,
10486 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
10487 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
10489 whether the debugging information includes information about
10490 preprocessor macros.
10494 @kindex info sources
10496 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
10497 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
10498 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
10500 @kindex info functions
10501 @item info functions
10502 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
10504 @item info functions @var{regexp}
10505 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
10506 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
10507 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
10508 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
10509 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
10510 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
10511 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
10513 @kindex info variables
10514 @item info variables
10515 Print the names and data types of all variables that are declared
10516 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
10518 @item info variables @var{regexp}
10519 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
10520 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
10523 @kindex info classes
10524 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
10526 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
10527 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
10528 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
10531 @kindex info selectors
10532 @item info selectors
10533 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
10534 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
10535 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
10539 This was never implemented.
10540 @kindex info methods
10542 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
10543 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
10544 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
10545 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
10546 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
10547 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
10548 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
10549 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
10552 @cindex reloading symbols
10553 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
10554 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
10555 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
10556 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
10557 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
10560 @kindex set symbol-reloading
10561 @item set symbol-reloading on
10562 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
10563 object file with a particular name is seen again.
10565 @item set symbol-reloading off
10566 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
10567 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
10568 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
10569 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
10570 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
10571 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
10574 @kindex show symbol-reloading
10575 @item show symbol-reloading
10576 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
10579 @cindex opaque data types
10580 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
10581 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
10582 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
10583 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
10584 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
10585 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
10586 another source file. The default is on.
10588 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
10589 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
10591 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
10592 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
10593 is printed as follows:
10595 @{<no data fields>@}
10598 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
10599 @item show opaque-type-resolution
10600 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
10602 @kindex maint print symbols
10603 @cindex symbol dump
10604 @kindex maint print psymbols
10605 @cindex partial symbol dump
10606 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
10607 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
10608 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
10609 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
10610 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
10611 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
10612 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
10613 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
10614 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
10615 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
10616 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
10617 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
10618 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
10619 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
10620 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
10621 @xref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}, for a discussion of how
10622 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
10624 @kindex maint info symtabs
10625 @kindex maint info psymtabs
10626 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
10627 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
10628 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
10629 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
10630 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
10631 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
10633 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
10634 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
10635 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
10636 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
10637 structure in more detail. For example:
10640 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
10641 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
10642 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
10643 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
10644 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
10647 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
10648 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
10649 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
10650 dependencies (none)
10653 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
10657 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
10658 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
10659 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
10660 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
10661 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
10664 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
10665 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
10667 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
10668 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
10669 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
10670 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
10671 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
10674 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
10675 debugformat DWARF 2
10684 @chapter Altering Execution
10686 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
10687 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
10688 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
10689 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
10692 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
10693 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
10694 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
10697 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
10698 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
10699 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
10700 * Returning:: Returning from a function
10701 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
10702 * Patching:: Patching your program
10706 @section Assignment to variables
10709 @cindex setting variables
10710 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
10711 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
10718 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
10719 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
10720 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
10721 information on operators in supported languages.
10723 @kindex set variable
10724 @cindex variables, setting
10725 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
10726 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
10727 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
10728 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
10729 ,Value history}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
10731 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
10732 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
10733 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
10734 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
10735 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
10736 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
10737 command @code{set width}:
10740 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
10742 (@value{GDBP}) p width
10744 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
10745 Invalid syntax in expression.
10749 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
10750 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
10753 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
10756 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
10757 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
10758 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
10759 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
10760 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
10761 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
10765 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
10769 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
10773 The program being debugged has been started already.
10774 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
10775 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
10776 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
10777 Invalid bfd target.
10778 (@value{GDBP}) show g
10779 The current BFD target is "=4".
10784 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
10785 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
10789 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
10792 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
10793 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
10794 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
10795 same length or shorter.
10796 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
10799 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
10800 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
10801 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
10802 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
10803 and representation in memory), and
10806 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
10810 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
10813 @section Continuing at a different address
10815 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
10816 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
10817 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
10821 @item jump @var{linespec}
10822 Resume execution at line @var{linespec}. Execution stops again
10823 immediately if there is a breakpoint there. @xref{List, ,Printing
10824 source lines}, for a description of the different forms of
10825 @var{linespec}. It is common practice to use the @code{tbreak} command
10826 in conjunction with @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
10829 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
10830 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
10831 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
10832 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
10833 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
10834 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
10835 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
10836 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
10837 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
10839 @item jump *@var{address}
10840 Resume execution at the instruction at address @var{address}.
10843 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
10844 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
10845 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
10846 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
10847 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
10855 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
10856 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
10857 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and stepping}.
10859 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
10860 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
10861 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
10866 @section Giving your program a signal
10867 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
10871 @item signal @var{signal}
10872 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
10873 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
10874 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
10875 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
10877 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
10878 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
10879 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
10880 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
10883 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
10884 after executing the command.
10888 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
10889 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
10890 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
10891 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
10892 passes the signal directly to your program.
10896 @section Returning from a function
10899 @cindex returning from a function
10902 @itemx return @var{expression}
10903 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
10904 command. If you give an
10905 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
10909 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
10910 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
10911 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
10912 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
10914 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
10915 frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
10916 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
10917 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
10920 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
10921 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
10922 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
10923 and Stepping, ,Continuing and stepping}) resumes execution until the
10924 selected stack frame returns naturally.
10927 @section Calling program functions
10930 @cindex calling functions
10931 @cindex inferior functions, calling
10932 @item print @var{expr}
10933 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resuling value.
10934 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
10938 @item call @var{expr}
10939 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
10942 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
10943 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
10944 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
10945 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
10946 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
10950 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
10951 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
10952 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
10953 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
10956 @item set unwindonsignal
10957 @kindex set unwindonsignal
10958 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
10959 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
10960 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
10961 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
10962 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
10963 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
10964 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
10967 @item show unwindonsignal
10968 @kindex show unwindonsignal
10969 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
10973 @cindex weak alias functions
10974 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
10975 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
10976 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
10977 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
10978 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
10979 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
10983 @section Patching programs
10985 @cindex patching binaries
10986 @cindex writing into executables
10987 @cindex writing into corefiles
10989 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
10990 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
10991 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
10992 patching your program's binary.
10994 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
10995 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
10996 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
11002 @itemx set write off
11003 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
11004 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @samp{set write
11005 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
11007 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
11008 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
11009 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
11013 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
11014 as well as reading.
11018 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
11020 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
11021 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
11022 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
11023 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
11026 * Files:: Commands to specify files
11027 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
11028 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
11032 @section Commands to specify files
11034 @cindex symbol table
11035 @cindex core dump file
11037 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
11038 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
11039 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
11040 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
11042 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
11043 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
11044 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
11045 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file}). In these situations the
11046 @value{GDBN} commands to specify new files are useful.
11049 @cindex executable file
11051 @item file @var{filename}
11052 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
11053 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
11054 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
11055 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
11056 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
11057 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
11058 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
11059 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
11061 @cindex unlinked object files
11062 @cindex patching object files
11063 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
11064 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
11065 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
11066 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
11067 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
11068 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
11069 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
11070 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
11073 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
11074 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
11077 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
11078 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
11079 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
11080 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
11081 discard information on the executable file.
11083 @kindex symbol-file
11084 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
11085 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
11086 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
11087 table and program to run from the same file.
11089 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
11090 program's symbol table.
11092 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
11093 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
11094 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
11095 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
11098 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
11101 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
11102 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
11103 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
11104 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
11105 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
11106 using @code{@value{GCC}} you can generate debugging information for
11109 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
11110 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
11111 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
11112 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
11113 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
11115 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
11116 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
11117 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
11118 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
11119 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
11120 warnings and messages}.)
11122 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
11123 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
11124 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
11125 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
11129 @cindex reading symbols immediately
11130 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
11131 @item symbol-file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
11132 @itemx file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
11133 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
11134 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
11135 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
11136 entire symbol table available.
11138 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
11139 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
11140 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
11141 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
11142 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
11143 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
11147 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
11149 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
11150 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
11151 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
11152 executable file itself for other parts.
11154 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
11157 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
11158 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
11159 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
11160 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
11161 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the child process}).
11163 @kindex add-symbol-file
11164 @cindex dynamic linking
11165 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
11166 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
11167 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
11168 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
11169 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
11170 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
11171 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
11172 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
11173 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
11174 of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
11175 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
11176 @var{address} as an expression.
11178 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
11179 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
11180 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
11181 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
11182 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
11184 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
11185 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
11186 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
11187 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
11188 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
11189 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
11190 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
11191 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
11192 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
11196 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
11197 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
11199 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
11200 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
11202 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
11203 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
11207 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
11208 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
11209 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
11210 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
11211 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
11212 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
11213 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
11214 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
11215 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
11218 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
11220 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
11221 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
11222 @cindex load symbols from memory
11223 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
11224 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
11225 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
11226 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
11227 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
11228 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
11229 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
11230 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
11231 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
11233 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
11235 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
11236 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
11237 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
11238 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
11239 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
11240 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
11241 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
11242 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
11243 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
11244 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
11247 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
11248 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
11249 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
11250 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
11251 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
11252 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
11253 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
11257 @kindex info target
11260 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
11261 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
11262 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
11263 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
11264 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
11267 @kindex maint info sections
11268 @item maint info sections
11269 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
11270 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
11271 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
11272 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
11273 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
11274 may be arbitrarily combined):
11278 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
11279 @item @var{sections}
11280 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
11281 @item @var{section-flags}
11282 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
11283 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
11286 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
11287 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
11289 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
11290 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
11292 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
11294 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
11296 Section contains executable code only.
11298 Section contains data only (no executable code).
11300 Section will reside in ROM.
11302 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
11304 Section is not empty.
11306 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
11307 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
11308 A notification to the linker that the section contains
11309 COFF shared library information.
11311 Section contains common symbols.
11314 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
11315 @cindex read-only sections
11316 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
11317 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
11318 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
11319 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
11320 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
11321 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
11322 enhancement to debugging performance.
11324 The default is off.
11326 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
11327 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
11328 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
11329 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
11331 @item show trust-readonly-sections
11332 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
11335 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
11336 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
11337 name and remembers it that way.
11339 @cindex shared libraries
11340 @value{GDBN} supports GNU/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
11341 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
11343 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
11344 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
11345 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
11346 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
11347 debugging a core file).
11349 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
11350 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
11352 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
11353 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
11354 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
11356 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
11357 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
11358 particularly large or there are many of them.
11360 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
11364 @kindex set auto-solib-add
11365 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
11366 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
11367 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
11368 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
11369 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
11370 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
11371 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
11373 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
11374 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
11375 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
11376 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
11377 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
11378 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
11379 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
11380 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expresion that matches
11381 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
11383 @kindex show auto-solib-add
11384 @item show auto-solib-add
11385 Display the current autoloading mode.
11388 @cindex load shared library
11389 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
11393 @kindex info sharedlibrary
11396 @itemx info sharedlibrary
11397 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded.
11399 @kindex sharedlibrary
11401 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
11402 @itemx share @var{regex}
11403 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
11404 Unix regular expression.
11405 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
11406 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
11407 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
11410 @item nosharedlibrary
11411 @kindex nosharedlibrary
11412 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
11413 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
11414 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
11415 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
11419 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
11420 when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
11421 stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
11424 @item set stop-on-solib-events
11425 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
11426 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
11427 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
11428 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
11431 @item show stop-on-solib-events
11432 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
11433 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
11434 library events happen.
11437 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
11438 configurations. A copy of the target's libraries need to be present on the
11439 host system; they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
11440 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
11443 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
11444 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
11445 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
11446 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
11447 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
11450 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
11451 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
11452 @item set solib-absolute-prefix @var{path}
11453 If this variable is set, @var{path} will be used as a prefix for any
11454 absolute shared library paths; many runtime loaders store the absolute
11455 paths to the shared library in the target program's memory. If you use
11456 @samp{solib-absolute-prefix} to find shared libraries, they need to be laid
11457 out in the same way that they are on the target, with e.g.@: a
11458 @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy under @var{path}.
11460 @cindex default value of @samp{solib-absolute-prefix}
11461 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
11462 You can set the default value of @samp{solib-absolute-prefix} by using the
11463 configure-time @samp{--with-sysroot} option.
11465 @kindex show solib-absolute-prefix
11466 @item show solib-absolute-prefix
11467 Display the current shared library prefix.
11469 @kindex set solib-search-path
11470 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
11471 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of directories
11472 to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path} is used after
11473 @samp{solib-absolute-prefix} fails to locate the library, or if the path to
11474 the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to use
11475 @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{solib-absolute-prefix}, be sure to
11476 set @samp{solib-absolute-prefix} to a nonexistant directory to prevent
11477 @value{GDBN} from finding your host's libraries.
11479 @kindex show solib-search-path
11480 @item show solib-search-path
11481 Display the current shared library search path.
11485 @node Separate Debug Files
11486 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
11487 @cindex separate debugging information files
11488 @cindex debugging information in separate files
11489 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
11490 @cindex debugging information directory, global
11491 @cindex global debugging information directory
11493 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
11494 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
11495 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
11496 Since debugging information can be very large --- sometimes larger
11497 than the executable code itself --- some systems distribute debugging
11498 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
11499 install only when they need to debug a problem.
11501 If an executable's debugging information has been extracted to a
11502 separate file, the executable should contain a @dfn{debug link} giving
11503 the name of the debugging information file (with no directory
11504 components), and a checksum of its contents. (The exact form of a
11505 debug link is described below.) If the full name of the directory
11506 containing the executable is @var{execdir}, and the executable has a
11507 debug link that specifies the name @var{debugfile}, then @value{GDBN}
11508 will automatically search for the debugging information file in three
11513 the directory containing the executable file (that is, it will look
11514 for a file named @file{@var{execdir}/@var{debugfile}},
11516 a subdirectory of that directory named @file{.debug} (that is, the
11517 file @file{@var{execdir}/.debug/@var{debugfile}}, and
11519 a subdirectory of the global debug file directory that includes the
11520 executable's full path, and the name from the link (that is, the file
11521 @file{@var{globaldebugdir}/@var{execdir}/@var{debugfile}}, where
11522 @var{globaldebugdir} is the global debug file directory, and
11523 @var{execdir} has been turned into a relative path).
11526 @value{GDBN} checks under each of these names for a debugging
11527 information file whose checksum matches that given in the link, and
11528 reads the debugging information from the first one it finds.
11530 So, for example, if you ask @value{GDBN} to debug @file{/usr/bin/ls},
11531 which has a link containing the name @file{ls.debug}, and the global
11532 debug directory is @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look
11533 for debug information in @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug},
11534 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}, and
11535 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
11537 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
11538 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
11542 @kindex set debug-file-directory
11543 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directory}
11544 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
11545 information files to @var{directory}.
11547 @kindex show debug-file-directory
11548 @item show debug-file-directory
11549 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
11554 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
11555 @cindex debug links
11556 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
11557 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
11561 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
11564 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
11565 boundary within the section, and
11567 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
11568 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
11569 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
11570 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
11573 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
11574 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
11577 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
11578 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
11579 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
11580 should have the same names, addresses and sizes as the original file,
11581 but they need not contain any data --- much like a @code{.bss} section
11582 in an ordinary executable.
11584 As of December 2002, there is no standard GNU utility to produce
11585 separated executable / debugging information file pairs. Ulrich
11586 Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53,
11587 contains a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command
11588 @kbd{strip foo -f foo.debug} removes the debugging information from
11589 the executable file @file{foo}, places it in the file
11590 @file{foo.debug}, and leaves behind a debug link in @file{foo}.
11592 Since there are many different ways to compute CRC's (different
11593 polynomials, reversals, byte ordering, etc.), the simplest way to
11594 describe the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections is to give the
11595 complete code for a function that computes it:
11597 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
11600 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
11601 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
11603 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
11605 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
11606 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
11607 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
11608 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
11609 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
11610 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
11611 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
11612 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
11613 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
11614 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
11615 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
11616 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
11617 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
11618 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
11619 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
11620 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
11621 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
11622 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
11623 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
11624 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
11625 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
11626 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
11627 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
11628 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
11629 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
11630 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
11631 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
11632 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
11633 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
11634 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
11635 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
11636 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
11637 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
11638 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
11639 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
11640 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
11641 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
11642 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
11643 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
11644 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
11645 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
11646 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
11647 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
11648 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
11649 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
11650 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
11651 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
11652 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
11653 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
11654 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
11655 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
11658 unsigned char *end;
11660 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
11661 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
11662 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
11663 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
11668 @node Symbol Errors
11669 @section Errors reading symbol files
11671 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
11672 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
11673 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
11674 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
11675 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
11676 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
11677 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
11678 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
11679 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
11680 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
11683 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
11686 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
11688 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
11689 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
11690 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
11691 in its outer scope blocks.
11693 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
11694 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
11695 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
11698 @item block at @var{address} out of order
11700 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
11701 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
11704 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
11705 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
11706 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
11707 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
11710 @item bad block start address patched
11712 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
11713 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
11714 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
11716 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
11717 starting on the previous source line.
11719 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
11722 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
11723 larger than the size of the string table.
11725 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
11726 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
11729 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
11731 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
11732 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
11733 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
11735 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
11736 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
11737 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
11738 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
11739 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
11740 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
11742 @item stub type has NULL name
11744 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
11746 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
11747 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
11748 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
11751 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
11753 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
11758 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
11760 @cindex debugging target
11761 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
11763 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
11764 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
11765 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
11766 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
11767 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
11768 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
11769 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
11770 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for managing targets}).
11772 @cindex target architecture
11773 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
11774 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
11775 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
11779 @kindex set architecture
11780 @kindex show architecture
11781 @item set architecture @var{arch}
11782 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
11783 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
11784 supported architectures.
11786 @item show architecture
11787 Show the current target architecture.
11789 @item set processor
11791 @kindex set processor
11792 @kindex show processor
11793 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
11794 and @code{show architecture}.
11798 * Active Targets:: Active targets
11799 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
11800 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
11801 * Remote:: Remote debugging
11802 * KOD:: Kernel Object Display
11806 @node Active Targets
11807 @section Active targets
11809 @cindex stacking targets
11810 @cindex active targets
11811 @cindex multiple targets
11813 There are three classes of targets: processes, core files, and
11814 executable files. @value{GDBN} can work concurrently on up to three
11815 active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for example)
11816 start a process and inspect its activity without abandoning your work on
11819 For example, if you execute @samp{gdb a.out}, then the executable file
11820 @code{a.out} is the only active target. If you designate a core file as
11821 well---presumably from a prior run that crashed and coredumped---then
11822 @value{GDBN} has two active targets and uses them in tandem, looking
11823 first in the corefile target, then in the executable file, to satisfy
11824 requests for memory addresses. (Typically, these two classes of target
11825 are complementary, since core files contain only a program's
11826 read-write memory---variables and so on---plus machine status, while
11827 executable files contain only the program text and initialized data.)
11829 When you type @code{run}, your executable file becomes an active process
11830 target as well. When a process target is active, all @value{GDBN}
11831 commands requesting memory addresses refer to that target; addresses in
11832 an active core file or executable file target are obscured while the
11833 process target is active.
11835 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new
11836 core file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify
11837 files}). To specify as a target a process that is already running, use
11838 the @code{attach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an already-running
11841 @node Target Commands
11842 @section Commands for managing targets
11845 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
11846 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
11847 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
11848 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
11849 protocol of the target machine.
11851 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
11852 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
11853 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
11855 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
11856 after executing the command.
11858 @kindex help target
11860 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
11861 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
11862 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
11864 @item help target @var{name}
11865 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
11868 @kindex set gnutarget
11869 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
11870 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
11871 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
11872 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
11873 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
11874 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
11877 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
11878 you must know the actual BFD name.
11882 @xref{Files, , Commands to specify files}.
11884 @kindex show gnutarget
11885 @item show gnutarget
11886 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
11887 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
11888 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
11889 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
11892 @cindex common targets
11893 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
11898 @item target exec @var{program}
11899 @cindex executable file target
11900 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
11901 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
11903 @item target core @var{filename}
11904 @cindex core dump file target
11905 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
11906 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
11908 @item target remote @var{medium}
11909 @cindex remote target
11910 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
11911 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
11912 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
11914 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
11915 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
11918 target remote /dev/ttya
11921 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
11922 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
11923 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
11924 clobbered by the download.
11927 @cindex built-in simulator target
11928 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
11936 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
11937 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
11938 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
11939 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
11944 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
11948 @item target nrom @var{dev}
11949 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
11950 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
11954 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
11955 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
11957 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
11958 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
11959 various aspects of this process, such as the size of the data chunks
11960 used by @value{GDBN} to download program parts to the remote target.
11963 @kindex set download-write-size
11964 @item set download-write-size @var{size}
11965 Set the write size used when downloading a program. Only used when
11966 downloading a program onto a remote target. Specify zero or a
11967 negative value to disable blocked writes. The actual size of each
11968 transfer is also limited by the size of the target packet and the
11971 @kindex show download-write-size
11972 @item show download-write-size
11973 @kindex show download-write-size
11974 Show the current value of the write size.
11977 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
11978 @cindex hash mark while downloading
11979 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
11980 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
11981 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
11985 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
11986 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
11988 @item set debug monitor
11989 @kindex set debug monitor
11990 @cindex display remote monitor communications
11991 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
11992 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
11994 @item show debug monitor
11995 @kindex show debug monitor
11996 Show the current status of displaying communications between
11997 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
12002 @kindex load @var{filename}
12003 @item load @var{filename}
12004 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
12005 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
12006 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
12007 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
12008 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
12009 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
12011 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
12012 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
12013 target is @dots{}}''
12015 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
12016 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
12017 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
12018 specifies a fixed address.
12019 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
12021 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
12025 @section Choosing target byte order
12027 @cindex choosing target byte order
12028 @cindex target byte order
12030 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
12031 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
12032 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
12033 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
12034 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
12035 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
12039 @item set endian big
12040 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
12042 @item set endian little
12043 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
12045 @item set endian auto
12046 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
12050 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
12054 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
12055 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
12059 @section Remote debugging
12060 @cindex remote debugging
12062 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
12063 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
12064 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
12065 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
12066 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
12068 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
12069 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
12070 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
12071 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
12072 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
12073 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
12075 Other remote targets may be available in your
12076 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
12078 Once you've connected to the remote target, @value{GDBN} allows you to
12079 send arbitrary commands to the remote monitor:
12082 @item remote @var{command}
12083 @kindex remote@r{, a command}
12084 @cindex send command to remote monitor
12085 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the remote monitor.
12090 @section Kernel Object Display
12091 @cindex kernel object display
12094 Some targets support kernel object display. Using this facility,
12095 @value{GDBN} communicates specially with the underlying operating system
12096 and can display information about operating system-level objects such as
12097 mutexes and other synchronization objects. Exactly which objects can be
12098 displayed is determined on a per-OS basis.
