2 _dnl__ Copyright (c) 1988 1989 1990 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
4 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
5 @c Copyright (c) 1988 1989 1990 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
7 @setfilename _GDBP__.info
9 @settitle Using _GDBN__ (<v>_GDB_VN__)
12 @settitle Using _GDBN__ <v>_GDB_VN__ (_HOST__)
14 @setchapternewpage odd
22 _0__@c ===> NOTE! <==_1__
23 @c Determine the edition number in *three* places by hand:
24 @c 1. First ifinfo section 2. title page 3. top node
25 @c To find the locations, search for !!set
27 @c The following is for Pesch for his RCS system.
28 @c This revision number *not* the same as the Edition number.
30 \def\$#1${{#1}} % Kluge: collect RCS revision info without $...$
31 \xdef\manvers{\$Revision$} % For use in headers, footers too
34 @c FOR UPDATES LEADING TO THIS DRAFT, GDB CHANGELOG CONSULTED BETWEEN:
35 @c Fri Oct 11 23:27:06 1991 John Gilmore (gnu at cygnus.com)
36 @c Sat Dec 22 02:51:40 1990 John Gilmore (gnu at cygint)
38 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO-2 macros and info-makers to format properly.
43 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
49 NOTE: this manual is marked up for preprocessing with a collection
50 of m4 macros called "pretex.m4".
52 THIS IS THE SOURCE PRIOR TO PREPROCESSING. The full source needs to
53 be run through m4 before either tex- or info- formatting: for example,
55 m4 pretex.m4 none.m4 all.m4 gdb.texinfo >gdb-all.texinfo
56 will produce (assuming your path finds either GNU m4 >= 0.84, or SysV
57 m4; Berkeley won't do) a file suitable for formatting. See the text in
58 "pretex.m4" for a fuller explanation (and the macro definitions).
64 This file documents the GNU debugger _GDBN__.
66 @c !!set edition, date, version
67 This is Edition 4.00, December 1991,
68 of @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger}
69 for GDB Version _GDB_VN__.
71 Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
73 Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
74 this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
75 are preserved on all copies.
78 Permission is granted to process this file through TeX and print the
79 results, provided the printed document carries copying permission
80 notice identical to this one except for the removal of this paragraph
81 (this paragraph not being relevant to the printed manual).
84 Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
85 manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also that the
86 section entitled ``GNU General Public License'' is included exactly as
87 in the original, and provided that the entire resulting derived work is
88 distributed under the terms of a permission notice identical to this
91 Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
92 into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions,
93 except that the section entitled ``GNU General Public License'' may be
94 included in a translation approved by the Free Software Foundation
95 instead of in the original English.
99 @subtitle A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger
101 @subtitle On _HOST__ Systems
104 @c !!set edition, date, version
105 @subtitle Edition 4.00, for _GDBN__ version _GDB_VN__
106 @subtitle December 1991
107 @author by Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch
111 \hfill rms\@ai.mit.edu, pesch\@cygnus.com\par
112 \hfill {\it Using _GDBN__}, \manvers\par
113 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
117 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
118 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
120 Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
121 this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
122 are preserved on all copies.
124 Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
125 manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also that the
126 section entitled ``GNU General Public License'' is included exactly as
127 in the original, and provided that the entire resulting derived work is
128 distributed under the terms of a permission notice identical to this
131 Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
132 into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions,
133 except that the section entitled ``GNU General Public License'' may be
134 included in a translation approved by the Free Software Foundation
135 instead of in the original English.