12101 Use the @code{set os} command to set the operating system. This tells
12102 @value{GDBN} which kernel object display module to initialize:
12105 (@value{GDBP}) set os cisco
12109 The associated command @code{show os} displays the operating system
12110 set with the @code{set os} command; if no operating system has been
12111 set, @code{show os} will display an empty string @samp{""}.
12113 If @code{set os} succeeds, @value{GDBN} will display some information
12114 about the operating system, and will create a new @code{info} command
12115 which can be used to query the target. The @code{info} command is named
12116 after the operating system:
12120 (@value{GDBP}) info cisco
12121 List of Cisco Kernel Objects
12123 any Any and all objects
12126 Further subcommands can be used to query about particular objects known
12129 There is currently no way to determine whether a given operating
12130 system is supported other than to try setting it with @kbd{set os
12131 @var{name}}, where @var{name} is the name of the operating system you
12135 @node Remote Debugging
12136 @chapter Debugging remote programs
12139 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
12140 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
12141 * Remote configuration:: Remote configuration
12142 * remote stub:: Implementing a remote stub
12146 @section Connecting to a remote target
12148 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
12149 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symobl and debugging information.
12150 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
12151 program as the first argument.
12153 @cindex @code{target remote}
12154 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
12155 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
12156 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
12157 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
12158 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
12159 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
12163 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
12164 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
12165 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
12166 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
12169 target remote /dev/ttyb
12172 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
12173 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
12174 (@pxref{Remote configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
12175 @code{target} command.
12177 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
12178 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
12179 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
12180 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
12181 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
12182 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
12183 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
12184 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
12187 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
12191 target remote manyfarms:2828
12194 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
12195 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
12196 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
12197 port 1234 on your local machine:
12200 target remote :1234
12204 Note that the colon is still required here.
12206 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
12207 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
12208 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
12209 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
12212 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
12215 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
12216 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
12217 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
12218 cause havoc with your debugging session.
12220 @item target remote | @var{command}
12221 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
12222 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
12223 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
12224 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
12225 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
12226 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
12227 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
12228 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
12230 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
12231 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
12232 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
12236 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
12237 commands to examine and change data and to step and continue the
12240 @cindex interrupting remote programs
12241 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
12242 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
12243 interrupt character (often @key{C-C}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
12244 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
12245 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
12246 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
12249 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
12250 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
12253 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
12254 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
12255 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
12256 goes back to waiting.
12259 @kindex detach (remote)
12261 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
12262 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
12263 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
12264 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
12265 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
12269 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
12270 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
12271 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
12272 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
12275 @cindex send command to remote monitor
12276 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
12277 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
12279 @item monitor @var{cmd}
12280 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
12281 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
12282 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
12283 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
12288 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} program
12291 @cindex remote connection without stubs
12292 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
12293 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
12294 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
12296 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
12297 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
12298 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
12299 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
12300 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
12301 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
12302 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
12303 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
12304 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
12305 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
12306 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
12307 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
12308 choice for debugging.
12310 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
12311 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
12315 @item On the target machine,
12316 you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug.
12317 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
12318 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
12319 system does all the symbol handling.
12321 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
12322 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
12326 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
12329 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
12330 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
12331 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
12335 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
12338 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
12341 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
12344 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
12347 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
12348 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
12349 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
12350 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
12351 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
12352 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
12353 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
12354 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
12355 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
12356 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
12357 @code{target remote} command.
12359 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
12360 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
12363 target> gdbserver @var{comm} --attach @var{pid}
12366 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
12367 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
12370 @cindex attach to a program by name
12371 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
12372 @code{pidof} utility:
12375 target> gdbserver @var{comm} --attach `pidof @var{PROGRAM}`
12378 In case more than one copy of @var{PROGRAM} is running, or @var{PROGRAM}
12379 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
12380 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
12382 @item On the host machine,
12383 connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a remote target}).
12384 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
12385 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
12386 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
12387 @samp{Connection refused}. You don't need to use the @code{load}
12388 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
12389 already on the target. However, if you want to load the symbols (as
12390 you normally would), do that with the @code{file} command, and issue
12391 it @emph{before} connecting to the server; otherwise, you will get an
12392 error message saying @code{"Program is already running"}, since the
12393 program is considered running after the connection.
12397 @node Remote configuration
12398 @section Remote configuration
12401 @kindex show remote
12402 This section documents the configuration options available when
12403 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
12404 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{The system call,
12405 system-call-allowed}.
12408 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
12409 @cindex adress size for remote targets
12410 @cindex bits in remote address
12411 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
12412 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
12413 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
12414 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
12416 @item show remoteaddresssize
12417 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
12419 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
12420 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
12421 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
12422 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
12425 @item show remotebaud
12426 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
12428 @item set remotebreak
12429 @cindex interrupt remote programs
12430 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
12431 @anchor{set remotebreak}
12432 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
12433 when you press the @key{Ctrl-C} key to interrupt the program running
12434 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
12435 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
12436 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
12438 @item show remotebreak
12439 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
12440 interrupt the remote program.
12442 @item set remotedebug
12443 @cindex debug remote protocol
12444 @cindex remote protocol debugging
12445 @cindex display remote packets
12446 Control the debugging of the remote protocol. When enabled, each
12447 packet sent to or received from the remote target is displayed. The
12450 @item show remotedebug
12451 Show the current setting of the remote protocol debugging.
12453 @item set remotedevice @var{device}
12454 @cindex serial port name
12455 Set the name of the serial port through which to communicate to the
12456 remote target to @var{device}. This is the device used by
12457 @value{GDBN} to open the serial communications line to the remote
12458 target. There's no default, so you must set a valid port name for the
12459 remote serial communications to work. (Some varieties of the
12460 @code{target} command accept the port name as part of their
12463 @item show remotedevice
12464 Show the current name of the serial port.
12466 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
12467 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
12468 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
12469 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
12472 @item show remotelogbase
12473 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
12476 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
12477 @cindex record serial communications on file
12478 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
12479 default is not to record at all.
12481 @item show remotelogfile.
12482 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
12483 serial communications.
12485 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
12486 @cindex timeout for serial communications
12487 @cindex remote timeout
12488 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
12489 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
12491 @item show remotetimeout
12492 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
12495 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
12496 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
12497 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
12498 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
12499 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
12500 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
12501 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
12502 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
12504 @item set remote fetch-register-packet
12505 @itemx set remote set-register-packet
12506 @itemx set remote P-packet
12507 @itemx set remote p-packet
12509 @cindex fetch registers from remote targets
12510 @cindex set registers in remote targets
12511 Determine whether @value{GDBN} can set and fetch registers from the
12512 remote target using the @samp{P} packets. The default depends on the
12513 remote stub's support of the @samp{P} packets (@value{GDBN} queries
12514 the stub when this packet is first required).
12516 @item show remote fetch-register-packet
12517 @itemx show remote set-register-packet
12518 @itemx show remote P-packet
12519 @itemx show remote p-packet
12520 Show the current setting of using the @samp{P} packets for setting and
12521 fetching registers from the remote target.
12523 @cindex binary downloads
12525 @item set remote binary-download-packet
12526 @itemx set remote X-packet
12527 Determine whether @value{GDBN} sends downloads in binary mode using
12528 the @samp{X} packets. The default is on.
12530 @item show remote binary-download-packet
12531 @itemx show remote X-packet
12532 Show the current setting of using the @samp{X} packets for binary
12535 @item set remote read-aux-vector-packet
12536 @cindex auxiliary vector of remote target
12537 @cindex @code{auxv}, and remote targets
12538 Set the use of the remote protocol's @samp{qPart:auxv:read} (target
12539 auxiliary vector read) request. This request is used to fetch the
12540 remote target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}, see @ref{OS Information,
12541 Auxiliary Vector}. The default setting depends on the remote stub's
12542 support of this request (@value{GDBN} queries the stub when this
12543 request is first required). @xref{General Query Packets, qPart}, for
12544 more information about this request.
12546 @item show remote read-aux-vector-packet
12547 Show the current setting of use of the @samp{qPart:auxv:read} request.
12549 @item set remote symbol-lookup-packet
12550 @cindex remote symbol lookup request
12551 Set the use of the remote protocol's @samp{qSymbol} (target symbol
12552 lookup) request. This request is used to communicate symbol
12553 information to the remote target, e.g., whenever a new shared library
12554 is loaded by the remote (@pxref{Files, shared libraries}). The
12555 default setting depends on the remote stub's support of this request
12556 (@value{GDBN} queries the stub when this request is first required).
12557 @xref{General Query Packets, qSymbol}, for more information about this
12560 @item show remote symbol-lookup-packet
12561 Show the current setting of use of the @samp{qSymbol} request.
12563 @item set remote verbose-resume-packet
12564 @cindex resume remote target
12565 @cindex signal thread, and remote targets
12566 @cindex single-step thread, and remote targets
12567 @cindex thread-specific operations on remote targets
12568 Set the use of the remote protocol's @samp{vCont} (descriptive resume)
12569 request. This request is used to resume specific threads in the
12570 remote target, and to single-step or signal them. The default setting
12571 depends on the remote stub's support of this request (@value{GDBN}
12572 queries the stub when this request is first required). This setting
12573 affects debugging of multithreaded programs: if @samp{vCont} cannot be
12574 used, @value{GDBN} might be unable to single-step a specific thread,
12575 especially under @code{set scheduler-locking off}; it is also
12576 impossible to pause a specific thread. @xref{Packets, vCont}, for
12579 @item show remote verbose-resume-packet
12580 Show the current setting of use of the @samp{vCont} request
12582 @item set remote software-breakpoint-packet
12583 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-packet
12584 @itemx set remote write-watchpoint-packet
12585 @itemx set remote read-watchpoint-packet
12586 @itemx set remote access-watchpoint-packet
12587 @itemx set remote Z-packet
12589 @cindex remote hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
12590 These commands enable or disable the use of @samp{Z} packets for
12591 setting breakpoints and watchpoints in the remote target. The default
12592 depends on the remote stub's support of the @samp{Z} packets
12593 (@value{GDBN} queries the stub when each packet is first required).
12594 The command @code{set remote Z-packet}, kept for back-compatibility,
12595 turns on or off all the features that require the use of @samp{Z}
12598 @item show remote software-breakpoint-packet
12599 @itemx show remote hardware-breakpoint-packet
12600 @itemx show remote write-watchpoint-packet
12601 @itemx show remote read-watchpoint-packet
12602 @itemx show remote access-watchpoint-packet
12603 @itemx show remote Z-packet
12604 Show the current setting of @samp{Z} packets usage.
12606 @item set remote get-thread-local-storage-address
12607 @kindex set remote get-thread-local-storage-address
12608 @cindex thread local storage of remote targets
12609 This command enables or disables the use of the @samp{qGetTLSAddr}
12610 (Get Thread Local Storage Address) request packet. The default
12611 depends on whether the remote stub supports this request.
12612 @xref{General Query Packets, qGetTLSAddr}, for more details about this
12615 @item show remote get-thread-local-storage-address
12616 @kindex show remote get-thread-local-storage-address
12617 Show the current setting of @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet usage.
12621 @section Implementing a remote stub
12623 @cindex debugging stub, example
12624 @cindex remote stub, example
12625 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
12626 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
12627 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
12628 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
12629 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
12630 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
12631 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
12632 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
12634 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
12635 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
12636 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
12637 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
12642 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
12643 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
12644 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
12647 A C subroutine library to support your program's
12648 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
12651 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
12652 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
12653 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
12657 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
12658 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
12659 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
12663 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
12664 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
12665 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
12667 @item On the target,
12668 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
12669 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
12670 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
12672 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
12673 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
12674 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} program}, for details.
12677 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
12678 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
12681 @cindex remote serial stub list
12682 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
12687 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
12690 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
12693 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
12694 @cindex Motorola 680x0
12696 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
12699 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
12702 For Renesas SH architectures.
12705 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
12707 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
12709 @item sparcl-stub.c
12710 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
12713 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
12717 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
12718 recently added stubs.
12721 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
12722 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
12723 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
12726 @node Stub Contents
12727 @subsection What the stub can do for you
12729 @cindex remote serial stub
12730 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
12734 @item set_debug_traps
12735 @findex set_debug_traps
12736 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
12737 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
12738 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
12739 beginning of your program.
12741 @item handle_exception
12742 @findex handle_exception
12743 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
12744 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
12745 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
12746 run when a trap is triggered.
12748 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
12749 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
12750 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
12751 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
12752 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
12753 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
12754 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
12755 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
12756 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
12760 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
12761 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
12762 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
12763 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
12764 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
12765 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
12766 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
12767 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
12768 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
12769 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
12770 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
12772 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
12773 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
12774 start of your debugging session.
12777 @node Bootstrapping
12778 @subsection What you must do for the stub
12780 @cindex remote stub, support routines
12781 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
12782 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
12783 debugging target machine.
12785 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
12789 @item int getDebugChar()
12790 @findex getDebugChar
12791 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
12792 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
12793 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
12795 @item void putDebugChar(int)
12796 @findex putDebugChar
12797 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
12798 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
12799 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
12802 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
12803 @cindex interrupting remote targets
12804 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
12805 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
12806 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
12807 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
12808 remote system to stop.
12810 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
12811 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
12812 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
12813 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
12815 Other routines you need to supply are:
12818 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
12819 @findex exceptionHandler
12820 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
12821 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
12822 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
12823 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
12824 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
12825 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
12826 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
12827 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
12828 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
12829 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
12830 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
12831 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
12832 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
12834 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
12835 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
12836 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
12837 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
12838 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
12840 @item void flush_i_cache()
12841 @findex flush_i_cache
12842 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
12843 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
12844 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
12846 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
12847 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
12851 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
12854 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
12856 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
12857 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
12858 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
12859 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
12862 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
12863 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
12864 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
12865 subroutines which @code{@value{GCC}} generates as inline code.
12868 @node Debug Session
12869 @subsection Putting it all together
12871 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
12872 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
12877 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
12878 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What you must do for the stub}):
12880 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
12881 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
12885 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
12893 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
12894 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
12897 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
12901 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
12902 function in your program, that function is called when
12903 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
12904 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
12905 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
12908 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
12909 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
12912 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
12913 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
12916 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
12917 @c document that. FIXME.
12918 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
12919 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
12922 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
12923 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a remote target}).
12927 @node Configurations
12928 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
12930 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
12931 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
12932 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
12934 There are three major categories of configurations: native
12935 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
12936 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
12937 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
12938 are quite different from each other.
12943 * Embedded Processors::
12950 This section describes details specific to particular native
12955 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
12956 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
12957 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
12958 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
12959 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
12960 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
12966 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
12967 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
12968 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
12971 @node BSD libkvm Interface
12972 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
12975 @cindex kernel memory image
12976 @cindex kernel crash dump
12978 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
12979 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
12980 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
12981 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
12982 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
12983 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
12984 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
12988 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
12991 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
12995 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
12998 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
13004 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
13007 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
13008 modern FreeBSD systems.
13011 @node SVR4 Process Information
13012 @subsection SVR4 process information
13014 @cindex examine process image
13015 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
13017 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
13018 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
13019 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
13020 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
13021 proc} is available to report information about the process running
13022 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
13023 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
13024 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
13025 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
13031 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
13032 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
13033 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
13034 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
13035 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
13036 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
13037 executable file's absolute file name.
13039 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
13040 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
13041 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
13042 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
13043 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
13044 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
13046 @item info proc mappings
13047 @cindex memory address space mappings
13048 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
13049 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
13050 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
13051 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
13052 memory access rights to that range.
13054 @item info proc stat
13055 @itemx info proc status
13056 @cindex process detailed status information
13057 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
13058 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
13059 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
13060 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
13061 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
13062 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
13063 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
13065 @item info proc all
13066 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
13067 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
13070 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
13071 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
13072 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
13073 @kindex info proc times
13074 @item info proc times
13075 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
13078 @kindex info proc id
13080 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
13081 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
13084 @item set procfs-trace
13085 @kindex set procfs-trace
13086 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
13087 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
13089 @item show procfs-trace
13090 @kindex show procfs-trace
13091 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
13093 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
13094 @kindex set procfs-file
13095 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
13096 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
13097 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
13100 @item show procfs-file
13101 @kindex show procfs-file
13102 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
13104 @item proc-trace-entry
13105 @itemx proc-trace-exit
13106 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
13107 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
13108 @kindex proc-trace-entry
13109 @kindex proc-trace-exit
13110 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
13111 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
13112 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
13113 from the @code{syscall} interface.
13116 @kindex info pidlist
13117 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
13118 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
13119 processes and all the threads within each process.
13122 @kindex info meminfo
13123 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
13124 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
13128 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
13129 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
13130 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
13131 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
13134 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
13135 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
13136 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
13137 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
13139 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
13140 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
13141 subsection describes those commands.
13146 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
13147 information about the target system and important OS structures.
13150 @cindex MS-DOS system info
13151 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
13152 @item info dos sysinfo
13153 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
13154 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
13155 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
13160 @cindex segment descriptor tables
13161 @cindex descriptor tables display
13163 @itemx info dos ldt
13164 @itemx info dos idt
13165 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
13166 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
13167 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
13168 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
13169 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
13170 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
13173 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
13174 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
13175 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
13176 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
13177 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
13179 @cindex garbled pointers
13180 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
13181 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
13182 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
13183 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
13184 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
13185 debugged program's data segment:
13188 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
13189 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
13193 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
13194 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
13196 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
13198 @itemx info dos pte
13199 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
13200 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
13201 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
13202 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
13203 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
13204 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
13205 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
13206 that is currently in use.
13208 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
13209 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
13210 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
13211 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
13212 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
13213 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
13214 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
13216 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
13217 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
13218 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
13221 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
13223 @cindex physical address from linear address
13224 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
13225 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
13226 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
13227 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
13228 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
13229 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
13230 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
13233 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
13234 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
13235 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
13239 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
13240 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
13241 attributes of that page.
13243 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
13244 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
13245 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
13246 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
13247 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
13248 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
13250 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
13254 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
13255 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
13256 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
13260 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
13261 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
13262 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
13263 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
13264 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
13266 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
13269 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
13270 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
13271 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
13272 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
13275 @kindex set com1base
13276 @kindex set com1irq
13277 @kindex set com2base
13278 @kindex set com2irq
13279 @kindex set com3base
13280 @kindex set com3irq
13281 @kindex set com4base
13282 @kindex set com4irq
13283 @item set com1base @var{addr}
13284 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
13287 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
13288 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
13289 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
13291 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
13292 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
13295 @kindex show com1base
13296 @kindex show com1irq
13297 @kindex show com2base
13298 @kindex show com2irq
13299 @kindex show com3base
13300 @kindex show com3irq
13301 @kindex show com4base
13302 @kindex show com4irq
13303 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
13304 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
13305 lines used by the COM ports.
13308 @kindex info serial
13309 @cindex DOS serial port status
13310 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
13311 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
13312 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
13313 counts of various errors encountered so far.
13317 @node Cygwin Native
13318 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE executables
13319 @cindex MS Windows debugging
13320 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
13321 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
13323 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
13324 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information. There are various
13325 additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in this subsection. The
13326 subsubsection @pxref{Non-debug DLL symbols} describes working with DLLs
13327 that have no debugging symbols.
13333 This is a prefix of MS Windows specific commands which print
13334 information about the target system and important OS structures.
13336 @item info w32 selector
13337 This command displays information returned by
13338 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
13339 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
13340 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
13341 Without argument, this command displays information
13342 about the the six segment registers.
13346 This is a Cygwin specific alias of info shared.
13348 @kindex dll-symbols
13350 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
13351 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
13353 @kindex set new-console
13354 @item set new-console @var{mode}
13355 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
13356 be started in a new console on next start.
13357 If @var{mode} is @code{off}i, the debuggee will
13358 be started in the same console as the debugger.
13360 @kindex show new-console
13361 @item show new-console
13362 Displays whether a new console is used
13363 when the debuggee is started.
13365 @kindex set new-group
13366 @item set new-group @var{mode}
13367 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
13368 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
13369 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
13372 @kindex show new-group
13373 @item show new-group
13374 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
13376 @kindex set debugevents
13377 @item set debugevents
13378 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
13379 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
13380 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
13381 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
13382 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
13384 @kindex set debugexec
13385 @item set debugexec
13386 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
13387 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
13389 @kindex set debugexceptions
13390 @item set debugexceptions
13391 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
13392 debuggee seen by the debugger.
13394 @kindex set debugmemory
13395 @item set debugmemory
13396 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
13397 and writes by the debugger.
13401 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
13402 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
13406 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
13411 * Non-debug DLL symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
13414 @node Non-debug DLL symbols
13415 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
13416 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
13417 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
13419 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
13420 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
13421 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
13422 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
13423 information contained in the DLL's export table. This subsubsection
13424 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
13425 ``minimal symbols''.
13427 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
13428 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
13429 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
13430 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
13431 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
13432 see the shared library information in @pxref{Files} or the
13433 @code{dll-symbols} command in @pxref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
13434 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
13435 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
13436 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
13438 @subsubsection DLL name prefixes
13440 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
13441 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
13442 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
13443 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
13444 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
13445 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
13446 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
13447 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
13448 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
13450 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
13451 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
13452 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
13453 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
13454 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols} (see
13455 @pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
13458 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
13459 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
13461 Non-debugging symbols:
13462 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
13463 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
13467 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
13468 All functions matching regular expression "!":
13470 Non-debugging symbols:
13471 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
13472 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
13473 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
13477 @subsubsection Working with minimal symbols
13479 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
13480 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
13481 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
13482 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
13483 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
13484 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
13485 a function within a DLL without a running program.
13487 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
13488 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
13489 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
13490 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
13494 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
13499 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
13500 0x10021610: "\230y\""
13503 And two possible solutions:
13506 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
13507 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
13511 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
13512 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
13513 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
13514 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
13515 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
13516 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
13519 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
13520 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
13521 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
13522 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
13523 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
13526 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
13527 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
13530 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
13531 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
13535 @subsection Commands specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd systems
13536 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
13538 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
13539 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
13544 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
13545 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
13546 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
13547 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
13548 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
13553 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
13554 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
13555 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
13557 @item set signal-thread
13558 @itemx set sigthread
13559 @kindex set signal-thread
13560 @kindex set sigthread
13561 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
13562 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
13563 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
13566 @item show signal-thread
13567 @itemx show sigthread
13568 @kindex show signal-thread
13569 @kindex show sigthread
13570 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
13571 delivered a signal.
13574 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
13575 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
13576 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
13577 continued by delivering a signal to it.
13580 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
13581 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
13584 @item set exceptions
13585 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
13586 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
13587 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
13588 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
13591 @item show exceptions
13592 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
13593 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
13595 @item set task pause
13596 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
13597 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
13598 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
13599 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
13600 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
13601 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
13602 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
13603 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
13604 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
13606 @item show task pause
13607 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
13608 Show the current state of task suspension.
13610 @item set task detach-suspend-count
13611 @cindex task suspend count
13612 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13613 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
13614 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
13616 @item show task detach-suspend-count
13617 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
13619 @item set task exception-port
13620 @itemx set task excp
13621 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13622 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
13623 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
13624 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
13626 @item set noninvasive
13627 @cindex noninvasive task options
13628 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
13629 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
13630 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
13631 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
13633 @item info send-rights
13634 @itemx info receive-rights
13635 @itemx info port-rights
13636 @itemx info port-sets
13637 @itemx info dead-names
13640 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13641 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13642 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13643 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13644 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13645 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
13646 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
13647 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
13648 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
13650 @item set thread pause
13651 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
13652 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13653 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
13654 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
13655 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
13656 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
13657 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
13658 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
13659 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
13660 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
13661 only the current thread.
13663 @item show thread pause
13664 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
13665 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
13667 @item set thread run
13668 This comamnd sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
13670 @item show thread run
13671 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
13673 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
13674 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13675 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13676 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
13677 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
13678 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
13679 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
13681 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
13682 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
13685 @item set thread exception-port
13686 @itemx set thread excp
13687 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
13688 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
13689 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
13691 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
13692 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
13693 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
13694 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
13696 @item set thread default
13697 @itemx show thread default
13698 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
13699 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
13700 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
13701 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
13702 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
13703 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
13704 the non-default commands.
13709 @subsection QNX Neutrino
13710 @cindex QNX Neutrino
13712 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
13716 @item set debug nto-debug
13717 @kindex set debug nto-debug
13718 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
13721 @item show debug nto-debug
13722 @kindex show debug nto-debug
13723 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
13728 @section Embedded Operating Systems
13730 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
13731 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
13735 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
13738 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
13739 various real-time operating systems.
13742 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
13748 @kindex target vxworks
13749 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
13750 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
13751 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
13755 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
13756 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
13758 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
13759 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
13760 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
13761 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
13762 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
13763 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
13764 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
13767 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
13768 @kindex vxworks-timeout
13769 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
13770 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
13771 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
13772 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
13773 of a thin network line.
13776 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
13777 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
13780 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
13781 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
13782 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
13783 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
13784 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
13785 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
13786 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
13787 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
13789 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
13791 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
13792 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
13793 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
13794 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
13796 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
13803 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
13804 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
13805 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
13808 @node VxWorks Connection
13809 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
13811 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
13812 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
13815 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
13819 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
13822 Attaching remote machine across net...
13827 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
13828 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
13829 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
13830 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}); if it fails
13831 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
13834 prog.o: No such file or directory.
13837 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
13838 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
13841 @node VxWorks Download
13842 @subsubsection VxWorks download
13844 @cindex download to VxWorks
13845 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
13846 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
13847 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
13848 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
13849 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
13850 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
13851 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
13852 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
13853 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
13854 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
13855 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
13856 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
13857 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
13858 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
13859 program, type this on VxWorks:
13862 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
13866 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
13869 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
13870 (vxgdb) load prog.o
13873 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
13876 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
13879 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
13880 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
13881 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
13882 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
13883 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
13884 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
13887 @node VxWorks Attach
13888 @subsubsection Running tasks
13890 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
13891 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
13895 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
13899 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
13900 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
13901 the time of attachment.
13903 @node Embedded Processors
13904 @section Embedded Processors
13906 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
13909 @cindex send command to simulator
13910 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
13911 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
13914 @item sim @var{command}
13915 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
13916 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
13917 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
13918 acceptable commands.
13924 * H8/300:: Renesas H8/300
13925 * H8/500:: Renesas H8/500
13926 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
13927 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
13928 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
13929 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
13930 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
13933 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
13934 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
13935 * ST2000:: Tandem ST2000
13936 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
13939 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
13940 * WinCE:: Windows CE child processes
13949 @item target rdi @var{dev}
13950 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
13951 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
13952 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
13955 @item target rdp @var{dev}
13960 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
13963 @item set arm disassembler
13965 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
13966 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
13968 @item show arm disassembler
13970 Show the current disassembly style.
13972 @item set arm apcs32
13973 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
13974 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
13976 @item show arm apcs32
13977 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
13979 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
13980 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
13981 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
13985 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
13987 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
13990 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
13992 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
13998 Show the current type of the FPU.
14001 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
14004 Show the currently used ABI.
14006 @item set debug arm
14007 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
14008 target support subsystem.
14010 @item show debug arm
14011 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
14014 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
14015 using the RDI interface:
14018 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
14020 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
14021 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
14022 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
14023 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
14026 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
14027 @kindex rdilogenable
14028 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
14029 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
14030 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
14031 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
14032 are logged to a file.
14034 @item set rdiromatzero
14035 @kindex set rdiromatzero
14036 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
14037 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
14038 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
14039 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
14040 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
14042 @item show rdiromatzero
14043 @kindex show rdiromatzero
14044 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
14046 @item set rdiheartbeat
14047 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
14048 @cindex RDI heartbeat
14049 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
14050 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
14051 well as the Angel monitor.
14053 @item show rdiheartbeat
14054 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
14055 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
14060 @subsection Renesas H8/300
14064 @kindex target hms@r{, with H8/300}
14065 @item target hms @var{dev}
14066 A Renesas SH, H8/300, or H8/500 board, attached via serial line to your host.
14067 Use special commands @code{device} and @code{speed} to control the serial
14068 line and the communications speed used.
14070 @kindex target e7000@r{, with H8/300}
14071 @item target e7000 @var{dev}
14072 E7000 emulator for Renesas H8 and SH.
14074 @kindex target sh3@r{, with H8/300}
14075 @kindex target sh3e@r{, with H8/300}
14076 @item target sh3 @var{dev}
14077 @itemx target sh3e @var{dev}
14078 Renesas SH-3 and SH-3E target systems.
14082 @cindex download to H8/300 or H8/500
14083 @cindex H8/300 or H8/500 download
14084 @cindex download to Renesas SH
14085 @cindex Renesas SH download
14086 When you select remote debugging to a Renesas SH, H8/300, or H8/500
14087 board, the @code{load} command downloads your program to the Renesas
14088 board and also opens it as the current executable target for
14089 @value{GDBN} on your host (like the @code{file} command).
14091 @value{GDBN} needs to know these things to talk to your
14092 Renesas SH, H8/300, or H8/500:
14096 that you want to use @samp{target hms}, the remote debugging interface
14097 for Renesas microprocessors, or @samp{target e7000}, the in-circuit
14098 emulator for the Renesas SH and the Renesas 300H. (@samp{target hms} is
14099 the default when @value{GDBN} is configured specifically for the Renesas SH,
14100 H8/300, or H8/500.)
14103 what serial device connects your host to your Renesas board (the first
14104 serial device available on your host is the default).
14107 what speed to use over the serial device.
14111 * Renesas Boards:: Connecting to Renesas boards.
14112 * Renesas ICE:: Using the E7000 In-Circuit Emulator.
14113 * Renesas Special:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Renesas micros.
14116 @node Renesas Boards
14117 @subsubsection Connecting to Renesas boards
14119 @c only for Unix hosts
14121 @cindex serial device, Renesas micros
14122 Use the special @code{@value{GDBN}} command @samp{device @var{port}} if you
14123 need to explicitly set the serial device. The default @var{port} is the
14124 first available port on your host. This is only necessary on Unix
14125 hosts, where it is typically something like @file{/dev/ttya}.
14128 @cindex serial line speed, Renesas micros
14129 @code{@value{GDBN}} has another special command to set the communications
14130 speed: @samp{speed @var{bps}}. This command also is only used from Unix
14131 hosts; on DOS hosts, set the line speed as usual from outside @value{GDBN} with
14132 the DOS @code{mode} command (for instance,
14133 @w{@kbd{mode com2:9600,n,8,1,p}} for a 9600@dmn{bps} connection).
14135 The @samp{device} and @samp{speed} commands are available only when you
14136 use a Unix host to debug your Renesas microprocessor programs. If you
14138 @value{GDBN} depends on an auxiliary terminate-and-stay-resident program
14139 called @code{asynctsr} to communicate with the development board
14140 through a PC serial port. You must also use the DOS @code{mode} command
14141 to set up the serial port on the DOS side.
14143 The following sample session illustrates the steps needed to start a
14144 program under @value{GDBN} control on an H8/300. The example uses a
14145 sample H8/300 program called @file{t.x}. The procedure is the same for
14146 the Renesas SH and the H8/500.
14148 First hook up your development board. In this example, we use a
14149 board attached to serial port @code{COM2}; if you use a different serial
14150 port, substitute its name in the argument of the @code{mode} command.
14151 When you call @code{asynctsr}, the auxiliary comms program used by the
14152 debugger, you give it just the numeric part of the serial port's name;
14153 for example, @samp{asyncstr 2} below runs @code{asyncstr} on
14157 C:\H8300\TEST> asynctsr 2
14158 C:\H8300\TEST> mode com2:9600,n,8,1,p
14160 Resident portion of MODE loaded
14162 COM2: 9600, n, 8, 1, p
14167 @emph{Warning:} We have noticed a bug in PC-NFS that conflicts with
14168 @code{asynctsr}. If you also run PC-NFS on your DOS host, you may need to
14169 disable it, or even boot without it, to use @code{asynctsr} to control
14170 your development board.
14173 @kindex target hms@r{, and serial protocol}
14174 Now that serial communications are set up, and the development board is
14175 connected, you can start up @value{GDBN}. Call @code{@value{GDBN}} with
14176 the name of your program as the argument. @code{@value{GDBN}} prompts
14177 you, as usual, with the prompt @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. Use two special
14178 commands to begin your debugging session: @samp{target hms} to specify
14179 cross-debugging to the Renesas board, and the @code{load} command to
14180 download your program to the board. @code{load} displays the names of
14181 the program's sections, and a @samp{*} for each 2K of data downloaded.
14182 (If you want to refresh @value{GDBN} data on symbols or on the
14183 executable file without downloading, use the @value{GDBN} commands
14184 @code{file} or @code{symbol-file}. These commands, and @code{load}
14185 itself, are described in @ref{Files,,Commands to specify files}.)
14188 (eg-C:\H8300\TEST) @value{GDBP} t.x
14189 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
14190 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
14192 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
14194 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1992 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
14195 (@value{GDBP}) target hms
14196 Connected to remote H8/300 HMS system.
14197 (@value{GDBP}) load t.x
14198 .text : 0x8000 .. 0xabde ***********
14199 .data : 0xabde .. 0xad30 *
14200 .stack : 0xf000 .. 0xf014 *
14203 At this point, you're ready to run or debug your program. From here on,
14204 you can use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands. The @code{break} command
14205 sets breakpoints; the @code{run} command starts your program;
14206 @code{print} or @code{x} display data; the @code{continue} command
14207 resumes execution after stopping at a breakpoint. You can use the
14208 @code{help} command at any time to find out more about @value{GDBN} commands.
14210 Remember, however, that @emph{operating system} facilities aren't
14211 available on your development board; for example, if your program hangs,
14212 you can't send an interrupt---but you can press the @sc{reset} switch!
14214 Use the @sc{reset} button on the development board
14217 to interrupt your program (don't use @kbd{ctl-C} on the DOS host---it has
14218 no way to pass an interrupt signal to the development board); and
14221 to return to the @value{GDBN} command prompt after your program finishes
14222 normally. The communications protocol provides no other way for @value{GDBN}
14223 to detect program completion.
14226 In either case, @value{GDBN} sees the effect of a @sc{reset} on the
14227 development board as a ``normal exit'' of your program.
14230 @subsubsection Using the E7000 in-circuit emulator
14232 @kindex target e7000@r{, with Renesas ICE}
14233 You can use the E7000 in-circuit emulator to develop code for either the
14234 Renesas SH or the H8/300H. Use one of these forms of the @samp{target
14235 e7000} command to connect @value{GDBN} to your E7000:
14238 @item target e7000 @var{port} @var{speed}
14239 Use this form if your E7000 is connected to a serial port. The
14240 @var{port} argument identifies what serial port to use (for example,
14241 @samp{com2}). The third argument is the line speed in bits per second
14242 (for example, @samp{9600}).
14244 @item target e7000 @var{hostname}
14245 If your E7000 is installed as a host on a TCP/IP network, you can just
14246 specify its hostname; @value{GDBN} uses @code{telnet} to connect.
14249 The following special commands are available when debugging with the
14253 @item e7000 @var{command}
14255 @cindex send command to E7000 monitor
14256 This sends the specified @var{command} to the E7000 monitor.
14258 @item ftplogin @var{machine} @var{username} @var{password} @var{dir}
14259 @kindex ftplogin@r{, E7000}
14260 This command records information for subsequent interface with the
14261 E7000 monitor via the FTP protocol: @value{GDBN} will log into the
14262 named @var{machine} using specified @var{username} and @var{password},
14263 and then chdir to the named directory @var{dir}.
14265 @item ftpload @var{file}
14266 @kindex ftpload@r{, E7000}
14267 This command uses credentials recorded by @code{ftplogin} to fetch and
14268 load the named @var{file} from the E7000 monitor.
14271 @kindex drain@r{, E7000}
14272 This command drains any pending text buffers stored on the E7000.
14274 @item set usehardbreakpoints
14275 @itemx show usehardbreakpoints
14276 @kindex set usehardbreakpoints@r{, E7000}
14277 @kindex show usehardbreakpoints@r{, E7000}
14278 @cindex hardware breakpoints, and E7000
14279 These commands set and show the use of hardware breakpoints for all
14280 breakpoints. @xref{Set Breaks, hardware-assisted breakpoint}, for
14281 more information about using hardware breakpoints selectively.
14284 @node Renesas Special
14285 @subsubsection Special @value{GDBN} commands for Renesas micros
14287 Some @value{GDBN} commands are available only for the H8/300:
14291 @kindex set machine
14292 @kindex show machine
14293 @item set machine h8300
14294 @itemx set machine h8300h
14295 Condition @value{GDBN} for one of the two variants of the H8/300
14296 architecture with @samp{set machine}. You can use @samp{show machine}
14297 to check which variant is currently in effect.
14306 @kindex set memory @var{mod}
14307 @cindex memory models, H8/500
14308 @item set memory @var{mod}
14310 Specify which H8/500 memory model (@var{mod}) you are using with
14311 @samp{set memory}; check which memory model is in effect with @samp{show
14312 memory}. The accepted values for @var{mod} are @code{small},
14313 @code{big}, @code{medium}, and @code{compact}.
14318 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
14321 @kindex target m32r
14322 @item target m32r @var{dev}
14323 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
14325 @kindex target m32rsdi
14326 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
14327 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
14330 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
14333 @item set download-path @var{path}
14334 @kindex set download-path
14335 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
14336 Set the default path for finding donwloadable @sc{srec} files.
14338 @item show download-path
14339 @kindex show download-path
14340 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
14342 @item set board-address @var{addr}
14343 @kindex set board-address
14344 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
14345 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
14347 @item show board-address
14348 @kindex show board-address
14349 Show the current IP address of the target board.
14351 @item set server-address @var{addr}
14352 @kindex set server-address
14353 @cindex download server address (M32R)
14354 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
14357 @item show server-address
14358 @kindex show server-address
14359 Display the IP address of the download server.
14361 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
14362 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
14363 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
14364 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
14365 executable file is uploaded.
14367 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
14368 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
14369 Test the @code{upload} command.
14372 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
14377 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
14378 This command resets the SDI connection.
14382 This command shows the SDI connection status.
14385 @kindex debug_chaos
14386 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
14387 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
14389 @item use_debug_dma
14390 @kindex use_debug_dma
14391 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
14394 @kindex use_mon_code
14395 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
14398 @kindex use_ib_break
14399 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
14401 @item use_dbt_break
14402 @kindex use_dbt_break
14403 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
14409 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and
14410 target command for the following ROM monitors.
14414 @kindex target abug
14415 @item target abug @var{dev}
14416 ABug ROM monitor for M68K.
14418 @kindex target cpu32bug
14419 @item target cpu32bug @var{dev}
14420 CPU32BUG monitor, running on a CPU32 (M68K) board.
14422 @kindex target dbug
14423 @item target dbug @var{dev}
14424 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
14427 @item target est @var{dev}
14428 EST-300 ICE monitor, running on a CPU32 (M68K) board.
14430 @kindex target rom68k
14431 @item target rom68k @var{dev}
14432 ROM 68K monitor, running on an M68K IDP board.
14438 @kindex target rombug
14439 @item target rombug @var{dev}
14440 ROMBUG ROM monitor for OS/9000.
14444 @node MIPS Embedded
14445 @subsection MIPS Embedded
14447 @cindex MIPS boards
14448 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
14449 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
14450 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
14453 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
14456 @item target mips @var{port}
14457 @kindex target mips @var{port}
14458 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
14459 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
14460 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
14461 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
14462 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
14463 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
14465 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
14466 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
14470 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
14471 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
14472 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
14473 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
14477 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
14478 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
14479 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
14480 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
14481 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
14483 @item target pmon @var{port}
14484 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
14487 @item target ddb @var{port}
14488 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
14489 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
14491 @item target lsi @var{port}
14492 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
14493 LSI variant of PMON.
14495 @kindex target r3900
14496 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
14497 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
14499 @kindex target array
14500 @item target array @var{dev}
14501 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
14507 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
14510 @item set mipsfpu double
14511 @itemx set mipsfpu single
14512 @itemx set mipsfpu none
14513 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
14514 @itemx show mipsfpu
14515 @kindex set mipsfpu
14516 @kindex show mipsfpu
14517 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
14518 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
14519 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
14520 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
14521 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
14522 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
14523 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
14524 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
14525 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
14526 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
14527 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
14528 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
14529 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
14531 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
14532 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
14533 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
14535 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
14536 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
14538 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
14539 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
14540 @itemx show timeout
14541 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
14542 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
14543 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
14544 @kindex set timeout
14545 @kindex show timeout
14546 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
14547 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
14548 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
14549 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
14550 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
14551 waiting for an acknowledgement of a packet with the @code{set
14552 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
14553 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
14554 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
14555 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
14557 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
14558 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
14559 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
14560 to run before stopping.
14562 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
14563 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
14564 @cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
14565 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
14566 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
14567 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
14569 @item show syn-garbage-limit
14570 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
14571 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
14572 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
14574 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
14575 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
14576 @cindex remote monitor prompt
14577 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
14578 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
14588 @item show monitor-prompt
14589 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
14590 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
14593 @item set monitor-warnings
14594 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
14595 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
14596 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
14597 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
14598 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
14600 @item show monitor-warnings
14601 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
14602 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
14604 @item pmon @var{command}
14605 @kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
14606 @cindex send PMON command
14607 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
14608 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
14611 @node OpenRISC 1000
14612 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
14613 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
14615 @cindex or1k boards
14616 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
14617 about platform and commands.
14621 @kindex target jtag
14622 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
14624 Connects to remote JTAG server.
14625 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
14626 connected via parallel port to the board.
14628 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
14631 @item or1ksim @var{command}
14632 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
14633 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
14635 @kindex info or1k spr
14636 @item info or1k spr
14637 Displays spr groups.
14639 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
14640 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
14641 Displays register names in selected group.
14643 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
14644 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
14645 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
14646 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
14647 Shows information about specified spr register.
14650 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
14651 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
14652 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
14653 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
14654 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
14657 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
14658 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
14659 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
14660 triggers can be set using:
14663 Load effective address/data
14665 Store effective address/data
14667 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
14672 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
14673 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
14675 @code{htrace} commands:
14676 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
14679 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
14680 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effecive Address(es)
14681 or Data. For example:
14683 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
14685 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
14689 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
14691 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
14692 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
14694 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
14695 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
14697 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
14698 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
14700 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
14701 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
14704 @item htrace enable
14705 @itemx htrace disable
14706 Enables/disables the HW trace.
14708 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
14709 Clears currently recorded trace data.
14711 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
14712 will be written there.
14714 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
14715 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
14717 @item htrace mode continuous
14718 Set continuous trace mode.
14720 @item htrace mode suspend
14721 Set suspend trace mode.
14726 @subsection PowerPC
14729 @kindex target dink32
14730 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
14731 DINK32 ROM monitor.
14733 @kindex target ppcbug
14734 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
14735 @kindex target ppcbug1
14736 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
14737 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
14740 @item target sds @var{dev}
14741 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
14744 @cindex SDS protocol
14745 The following commands specifi to the SDS protocol are supported
14749 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
14750 @kindex set sdstimeout
14751 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
14752 default is 2 seconds.
14754 @item show sdstimeout
14755 @kindex show sdstimeout
14756 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
14758 @item sds @var{command}
14759 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
14760 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
14765 @subsection HP PA Embedded
14769 @kindex target op50n
14770 @item target op50n @var{dev}
14771 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
14773 @kindex target w89k
14774 @item target w89k @var{dev}
14775 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
14780 @subsection Renesas SH
14784 @kindex target hms@r{, with Renesas SH}
14785 @item target hms @var{dev}
14786 A Renesas SH board attached via serial line to your host. Use special
14787 commands @code{device} and @code{speed} to control the serial line and
14788 the communications speed used.
14790 @kindex target e7000@r{, with Renesas SH}
14791 @item target e7000 @var{dev}
14792 E7000 emulator for Renesas SH.
14794 @kindex target sh3@r{, with SH}
14795 @kindex target sh3e@r{, with SH}
14796 @item target sh3 @var{dev}
14797 @item target sh3e @var{dev}
14798 Renesas SH-3 and SH-3E target systems.
14803 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
14807 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
14808 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
14809 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
14810 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
14811 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
14814 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
14815 @kindex remotetimeout
14816 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
14817 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
14818 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
14821 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
14822 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
14823 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
14824 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
14825 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
14828 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
14831 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
14834 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
14837 @cindex running, on Sparclet
14839 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
14840 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
14841 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
14843 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
14850 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
14851 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
14852 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
14853 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
14856 @node Sparclet File
14857 @subsubsection Setting file to debug
14859 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
14862 (gdbslet) file prog
14866 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
14867 @value{GDBN} locates
14868 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
14870 If the file was compiled with debug information (option "-g"), source
14871 files will be searched as well.
14872 @value{GDBN} locates
14873 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
14874 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}).
14876 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
14879 prog: No such file or directory.
14882 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
14883 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
14884 @code{target} command again.
14886 @node Sparclet Connection
14887 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
14889 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
14890 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
14893 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
14894 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
14895 main () at ../prog.c:3
14899 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
14905 @node Sparclet Download
14906 @subsubsection Sparclet download
14908 @cindex download to Sparclet
14909 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
14910 you can use the @value{GDBN}
14911 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
14912 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
14914 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
14915 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
14916 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
14917 of each of the file's sections.
14918 For instance, if the program
14919 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
14920 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
14923 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
14924 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
14927 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
14928 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
14929 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
14931 @node Sparclet Execution
14932 @subsubsection Running and debugging
14934 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
14935 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
14936 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
14937 manual for the list of commands.