140 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
141 @top _GDBN__, the GNU symbolic debugger
143 This file describes _GDBN__, the GNU symbolic debugger.
145 @c !!set edition, date, version
146 This is Edition 4.00, December 1991, for GDB Version _GDB_VN__.
150 * Summary:: Summary of _GDBN__
151 * New Features:: New features since _GDBN__ version 3.5
152 * Sample Session:: A sample _GDBN__ session
153 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of _GDBN__
154 * Commands:: _GDBN__ commands
155 * Running:: Running programs under _GDBN__
156 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
157 * Stack:: Examining the stack
158 * Source:: Examining source files
159 * Data:: Examining data
160 * Languages:: Using _GDBN__ with different languages
161 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
162 * Altering:: Altering execution
163 * _GDBN__ Files:: _GDBN__'s files
164 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
165 * Controlling _GDBN__:: Controlling _GDBN__
166 * Sequences:: Canned sequences of commands
167 * Emacs:: Using _GDBN__ under GNU Emacs
168 * _GDBN__ Bugs:: Reporting bugs in _GDBN__
170 * Installing _GDBN__:: Installing _GDBN__
171 * Copying:: GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE
174 --- The Detailed Node Listing ---
178 * Free Software:: Free Software
179 * Contributors:: Contributors to _GDBN__
181 Getting In and Out of _GDBN__
183 * Invoking _GDBN__:: Starting _GDBN__
184 * Leaving _GDBN__:: Leaving _GDBN__
185 * Shell Commands:: Shell Commands
189 * File Options:: Choosing Files
190 * Mode Options:: Choosing Modes
194 * Command Syntax:: Command Syntax
195 * Help:: Getting Help
197 Running Programs Under _GDBN__
199 * Compilation:: Compiling for Debugging
200 * Starting:: Starting your Program
201 * Arguments:: Your Program's Arguments
202 * Environment:: Your Program's Environment
203 * Working Directory:: Your Program's Working Directory
204 * Input/Output:: Your Program's Input and Output
205 * Attach:: Debugging an Already-Running Process
206 * Kill Process:: Killing the Child Process
208 Stopping and Continuing
210 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Exceptions
211 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming Execution
214 Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Exceptions
216 * Set Breaks:: Setting Breakpoints
217 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting Watchpoints
218 * Exception Handling:: Breakpoints and Exceptions
219 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting Breakpoints
220 * Disabling:: Disabling Breakpoints
221 * Conditions:: Break Conditions
222 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint Command Lists
223 * Breakpoint Menus:: Breakpoint Menus
224 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
228 * Frames:: Stack Frames
229 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
230 * Selection:: Selecting a Frame
231 * Frame Info:: Information on a Frame
233 Examining Source Files
235 * List:: Printing Source Lines
236 * Search:: Searching Source Files
237 * Source Path:: Specifying Source Directories
238 * Machine Code:: Source and Machine Code
242 * Expressions:: Expressions
243 * Variables:: Program Variables
244 * Arrays:: Artificial Arrays
245 * Output formats:: Output formats
246 * Memory:: Examining Memory
247 * Auto Display:: Automatic Display
248 * Print Settings:: Print Settings
249 * Value History:: Value History
250 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience Variables
251 * Registers:: Registers
252 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating Point Hardware
254 Using GDB with Different Languages
256 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
257 * Show:: Displaying the language
258 * Checks:: Type and Range checks
259 * Support:: Supported languages
261 Switching between source languages
263 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
264 * Automatically:: Having GDB infer the source language
266 Type and range Checking
268 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
269 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
274 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
278 * C Operators:: C and C++ Operators
279 * C Constants:: C and C++ Constants
280 * Cplusplus expressions:: C++ Expressions
281 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C++
282 * C Checks:: C and C++ Type and Range Checks
283 * Debugging C:: _GDBN__ and C
284 * Debugging C plus plus:: Special features for C++
288 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
289 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in Functions and Procedures
290 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 Constants
291 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
292 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
293 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
294 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
295 * GDB/M2:: GDB and Modula-2
299 * Assignment:: Assignment to Variables
300 * Jumping:: Continuing at a Different Address
301 * Signaling:: Giving your program a Signal
302 * Returning:: Returning from a Function
303 * Calling:: Calling your Program's Functions
304 * Patching:: Patching your Program
308 * Files:: Commands to Specify Files
309 * Symbol Errors:: Errors Reading Symbol Files
311 Specifying a Debugging Target
313 * Active Targets:: Active Targets
314 * Target Commands:: Commands for Managing Targets
315 * Remote:: Remote Debugging
319 * i960-Nindy Remote:: _GDBN__ with a Remote i960 (Nindy)
320 * EB29K Remote:: _GDBN__ with a Remote EB29K
321 * VxWorks Remote:: _GDBN__ and VxWorks
323 _GDBN__ with a Remote i960 (Nindy)
325 * Nindy Startup:: Startup with Nindy
326 * Nindy Options:: Options for Nindy
327 * Nindy reset:: Nindy Reset Command
329 _GDBN__ with a Remote EB29K
331 * Comms (EB29K):: Communications Setup
332 * gdb-EB29K:: EB29K cross-debugging
333 * Remote Log:: Remote Log
337 * VxWorks connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
338 * VxWorks download:: VxWorks Download
339 * VxWorks attach:: Running Tasks
344 * Editing:: Command Editing
345 * History:: Command History
346 * Screen Size:: Screen Size
348 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional Warnings and Messages
350 Canned Sequences of Commands
352 * Define:: User-Defined Commands
353 * Command Files:: Command Files
354 * Output:: Commands for Controlled Output
356 Reporting Bugs in _GDBN__
358 * Bug Criteria:: Have You Found a Bug?