14941 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
14943 Starting program: prog
14944 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
14945 3 char *symarg = 0;
14947 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
14952 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
14956 @kindex target sparclite
14957 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
14958 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
14959 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
14960 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
14966 @subsection Tandem ST2000
14968 @value{GDBN} may be used with a Tandem ST2000 phone switch, running Tandem's
14971 To connect your ST2000 to the host system, see the manufacturer's
14972 manual. Once the ST2000 is physically attached, you can run:
14975 target st2000 @var{dev} @var{speed}
14979 to establish it as your debugging environment. @var{dev} is normally
14980 the name of a serial device, such as @file{/dev/ttya}, connected to the
14981 ST2000 via a serial line. You can instead specify @var{dev} as a TCP
14982 connection (for example, to a serial line attached via a terminal
14983 concentrator) using the syntax @code{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
14985 The @code{load} and @code{attach} commands are @emph{not} defined for
14986 this target; you must load your program into the ST2000 as you normally
14987 would for standalone operation. @value{GDBN} reads debugging information
14988 (such as symbols) from a separate, debugging version of the program
14989 available on your host computer.
14990 @c FIXME!! This is terribly vague; what little content is here is
14991 @c basically hearsay.
14993 @cindex ST2000 auxiliary commands
14994 These auxiliary @value{GDBN} commands are available to help you with the ST2000
14998 @item st2000 @var{command}
14999 @kindex st2000 @var{cmd}
15000 @cindex STDBUG commands (ST2000)
15001 @cindex commands to STDBUG (ST2000)
15002 Send a @var{command} to the STDBUG monitor. See the manufacturer's
15003 manual for available commands.
15006 @cindex connect (to STDBUG)
15007 Connect the controlling terminal to the STDBUG command monitor. When
15008 you are done interacting with STDBUG, typing either of two character
15009 sequences gets you back to the @value{GDBN} command prompt:
15010 @kbd{@key{RET}~.} (Return, followed by tilde and period) or
15011 @kbd{@key{RET}~@key{C-d}} (Return, followed by tilde and control-D).
15015 @subsection Zilog Z8000
15018 @cindex simulator, Z8000
15019 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
15021 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
15024 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
15025 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
15026 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
15027 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
15030 @item target sim @var{args}
15032 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
15033 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
15034 options, specify them via @var{args}.
15038 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
15039 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
15040 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
15041 to run your program, and so on.
15043 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
15044 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
15045 additional items of information as specially named registers:
15050 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
15053 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
15056 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
15060 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
15061 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
15062 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
15063 simulated clock ticks.
15066 @subsection Atmel AVR
15069 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
15070 following AVR-specific commands:
15073 @item info io_registers
15074 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
15075 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
15076 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
15077 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
15084 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
15085 following CRIS-specific commands:
15088 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
15089 @cindex CRIS version
15090 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
15091 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
15092 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
15094 @item show cris-version
15095 Show the current CRIS version.
15097 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
15098 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
15099 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
15100 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
15103 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
15104 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
15106 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
15108 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
15109 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
15110 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
15112 @item show cris-mode
15113 Show the current CRIS mode.
15117 @subsection Renesas Super-H
15120 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
15125 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
15126 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
15130 @subsection Windows CE
15133 The following commands are available for Windows CE:
15136 @item set remotedirectory @var{dir}
15137 @kindex set remotedirectory
15138 Tell @value{GDBN} to upload files from the named directory @var{dir}.
15139 The default is @file{/gdb}, i.e.@: the root directory on the current
15142 @item show remotedirectory
15143 @kindex show remotedirectory
15144 Show the current value of the upload directory.
15146 @item set remoteupload @var{method}
15147 @kindex set remoteupload
15148 Set the method used to upload files to remote device. Valid values
15149 for @var{method} are @samp{always}, @samp{newer}, and @samp{never}.
15150 The default is @samp{newer}.
15152 @item show remoteupload
15153 @kindex show remoteupload
15154 Show the current setting of the upload method.
15156 @item set remoteaddhost
15157 @kindex set remoteaddhost
15158 Tell @value{GDBN} whether to add this host to the remote stub's
15159 arguments when you debug over a network.
15161 @item show remoteaddhost
15162 @kindex show remoteaddhost
15163 Show whether to add this host to remote stub's arguments when
15164 debugging over a network.
15168 @node Architectures
15169 @section Architectures
15171 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
15172 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
15179 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
15183 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific issues.
15186 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
15187 @kindex set struct-convention
15188 @cindex struct return convention
15189 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
15190 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
15191 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
15192 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
15193 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
15194 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
15195 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
15196 be returned in a register.
15198 @item show struct-convention
15199 @kindex show struct-convention
15200 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
15209 @kindex set rstack_high_address
15210 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
15211 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
15212 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
15213 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
15214 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
15215 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
15216 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
15217 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
15218 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
15219 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
15220 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
15223 @kindex show rstack_high_address
15224 @item show rstack_high_address
15225 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
15233 See the following section.
15238 @cindex stack on Alpha
15239 @cindex stack on MIPS
15240 @cindex Alpha stack
15242 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
15243 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
15244 find the beginning of a function.
15246 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
15247 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
15248 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
15249 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
15253 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
15254 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
15255 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
15256 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
15257 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
15258 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
15259 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
15260 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
15262 @item show heuristic-fence-post
15263 Display the current limit.
15267 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
15268 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
15270 Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
15274 @item set mips saved-gpreg-size @var{size}
15275 @kindex set mips saved-gpreg-size
15276 @cindex MIPS GP register size on stack
15277 Set the size of MIPS general-purpose registers saved on the stack.
15278 The argument @var{size} can be one of the following:
15282 32-bit GP registers
15284 64-bit GP registers
15286 Use the target's default setting or autodetect the saved size from the
15287 information contained in the executable. This is the default
15290 @item show mips saved-gpreg-size
15291 @kindex show mips saved-gpreg-size
15292 Show the current size of MIPS GP registers on the stack.
15294 @item set mips stack-arg-size @var{size}
15295 @kindex set mips stack-arg-size
15296 @cindex MIPS stack space for arguments
15297 Set the amount of stack space reserved for arguments to functions.
15298 The argument can be one of @code{"32"}, @code{"64"} or @code{"auto"}
15301 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
15302 @kindex set mips abi
15303 @cindex set ABI for MIPS
15304 Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
15305 values of @var{arg} are:
15309 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
15320 @item show mips abi
15321 @kindex show mips abi
15322 Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
15325 @itemx show mipsfpu
15326 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
15328 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
15329 @kindex set mips mask-address
15330 @cindex MIPS addresses, masking
15331 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
15332 MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
15333 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
15334 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
15336 @item show mips mask-address
15337 @kindex show mips mask-address
15338 Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
15341 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
15342 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
15343 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
15344 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
15345 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
15346 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
15348 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
15349 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
15350 Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
15352 @item set debug mips
15353 @kindex set debug mips
15354 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
15355 target code in @value{GDBN}.
15357 @item show debug mips
15358 @kindex show debug mips
15359 Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
15365 @cindex HPPA support
15367 When @value{GDBN} is debugging te HP PA architecture, it provides the
15368 following special commands:
15371 @item set debug hppa
15372 @kindex set debug hppa
15373 THis command determines whether HPPA architecture specific debugging
15374 messages are to be displayed.
15376 @item show debug hppa
15377 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
15379 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
15380 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
15381 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
15382 given @var{address}.
15387 @node Controlling GDB
15388 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
15390 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
15391 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
15392 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}. Other settings are
15397 * Editing:: Command editing
15398 * Command History:: Command history
15399 * Screen Size:: Screen size
15400 * Numbers:: Numbers
15401 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
15402 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
15403 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
15411 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
15412 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
15413 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
15414 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
15415 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
15416 which one you are talking to.
15418 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
15419 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
15420 or a prompt that does not.
15424 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
15425 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
15427 @kindex show prompt
15429 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
15433 @section Command editing
15435 @cindex command line editing
15437 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
15438 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
15439 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
15440 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
15441 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
15442 debugging sessions.
15444 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
15445 command @code{set}.
15448 @kindex set editing
15451 @itemx set editing on
15452 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
15454 @item set editing off
15455 Disable command line editing.
15457 @kindex show editing
15459 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
15462 @xref{Command Line Editing}, for more details about the Readline
15463 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
15464 encouraged to read that chapter.
15466 @node Command History
15467 @section Command history
15468 @cindex command history
15470 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
15471 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
15472 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
15475 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
15476 package, to provide the history facility. @xref{Using History
15477 Interactively}, for the detailed description of the History library.
15479 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
15480 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }. This
15481 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
15482 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
15483 pressed on a line by itself.
15485 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
15486 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
15487 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
15488 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
15490 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
15494 @cindex history substitution
15495 @cindex history file
15496 @kindex set history filename
15497 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
15498 @item set history filename @var{fname}
15499 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
15500 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
15501 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
15502 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
15503 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
15504 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
15505 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
15508 @cindex save command history
15509 @kindex set history save
15510 @item set history save
15511 @itemx set history save on
15512 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
15513 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
15515 @item set history save off
15516 Stop recording command history in a file.
15518 @cindex history size
15519 @kindex set history size
15520 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
15521 @item set history size @var{size}
15522 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
15523 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
15524 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
15527 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
15528 @xref{Event Designators}, for more details.
15530 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
15531 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
15532 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
15533 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
15534 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
15535 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
15536 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
15537 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
15539 The commands to control history expansion are:
15542 @item set history expansion on
15543 @itemx set history expansion
15544 @kindex set history expansion
15545 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
15547 @item set history expansion off
15548 Disable history expansion.
15551 @kindex show history
15553 @itemx show history filename
15554 @itemx show history save
15555 @itemx show history size
15556 @itemx show history expansion
15557 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
15558 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
15563 @kindex show commands
15564 @cindex show last commands
15565 @cindex display command history
15566 @item show commands
15567 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
15569 @item show commands @var{n}
15570 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
15572 @item show commands +
15573 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
15577 @section Screen size
15578 @cindex size of screen
15579 @cindex pauses in output
15581 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
15582 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
15583 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
15584 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
15585 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
15586 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
15587 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
15588 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
15590 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
15591 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
15592 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
15593 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
15594 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
15601 @kindex show height
15602 @item set height @var{lpp}
15604 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
15606 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
15607 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
15608 commands display the current settings.
15610 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
15611 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
15612 file or to an editor buffer.
15614 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
15615 from wrapping its output.
15617 @item set pagination on
15618 @itemx set pagination off
15619 @kindex set pagination
15620 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
15621 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}.
15623 @item show pagination
15624 @kindex show pagination
15625 Show the current pagination mode.
15630 @cindex number representation
15631 @cindex entering numbers
15633 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
15634 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
15635 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
15636 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
15637 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
15638 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
15639 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
15640 both input and output with the commands described below.
15643 @kindex set input-radix
15644 @item set input-radix @var{base}
15645 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
15646 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
15647 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
15651 set input-radix 012
15652 set input-radix 10.
15653 set input-radix 0xa
15657 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
15658 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
15659 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
15660 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
15661 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
15664 @kindex set output-radix
15665 @item set output-radix @var{base}
15666 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
15667 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
15668 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
15670 @kindex show input-radix
15671 @item show input-radix
15672 Display the current default base for numeric input.
15674 @kindex show output-radix
15675 @item show output-radix
15676 Display the current default base for numeric display.
15678 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
15682 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
15683 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
15684 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
15685 default value of 10.
15690 @section Configuring the current ABI
15692 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
15693 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
15694 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
15701 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
15702 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
15703 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
15704 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
15705 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
15706 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
15707 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
15712 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
15715 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
15717 @item set osabi @var{abi}
15718 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
15721 @cindex float promotion
15723 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
15724 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
15725 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
15726 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
15727 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
15728 @code{double} and then passed.
15730 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
15731 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
15732 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
15735 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
15736 @item set coerce-float-to-double
15737 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
15738 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
15739 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
15741 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
15742 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
15745 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
15746 @item show coerce-float-to-double
15747 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
15751 @kindex show cp-abi
15752 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
15753 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
15754 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
15755 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
15756 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
15757 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
15758 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
15759 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
15760 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
15761 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
15766 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
15769 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
15771 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
15772 @itemx set cp-abi auto
15773 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
15776 @node Messages/Warnings
15777 @section Optional warnings and messages
15779 @cindex verbose operation
15780 @cindex optional warnings
15781 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
15782 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
15783 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
15784 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
15786 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
15787 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
15788 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}.
15791 @kindex set verbose
15792 @item set verbose on
15793 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
15795 @item set verbose off
15796 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
15798 @kindex show verbose
15800 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
15803 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
15804 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
15805 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors reading
15810 @kindex set complaints
15811 @item set complaints @var{limit}
15812 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
15813 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
15814 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
15815 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
15817 @kindex show complaints
15818 @item show complaints
15819 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
15823 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
15824 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
15825 you try to run a program which is already running:
15829 The program being debugged has been started already.
15830 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
15833 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
15834 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
15838 @kindex set confirm
15840 @cindex confirmation
15841 @cindex stupid questions
15842 @item set confirm off
15843 Disables confirmation requests.
15845 @item set confirm on
15846 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
15848 @kindex show confirm
15850 Displays state of confirmation requests.
15854 @node Debugging Output
15855 @section Optional messages about internal happenings
15856 @cindex optional debugging messages
15858 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
15859 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
15860 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
15861 section documents those commands.
15864 @kindex set exec-done-display
15865 @item set exec-done-display
15866 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
15867 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
15868 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
15869 @kindex show exec-done-display
15870 @item show exec-done-display
15871 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
15874 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
15875 @cindex architecture debugging info
15876 @item set debug arch
15877 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
15879 @item show debug arch
15880 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
15881 @item set debug aix-thread
15882 @cindex AIX threads
15883 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
15885 @item show debug aix-thread
15886 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
15887 @item set debug event
15888 @cindex event debugging info
15889 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
15891 @item show debug event
15892 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
15894 @item set debug expression
15895 @cindex expression debugging info
15896 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
15897 expression parsing. The default is off.
15898 @item show debug expression
15899 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
15900 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
15901 @item set debug frame
15902 @cindex frame debugging info
15903 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
15905 @item show debug frame
15906 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
15908 @item set debug infrun
15909 @cindex inferior debugging info
15910 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
15911 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
15912 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
15913 @item show debug infrun
15914 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
15915 @item set debug lin-lwp
15916 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
15917 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
15918 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
15919 @item show debug lin-lwp
15920 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
15921 @item set debug observer
15922 @cindex observer debugging info
15923 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
15924 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
15925 @item show debug observer
15926 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
15927 @item set debug overload
15928 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
15929 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
15930 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
15932 @item show debug overload
15933 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
15935 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
15936 @cindex serial connections, debugging
15937 @item set debug remote
15938 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
15939 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
15940 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
15941 @item show debug remote
15942 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
15943 @item set debug serial
15944 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
15946 @item show debug serial
15947 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
15949 @item set debug solib-frv
15950 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
15951 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
15952 @item show debug solib-frv
15953 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
15955 @item set debug target
15956 @cindex target debugging info
15957 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
15958 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
15959 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
15960 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
15961 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
15962 @item show debug target
15963 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
15965 @item set debugvarobj
15966 @cindex variable object debugging info
15967 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
15968 info. The default is off.
15969 @item show debugvarobj
15970 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
15975 @chapter Canned Sequences of Commands
15977 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
15978 command lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
15979 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
15983 * Define:: How to define your own commands
15984 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
15985 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
15986 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
15990 @section User-defined commands
15992 @cindex user-defined command
15993 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
15994 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
15995 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
15996 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
15997 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
15998 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
16002 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
16007 To execute the command use:
16014 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
16015 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
16016 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
16019 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
16020 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
16021 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
16022 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
16027 print $arg0 + $arg1
16030 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
16038 @item define @var{commandname}
16039 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
16040 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
16042 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
16043 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
16044 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
16047 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
16048 @item document @var{commandname}
16049 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
16050 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
16051 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
16052 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
16053 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
16054 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
16056 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
16057 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
16058 does not change the documentation.
16060 @kindex dont-repeat
16061 @cindex don't repeat command
16063 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
16064 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
16065 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
16067 @kindex help user-defined
16068 @item help user-defined
16069 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
16074 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
16075 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
16076 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
16077 definitions for all user-defined commands.
16079 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
16080 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
16081 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
16082 @item show max-user-call-depth
16083 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
16084 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
16085 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before GDB suspects an
16086 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
16089 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
16090 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
16092 When user-defined commands are executed, the
16093 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
16094 stops execution of the user-defined command.
16096 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
16097 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
16098 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
16099 messages when used in a user-defined command.
16102 @section User-defined command hooks
16103 @cindex command hooks
16104 @cindex hooks, for commands
16105 @cindex hooks, pre-command
16108 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
16109 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
16110 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
16111 before that command.
16113 @cindex hooks, post-command
16115 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
16116 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
16117 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
16118 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
16119 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
16121 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
16122 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
16124 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
16125 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
16127 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
16128 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
16129 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
16130 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
16131 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
16133 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
16134 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
16139 handle SIGALRM nopass
16143 handle SIGALRM pass
16146 define hook-continue
16147 handle SIGLARM pass
16151 As a further example, to hook at the begining and end of the @code{echo}
16152 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
16160 define hookpost-echo
16164 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
16165 <<<---Hello World--->>>
16170 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
16171 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
16172 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
16173 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
16175 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
16176 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
16177 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
16179 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
16180 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
16182 @node Command Files
16183 @section Command files
16185 @cindex command files
16186 @cindex scripting commands
16187 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
16188 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
16189 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
16190 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
16193 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
16198 @cindex execute commands from a file
16199 @item source @var{filename}
16200 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
16203 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
16204 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
16205 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
16206 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
16207 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
16209 @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename} in the current directory and then
16210 on the search path (specified with the @samp{directory} command).
16212 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
16213 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
16214 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
16215 when called from command files.
16217 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
16218 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
16219 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
16220 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
16224 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
16227 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
16228 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
16229 would be directed to @file{log}.
16231 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
16232 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
16233 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
16234 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
16235 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
16236 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
16237 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
16238 conditionally, etc.
16245 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
16246 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
16247 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
16248 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
16249 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
16250 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
16251 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
16255 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
16256 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
16257 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
16258 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
16259 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
16260 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
16264 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
16265 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
16268 @kindex loop_continue
16269 @item loop_continue
16270 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
16271 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
16272 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
16273 the controlling expression.
16275 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
16277 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
16278 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
16283 @section Commands for controlled output
16285 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
16286 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
16287 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
16288 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
16293 @item echo @var{text}
16294 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
16295 @c because it is not in ANSI.
16296 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
16297 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
16298 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
16299 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
16300 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
16301 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
16302 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
16303 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
16304 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
16306 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
16307 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
16310 echo This is some text\n\
16311 which is continued\n\
16312 onto several lines.\n
16315 produces the same output as
16318 echo This is some text\n
16319 echo which is continued\n
16320 echo onto several lines.\n
16324 @item output @var{expression}
16325 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
16326 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
16327 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
16330 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
16331 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
16332 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
16333 formats}, for more information.
16336 @item printf @var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
16337 Print the values of the @var{expressions} under the control of
16338 @var{string}. The @var{expressions} are separated by commas and may be
16339 either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as specified by
16340 @var{string}, exactly as if your program were to execute the C
16342 @c FIXME: the above implies that at least all ANSI C formats are
16343 @c supported, but it isn't true: %E and %G don't work (or so it seems).
16344 @c Either this is a bug, or the manual should document what formats are
16348 printf (@var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
16351 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
16354 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
16357 The only backslash-escape sequences that you can use in the format
16358 string are the simple ones that consist of backslash followed by a
16363 @chapter Command Interpreters
16364 @cindex command interpreters
16366 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
16367 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
16368 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
16370 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
16371 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
16372 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
16373 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
16375 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
16376 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
16377 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
16378 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
16382 @cindex console interpreter
16383 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
16384 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
16385 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
16388 @cindex mi interpreter
16389 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
16390 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
16391 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
16395 @cindex mi2 interpreter
16396 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
16399 @cindex mi1 interpreter
16400 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
16404 @cindex invoke another interpreter
16405 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
16406 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
16407 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
16408 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
16409 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
16410 the IDE inoperable!
16412 @kindex interpreter-exec
16413 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
16414 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
16415 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
16416 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
16419 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
16422 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
16423 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
16426 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
16428 @cindex Text User Interface
16431 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
16432 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
16433 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
16434 * TUI Commands:: TUI specific commands
16435 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
16438 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface, TUI in short, is a terminal
16439 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
16440 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
16441 commands in separate text windows.
16443 The TUI is enabled by invoking @value{GDBN} using either
16445 @samp{gdbtui} or @samp{gdb -tui}.
16448 @section TUI overview
16450 The TUI has two display modes that can be switched while
16455 A curses (or TUI) mode in which it displays several text
16456 windows on the terminal.
16459 A standard mode which corresponds to the @value{GDBN} configured without
16463 In the TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text window
16468 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
16469 prompt and the @value{GDBN} outputs. The @value{GDBN} input is still
16470 managed using readline but through the TUI. The @emph{command}
16471 window is always visible.
16474 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
16475 line as well as active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
16478 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
16481 This window shows the processor registers. It detects when
16482 a register is changed and when this is the case, registers that have
16483 changed are highlighted.
16487 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
16488 by highlighting the current line and marking them with the @samp{>} marker.
16489 Breakpoints are also indicated with two markers. A first one
16490 indicates the breakpoint type:
16494 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
16497 Breakpoint which was never hit.
16500 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
16503 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
16507 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
16511 Breakpoint is enabled.
16514 Breakpoint is disabled.
16518 The source, assembly and register windows are attached to the thread
16519 and the frame position. They are updated when the current thread
16520 changes, when the frame changes or when the program counter changes.
16521 These three windows are arranged by the TUI according to several
16522 layouts. The layout defines which of these three windows are visible.
16523 The following layouts are available:
16533 source and assembly
16536 source and registers
16539 assembly and registers
16543 On top of the command window a status line gives various information
16544 concerning the current process begin debugged. The status line is
16545 updated when the information it shows changes. The following fields
16550 Indicates the current gdb target
16551 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
16554 Gives information about the current process or thread number.
16555 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
16558 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
16559 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
16560 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter
16561 the string @code{??} is displayed.
16564 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
16565 When the current line number is not known the string @code{??} is displayed.
16568 Indicates the current program counter address.
16573 @section TUI Key Bindings
16574 @cindex TUI key bindings
16576 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
16577 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
16578 They allow to leave or enter in the TUI mode or they operate
16579 directly on the TUI layout and windows. The TUI also provides
16580 a @emph{SingleKey} keymap which binds several keys directly to
16581 @value{GDBN} commands. The following key bindings
16582 are installed for both TUI mode and the @value{GDBN} standard mode.
16591 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When the TUI mode is left,
16592 the curses window management is left and @value{GDBN} operates using
16593 its standard mode writing on the terminal directly. When the TUI
16594 mode is entered, the control is given back to the curses windows.
16595 The screen is then refreshed.
16599 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
16600 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
16601 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
16603 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
16607 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
16608 layout shows already two windows, a next layout with two windows is used.
16609 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
16610 previous layout and the new one.
16612 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
16616 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
16617 (like scrolling and arrow keys) to the active window. This command
16618 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
16620 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
16624 Use the TUI @emph{SingleKey} keymap that binds single key to gdb commands
16625 (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
16629 The following key bindings are handled only by the TUI mode:
16634 Scroll the active window one page up.
16638 Scroll the active window one page down.
16642 Scroll the active window one line up.
16646 Scroll the active window one line down.
16650 Scroll the active window one column left.
16654 Scroll the active window one column right.
16658 Refresh the screen.
16662 In the TUI mode, the arrow keys are used by the active window
16663 for scrolling. This means they are available for readline when the
16664 active window is the command window. When the command window
16665 does not have the focus, it is necessary to use other readline
16666 key bindings such as @key{C-p}, @key{C-n}, @key{C-b} and @key{C-f}.
16668 @node TUI Single Key Mode
16669 @section TUI Single Key Mode
16670 @cindex TUI single key mode
16672 The TUI provides a @emph{SingleKey} mode in which it installs a particular
16673 key binding in the readline keymaps to connect single keys to
16677 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16681 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16685 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16689 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16693 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16695 exit the @emph{SingleKey} mode.
16697 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16701 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16705 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16709 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16713 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
16719 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
16720 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
16721 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
16722 with the TUI @emph{SingleKey} mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
16723 @emph{SingleKey} mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
16724 this mode is by hitting @key{q} or @samp{@key{C-x} @key{s}}.
16728 @section TUI specific commands
16729 @cindex TUI commands
16731 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
16732 These commands are always available, that is they do not depend on
16733 the current terminal mode in which @value{GDBN} runs. When @value{GDBN}
16734 is in the standard mode, using these commands will automatically switch
16740 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
16744 Display the next layout.
16747 Display the previous layout.
16750 Display the source window only.
16753 Display the assembly window only.
16756 Display the source and assembly window.
16759 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
16761 @item focus next | prev | src | asm | regs | split
16763 Set the focus to the named window.
16764 This command allows to change the active window so that scrolling keys
16765 can be affected to another window.
16769 Refresh the screen. This is similar to using @key{C-L} key.
16771 @item tui reg float
16773 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
16775 @item tui reg general
16776 Show the general registers in the register window.
16779 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
16780 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
16781 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
16782 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
16784 @item tui reg system
16785 Show the system registers in the register window.
16789 Update the source window and the current execution point.
16791 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
16792 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
16794 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
16795 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
16799 @kindex tabset @var{nchars}
16800 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
16804 @node TUI Configuration
16805 @section TUI configuration variables
16806 @cindex TUI configuration variables
16808 The TUI has several configuration variables that control the
16809 appearance of windows on the terminal.
16812 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
16813 @kindex set tui border-kind
16814 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
16815 The possible values are the following:
16818 Use a space character to draw the border.
16821 Use ascii characters + - and | to draw the border.
16824 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
16825 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
16829 @item set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
16830 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
16831 Select the attributes to display the border of the active window.
16832 The possible values are @code{normal}, @code{standout}, @code{reverse},
16833 @code{half}, @code{half-standout}, @code{bold} and @code{bold-standout}.
16835 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
16836 @kindex set tui border-mode
16837 Select the attributes to display the border of other windows.
16838 The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
16841 Use normal attributes to display the border.
16847 Use reverse video mode.
16850 Use half bright mode.
16852 @item half-standout
16853 Use half bright and standout mode.
16856 Use extra bright or bold mode.
16858 @item bold-standout
16859 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
16866 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
16869 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
16870 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
16871 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
16874 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
16875 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
16876 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
16877 created Emacs buffer.
16878 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
16880 Using @value{GDBN} under Emacs is just like using @value{GDBN} normally except for two
16885 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through the Emacs buffer.
16888 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
16889 and output done by the program you are debugging.
16891 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
16892 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
16895 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
16896 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
16897 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
16902 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
16905 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
16906 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
16907 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
16908 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
16911 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
16912 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
16914 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
16915 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
16916 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
16917 sets your current working directory to to the directory associated
16918 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
16919 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
16920 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
16921 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
16922 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
16924 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
16925 line of the @value{GDBN} I/O buffer and this serves as a default for
16926 the commands that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate
16927 on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}.
16929 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
16930 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
16931 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
16932 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
16935 In the @value{GDBN} I/O buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
16936 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
16940 Describe the features of Emacs' @value{GDBN} Mode.
16943 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
16944 update the display window to show the current file and location.
16947 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
16948 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
16949 to show the current file and location.
16952 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
16953 display window accordingly.
16956 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
16957 @code{finish} command.
16960 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
16964 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
16965 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
16966 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
16969 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
16970 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
16973 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x SPC} (@code{gud-break})
16974 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
16976 If you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, then Emacs displays a separate frame which
16977 shows a backtrace when the @value{GDBN} I/O buffer is current. Move
16978 point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it become the
16979 current frame and display the associated source in the source buffer.
16980 Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the selected frame become the
16983 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
16984 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
16985 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
16986 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
16989 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
16990 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
16991 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
16992 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
16993 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
16994 to correspond properly with the code.
16996 The description given here is for GNU Emacs version 21.3 and a more
16997 detailed description of its interaction with @value{GDBN} is given in
16998 the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}).
17000 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
17003 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
17007 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
17008 called the @code{epoch}
17009 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
17010 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
17011 each value is printed in its own window.
17016 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
17018 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
17020 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
17021 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
17022 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
17023 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
17024 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
17025 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
17027 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
17028 in the form of a reference manual.
17030 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
17031 features described below are incomplete and subject to change.
17033 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
17035 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
17036 This chapter uses the following notation:
17040 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
17043 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
17044 it may or may not be given.
17047 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
17048 may repeat zero or more times.
17051 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
17052 may repeat one or more times.
17055 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
17059 @heading Dependencies
17062 @heading Acknowledgments
17064 In alphabetic order: Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, Stan Shebs and
17068 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
17069 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
17070 * GDB/MI Output Records::
17071 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
17072 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Table Commands::
17073 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
17074 * GDB/MI Program Control::
17075 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
17077 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
17078 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
17079 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
17081 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
17082 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
17083 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
17084 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
17085 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
17086 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
17089 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
17090 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
17091 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
17094 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
17095 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
17096 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
17099 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
17100 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
17102 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
17103 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
17105 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
17106 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
17108 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
17109 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
17110 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
17112 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
17113 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
17114 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
17116 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
17117 "any sequence of digits"
17119 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
17120 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
17122 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
17123 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
17125 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
17126 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
17128 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
17129 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
17130 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
17132 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
17133 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
17135 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
17144 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
17145 output is described below.
17148 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
17152 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
17153 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
17154 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
17155 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
17156 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
17163 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
17166 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
17169 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
17170 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
17172 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
17173 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
17174 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
17175 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
17176 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
17177 terminated by @samp{(@value{GDBP})}.
17179 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
17180 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
17184 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
17185 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(@value{GDBP})" @var{nl}}
17187 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
17188 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
17190 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
17191 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
17193 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
17194 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
17196 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
17197 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
17199 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
17200 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
17202 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
17203 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
17205 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
17206 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
17208 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
17209 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
17211 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
17212 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
17213 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
17215 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
17216 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
17218 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
17219 @code{ @var{string} }
17221 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
17222 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
17224 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
17225 @code{@var{c-string}}
17227 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
17228 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
17230 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
17231 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
17232 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
17234 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
17235 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
17237 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
17238 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
17240 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
17241 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
17243 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
17244 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
17246 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
17249 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
17250 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
17258 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
17261 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. If an execution
17262 command is interrupted by the @samp{-exec-interrupt} command, the
17263 @var{token} associated with the @samp{*stopped} message is the one of the
17264 original execution command, not the one of the interrupt command.
17267 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
17268 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
17269 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
17270 prefixed by @samp{+}.
17273 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
17274 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
17275 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
17279 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
17280 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
17281 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
17282 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
17285 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
17286 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
17287 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
17288 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
17291 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
17292 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
17293 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
17296 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
17297 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
17298 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
17299 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
17302 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
17303 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
17309 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
17310 details about the various output records.
17312 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
17313 @subsection Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
17314 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
17316 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
17317 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
17318 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
17319 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
17321 @subsubheading Target Stop
17322 @c Ummm... There is no "-stop" command. This assumes async, no?
17323 Here's an example of stopping the inferior process:
17334 <- *stop,reason="stop",address="0x123",source="a.c:123"
17338 @subsubheading Simple CLI Command
17340 Here's an example of a simple CLI command being passed through
17341 @sc{gdb/mi} and on to the CLI.
17351 @subsubheading Command With Side Effects
17354 -> -symbol-file xyz.exe
17355 <- *breakpoint,nr="3",address="0x123",source="a.c:123"
17359 @subsubheading A Bad Command
17361 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
17365 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
17369 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
17370 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
17371 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
17373 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
17374 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
17375 To help users familiar with @value{GDBN}'s existing CLI interface, @sc{gdb/mi}
17376 accepts existing CLI commands. As specified by the syntax, such
17377 commands can be directly entered into the @sc{gdb/mi} interface and @value{GDBN} will
17380 This mechanism is provided as an aid to developers of @sc{gdb/mi}
17381 clients and not as a reliable interface into the CLI. Since the command
17382 is being interpreteted in an environment that assumes @sc{gdb/mi}
17383 behaviour, the exact output of such commands is likely to end up being
17384 an un-supported hybrid of @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI output.
17386 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
17387 @node GDB/MI Output Records
17388 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
17391 * GDB/MI Result Records::
17392 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
17393 * GDB/MI Out-of-band Records::
17396 @node GDB/MI Result Records
17397 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
17399 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
17400 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
17401 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
17402 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
17406 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
17407 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
17412 @c Is this one correct? Should it be an out-of-band notification?
17413 The asynchronous operation was successfully started. The target is
17416 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
17418 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
17422 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
17423 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
17425 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
17426 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
17427 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
17428 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
17429 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
17431 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
17432 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
17433 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
17434 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
17435 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
17438 @item "~" @var{string-output}
17439 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
17440 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
17442 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
17443 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
17446 @item "&" @var{string-output}
17447 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
17451 @node GDB/MI Out-of-band Records
17452 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Out-of-band Records
17454 @cindex out-of-band records in @sc{gdb/mi}
17455 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, out-of-band records
17456 @dfn{Out-of-band} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
17457 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
17458 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
17459 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
17461 The following is a preliminary list of possible out-of-band records.
17462 In particular, the @var{exec-async-output} records.
17465 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}"
17468 @var{reason} can be one of the following:
17471 @item breakpoint-hit
17472 A breakpoint was reached.
17473 @item watchpoint-trigger
17474 A watchpoint was triggered.
17475 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
17476 A read watchpoint was triggered.
17477 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
17478 An access watchpoint was triggered.
17479 @item function-finished
17480 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
17481 @item location-reached
17482 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
17483 @item watchpoint-scope
17484 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
17485 @item end-stepping-range
17486 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
17487 similar CLI command was accomplished.
17488 @item exited-signalled
17489 The inferior exited because of a signal.
17491 The inferior exited.
17492 @item exited-normally
17493 The inferior exited normally.
17494 @item signal-received
17495 A signal was received by the inferior.
17499 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
17500 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
17501 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
17503 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
17504 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
17506 Note the the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
17507 readability. They don't appear in the real output.
17508 Also note that the commands with a non-available example (N.A.@:) are
17509 not yet implemented.
17511 @subheading Motivation
17513 The motivation for this collection of commands.
17515 @subheading Introduction
17517 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
17519 @subheading Commands
17521 For each command in the block, the following is described:
17523 @subsubheading Synopsis
17526 -command @var{args}@dots{}
17529 @subsubheading Result
17531 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
17533 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
17535 @subsubheading Example
17537 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
17538 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Table Commands
17539 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint table commands
17541 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
17542 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
17543 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
17546 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
17547 @findex -break-after
17549 @subsubheading Synopsis
17552 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
17555 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
17556 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
17557 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
17558 @samp{-break-list} command below.
17560 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
17562 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
17564 @subsubheading Example
17569 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x000100d0",file="hello.c",
17570 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
17577 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
17578 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
17579 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
17580 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
17581 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
17582 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
17583 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
17584 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
17585 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
17586 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
17591 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
17592 @findex -break-catch
17594 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
17595 @findex -break-commands
17599 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
17600 @findex -break-condition
17602 @subsubheading Synopsis
17605 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
17608 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
17609 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
17610 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
17613 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
17615 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
17617 @subsubheading Example
17621 -break-condition 1 1
17625 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
17626 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
17627 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
17628 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
17629 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
17630 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
17631 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
17632 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
17633 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
17634 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
17638 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
17639 @findex -break-delete
17641 @subsubheading Synopsis
17644 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
17647 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
17648 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
17650 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
17652 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
17654 @subsubheading Example
17662 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
17663 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
17664 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
17665 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
17666 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
17667 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
17668 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
17673 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
17674 @findex -break-disable
17676 @subsubheading Synopsis
17679 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
17682 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
17683 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
17685 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
17687 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
17689 @subsubheading Example
17697 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
17698 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
17699 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
17700 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
17701 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
17702 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
17703 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
17704 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
17705 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
17706 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
17710 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
17711 @findex -break-enable
17713 @subsubheading Synopsis
17716 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
17719 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
17721 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
17723 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
17725 @subsubheading Example
17733 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
17734 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
17735 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
17736 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
17737 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
17738 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
17739 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
17740 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
17741 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
17742 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
17746 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
17747 @findex -break-info
17749 @subsubheading Synopsis
17752 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
17756 Get information about a single breakpoint.
17758 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
17760 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
17762 @subsubheading Example
17765 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
17766 @findex -break-insert
17768 @subsubheading Synopsis
17771 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -r ]
17772 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
17773 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{line} | @var{addr} ]
17777 If specified, @var{line}, can be one of:
17784 @item filename:linenum
17785 @item filename:function
17789 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
17793 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
17795 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
17796 @item -c @var{condition}
17797 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
17798 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
17799 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
17801 Insert a regular breakpoint in all the functions whose names match the
17802 given regular expression. Other flags are not applicable to regular
17806 @subsubheading Result
17808 The result is in the form:
17811 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
17812 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
17813 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",times="@var{times}"@}
17817 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
17818 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
17819 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
17820 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
17821 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
17822 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
17823 which use the same output).
17825 Note: this format is open to change.
17826 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
17828 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
17830 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
17831 @samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
17833 @subsubheading Example
17838 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
17839 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
17841 -break-insert -t foo
17842 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
17843 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
17846 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
17847 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
17848 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
17849 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
17850 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
17851 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
17852 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
17853 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
17854 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
17855 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
17856 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
17857 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
17858 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
17860 -break-insert -r foo.*
17861 ~int foo(int, int);
17862 ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
17863 "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
17867 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
17868 @findex -break-list
17870 @subsubheading Synopsis
17876 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
17880 number of the breakpoint
17882 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
17884 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
17887 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
17889 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
17891 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
17894 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
17897 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
17898 @code{body} field is an empty list.
17900 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
17902 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
17904 @subsubheading Example
17909 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
17910 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
17911 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
17912 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
17913 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
17914 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
17915 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
17916 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
17917 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
17918 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
17919 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
17920 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
17924 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
17929 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
17930 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
17931 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
17932 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
17933 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
17934 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
17935 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
17940 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
17941 @findex -break-watch
17943 @subsubheading Synopsis
17946 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
17949 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
17950 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e. a watchpoint that triggers either on a
17951 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
17952 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e. it will
17953 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
17954 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
17955 i.e. it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
17956 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting watchpoints}.
17958 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
17959 breakpoints inserted.
17961 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
17963 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
17966 @subsubheading Example
17968 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
17973 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
17977 ^done,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
17978 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
17979 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
17980 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
17984 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
17985 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
17986 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
17991 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
17995 ^done,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
17996 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
17997 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
17998 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
17999 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
18003 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
18004 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
18005 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
18006 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
18007 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
18011 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
18012 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
18018 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
18021 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
18022 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
18023 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
18024 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
18025 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
18026 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
18027 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
18028 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
18029 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
18030 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
18031 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
18032 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
18033 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
18037 ^done,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
18038 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
18039 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
18040 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
18041 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
18044 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
18045 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
18046 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
18047 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
18048 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
18049 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
18050 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
18051 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
18052 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
18053 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
18054 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
18055 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
18056 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
18060 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
18061 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
18062 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
18063 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
18064 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
18067 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
18068 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
18069 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
18070 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
18071 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
18072 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
18073 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
18074 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
18075 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
18076 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
18077 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
18082 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
18083 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
18084 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
18086 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
18087 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
18088 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
18089 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
18091 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
18092 @c @subheading -data-assign
18093 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
18094 @c @subsubheading GDB command
18096 @c @subsubheading Example
18099 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
18100 @findex -data-disassemble
18102 @subsubheading Synopsis
18106 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
18107 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
18115 @item @var{start-addr}
18116 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
18117 @item @var{end-addr}
18119 @item @var{filename}
18120 is the name of the file to disassemble
18121 @item @var{linenum}
18122 is the line number to disassemble around
18124 is the the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
18125 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
18126 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
18127 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
18128 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
18129 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
18130 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
18133 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly) or 1 (meaning mixed source and
18137 @subsubheading Result
18139 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
18148 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
18149 directely by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e. it is not possible to adjust its format.
18151 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18153 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
18155 @subsubheading Example
18157 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
18161 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
18164 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
18165 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
18166 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
18167 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
18168 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
18169 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
18170 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
18171 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
18172 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
18173 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
18177 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
18181 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
18183 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
18184 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
18185 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
18186 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
18187 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
18188 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
18190 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
18191 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
18195 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
18199 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
18201 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
18202 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
18203 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
18204 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
18205 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
18206 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
18210 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
18214 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
18216 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
18217 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
18218 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
18219 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
18220 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
18221 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
18222 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
18223 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
18224 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
18225 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
18226 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
18227 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
18232 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
18233 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
18235 @subsubheading Synopsis
18238 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
18241 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
18242 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
18243 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
18245 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18247 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
18248 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
18249 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
18251 @subsubheading Example
18253 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
18254 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
18255 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
18259 211-data-evaluate-expression A
18262 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
18263 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
18265 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
18268 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
18274 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
18275 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
18277 @subsubheading Synopsis
18280 -data-list-changed-registers
18283 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
18285 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18287 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
18288 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
18290 @subsubheading Example
18292 On a PPC MBX board:
18300 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",bkptno="1",frame=@{func="main",
18301 args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="5"@}
18303 -data-list-changed-registers
18304 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
18305 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
18306 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
18311 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
18312 @findex -data-list-register-names
18314 @subsubheading Synopsis
18317 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
18320 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
18321 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
18322 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
18323 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
18324 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
18325 include empty register names.
18327 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18329 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
18330 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
18331 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
18333 @subsubheading Example
18335 For the PPC MBX board:
18338 -data-list-register-names
18339 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
18340 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
18341 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
18342 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
18343 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
18344 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
18345 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
18347 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
18348 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
18352 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
18353 @findex -data-list-register-values
18355 @subsubheading Synopsis
18358 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
18361 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
18362 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
18363 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
18364 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
18366 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
18383 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18385 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
18386 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
18388 @subsubheading Example
18390 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
18391 don't appear in the actual output):
18395 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
18396 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
18397 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
18399 -data-list-register-values x
18400 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
18401 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
18402 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
18403 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
18404 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
18405 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
18406 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
18407 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
18408 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
18409 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
18410 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
18411 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
18412 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
18413 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
18414 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
18415 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
18416 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
18417 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
18418 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
18419 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
18420 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
18421 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
18422 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
18423 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
18424 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
18425 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
18426 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
18427 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
18428 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
18429 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
18430 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
18431 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
18432 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
18433 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
18434 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
18435 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
18440 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
18441 @findex -data-read-memory
18443 @subsubheading Synopsis
18446 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
18447 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
18448 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
18455 @item @var{address}
18456 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
18457 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
18458 quoted using the C convention.
18460 @item @var{word-format}
18461 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
18462 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
18465 @item @var{word-size}
18466 The size of each memory word in bytes.
18468 @item @var{nr-rows}
18469 The number of rows in the output table.
18471 @item @var{nr-cols}
18472 The number of columns in the output table.
18475 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
18476 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
18477 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
18478 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
18480 @item @var{byte-offset}
18481 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
18484 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
18485 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
18486 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
18487 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
18488 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
18489 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
18490 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
18493 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
18494 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
18497 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18499 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
18500 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
18502 @subsubheading Example
18504 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
18505 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
18506 word. Display each word in hex.
18510 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
18511 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
18512 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
18513 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
18514 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
18515 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
18516 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
18520 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
18521 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
18525 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
18526 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
18527 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
18528 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
18529 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
18533 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
18534 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
18535 used as the non-printable character.
18539 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
18540 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
18541 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
18542 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
18543 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
18544 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
18545 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
18546 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
18547 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
18548 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
18549 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
18550 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
18554 @subheading The @code{-display-delete} Command
18555 @findex -display-delete
18557 @subsubheading Synopsis
18560 -display-delete @var{number}
18563 Delete the display @var{number}.
18565 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18567 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete display}.
18569 @subsubheading Example
18573 @subheading The @code{-display-disable} Command
18574 @findex -display-disable
18576 @subsubheading Synopsis
18579 -display-disable @var{number}
18582 Disable display @var{number}.
18584 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18586 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable display}.
18588 @subsubheading Example
18592 @subheading The @code{-display-enable} Command
18593 @findex -display-enable
18595 @subsubheading Synopsis
18598 -display-enable @var{number}
18601 Enable display @var{number}.
18603 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18605 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable display}.
18607 @subsubheading Example
18611 @subheading The @code{-display-insert} Command
18612 @findex -display-insert
18614 @subsubheading Synopsis
18617 -display-insert @var{expression}
18620 Display @var{expression} every time the program stops.
18622 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18624 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{display}.
18626 @subsubheading Example
18630 @subheading The @code{-display-list} Command
18631 @findex -display-list
18633 @subsubheading Synopsis
18639 List the displays. Do not show the current values.
18641 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18643 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info display}.
18645 @subsubheading Example
18649 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
18650 @findex -environment-cd
18652 @subsubheading Synopsis
18655 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
18658 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
18660 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18662 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
18664 @subsubheading Example
18668 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
18674 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
18675 @findex -environment-directory
18677 @subsubheading Synopsis
18680 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
18683 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
18684 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
18685 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
18686 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
18688 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
18689 multiple directories in a single command
18690 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
18691 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
18692 If blanks are needed as
18693 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
18694 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
18695 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-seperator
18696 character must not be used
18697 in any directory name.
18698 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
18700 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18702 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
18704 @subsubheading Example
18708 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
18709 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
18711 -environment-directory ""
18712 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
18714 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
18715 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
18717 -environment-directory -r
18718 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
18723 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
18724 @findex -environment-path
18726 @subsubheading Synopsis
18729 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
18732 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
18733 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
18734 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
18735 supplied in addition to the
18736 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
18738 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
18739 multiple directories in a single command
18740 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
18741 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
18742 If blanks are needed as
18743 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
18744 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
18745 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-seperator
18746 character must not be used
18747 in any directory name.