359 * Bug Reporting:: How to Report Bugs
363 * Subdirectories:: Configuration subdirectories
364 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
365 * configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
366 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print GDB documentation
369 @node Summary, New Features, Top, Top
370 @unnumbered Summary of _GDBN__
372 The purpose of a debugger such as _GDBN__ is to allow you to see what is
373 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
374 program was doing at the moment it crashed.@refill
376 _GDBN__ can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
377 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:@refill
381 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
384 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
387 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
390 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
391 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
394 You can use _GDBN__ to debug programs written in C, C++, and Modula-2.
395 Fortran support will be added when a GNU Fortran compiler is ready.
398 * Free Software:: Free Software
399 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
402 @node Free Software, Contributors, Summary, Summary
403 @unnumberedsec Free Software
404 _GDBN__ is @dfn{free software}, protected by the GNU General Public License (GPL).
405 The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
406 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
407 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
408 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
409 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
410 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
412 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
413 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
416 For full details, @pxref{Copying, ,GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE}.
417 @node Contributors, , Free Software, Summary
418 @unnumberedsec Contributors to GDB
420 Richard Stallman was the original author of GDB, and of many other GNU
421 programs. Many others have contributed to its development. This
422 section attempts to credit major contributors. One of the virtues of
423 free software is that everyone is free to contribute to it; with
424 regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The file
425 @file{ChangeLog} in the GDB distribution approximates a blow-by-blow
428 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
431 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
432 or your friends (or enemies; let's be evenhanded) have been unfairly
433 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
436 So that they may not regard their long labor as thankless, we
437 particularly thank those who shepherded GDB through major releases: John
438 Gilmore (releases _GDB_VN__, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0); Jim Kingdon (releases 3.9,
439 3.5, 3.4, 3.3); and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, 3.0). As major
440 maintainer of GDB for some period, each contributed significantly to the
441 structure, stability, and capabilities of the entire debugger.@refill
443 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Pete TerMaat, Chris
444 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
446 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the GNU C++ support in GDB,
447 with significant additional contributions from Per Bothner. James
448 Clark wrote the GNU C++ demangler. Early work on C++ was by Peter
449 TerMaat (who also did much general update work leading to release 3.0).
451 GDB 4 uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple object-file
452 formats; BFD was a joint project of V. Gumby Henkel-Wallace, Rich
453 Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
455 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did the
456 original support for encapsulated COFF.
458 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
459 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
460 support. Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support. Chris Hanson
461 improved the HP9000 support. Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei
462 contributed Sony/News OS 3 support. David Johnson contributed Encore
463 Umax support. Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support. Keith
464 Packard contributed NS32K support. Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc
465 Machine support. Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran
466 debugging). Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support. Michael
467 Tiemann contributed SPARC support. Tim Tucker contributed support for
468 the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode. Pace Willison contributed Intel 386
469 support. Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
471 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
474 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that GDB and GAS agree about
475 several machine instruction sets.
477 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
478 remote debugging. Intel Corporation and Wind River Systems contributed
479 remote debugging modules for their products.
481 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing command-line
482 editing and command history.
484 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code and the
485 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
487 @node New Features, Sample Session, Summary, Top
488 @unnumbered New Features since _GDBN__ version 3.5
492 Using the new command @code{target}, you can select at runtime whether
493 you are debugging local files, local processes, standalone systems over
494 a serial port, realtime systems over a TCP/IP connection, etc. The
495 command @code{load} can download programs into a remote system. Serial
496 stubs are available for Motorola 680x0 and Intel 80386 remote systems;
497 _GDBN__ also supports debugging realtime processes running under
498 VxWorks, using SunRPC Remote Procedure Calls over TCP/IP to talk to a
499 debugger stub on the target system. Internally, _GDBN__ now uses a
500 function vector to mediate access to different targets; if you need to
501 add your own support for a remote protocol, this makes it much easier.
504 _GDBN__ now sports watchpoints as well as breakpoints. You can use a
505 watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an expression
506 changes, without having to predict a particular place in your program
507 where this may happen.
510 Commands that issue wide output now insert newlines at places designed
511 to make the output more readable.
513 @item Object Code Formats
514 _GDBN__ uses a new library called the Binary File Descriptor (BFD)
515 Library to permit it to switch dynamically, without reconfiguration or
516 recompilation, between different object-file formats. Formats currently
517 supported are COFF, a.out, and the Intel 960 b.out; files may be read as
518 .o's, archive libraries, or core dumps. BFD is available as a
519 subroutine library so that other programs may take advantage of it, and
520 the other GNU binary utilities are being converted to use it.
522 @item Configuration and Ports
523 Compile-time configuration (to select a particular architecture and
524 operating system) is much easier. The script @code{configure} now
525 allows you to configure _GDBN__ as either a native debugger or a
526 cross-debugger. @xref{Installing _GDBN__}, for details on how to
527 configure and on what architectures are now available.
530 The user interface to _GDBN__'s control variables has been simplified
531 and consolidated in two commands, @code{set} and @code{show}. Output
532 lines are now broken at readable places, rather than overflowing onto
533 the next line. You can suppress output of machine-level addresses,
534 displaying only source language information.
538 _GDBN__ now supports C++ multiple inheritance (if used with a GCC
539 version 2 compiler), and also has limited support for C++ exception
540 handling, with the commands @code{catch} and @code{info catch}: _GDBN__
541 can break when an exception is raised, before the stack is peeled back
542 to the exception handler's context.
545 _GDBN__ now has preliminary support for the GNU Modula-2 compiler,
546 currently under development at the State University of New York at
547 Buffalo. Coordinated development of both _GDBN__ and the GNU Modula-2
548 compiler will continue through the fall of 1991 and into 1992. Other
549 Modula-2 compilers are currently not supported, and attempting to debug
550 programs compiled with them will likely result in an error as the symbol
551 table of the executable is read in.
553 @item Command Rationalization
554 Many _GDBN__ commands have been renamed to make them easier to remember
555 and use. In particular, the subcommands of @code{info} and
556 @code{show}/@code{set} are grouped to make the former refer to the state
557 of your program, and the latter refer to the state of _GDBN__ itself.
558 @xref{Renamed Commands}, for details on what commands were renamed.
560 @item Shared Libraries
561 _GDBN__ 4 can debug programs and core files that use SunOS shared
565 _GDBN__ 4 has a reference card; @xref{Formatting Documentation} for
566 instructions on printing it.
568 @item Work in Progress
569 Kernel debugging for BSD and Mach systems; Tahoe and HPPA architecture
574 @node Sample Session, Invocation, New Features, Top
575 @chapter A Sample _GDBN__ Session
577 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about _GDBN__.
578 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
579 debugger. This chapter illustrates these commands.
582 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @i{input},
583 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
586 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
587 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
589 One of the preliminary versions of GNU @code{m4} (a generic macro
590 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
591 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro's
592 definition in another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
593 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
594 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
595 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
596 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
597 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
606 @i{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
610 @i{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
612 @i{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
615 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
619 Let's use _GDBN__ to try to see what's going on.
623 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
624 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
625 GDB is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
626 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
628 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB; type "show warranty"
630 GDB _GDB_VN__, Copyright 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
635 _GDBN__ reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
636 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very
637 quickly. We now tell _GDBN__ to use a narrower display width than
638 usual, so that examples will fit in this manual.@refill
641 (_GDBP__) @i{set width 70}
645 Let's see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
646 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
647 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with _GDBN__'s
648 @code{break} command.