18748 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
18751 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18753 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
18755 @subsubheading Example
18760 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
18762 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
18763 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
18765 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
18766 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
18771 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
18772 @findex -environment-pwd
18774 @subsubheading Synopsis
18780 Show the current working directory.
18782 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
18784 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
18786 @subsubheading Example
18791 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
18795 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
18796 @node GDB/MI Program Control
18797 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program control
18799 @subsubheading Program termination
18801 As a result of execution, the inferior program can run to completion, if
18802 it doesn't encounter any breakpoints. In this case the output will
18803 include an exit code, if the program has exited exceptionally.
18805 @subsubheading Examples
18808 Program exited normally:
18816 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
18821 Program exited exceptionally:
18829 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
18833 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
18834 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
18838 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
18839 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
18843 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
18844 @findex -exec-abort
18846 @subsubheading Synopsis
18852 Kill the inferior running program.
18854 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18856 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
18858 @subsubheading Example
18862 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
18863 @findex -exec-arguments
18865 @subsubheading Synopsis
18868 -exec-arguments @var{args}
18871 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
18874 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18876 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
18878 @subsubheading Example
18881 Don't have one around.
18884 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
18885 @findex -exec-continue
18887 @subsubheading Synopsis
18893 Asynchronous command. Resumes the execution of the inferior program
18894 until a breakpoint is encountered, or until the inferior exits.
18896 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18898 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
18900 @subsubheading Example
18907 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",bkptno="2",frame=@{func="foo",args=[],
18908 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="13"@}
18913 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
18914 @findex -exec-finish
18916 @subsubheading Synopsis
18922 Asynchronous command. Resumes the execution of the inferior program
18923 until the current function is exited. Displays the results returned by
18926 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18928 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
18930 @subsubheading Example
18932 Function returning @code{void}.
18939 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
18940 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
18944 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
18945 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
18952 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
18953 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
18954 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
18955 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
18960 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
18961 @findex -exec-interrupt
18963 @subsubheading Synopsis
18969 Asynchronous command. Interrupts the background execution of the target.
18970 Note how the token associated with the stop message is the one for the
18971 execution command that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt
18972 itself only appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
18973 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
18975 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
18977 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
18979 @subsubheading Example
18990 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
18991 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
18992 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
18997 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
19002 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
19005 @subsubheading Synopsis
19011 Asynchronous command. Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping
19012 when the beginning of the next source line is reached.
19014 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19016 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
19018 @subsubheading Example
19024 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
19029 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
19030 @findex -exec-next-instruction
19032 @subsubheading Synopsis
19035 -exec-next-instruction
19038 Asynchronous command. Executes one machine instruction. If the
19039 instruction is a function call continues until the function returns. If
19040 the program stops at an instruction in the middle of a source line, the
19041 address will be printed as well.
19043 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19045 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
19047 @subsubheading Example
19051 -exec-next-instruction
19055 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
19056 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
19061 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
19062 @findex -exec-return
19064 @subsubheading Synopsis
19070 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
19071 Displays the new current frame.
19073 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19075 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
19077 @subsubheading Example
19081 200-break-insert callee4
19082 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
19083 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
19088 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",bkptno="1",
19089 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
19090 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
19091 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
19097 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
19098 args=[@{name="strarg",
19099 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
19100 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
19101 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
19106 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
19109 @subsubheading Synopsis
19115 Asynchronous command. Starts execution of the inferior from the
19116 beginning. The inferior executes until either a breakpoint is
19117 encountered or the program exits.
19119 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19121 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
19123 @subsubheading Example
19128 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
19133 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",bkptno="1",
19134 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
19135 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
19140 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
19141 @findex -exec-show-arguments
19143 @subsubheading Synopsis
19146 -exec-show-arguments
19149 Print the arguments of the program.
19151 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19153 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
19155 @subsubheading Example
19158 @c @subheading -exec-signal
19160 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
19163 @subsubheading Synopsis
19169 Asynchronous command. Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping
19170 when the beginning of the next source line is reached, if the next
19171 source line is not a function call. If it is, stop at the first
19172 instruction of the called function.
19174 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19176 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
19178 @subsubheading Example
19180 Stepping into a function:
19186 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
19187 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
19188 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
19189 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
19199 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
19204 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
19205 @findex -exec-step-instruction
19207 @subsubheading Synopsis
19210 -exec-step-instruction
19213 Asynchronous command. Resumes the inferior which executes one machine
19214 instruction. The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
19215 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
19216 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed as
19219 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19221 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
19223 @subsubheading Example
19227 -exec-step-instruction
19231 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
19232 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
19233 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
19235 -exec-step-instruction
19239 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
19240 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
19241 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
19246 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
19247 @findex -exec-until
19249 @subsubheading Synopsis
19252 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
19255 Asynchronous command. Executes the inferior until the @var{location}
19256 specified in the argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior
19257 executes until a source line greater than the current one is reached.
19258 The reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
19260 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19262 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
19264 @subsubheading Example
19268 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
19272 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
19273 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
19278 @subheading -file-clear
19279 Is this going away????
19283 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
19284 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
19286 @subsubheading Synopsis
19289 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
19292 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
19293 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
19294 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
19295 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
19296 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
19299 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19301 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
19303 @subsubheading Example
19307 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
19313 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
19314 @findex -file-exec-file
19316 @subsubheading Synopsis
19319 -file-exec-file @var{file}
19322 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
19323 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
19324 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
19325 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
19328 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19330 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
19332 @subsubheading Example
19336 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
19342 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
19343 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
19345 @subsubheading Synopsis
19348 -file-list-exec-sections
19351 List the sections of the current executable file.
19353 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19355 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
19356 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
19357 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
19359 @subsubheading Example
19363 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
19364 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
19366 @subsubheading Synopsis
19369 -file-list-exec-source-file
19372 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
19373 to the current source file for the current executable.
19375 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19377 There's no @value{GDBN} command which directly corresponds to this one.
19379 @subsubheading Example
19383 123-file-list-exec-source-file
19384 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c"
19389 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
19390 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
19392 @subsubheading Synopsis
19395 -file-list-exec-source-files
19398 List the source files for the current executable.
19400 It will always output the filename, but only when GDB can find the absolute
19401 file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
19403 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19405 There's no @value{GDBN} command which directly corresponds to this one.
19406 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
19408 @subsubheading Example
19411 -file-list-exec-source-files
19413 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
19414 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
19415 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
19419 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
19420 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
19422 @subsubheading Synopsis
19425 -file-list-shared-libraries
19428 List the shared libraries in the program.
19430 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19432 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
19434 @subsubheading Example
19438 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
19439 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
19441 @subsubheading Synopsis
19444 -file-list-symbol-files
19449 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19451 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
19453 @subsubheading Example
19457 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
19458 @findex -file-symbol-file
19460 @subsubheading Synopsis
19463 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
19466 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
19467 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
19468 produced, except for a completion notification.
19470 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19472 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
19474 @subsubheading Example
19478 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
19483 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
19484 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
19485 @section Miscellaneous @value{GDBN} commands in @sc{gdb/mi}
19487 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
19489 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
19492 @subsubheading Synopsis
19498 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
19500 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19502 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
19504 @subsubheading Example
19511 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
19514 @subsubheading Synopsis
19520 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
19521 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
19523 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19525 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
19527 @subsubheading Example
19537 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
19540 @subsubheading Synopsis
19546 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
19548 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
19550 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
19552 @subsubheading Example
19561 @c @subheading -gdb-source
19564 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
19565 @findex -gdb-version
19567 @subsubheading Synopsis
19573 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
19575 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19577 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @value{GDBN} by default shows this
19578 information when you start an interactive session.
19580 @subsubheading Example
19582 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
19588 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
19589 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
19590 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
19591 ~ certain conditions.
19592 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
19593 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
19595 ~This GDB was configured as
19596 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
19601 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
19602 @findex -interpreter-exec
19604 @subheading Synopsis
19607 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
19610 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
19612 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
19614 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
19616 @subheading Example
19620 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
19621 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
19622 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
19623 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
19628 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
19629 @findex -inferior-tty-set
19631 @subheading Synopsis
19634 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
19637 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
19639 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
19641 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty /dev/pts/1}.
19643 @subheading Example
19647 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
19652 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
19653 @findex -inferior-tty-show
19655 @subheading Synopsis
19661 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
19663 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
19665 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
19667 @subheading Example
19671 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
19675 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
19680 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
19681 @node GDB/MI Kod Commands
19682 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Kod Commands
19684 The Kod commands are not implemented.
19686 @c @subheading -kod-info
19688 @c @subheading -kod-list
19690 @c @subheading -kod-list-object-types
19692 @c @subheading -kod-show
19694 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
19695 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
19696 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
19698 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
19700 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
19702 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
19704 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
19706 @c @subheading -overlay-map
19708 @c @subheading -overlay-off
19710 @c @subheading -overlay-on
19712 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
19714 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
19715 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
19716 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
19718 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
19720 @c @subheading -signal-handle
19722 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
19724 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
19728 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
19729 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
19730 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
19733 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
19734 @findex -stack-info-frame
19736 @subsubheading Synopsis
19742 Get info on the selected frame.
19744 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19746 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
19747 (without arguments).
19749 @subsubheading Example
19754 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
19755 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
19756 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
19760 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
19761 @findex -stack-info-depth
19763 @subsubheading Synopsis
19766 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
19769 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
19770 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
19772 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19774 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
19776 @subsubheading Example
19778 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
19785 -stack-info-depth 4
19788 -stack-info-depth 12
19791 -stack-info-depth 11
19794 -stack-info-depth 13
19799 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
19800 @findex -stack-list-arguments
19802 @subsubheading Synopsis
19805 -stack-list-arguments @var{show-values}
19806 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
19809 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
19810 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
19811 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole call
19814 The @var{show-values} argument must have a value of 0 or 1. A value of
19815 0 means that only the names of the arguments are listed, a value of 1
19816 means that both names and values of the arguments are printed.
19818 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19820 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
19821 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
19822 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
19824 @subsubheading Example
19831 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
19832 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
19833 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
19834 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
19835 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
19836 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
19837 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
19838 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
19839 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
19840 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
19841 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
19842 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
19843 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
19844 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
19845 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
19847 -stack-list-arguments 0
19850 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
19851 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
19852 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
19853 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
19854 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
19856 -stack-list-arguments 1
19859 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
19861 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
19862 frame=@{level="2",args=[
19863 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
19864 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
19865 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
19866 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
19867 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
19868 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
19869 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
19871 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
19872 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
19874 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
19875 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
19876 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
19877 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
19881 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
19884 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
19885 @findex -stack-list-frames
19887 @subsubheading Synopsis
19890 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
19893 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
19898 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e. the innermost function.
19900 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
19904 File name of the source file where the function lives.
19906 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
19909 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
19910 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
19911 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
19912 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level.
19914 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
19916 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
19918 @subsubheading Example
19920 Full stack backtrace:
19926 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
19927 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
19928 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19929 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19930 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19931 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19932 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19933 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19934 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19935 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19936 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19937 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19938 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19939 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19940 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19941 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19942 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19943 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19944 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19945 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19946 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19947 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19948 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
19949 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
19953 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
19957 -stack-list-frames 3 5
19959 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19960 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19961 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19962 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
19963 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19964 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
19968 Show a single frame:
19972 -stack-list-frames 3 3
19974 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
19975 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
19980 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
19981 @findex -stack-list-locals
19983 @subsubheading Synopsis
19986 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
19989 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
19990 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
19991 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
19992 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
19993 type and value for simple data types and the name and type for arrays,
19994 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
19995 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
19996 other data types when the the user wishes to explore their values in
19999 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20001 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
20003 @subsubheading Example
20007 -stack-list-locals 0
20008 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
20010 -stack-list-locals --all-values
20011 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
20012 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
20013 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
20014 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
20015 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
20020 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
20021 @findex -stack-select-frame
20023 @subsubheading Synopsis
20026 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
20029 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
20032 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20034 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
20035 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
20037 @subsubheading Example
20041 -stack-select-frame 2
20046 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20047 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
20048 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
20051 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
20052 @findex -symbol-info-address
20054 @subsubheading Synopsis
20057 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
20060 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
20062 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20064 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
20066 @subsubheading Example
20070 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
20071 @findex -symbol-info-file
20073 @subsubheading Synopsis
20079 Show the file for the symbol.
20081 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20083 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
20084 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
20086 @subsubheading Example
20090 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
20091 @findex -symbol-info-function
20093 @subsubheading Synopsis
20096 -symbol-info-function
20099 Show which function the symbol lives in.
20101 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20103 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
20105 @subsubheading Example
20109 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
20110 @findex -symbol-info-line
20112 @subsubheading Synopsis
20118 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
20120 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20122 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
20123 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
20125 @subsubheading Example
20129 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
20130 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
20132 @subsubheading Synopsis
20135 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
20138 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
20140 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20142 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
20144 @subsubheading Example
20148 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
20149 @findex -symbol-list-functions
20151 @subsubheading Synopsis
20154 -symbol-list-functions
20157 List the functions in the executable.
20159 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20161 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
20162 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
20164 @subsubheading Example
20168 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
20169 @findex -symbol-list-lines
20171 @subsubheading Synopsis
20174 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
20177 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
20178 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
20179 ascending PC order.
20181 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20183 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
20185 @subsubheading Example
20188 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
20189 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
20194 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
20195 @findex -symbol-list-types
20197 @subsubheading Synopsis
20203 List all the type names.
20205 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20207 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
20208 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
20210 @subsubheading Example
20214 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
20215 @findex -symbol-list-variables
20217 @subsubheading Synopsis
20220 -symbol-list-variables
20223 List all the global and static variable names.
20225 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20227 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
20229 @subsubheading Example
20233 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
20234 @findex -symbol-locate
20236 @subsubheading Synopsis
20242 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20244 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
20246 @subsubheading Example
20250 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
20251 @findex -symbol-type
20253 @subsubheading Synopsis
20256 -symbol-type @var{variable}
20259 Show type of @var{variable}.
20261 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20263 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
20264 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
20266 @subsubheading Example
20270 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20271 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
20272 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
20275 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
20276 @findex -target-attach
20278 @subsubheading Synopsis
20281 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{file}
20284 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of @value{GDBN}.
20286 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
20288 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
20290 @subsubheading Example
20294 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
20295 @findex -target-compare-sections
20297 @subsubheading Synopsis
20300 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
20303 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
20304 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
20306 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20308 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
20310 @subsubheading Example
20314 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
20315 @findex -target-detach
20317 @subsubheading Synopsis
20323 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output.
20325 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
20327 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
20329 @subsubheading Example
20339 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
20340 @findex -target-disconnect
20342 @subsubheading Synopsis
20348 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output.
20350 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
20352 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
20354 @subsubheading Example
20364 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
20365 @findex -target-download
20367 @subsubheading Synopsis
20373 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
20374 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
20378 The name of the section.
20380 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
20382 The size of the section.
20384 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
20386 The size of the overall executable to download.
20390 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
20391 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
20393 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
20394 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
20398 The name of the section.
20400 The size of the section.
20402 The size of the overall executable to download.
20406 At the end, a summary is printed.
20408 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20410 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
20412 @subsubheading Example
20414 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
20415 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
20420 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
20421 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
20422 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
20423 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
20424 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
20425 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
20426 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
20427 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
20428 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
20429 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
20430 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
20431 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
20432 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
20433 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
20434 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
20435 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
20436 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
20437 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
20438 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
20439 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
20440 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
20441 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
20442 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
20443 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
20444 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
20445 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
20446 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
20447 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
20448 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
20449 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
20450 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
20451 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
20452 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
20453 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
20454 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
20455 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
20456 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
20457 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
20458 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
20459 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
20460 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
20461 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
20462 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
20468 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
20469 @findex -target-exec-status
20471 @subsubheading Synopsis
20474 -target-exec-status
20477 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
20478 not, for instance).
20480 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20482 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
20484 @subsubheading Example
20488 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
20489 @findex -target-list-available-targets
20491 @subsubheading Synopsis
20494 -target-list-available-targets
20497 List the possible targets to connect to.
20499 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20501 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
20503 @subsubheading Example
20507 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
20508 @findex -target-list-current-targets
20510 @subsubheading Synopsis
20513 -target-list-current-targets
20516 Describe the current target.
20518 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20520 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
20523 @subsubheading Example
20527 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
20528 @findex -target-list-parameters
20530 @subsubheading Synopsis
20533 -target-list-parameters
20538 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20542 @subsubheading Example
20546 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
20547 @findex -target-select
20549 @subsubheading Synopsis
20552 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
20555 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
20559 The type of target, for instance @samp{async}, @samp{remote}, etc.
20560 @item @var{parameters}
20561 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
20562 Commands for managing targets}, for more details.
20565 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
20566 which the target program is, in the following form:
20569 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
20570 args=[@var{arg list}]
20573 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20575 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
20577 @subsubheading Example
20581 -target-select async /dev/ttya
20582 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
20586 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20587 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
20588 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
20591 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
20592 @findex -thread-info
20594 @subsubheading Synopsis
20600 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} command
20604 @subsubheading Example
20608 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-all-threads} Command
20609 @findex -thread-list-all-threads
20611 @subsubheading Synopsis
20614 -thread-list-all-threads
20617 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20619 The equivalent @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info threads}.
20621 @subsubheading Example
20625 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
20626 @findex -thread-list-ids
20628 @subsubheading Synopsis
20634 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
20635 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
20637 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20639 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
20641 @subsubheading Example
20643 No threads present, besides the main process:
20648 ^done,thread-ids=@{@},number-of-threads="0"
20658 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
20659 number-of-threads="3"
20664 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
20665 @findex -thread-select
20667 @subsubheading Synopsis
20670 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
20673 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
20674 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
20676 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20678 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
20680 @subsubheading Example
20687 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
20688 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
20692 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
20693 number-of-threads="3"
20696 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
20697 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
20698 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
20699 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
20703 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20704 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
20705 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
20707 The tracepoint commands are not yet implemented.
20709 @c @subheading -trace-actions
20711 @c @subheading -trace-delete
20713 @c @subheading -trace-disable
20715 @c @subheading -trace-dump
20717 @c @subheading -trace-enable
20719 @c @subheading -trace-exists
20721 @c @subheading -trace-find
20723 @c @subheading -trace-frame-number
20725 @c @subheading -trace-info
20727 @c @subheading -trace-insert
20729 @c @subheading -trace-list
20731 @c @subheading -trace-pass-count
20733 @c @subheading -trace-save
20735 @c @subheading -trace-start
20737 @c @subheading -trace-stop
20740 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20741 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
20742 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
20745 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
20747 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
20748 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
20749 used by @code{Insight}.
20751 The two main reasons for that are:
20755 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
20758 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
20762 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
20763 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
20764 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
20765 hints about their use.
20767 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
20768 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
20769 least, the following operations:
20772 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
20773 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
20774 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
20775 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
20778 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
20780 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
20781 The basic idea behind variable objects is the creation of a named object
20782 to represent a variable, an expression, a memory location or even a CPU
20783 register. For each object created, a set of operations is available for
20784 examining or changing its properties.
20786 Furthermore, complex data types, such as C structures, are represented
20787 in a tree format. For instance, the @code{struct} type variable is the
20788 root and the children will represent the struct members. If a child
20789 is itself of a complex type, it will also have children of its own.
20790 Appropriate language differences are handled for C, C@t{++} and Java.
20792 When returning the actual values of the objects, this facility allows
20793 for the individual selection of the display format used in the result
20794 creation. It can be chosen among: binary, decimal, hexadecimal, octal
20795 and natural. Natural refers to a default format automatically
20796 chosen based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
20797 for pointers, etc.).
20799 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
20800 access this functionality:
20802 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
20803 @item @strong{Operation}
20804 @tab @strong{Description}
20806 @item @code{-var-create}
20807 @tab create a variable object
20808 @item @code{-var-delete}
20809 @tab delete the variable object and its children
20810 @item @code{-var-set-format}
20811 @tab set the display format of this variable
20812 @item @code{-var-show-format}
20813 @tab show the display format of this variable
20814 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
20815 @tab tells how many children this object has
20816 @item @code{-var-list-children}
20817 @tab return a list of the object's children
20818 @item @code{-var-info-type}
20819 @tab show the type of this variable object
20820 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
20821 @tab print what this variable object represents
20822 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
20823 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
20824 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
20825 @tab get the value of this variable
20826 @item @code{-var-assign}
20827 @tab set the value of this variable
20828 @item @code{-var-update}
20829 @tab update the variable and its children
20832 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
20833 how it can be used.
20835 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
20837 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
20838 @findex -var-create
20840 @subsubheading Synopsis
20843 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
20844 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*"@} @var{expression}
20847 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
20848 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
20851 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
20852 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
20853 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
20854 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} on that format.
20855 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
20857 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
20858 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
20859 frame should be used.
20861 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
20862 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
20866 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
20869 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
20872 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
20875 @subsubheading Result
20877 This operation returns the name, number of children and the type of the
20878 object created. Type is returned as a string as the ones generated by
20879 the @value{GDBN} CLI:
20882 name="@var{name}",numchild="N",type="@var{type}"
20886 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
20887 @findex -var-delete
20889 @subsubheading Synopsis
20892 -var-delete @var{name}
20895 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
20897 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
20900 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
20901 @findex -var-set-format
20903 @subsubheading Synopsis
20906 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
20909 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
20912 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
20915 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
20916 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
20920 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
20921 @findex -var-show-format
20923 @subsubheading Synopsis
20926 -var-show-format @var{name}
20929 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
20932 @var{format} @expansion{}
20937 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
20938 @findex -var-info-num-children
20940 @subsubheading Synopsis
20943 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
20946 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
20953 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
20954 @findex -var-list-children
20956 @subsubheading Synopsis
20959 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name}
20961 @anchor{-var-list-children}
20963 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
20964 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
20965 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value for of 0 or
20966 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
20967 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
20968 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
20969 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
20972 @subsubheading Example
20976 -var-list-children n
20977 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[@{name=@var{name},
20978 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
20980 -var-list-children --all-values n
20981 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[@{name=@var{name},
20982 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
20986 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
20987 @findex -var-info-type
20989 @subsubheading Synopsis
20992 -var-info-type @var{name}
20995 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
20996 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
21000 type=@var{typename}
21004 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
21005 @findex -var-info-expression
21007 @subsubheading Synopsis
21010 -var-info-expression @var{name}
21013 Returns what is represented by the variable object @var{name}:
21016 lang=@var{lang-spec},exp=@var{expression}
21020 where @var{lang-spec} is @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
21022 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
21023 @findex -var-show-attributes
21025 @subsubheading Synopsis
21028 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
21031 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
21034 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
21038 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
21040 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
21041 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
21043 @subsubheading Synopsis
21046 -var-evaluate-expression @var{name}
21049 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
21050 object and returns its value as a string in the current format specified
21057 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
21058 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
21060 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
21061 @findex -var-assign
21063 @subsubheading Synopsis
21066 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
21069 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
21070 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
21071 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
21072 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
21074 @subsubheading Example
21082 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
21086 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
21087 @findex -var-update
21089 @subsubheading Synopsis
21092 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
21095 Update the value of the variable object @var{name} by evaluating its
21096 expression after fetching all the new values from memory or registers.