651 (_GDBP__) @i{break m4_changequote}
652 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
656 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under _GDBN__
657 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
658 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
662 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
670 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. _GDBN__
671 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
672 context where it stops.
675 @i{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
677 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
679 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]), argc, 1, 3))
683 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
684 the next line of the current function.
688 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
693 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
694 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
695 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
696 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
700 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
702 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
706 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
707 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
708 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
709 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
710 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
711 stack frame for each active subroutine.
715 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
717 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
719 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
720 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
722 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
723 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
727 Let's step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
728 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
729 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
732 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
734 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
735 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
737 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
740 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
744 The last line displayed looks a little odd; let's examine the variables
745 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
746 and right quotes we specified. We can use the command @code{p}
747 (@code{print}) to see their values.
750 (_GDBP__) @i{p lquote}
751 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
752 (_GDBP__) @i{p rquote}
753 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
757 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
758 Let's look at some context; we can display ten lines of source
759 surrounding the current line, with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
765 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
767 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
770 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
771 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
778 Let's step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
779 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
783 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
786 (_GDBP__) @i{p len_lquote}
788 (_GDBP__) @i{p len_rquote}
793 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
794 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
795 @code{rquote} respectively. Let's try setting them to better values.
796 We can use the @code{p} command for this, since it'll print the value of
797 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
801 (_GDBP__) p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)
803 (_GDBP__) p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)
808 Let's see if that fixes the problem of using the new quotes with the
809 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}. We can allow @code{m4} to continue
810 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
811 example that caused trouble initially:
817 @i{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
824 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
825 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
826 lengths. We'll let @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input.
830 Program exited normally.
834 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from _GDBN__; it
835 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our _GDBN__
836 session with the _GDBN__ @code{quit} command.
840 _1__@end smallexample
842 @node Invocation, Commands, Sample Session, Top
843 @chapter Getting In and Out of _GDBN__
845 Type @kbd{gdb} or @kbd{gdb @var{program} @var{core}} to start GDB
846 and type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{C-d} to exit.
849 * Invoking _GDBN__:: Starting _GDBN__
850 * Leaving _GDBN__:: Leaving _GDBN__
851 * Shell Commands:: Shell Commands
854 @node Invoking _GDBN__, Leaving _GDBN__, Invocation, Invocation
855 @section Starting _GDBN__
857 Invoke _GDBN__ with the shell command @code{_GDBP__}. Once started,
858 it reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
860 You can run @code{_GDBP__} with no arguments or options; but the most
861 usual way to start _GDBN__ is with one argument or two, specifying an
862 executable program as the argument:
864 _GDBP__ @var{program}
867 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
870 _GDBP__ @var{program} @var{core}
873 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
874 to debug a running process:
876 _GDBP__ @var{program} 1234
879 would attach _GDBN__ to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
880 named @file{1234}; _GDBN__ does check for a core file first).
883 You can further control how _GDBN__ starts up by using command-line
884 options. _GDBN__ itself can remind you of the options available.
894 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
895 (@samp{_GDBP__ -h} is a shorter equivalent).
897 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
898 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
899 @samp{-x} option is used.
902 * File Options:: Choosing Files
903 * Mode Options:: Choosing Modes
905 _include__(gdbinv-m.m4)_dnl__
909 @node File Options, Mode Options, Invoking _GDBN__, Invoking _GDBN__
910 @subsection Choosing Files
912 When _GDBN__ starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
913 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
914 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
915 @samp{-c} options respectively. (_GDBN__ reads the first argument
916 that does not have an associated option flag as equivalent to the
917 @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the second argument
918 that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as equivalent to
919 the @samp{-c} option followed by that argument.)
921 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
922 following list. _GDBN__ also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
923 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
924 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
925 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
928 @item -symbols=@var{file}
930 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
932 @item -exec=@var{file}
934 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when
935 appropriate, and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core
939 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
942 @item -core=@var{file}
944 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
946 @item -command=@var{file}
948 Execute _GDBN__ commands from file @var{file}. @xref{Command Files}.
950 @item -directory=@var{directory}
951 @itemx -d @var{directory}
952 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
956 @node Mode Options, Mode Options, File Options, Invoking _GDBN__
959 @node Mode Options, , File Options, Invoking _GDBN__
961 You can run _GDBN__ in various alternative modes---for example, in
962 batch mode or quiet mode.