21097 A @samp{*} causes all existing variable objects to be updated. The
21098 option @var{print-values} determines whether names both and values, or
21099 just names are printed in the manner described for
21100 @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}).
21102 @subsubheading Example
21109 -var-update --all-values var1
21110 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
21111 type_changed="false"@}]
21116 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
21118 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
21119 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
21120 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
21121 relatively high level.
21123 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseeded by @sc{gdb/mi}
21127 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
21131 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
21132 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
21133 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
21134 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
21135 * Annotations for Running::
21136 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
21137 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
21140 @node Annotations Overview
21141 @section What is an Annotation?
21142 @cindex annotations
21144 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
21145 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
21146 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
21147 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
21148 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
21149 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
21150 cannot contain newline characters.
21152 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
21153 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
21154 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
21155 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
21156 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
21157 means those three characters as output.
21159 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
21160 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
21161 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
21162 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
21163 is for no anntations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
21164 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
21165 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
21166 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
21167 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
21170 @kindex set annotate
21171 @item set annotate @var{level}
21172 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
21173 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
21175 @item show annotate
21176 @kindex show annotate
21177 Show the current annotation level.
21180 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
21182 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
21185 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
21187 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
21188 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
21189 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
21190 under certain conditions.
21191 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
21192 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
21194 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
21205 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
21206 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
21207 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
21208 output from @value{GDBN}.
21211 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
21213 @cindex annotations for prompts
21214 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
21215 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
21218 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
21219 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
21220 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
21221 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
21222 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
21223 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
21224 features the following annotations:
21232 The input types are
21237 @findex post-prompt
21239 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
21241 @findex pre-commands
21243 @findex post-commands
21245 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
21246 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
21248 @findex pre-overload-choice
21249 @findex overload-choice
21250 @findex post-overload-choice
21251 @item overload-choice
21252 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
21258 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
21260 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue
21261 @findex prompt-for-continue
21262 @findex post-prompt-for-continue
21263 @item prompt-for-continue
21264 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
21265 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
21266 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
21267 presence of annotations.
21272 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
21279 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
21286 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
21288 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
21289 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
21290 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
21291 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
21292 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
21293 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
21296 @findex error-begin
21297 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
21303 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
21306 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
21307 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
21308 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
21311 @section Invalidation Notices
21313 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
21314 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
21318 @findex frames-invalid
21319 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
21321 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
21324 @findex breakpoints-invalid
21325 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
21327 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
21328 deleted a breakpoint.
21331 @node Annotations for Running
21332 @section Running the Program
21333 @cindex annotations for running programs
21337 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
21338 @code{step} or @code{continue},
21344 is output. When the program stops,
21350 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
21351 annotations describe how the program stopped.
21355 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
21356 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
21357 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
21360 @findex signal-name
21361 @findex signal-name-end
21362 @findex signal-string
21363 @findex signal-string-end
21364 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
21365 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
21366 annotation continues:
21372 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
21376 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
21381 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
21382 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
21383 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
21384 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
21385 user's benefit and have no particular format.
21389 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
21390 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
21391 terminated with it.
21394 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
21395 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
21398 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
21399 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
21402 @node Source Annotations
21403 @section Displaying Source
21404 @cindex annotations for source display
21407 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
21410 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
21413 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
21414 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
21415 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
21416 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
21417 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
21418 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
21419 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
21420 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
21421 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
21422 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
21423 depend on the language).
21426 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
21427 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
21428 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
21430 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
21432 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
21433 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
21434 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
21435 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
21437 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
21438 information that enables us to fix the bug.
21441 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
21442 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
21446 @section Have you found a bug?
21447 @cindex bug criteria
21449 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
21452 @cindex fatal signal
21453 @cindex debugger crash
21454 @cindex crash of debugger
21456 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
21457 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
21459 @cindex error on valid input
21461 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
21462 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
21463 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
21465 @cindex invalid input
21467 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
21468 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
21469 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
21470 for traditional practice''.
21473 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
21474 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
21477 @node Bug Reporting
21478 @section How to report bugs
21479 @cindex bug reports
21480 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
21482 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
21483 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
21484 contact that organization first.
21486 You can find contact information for many support companies and
21487 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
21489 @c should add a web page ref...
21491 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
21492 @value{GDBN}. The prefered method is to submit them directly using
21493 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
21494 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
21497 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
21498 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
21499 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
21502 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
21503 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
21504 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
21505 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
21506 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
21507 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
21508 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
21509 bug reports to the mailing list.
21511 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
21512 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
21513 fact or leave it out, state it!
21515 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
21516 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
21517 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
21518 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
21519 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
21520 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
21521 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
21522 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
21523 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
21525 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
21526 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
21527 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
21530 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
21531 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
21532 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
21535 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
21539 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
21540 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
21543 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
21544 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
21547 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
21551 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
21552 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
21555 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
21556 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
21557 C Compiler''. For GCC, you can say @code{gcc --version} to get this
21558 information; for other compilers, see the documentation for those
21562 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
21563 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
21564 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
21565 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
21567 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
21568 and then we might not encounter the bug.
21571 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
21575 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
21576 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
21578 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
21579 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
21580 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
21581 a chance to make a mistake.
21583 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
21584 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
21585 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
21586 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
21587 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
21588 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
21589 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
21590 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
21593 @cindex recording a session script
21594 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
21595 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
21596 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
21597 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
21599 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
21600 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
21603 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
21604 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
21605 it by context, not by line number.
21607 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
21608 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
21612 Here are some things that are not necessary:
21616 A description of the envelope of the bug.
21618 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
21619 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
21620 changes will not affect it.
21622 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
21623 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
21624 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
21625 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
21627 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
21628 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
21629 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
21630 less time, and so on.
21632 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
21633 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
21636 A patch for the bug.
21638 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
21639 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
21640 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
21641 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
21643 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
21644 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
21645 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
21646 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
21648 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
21649 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
21650 help us to understand.
21653 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
21655 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
21656 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
21659 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
21660 @c and consists of the two following files:
21662 @c inc-hist.texinfo
21663 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
21664 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
21665 @include rluser.texinfo
21666 @include inc-hist.texinfo
21669 @node Formatting Documentation
21670 @appendix Formatting Documentation
21672 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
21673 @cindex reference card
21674 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
21675 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
21676 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
21677 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
21678 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
21679 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
21681 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
21682 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
21688 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
21689 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
21690 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
21691 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
21692 your @sc{dvi} output program.
21694 @cindex documentation
21696 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
21697 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
21698 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
21699 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
21700 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
21701 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
21703 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
21704 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
21705 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
21706 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
21707 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
21708 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
21709 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
21710 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
21712 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
21713 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
21716 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
21717 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
21718 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
21725 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
21726 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
21727 Texinfo definitions file.
21729 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
21730 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
21731 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
21732 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
21733 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
21734 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
21735 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
21737 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
21738 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
21739 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
21740 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
21741 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
21744 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
21745 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the the @file{gdb}
21746 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
21747 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
21753 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
21755 @node Installing GDB
21756 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
21757 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
21758 @cindex installation
21759 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}, and source tree subdirectories
21761 @value{GDBN} comes with a @code{configure} script that automates the process
21762 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
21763 build the @code{gdb} program.
21765 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
21766 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
21767 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
21768 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
21771 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
21772 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
21773 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
21775 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
21776 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
21779 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
21780 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
21782 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
21783 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
21785 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
21786 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
21788 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
21789 @sc{gnu} include files
21791 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
21792 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
21794 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
21795 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
21797 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
21798 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
21800 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
21801 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
21803 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
21804 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
21807 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @code{configure}
21808 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
21809 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
21811 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
21812 if you are not already in it; then run @code{configure}. Pass the
21813 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
21819 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
21820 ./configure @var{host}
21825 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
21826 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
21827 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @code{configure} tries to guess the
21828 correct value by examining your system.)
21830 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
21831 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
21832 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
21833 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
21836 @code{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
21837 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
21838 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
21841 sh configure @var{host}
21844 If you run @code{configure} from a directory that contains source
21845 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
21846 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN}, @code{configure}
21847 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
21848 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
21850 You should run the @code{configure} script from the top directory in the
21851 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
21852 @code{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
21853 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
21854 if you run the first @code{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
21855 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
21856 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
21857 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
21858 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
21860 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
21861 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
21862 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
21863 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
21864 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
21867 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
21868 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
21869 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
21872 @node Separate Objdir
21873 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
21875 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
21876 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
21877 host and target. @code{configure} is designed to make this easy by
21878 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
21879 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
21880 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
21881 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
21882 program specified there.
21884 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @code{configure}
21885 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
21886 (You also need to specify a path to find @code{configure}
21887 itself from your working directory. If the path to @code{configure}
21888 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
21889 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
21891 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
21892 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
21896 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
21899 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
21904 When @code{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
21905 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
21906 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
21907 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
21908 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
21909 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
21911 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
21912 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
21913 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
21914 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
21915 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
21917 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
21918 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
21919 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
21920 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
21921 You specify a cross-debugging target by
21922 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @code{configure}.
21924 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
21925 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
21926 called @code{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
21928 The @code{Makefile} that @code{configure} generates in each source
21929 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
21930 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
21931 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
21932 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
21934 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
21935 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
21936 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
21940 @section Specifying names for hosts and targets
21942 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @code{configure}
21943 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
21944 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
21945 of information in the following pattern:
21948 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
21951 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
21952 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
21953 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
21955 The @code{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
21956 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
21957 aliases. @code{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
21958 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
21959 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
21960 abbreviations---for example:
21963 % sh config.sub i386-linux
21965 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
21966 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
21967 % sh config.sub hp9k700
21969 % sh config.sub sun4
21970 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
21971 % sh config.sub sun3
21972 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
21973 % sh config.sub i986v
21974 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
21978 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
21979 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
21981 @node Configure Options
21982 @section @code{configure} options
21984 Here is a summary of the @code{configure} options and arguments that
21985 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @code{configure} also has
21986 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
21987 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @code{configure}.
21990 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
21991 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
21992 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
21993 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
21994 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
21995 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
22000 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
22001 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
22006 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @code{configure}.
22008 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
22009 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
22012 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
22013 Configure the source to install programs under directory
22016 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
22018 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
22019 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
22020 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
22021 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
22022 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
22023 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
22024 directories. @code{configure} writes configuration specific files in
22025 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
22026 directory @var{dirname}. @code{configure} creates directories under
22027 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
22030 @item --norecursion
22031 Configure only the directory level where @code{configure} is executed; do not
22032 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
22034 @item --target=@var{target}
22035 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
22036 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
22037 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
22039 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
22041 @item @var{host} @dots{}
22042 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
22044 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
22047 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
22048 needed for special purposes only.
22050 @node Maintenance Commands
22051 @appendix Maintenance Commands
22052 @cindex maintenance commands
22053 @cindex internal commands
22055 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
22056 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
22057 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
22058 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
22059 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
22062 @kindex maint agent
22063 @item maint agent @var{expression}
22064 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
22065 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
22066 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
22068 @kindex maint info breakpoints
22069 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
22070 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
22071 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
22072 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
22073 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
22078 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
22081 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
22084 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
22085 @code{longjmp} calls.
22087 @item longjmp resume
22088 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
22091 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
22094 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
22097 Shared library events.
22101 @kindex maint check-symtabs
22102 @item maint check-symtabs
22103 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
22105 @kindex maint cplus first_component
22106 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
22107 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
22109 @kindex maint cplus namespace
22110 @item maint cplus namespace
22111 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
22113 @kindex maint demangle
22114 @item maint demangle @var{name}
22115 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C manled @var{name}.
22117 @kindex maint deprecate
22118 @kindex maint undeprecate
22119 @cindex deprecated commands
22120 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
22121 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
22122 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
22123 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
22124 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
22125 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
22126 the replacement as part of the warning.
22128 @kindex maint dump-me
22129 @item maint dump-me
22130 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
22131 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
22132 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
22133 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
22135 @kindex maint internal-error
22136 @kindex maint internal-warning
22137 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
22138 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
22139 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
22140 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
22141 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
22142 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
22143 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
22144 @value{GDBN} session.
22146 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
22147 used as the text of the error or warning message.
22149 Here's an example of using @code{indernal-error}:
22152 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
22153 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
22154 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
22155 debugging may prove unreliable.
22156 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
22157 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
22161 @kindex maint packet
22162 @item maint packet @var{text}
22163 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
22164 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
22165 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
22166 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
22169 @kindex maint print architecture
22170 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
22171 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
22172 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
22174 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
22175 @item maint print dummy-frames
22176 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
22179 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
22181 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
22182 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
22184 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
22186 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
22187 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
22188 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
22189 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
22193 Takes an optional file parameter.
22195 @kindex maint print registers
22196 @kindex maint print raw-registers
22197 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
22198 @kindex maint print register-groups
22199 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
22200 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
22201 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
22202 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
22203 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
22205 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
22206 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print cooked-registers}
22207 includes the (cooked) value of all registers; and the command
22208 @code{maint print register-groups} includes the groups that each
22209 register is a member of. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
22210 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
22212 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
22213 write the information.
22215 @kindex maint print reggroups
22216 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
22217 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
22218 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
22221 The register groups info looks like this:
22224 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
22237 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
22239 @kindex maint print objfiles
22240 @cindex info for known object files
22241 @item maint print objfiles
22242 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
22243 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
22246 @kindex maint print statistics
22247 @cindex bcache statistics
22248 @item maint print statistics
22249 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
22250 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
22251 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
22252 of minimal, partical, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
22253 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
22254 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
22255 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
22256 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
22257 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
22258 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
22261 @kindex maint print type
22262 @cindex type chain of a data type
22263 @item maint print type @var{expr}
22264 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
22265 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
22266 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
22267 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
22268 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
22270 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
22271 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
22272 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
22273 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
22274 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
22276 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
22277 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
22278 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
22279 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
22280 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
22281 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
22282 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
22283 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
22284 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
22286 @kindex maint set profile
22287 @kindex maint show profile
22288 @cindex profiling GDB
22289 @item maint set profile
22290 @itemx maint show profile
22291 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
22293 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
22294 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
22295 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
22296 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
22297 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
22298 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
22299 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
22301 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
22302 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
22304 @kindex maint show-debug-regs
22305 @cindex x86 hardware debug registers
22306 @item maint show-debug-regs
22307 Control whether to show variables that mirror the x86 hardware debug
22308 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
22309 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when GDB inserts or
22310 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
22311 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
22313 @kindex maint space
22314 @cindex memory used by commands
22316 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
22317 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
22318 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
22319 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
22320 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
22323 @cindex time of command execution
22325 Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
22326 set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
22327 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
22328 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
22329 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
22331 @kindex maint translate-address
22332 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
22333 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
22334 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
22335 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
22336 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
22337 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
22338 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
22342 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
22343 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
22346 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
22347 @kindex set watchdog
22348 @cindex watchdog timer
22349 @cindex timeout for commands
22350 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
22351 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
22352 reports and error and the command is aborted.
22354 @item show watchdog
22355 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
22358 @node Remote Protocol
22359 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
22364 * Stop Reply Packets::
22365 * General Query Packets::
22366 * Register Packet Format::
22367 * Tracepoint Packets::
22370 * File-I/O remote protocol extension::
22376 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
22377 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
22378 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
22379 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
22381 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
22382 transmitted and received data respectfully.
22384 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
22385 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
22386 @cindex remote serial protocol
22387 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments) are
22388 sent as a @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
22389 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
22390 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
22393 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
22397 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
22399 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
22400 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
22401 eight bit unsigned checksum).
22403 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
22404 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
22407 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
22410 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
22412 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
22413 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
22414 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
22416 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
22417 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
22418 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
22419 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
22423 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
22428 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
22429 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
22430 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
22431 when the operation has completed (the target has again stopped).
22433 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
22434 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
22437 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
22438 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
22439 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
22440 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
22442 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
22443 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
22444 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
22446 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space. A @samp{*}
22447 means that the next character is an @sc{ascii} encoding giving a repeat count
22448 which stands for that many repetitions of the character preceding the
22449 @samp{*}. The encoding is @code{n+29}, yielding a printable character
22450 where @code{n >=3} (which is where rle starts to win). The printable
22451 characters @samp{$}, @samp{#}, @samp{+} and @samp{-} or with a numeric
22452 value greater than 126 should not be used.
22459 means the same as "0000".
22461 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
22462 error number. That number is not well defined.
22464 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
22465 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
22466 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
22467 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
22470 A stub is required to support the @samp{g}, @samp{G}, @samp{m}, @samp{M},
22471 @samp{c}, and @samp{s} @var{command}s. All other @var{command}s are
22477 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
22478 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
22479 @xref{File-I/O remote protocol extension}, for details about the File
22480 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
22482 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
22483 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
22484 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
22485 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
22486 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
22487 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
22488 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
22489 @var{baz}. GDB does not transmit a space character between the
22490 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
22493 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
22494 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
22496 Here are the packet descriptions.
22501 @cindex @samp{!} packet
22502 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
22503 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
22509 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
22513 @cindex @samp{?} packet
22514 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
22518 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
22520 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
22521 @cindex @samp{A} packet
22522 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
22523 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
22524 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
22529 The arguments were set.
22535 @cindex @samp{b} packet
22536 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
22537 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
22539 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
22540 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
22541 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
22543 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
22544 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
22545 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
22546 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
22547 of view, nothing actually happened.}
22549 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
22550 @cindex @samp{B} packet
22551 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
22552 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
22554 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
22555 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
22557 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
22558 @cindex @samp{c} packet
22559 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
22560 resume at current address.
22563 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
22565 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
22566 @cindex @samp{C} packet
22567 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
22568 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
22571 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
22574 @cindex @samp{d} packet
22577 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
22578 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
22581 @cindex @samp{D} packet
22582 Detach @value{GDBN} from the remote system. Sent to the remote target
22583 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
22593 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
22594 @cindex @samp{F} packet
22595 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
22596 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
22597 remote protocol extension}, for the specification.
22600 @anchor{read registers packet}
22601 @cindex @samp{g} packet
22602 Read general registers.
22606 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
22607 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
22608 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
22609 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
22610 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal macros
22611 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{REGISTER_NAME} macros. The
22612 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
22617 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
22618 @cindex @samp{G} packet
22619 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
22620 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
22630 @item H @var{c} @var{t}
22631 @cindex @samp{H} packet
22632 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
22633 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} depends on the operation to be performed: it
22634 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations, @samp{g} for other
22635 operations. The thread designator @var{t} may be @samp{-1}, meaning all
22636 the threads, a thread number, or @samp{0} which means pick any thread.
22647 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
22648 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
22649 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
22650 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
22651 @c described. For example:
22653 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
22654 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
22655 @c otherwise returns current registers.
22657 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
22658 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
22659 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
22661 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
22662 @anchor{cycle step packet}
22663 @cindex @samp{i} packet
22664 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
22665 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
22666 step starting at that address.
22669 @cindex @samp{I} packet
22670 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
22674 @cindex @samp{k} packet
22677 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
22678 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
22681 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
22682 @cindex @samp{m} packet
22683 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
22684 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
22686 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
22687 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
22688 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
22689 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
22690 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
22691 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
22692 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
22693 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
22697 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
22698 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexidecimal
22699 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
22700 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
22705 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
22706 @cindex @samp{M} packet
22707 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
22708 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
22709 hexidecimal number.
22716 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
22721 @cindex @samp{p} packet
22722 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
22723 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
22724 register value is encoded.
22728 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
22729 the register's value
22733 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
22736 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
22737 @anchor{write register packet}
22738 @cindex @samp{P} packet
22739 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
22740 number @var{n} is in hexidecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
22741 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
22751 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
22752 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
22753 @cindex @samp{q} packet
22754 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
22755 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
22756 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
22759 @cindex @samp{r} packet
22760 Reset the entire system.
22762 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
22765 @cindex @samp{R} packet
22766 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
22767 This packet is only available in extended mode.
22769 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
22771 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
22772 @cindex @samp{s} packet
22773 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
22774 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
22777 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
22779 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
22780 @anchor{step with signal packet}
22781 @cindex @samp{S} packet
22782 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
22783 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
22786 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
22788 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
22789 @cindex @samp{t} packet
22790 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
22791 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
22792 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
22795 @cindex @samp{T} packet
22796 Find out if the thread XX is alive.
22801 thread is still alive
22807 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
22808 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
22810 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{tid}@r{]]}@dots{}
22811 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
22812 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
22813 If an action is specified with no @var{tid}, then it is applied to any
22814 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
22815 specified then other threads should remain stopped. Specifying multiple
22816 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
22817 Thread IDs are specified in hexadecimal. Currently supported actions are:
22823 Continue with signal @var{sig}. @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
22827 Step with signal @var{sig}. @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
22830 The optional @var{addr} argument normally associated with these packets is
22831 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
22834 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
22837 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
22838 Request a list of actions supporetd by the @samp{vCont} packet.
22842 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
22843 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
22844 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
22846 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
22849 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
22851 @cindex @samp{X} packet
22852 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
22853 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
22854 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data. The bytes @code{0x23}
22855 (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}), @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and
22856 @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}}) are escaped using @code{0x7d}
22857 (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}}), and then XORed with @code{0x20}. For example,
22858 the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two bytes @code{0x7d
22869 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{length}
22870 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{length}
22871 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
22872 @cindex @samp{z} packet
22873 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
22874 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
22875 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} and covering the next
22876 @var{length} bytes.
22878 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
22881 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
22882 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
22883 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
22884 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
22885 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
22886 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
22888 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{length}
22889 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{length}
22890 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
22891 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
22892 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
22893 @var{addr} of size @var{length}.
22895 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
22896 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
22897 @var{length} is used by targets that indicates the size of the
22898 breakpoint (in bytes) that should be inserted (e.g., the @sc{arm} and
22899 @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint).
22901 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
22902 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
22903 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
22904 target, is not defined.}
22916 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{length}
22917 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{length}
22918 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
22919 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
22920 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
22921 address @var{addr} of size @var{length}.
22923 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
22924 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory.
22926 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
22939 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{length}
22940 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{length}
22941 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
22942 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
22943 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint.
22955 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{length}
22956 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{length}
22957 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
22958 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
22959 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint.
22971 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{length}
22972 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{length}
22973 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
22974 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
22975 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint.
22989 @node Stop Reply Packets
22990 @section Stop Reply Packets
22991 @cindex stop reply packets
22993 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s} and @samp{?} packets can
22994 receive any of the below as a reply. In the case of the @samp{C},
22995 @samp{c}, @samp{S} and @samp{s} packets, that reply is only returned
22996 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
22997 number} is poorly defined. In general one of the UNIX signal
22998 numbering conventions is used.