963 @subsection Choosing Modes
968 Do not execute commands from any @file{_GDBINIT__} initialization files.
969 Normally, the commands in these files are executed after all the
970 command options and arguments have been processed.
971 @xref{Command Files}.
975 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
976 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
979 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the command
980 files specified with @samp{-x} (and @file{_GDBINIT__}, if not inhibited).
981 Exit with nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the _GDBN__
982 commands in the command files.
984 Batch mode may be useful for running _GDBN__ as a filter, for example to
985 download and run a program on another computer; in order to make this
986 more useful, the message
988 Program exited normally.
991 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under _GDBN__ control
992 terminates) is not issued when running in batch mode.
994 @item -cd=@var{directory}
995 Run _GDBN__ using @var{directory} as its working directory,
996 instead of the current directory.
1000 Emacs sets this option when it runs _GDBN__ as a subprocess. It tells _GDBN__
1001 to output the full file name and line number in a standard,
1002 recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is displayed (which
1003 includes each time your program stops). This recognizable format looks
1004 like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by the file name, line number
1005 and character position separated by colons, and a newline. The
1006 Emacs-to-_GDBN__ interface program uses the two @samp{\032} characters as
1007 a signal to display the source code for the frame.
1010 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1011 interface used by _GDBN__ for remote debugging.
1013 @item -tty=@var{device}
1014 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1015 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1019 _include__(gdbinv-s.m4)
1022 @node Leaving _GDBN__, Shell Commands, Invoking _GDBN__, Invocation
1023 @section Leaving _GDBN__
1024 @cindex exiting _GDBN__
1029 To exit _GDBN__, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated @code{q}), or type
1030 an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{C-d}).
1034 An interrupt (often @kbd{C-c}) will not exit from _GDBN__, but rather
1035 will terminate the action of any _GDBN__ command that is in progress and
1036 return to _GDBN__ command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1037 character at any time because _GDBN__ does not allow it to take effect
1038 until a time when it is safe.
1040 If you've been using _GDBN__ to control an attached process or device,
1041 you can release it with the @code{detach} command; @pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-Running Process}..
1043 @node Shell Commands, , Leaving _GDBN__, Invocation
1044 @section Shell Commands
1045 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1046 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend _GDBN__; you can
1047 just use the @code{shell} command.
1050 @item shell @var{command string}
1052 @cindex shell escape
1053 Directs _GDBN__ to invoke an inferior shell to execute @var{command
1054 string}. If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} is used
1055 for the name of the shell to run. Otherwise _GDBN__ uses
1059 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1060 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in _GDBN__:
1063 @item make @var{make-args}
1065 @cindex calling make
1066 Causes _GDBN__ to execute an inferior @code{make} program with the specified
1067 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1070 @node Commands, Running, Invocation, Top
1071 @chapter _GDBN__ Commands
1073 You can abbreviate GDB command if that abbreviation is unambiguous;
1074 and you can repeat certain GDB commands by typing just @key{RET}.
1077 * Command Syntax:: Command Syntax
1078 * Help:: Getting Help
1081 @node Command Syntax, Help, Commands, Commands
1082 @section Command Syntax
1083 A _GDBN__ command is a single line of input. There is no limit on how long
1084 it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by arguments
1085 whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the command
1086 @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to step,
1087 as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command with
1088 no arguments. Some command names do not allow any arguments.
1090 @cindex abbreviation
1091 _GDBN__ command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1092 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1093 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1094 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1095 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1096 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1097 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1099 @cindex repeating commands
1101 A blank line as input to _GDBN__ (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1102 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1103 will not repeat this way; these are commands for which unintentional
1104 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1107 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1108 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1109 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1111 _GDBN__ can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1112 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1113 (@pxref{Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one @key{RET} too many
1114 in this situation, _GDBN__ disables command repetition after any command
1115 that generates this sort of display.