23000 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
23001 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
23002 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
23008 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexidecimal
23011 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
23012 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
23013 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexidecimal
23014 number). Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported this way. The
23015 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs give the values of important registers or
23019 If @var{n} is a hexidecimal number, it is a register number, and the
23020 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
23021 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
23022 two-digit hex number.
23024 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the thread process ID, in
23027 If @var{n} is @samp{watch}, @samp{rwatch}, or @samp{awatch}, then the
23028 packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
23031 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
23032 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
23037 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
23038 applicable to certain targets.
23041 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
23043 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
23044 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
23045 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
23046 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
23047 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc.
23049 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
23050 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
23051 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
23052 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
23053 @xref{File-I/O remote protocol extension}, for a list of implemented
23056 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
23057 this very system call.
23059 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
23060 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
23061 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
23062 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
23063 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O remote
23064 protocol extension}, for more details.
23068 @node General Query Packets
23069 @section General Query Packets
23070 @cindex remote query requests
23072 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
23073 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
23074 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
23075 sending information to and from the stub.
23077 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
23078 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
23079 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
23080 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
23085 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
23087 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
23090 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
23091 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
23092 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
23093 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
23096 A query or set packet may optionally be followed by a @samp{,} or
23097 @samp{;} separated list. Stubs must be careful to match the full
23098 packet name, in case packet names have common prefixes.
23100 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
23101 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
23102 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
23103 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
23104 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
23106 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
23111 @cindex current thread, remote request
23112 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
23113 Return the current thread id.
23118 Where @var{pid} is an unsigned hexidecimal process id.
23119 @item @r{(anything else)}
23120 Any other reply implies the old pid.
23123 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
23124 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
23125 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
23126 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory.
23130 An error (such as memory fault)
23131 @item C @var{crc32}
23132 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
23136 @itemx qsThreadInfo
23137 @cindex list active threads, remote request
23138 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
23139 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
23140 Obtain a list of all active thread ids from the target (OS). Since there
23141 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
23142 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
23143 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
23144 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
23145 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
23147 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
23153 @item m @var{id},@var{id}@dots{}
23154 a comma-separated list of thread ids
23156 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
23159 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
23160 more thread ids, in big-endian unsigned hex, separated by commas.
23161 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
23162 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
23163 with @samp{l} (lower-case el, for @dfn{last}).
23165 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
23166 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
23167 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
23168 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
23169 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
23171 @var{thread-id} is the (big endian, hex encoded) thread id associated with the
23172 thread for which to fetch the TLS address.
23174 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
23175 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
23176 information associated with the variable.)
23178 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI specific encoding of the
23179 the load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
23180 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
23181 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
23182 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
23183 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
23187 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
23188 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
23189 local storage requested.
23192 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
23195 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
23198 Use of this request packet is controlled by the @code{set remote
23199 get-thread-local-storage-address} command (@pxref{Remote
23200 configuration, set remote get-thread-local-storage-address}).
23202 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
23203 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
23204 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
23205 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
23206 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
23207 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
23208 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
23210 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
23214 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
23215 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
23216 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
23217 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
23218 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
23219 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
23220 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
23224 @cindex section offsets, remote request
23225 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
23226 Get section offsets that the target used when re-locating the downloaded
23227 image. @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset is included in the
23228 response, @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data}
23229 offset to the @code{Bss} section.}
23233 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy};Bss=@var{zzz}
23236 @item qP @var{mode} @var{threadid}
23237 @cindex thread information, remote request
23238 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
23239 Returns information on @var{threadid}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
23240 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{threadid} is a hex encoded 64 bit thread ID.
23242 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
23244 @item qPart:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
23245 @cindex read special object, remote request
23246 @cindex @samp{qPart} packet
23247 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
23248 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
23249 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
23250 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to the object; it can supply
23251 additional details about what data to access.
23253 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
23254 @samp{qPart:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
23255 formats, listed below.
23258 @item qPart:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
23259 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
23260 auxiliary vector}, and see @ref{Remote configuration,
23261 read-aux-vector-packet}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
23267 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
23268 There is no more data to be read.
23270 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
23271 Hex encoded data bytes read.
23272 This may be fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the request.
23275 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
23278 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
23279 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
23282 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} or @var{annex} string was not
23283 recognized by the stub.
23286 @item qPart:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
23287 @cindex write data into object, remote request
23288 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
23289 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
23290 into the data. @samp{@var{data}@dots{}} is the hex-encoded data to be
23291 written. The content and encoding of @var{annex} is specific to the
23292 object; it can supply additional details about what data to access.
23294 No requests of this form are presently in use. This specification
23295 serves as a placeholder to document the common format that new
23296 specific request specifications ought to use.
23301 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
23302 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
23305 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
23308 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
23309 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
23312 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} or @var{annex} string was not
23313 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
23316 @item qPart:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
23317 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
23318 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
23319 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
23320 must respond with an empty packet.
23322 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
23323 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
23324 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
23325 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
23326 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
23327 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
23328 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
23329 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
23330 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
23335 A command response with no output.
23337 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
23339 Indicate a badly formed request.
23341 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
23345 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
23346 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
23347 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
23348 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
23353 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
23354 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
23355 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
23356 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
23357 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
23361 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
23362 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
23364 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
23365 target has previously requested.
23367 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
23368 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
23374 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
23375 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
23376 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
23377 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
23378 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
23383 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
23385 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{id}
23386 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
23387 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
23388 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
23389 the target OS. @var{id} is a thread-id in big-endian hex. This
23390 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
23391 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
23392 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
23393 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
23394 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
23398 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
23399 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
23400 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
23401 the thread's attributes.
23409 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
23413 @node Register Packet Format
23414 @section Register Packet Format
23416 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
23417 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
23418 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
23419 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transfered in target
23420 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transfered
23421 most-significant - least-significant.
23427 All registers are transfered as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
23428 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
23429 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
23433 All registers are transfered as sixty-four bit quantities (including
23434 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
23439 @node Tracepoint Packets
23440 @section Tracepoint Packets
23441 @cindex tracepoint packets
23442 @cindex packets, tracepoint
23444 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
23445 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
23449 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}@r{[}-@r{]}
23450 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
23451 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
23452 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
23453 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If the trailing @samp{-} is
23454 present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this
23455 tracepoint's actions.
23460 The packet was understood and carried out.
23462 The packet was not recognized.
23465 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
23466 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
23467 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
23468 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
23469 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
23470 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
23471 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
23473 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
23474 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
23475 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
23476 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
23477 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
23478 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
23479 tracepoint actions.
23481 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
23482 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
23488 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
23489 a hexidecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
23490 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
23491 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
23492 not fit in a 32-bit word.
23494 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
23495 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
23496 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
23497 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
23498 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
23499 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexidecimal
23500 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
23502 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
23503 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
23504 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
23505 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
23506 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
23507 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
23512 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
23513 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
23514 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
23515 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
23516 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
23517 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
23518 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
23519 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
23524 The packet was understood and carried out.
23526 The packet was not recognized.
23529 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
23530 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
23531 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
23532 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
23534 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
23535 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
23536 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
23537 one of the following forms:
23541 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
23542 @var{f} is a hexidecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
23543 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
23546 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
23547 @var{t} is a hexidecimal number.
23551 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
23552 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
23553 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
23554 @var{addr} is a hexidecimal number.
23556 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
23557 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
23558 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
23559 is a hexidecimal number.
23561 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
23562 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
23563 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
23564 and @var{end} (exclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexidecimal
23567 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
23568 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
23569 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses.
23572 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from tracepoint
23573 hits in the trace frame buffer.
23576 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
23579 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
23581 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
23582 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
23583 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
23584 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
23586 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
23587 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
23588 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
23589 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
23592 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
23597 There is no trace experiment running.
23599 There is a trace experiment running.
23606 @section Interrupts
23607 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
23609 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
23610 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C} or a @code{BREAK},
23611 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{remotebreak}
23612 setting (@pxref{set remotebreak}).
23614 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
23615 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does
23616 not currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
23619 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
23620 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
23621 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
23622 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
23623 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
23624 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
23625 (@pxref{X packet}, used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
23626 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
23628 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
23629 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
23630 implementation defined. If the stub is successful at interrupting the
23631 running program, it is expected that it will send one of the Stop
23632 Reply Packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
23633 of successfully stopping the program. Interrupts received while the
23634 program is stopped will be discarded.
23639 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
23640 does not get any direct output:
23645 @emph{target restarts}
23648 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
23652 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
23655 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
23660 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
23664 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
23668 @node File-I/O remote protocol extension
23669 @section File-I/O remote protocol extension
23670 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
23673 * File-I/O Overview::
23674 * Protocol basics::
23675 * The F request packet::
23676 * The F reply packet::
23677 * Memory transfer::
23678 * The Ctrl-C message::
23680 * The isatty call::
23681 * The system call::
23682 * List of supported calls::
23683 * Protocol specific representation of datatypes::
23685 * File-I/O Examples::
23688 @node File-I/O Overview
23689 @subsection File-I/O Overview
23690 @cindex file-i/o overview
23692 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
23693 target to use the host's file system and console I/O when calling various
23694 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
23695 remote protocol packet to the host system which then performs the needed
23696 actions and returns with an adequate response packet to the target system.
23697 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
23699 The protocol is defined host- and target-system independent. It uses
23700 its own independent representation of datatypes and values. Both,
23701 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
23702 translating the system dependent values into the unified protocol values
23703 when data is transmitted.
23705 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only
23706 when GDB is waiting for the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s}
23707 packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
23708 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
23709 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interuptible by target signals. It
23710 is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt (Ctrl-C), though.
23712 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
23713 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
23714 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
23715 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
23716 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
23719 (@value{GDBP}) continue
23720 <- target requests 'system call X'
23721 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
23722 -> GDB returns result
23723 ... target continues, GDB returns to wait for the target
23724 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
23727 The protocol is only used for files on the host file system and
23728 for I/O on the console. Character or block special devices, pipes,
23729 named pipes or sockets or any other communication method on the host
23730 system are not supported by this protocol.
23732 @node Protocol basics
23733 @subsection Protocol basics
23734 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
23736 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet, as request as well
23737 as as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
23738 @value{GDBN} is waiting for the continuing or stepping target, the
23739 File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
23740 of a former @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
23741 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
23742 to call the appropriate host system call:
23746 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
23749 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
23750 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
23751 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
23752 Numerical control values are given in a protocol specific representation.
23756 At that point @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
23760 If parameter pointer values are given, which point to data needed as input
23761 to a system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
23762 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
23763 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
23767 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
23768 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
23771 @value{GDBN} calls the system call
23774 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
23777 If pointer parameters in the request packet point to buffer space in which
23778 a system call is expected to copy data to, the data is transmitted to the
23779 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
23780 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
23785 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
23786 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
23793 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
23800 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
23801 the latest continue or step action.
23803 @node The F request packet
23804 @subsection The @code{F} request packet
23805 @cindex file-i/o request packet
23806 @cindex @code{F} request packet
23808 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
23813 @code{F}@var{call-id}@code{,}@var{parameter@dots{}}
23816 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
23817 This is just the name of the function.
23819 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
23823 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the real values in case
23824 of scalar datatypes, as pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
23825 datatypes and unspecified memory areas or as pointer/length pairs in case
23826 of string parameters. These are appended to the call-id, each separated
23827 from its predecessor by a comma. All values are transmitted in ASCII
23828 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
23830 @node The F reply packet
23831 @subsection The @code{F} reply packet
23832 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
23833 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
23835 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
23840 @code{F}@var{retcode}@code{,}@var{errno}@code{,}@var{Ctrl-C flag}@code{;}@var{call specific attachment}
23843 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
23845 @var{errno} is the errno set by the call, in protocol specific representation.
23846 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
23848 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only send if the user requested a break. In this
23849 case, @var{errno} must be send as well, even if the call was successful.
23850 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character 'C':
23857 or, if the call was interupted before the host call has been performed:
23864 assuming 4 is the protocol specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
23868 @node Memory transfer
23869 @subsection Memory transfer
23870 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
23872 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write as e.g.@:
23873 a @code{struct stat} is expected to be in a protocol specific format with
23874 all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. This should be done by
23875 the target before the @code{F} packet is sent resp.@: by @value{GDBN} before
23876 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
23877 data should point to the already coerced data at any time.
23879 @node The Ctrl-C message
23880 @subsection The Ctrl-C message
23881 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
23883 A special case is, if the @var{Ctrl-C flag} is set in the @value{GDBN}
23884 reply packet. In this case the target should behave, as if it had
23885 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
23886 interupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
23887 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
23888 packet. In this case, it's important for the target to know, in which
23889 state the system call was interrupted. Since this action is by design
23890 not an atomic operation, we have to differ between two cases:
23894 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
23897 The system call on the host has been finished.
23901 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
23902 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
23903 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
23904 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
23905 system call has been finished --- successful or not --- and should behave
23906 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
23908 @value{GDBN} must behave reliable. If the system call has not been called
23909 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
23910 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
23911 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finshed by
23912 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as they fit.
23913 The @code{F} packet may only be send when either nothing has happened
23914 or the full action has been completed.
23917 @subsection Console I/O
23918 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
23920 By default and if not explicitely closed by the target system, the file
23921 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
23922 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
23923 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
23924 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
23925 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
23930 The user presses @kbd{Ctrl-C}. The behaviour is as explained above, the
23932 system call is treated as finished.
23935 The user presses @kbd{Enter}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
23939 The user presses @kbd{Ctrl-D}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
23940 character, especially no Ctrl-D is appended to the input.
23944 If the user has typed more characters as fit in the buffer given to
23945 the read call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
23946 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target or debugging
23947 is stopped on users request.
23949 @node The isatty call
23950 @subsection The @samp{isatty} function call
23951 @cindex isatty call, file-i/o protocol
23953 A special case in this protocol is the library call @code{isatty} which
23954 is implemented as its own call inside of this protocol. It returns
23955 1 to the target if the file descriptor given as parameter is attached
23956 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
23957 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
23960 @node The system call
23961 @subsection The @samp{system} function call
23962 @cindex system call, file-i/o protocol
23964 The other special case in this protocol is the @code{system} call which
23965 is implemented as its own call, too. @value{GDBN} is taking over the full
23966 task of calling the necessary host calls to perform the @code{system}
23967 call. The return value of @code{system} is simplified before it's returned
23968 to the target. Basically, the only signal transmitted back is @code{EINTR}
23969 in case the user pressed @kbd{Ctrl-C}. Otherwise the return value consists
23970 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
23972 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
23973 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
23974 @kbd{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
23977 @item set remote system-call-allowed
23978 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
23979 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
23980 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
23982 @item show remote system-call-allowed
23983 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
23984 Show the current setting of system calls for the remote File I/O
23988 @node List of supported calls
23989 @subsection List of supported calls
23990 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
24007 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
24008 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
24012 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
24013 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
24016 Fopen,pathptr/len,flags,mode
24020 @code{flags} is the bitwise or of the following values:
24024 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
24025 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
24029 When used with O_CREAT, if the file already exists it is
24030 an error and open() fails.
24033 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
24034 writing (O_RDWR or O_WRONLY is given) it will be
24035 truncated to length 0.
24038 The file is opened in append mode.
24041 The file is opened for reading only.
24044 The file is opened for writing only.
24047 The file is opened for reading and writing.
24050 Each other bit is silently ignored.
24055 @code{mode} is the bitwise or of the following values:
24059 User has read permission.
24062 User has write permission.
24065 Group has read permission.
24068 Group has write permission.
24071 Others have read permission.
24074 Others have write permission.
24077 Each other bit is silently ignored.
24082 @exdent Return value:
24083 open returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
24091 pathname already exists and O_CREAT and O_EXCL were used.
24094 pathname refers to a directory.
24097 The requested access is not allowed.
24100 pathname was too long.
24103 A directory component in pathname does not exist.
24106 pathname refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
24109 pathname refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
24110 write access was requested.
24113 pathname is an invalid pointer value.
24116 No space on device to create the file.
24119 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
24122 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
24126 The call was interrupted by the user.
24130 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
24131 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
24140 @exdent Return value:
24141 close returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
24148 fd isn't a valid open file descriptor.
24151 The call was interrupted by the user.
24155 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
24156 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
24160 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
24163 Fread,fd,bufptr,count
24165 @exdent Return value:
24166 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
24167 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
24168 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
24175 fd is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
24179 buf is an invalid pointer value.
24182 The call was interrupted by the user.
24186 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
24187 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
24191 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
24194 Fwrite,fd,bufptr,count
24196 @exdent Return value:
24197 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
24198 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
24206 fd is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
24210 buf is an invalid pointer value.
24213 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
24214 host specific maximum file size allowed.
24217 No space on device to write the data.
24220 The call was interrupted by the user.
24224 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
24225 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
24229 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
24232 Flseek,fd,offset,flag
24235 @code{flag} is one of:
24239 The offset is set to offset bytes.
24242 The offset is set to its current location plus offset
24246 The offset is set to the size of the file plus offset
24251 @exdent Return value:
24252 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
24253 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
24254 value of -1 is returned.
24261 fd is not a valid open file descriptor.
24264 fd is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
24267 flag is not a proper value.
24270 The call was interrupted by the user.
24274 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
24275 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
24279 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
24282 Frename,oldpathptr/len,newpathptr/len
24284 @exdent Return value:
24285 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
24292 newpath is an existing directory, but oldpath is not a
24296 newpath is a non-empty directory.
24299 oldpath or newpath is a directory that is in use by some
24303 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
24307 A component used as a directory in oldpath or new
24308 path is not a directory. Or oldpath is a directory
24309 and newpath exists but is not a directory.
24312 oldpathptr or newpathptr are invalid pointer values.
24315 No access to the file or the path of the file.
24319 oldpath or newpath was too long.
24322 A directory component in oldpath or newpath does not exist.
24325 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
24328 The device containing the file has no room for the new
24332 The call was interrupted by the user.
24336 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
24337 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
24341 int unlink(const char *pathname);
24344 Funlink,pathnameptr/len
24346 @exdent Return value:
24347 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
24354 No access to the file or the path of the file.
24357 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
24360 The file pathname cannot be unlinked because it's
24361 being used by another process.
24364 pathnameptr is an invalid pointer value.
24367 pathname was too long.
24370 A directory component in pathname does not exist.
24373 A component of the path is not a directory.
24376 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
24379 The call was interrupted by the user.
24383 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
24384 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
24385 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
24389 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
24390 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
24393 Fstat,pathnameptr/len,bufptr
24396 @exdent Return value:
24397 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
24404 fd is not a valid open file.
24407 A directory component in pathname does not exist or the
24408 path is an empty string.
24411 A component of the path is not a directory.
24414 pathnameptr is an invalid pointer value.
24417 No access to the file or the path of the file.
24420 pathname was too long.
24423 The call was interrupted by the user.
24427 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
24428 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
24432 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
24435 Fgettimeofday,tvptr,tzptr
24437 @exdent Return value:
24438 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
24445 tz is a non-NULL pointer.
24448 tvptr and/or tzptr is an invalid pointer value.
24452 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
24453 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
24457 int isatty(int fd);
24462 @exdent Return value:
24463 Returns 1 if fd refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
24470 The call was interrupted by the user.
24474 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
24475 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
24479 int system(const char *command);
24482 Fsystem,commandptr/len
24484 @exdent Return value:
24485 The value returned is -1 on error and the return status
24486 of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
24487 command is returned, which is extracted from the hosts
24488 system return value by calling WEXITSTATUS(retval).
24489 In case /bin/sh could not be executed, 127 is returned.
24496 The call was interrupted by the user.
24499 @node Protocol specific representation of datatypes
24500 @subsection Protocol specific representation of datatypes
24501 @cindex protocol specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
24504 * Integral datatypes::
24510 @node Integral datatypes
24511 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral datatypes
24512 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
24514 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are
24517 int@r{,} unsigned int@r{,} long@r{,} unsigned long@r{,} mode_t @r{and} time_t
24520 @code{Int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
24521 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
24523 @code{Long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
24525 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
24526 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
24528 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
24530 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
24531 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
24534 @node Pointer values
24535 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer values
24536 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
24538 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
24539 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
24540 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
24541 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
24548 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
24549 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
24550 the trailing null byte. Example:
24553 ``hello, world'' at address 0x123456
24564 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
24565 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
24567 The buffer of type struct stat used by the target and @value{GDBN} is defined
24572 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
24573 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
24574 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
24575 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
24576 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
24577 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
24578 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
24579 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
24580 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
24581 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
24582 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
24583 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
24584 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
24588 The integral datatypes are conforming to the definitions given in the
24589 approriate section (see @ref{Integral datatypes}, for details) so this
24590 structure is of size 64 bytes.
24592 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
24599 st_ino: No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
24601 st_mode: Valid mode bits are described in Appendix C. Any other
24602 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
24604 st_uid: No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
24606 st_gid: No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
24608 st_rdev: No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
24610 st_atime, st_mtime, st_ctime:
24611 These values have a host and file system dependent
24612 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts the file systems
24613 don't support exact timing values.
24616 The target gets a struct stat of the above representation and is
24617 responsible to coerce it to the target representation before
24620 Note that due to size differences between the host and target
24621 representation of stat members, these members could eventually
24622 get truncated on the target.
24624 @node struct timeval
24625 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
24626 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
24628 The buffer of type struct timeval used by the target and @value{GDBN}
24629 is defined as follows:
24633 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
24634 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
24638 The integral datatypes are conforming to the definitions given in the
24639 approriate section (see @ref{Integral datatypes}, for details) so this
24640 structure is of size 8 bytes.
24643 @subsection Constants
24644 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
24646 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
24647 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are resposible to translate these
24648 values before and after the call as needed.
24659 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open flags
24660 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
24662 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
24674 @node mode_t values
24675 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t values
24676 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
24678 All values are given in octal representation.
24695 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno values
24696 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
24698 All values are given in decimal representation.
24723 EUNKNOWN is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
24724 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
24727 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek flags
24728 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
24737 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
24738 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
24740 All values are given in decimal representation.
24743 INT_MIN -2147483648
24745 UINT_MAX 4294967295
24746 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
24747 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
24748 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
24751 @node File-I/O Examples
24752 @subsection File-I/O Examples
24753 @cindex file-i/o examples
24755 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
24756 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
24759 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
24760 @emph{request memory read from target}
24763 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
24767 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
24768 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
24771 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
24772 @emph{request memory write to target}
24773 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
24774 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
24778 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
24779 file descriptor (EBADF):
24782 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
24786 Example sequence of a read call, user presses Ctrl-C before syscall on
24790 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
24795 Example sequence of a read call, user presses Ctrl-C after syscall on
24799 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
24800 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
24804 @include agentexpr.texi
24818 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
24820 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
24821 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
24822 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
24823 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
24824 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
24825 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
24826 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
24827 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
24828 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}