1119 A line of input starting with @kbd{#} is a comment; it does nothing.
1120 This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command Files}).
1122 @node Help, , Command Syntax, Commands
1123 @section Getting Help
1124 @cindex online documentation
1126 You can always ask _GDBN__ itself for information on its commands, using the
1127 command @code{help}.
1133 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1134 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1137 List of classes of commands:
1139 running -- Running the program
1140 stack -- Examining the stack
1141 data -- Examining data
1142 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1143 files -- Specifying and examining files
1144 status -- Status inquiries
1145 support -- Support facilities
1146 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1147 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1148 obscure -- Obscure features
1150 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1151 commands in that class.
1152 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1154 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1158 @item help @var{class}
1159 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1160 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1161 help display for the class @code{status}:
1163 (_GDBP__) help status
1168 show -- Generic command for showing things set with "set"
1169 info -- Generic command for printing status
1171 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1173 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1177 @item help @var{command}
1178 With a command name as @code{help} argument, _GDBN__ will display a
1179 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1182 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the _GDBN__ commands @code{info}
1183 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1184 of _GDBN__ itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1185 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1186 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1187 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1194 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1195 program; for example, it can list the arguments given to your program
1196 (@code{info args}), the registers currently in use (@code{info
1197 registers}), or the breakpoints you've set (@code{info breakpoints}).
1198 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1199 @w{@code{help info}}.
1203 In contrast, @code{show} is for describing the state of _GDBN__ itself.
1204 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1205 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1206 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1207 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1210 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1211 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1212 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1213 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1214 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1215 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1219 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1220 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1223 @kindex show version
1224 @cindex version number
1226 Show what version of _GDBN__ is running. You should include this
1227 information in _GDBN__ bug-reports. If multiple versions of _GDBN__ are
1228 in use at your site, you may occasionally want to make sure what version
1229 of _GDBN__ you are running; as _GDBN__ evolves, new commands are
1230 introduced, and old ones may wither away. The version number is also
1231 announced when you start _GDBN__ with no arguments.
1233 @kindex show copying
1235 Display information about permission for copying _GDBN__.
1237 @kindex show warranty
1239 Display the GNU ``NO WARRANTY'' statement.
1242 @node Running, Stopping, Commands, Top
1243 @chapter Running Programs Under _GDBN__
1246 * Compilation:: Compiling for Debugging
1247 * Starting:: Starting your Program
1248 * Arguments:: Your Program's Arguments
1249 * Environment:: Your Program's Environment
1250 * Working Directory:: Your Program's Working Directory
1251 * Input/Output:: Your Program's Input and Output
1252 * Attach:: Debugging an Already-Running Process
1253 * Kill Process:: Killing the Child Process
1256 @node Compilation, Starting, Running, Running
1257 @section Compiling for Debugging
1259 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1260 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1261 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1262 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1263 and addresses in the executable code.
1265 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1268 Many C compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O}
1269 options together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1270 executables containing debugging information.
1272 The GNU C compiler supports @samp{-g} with or without @samp{-O}, making it
1273 possible to debug optimized code. We recommend that you @emph{always} use
1274 @samp{-g} whenever you compile a program. You may think your program is
1275 correct, but there is no sense in pushing your luck.
1277 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
1278 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
1279 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
1280 please report it as a bug (including a test case!).
1282 Older versions of the GNU C compiler permitted a variant option
1283 @samp{-gg} for debugging information. _GDBN__ no longer supports this
1284 format; if your GNU C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1287 @comment As far as I know, there are no cases in which _GDBN__ will
1288 @comment produce strange output in this case. (but no promises).
1289 If your program includes archives made with the @code{ar} program, and
1290 if the object files used as input to @code{ar} were compiled without the
1291 @samp{-g} option and have names longer than 15 characters, _GDBN__ will get
1292 confused reading your program's symbol table. No error message will be
1293 given, but _GDBN__ may behave strangely. The reason for this problem is a
1294 deficiency in the Unix archive file format, which cannot represent file
1295 names longer than 15 characters.
1297 To avoid this problem, compile the archive members with the @samp{-g}
1298 option or use shorter file names. Alternatively, use a version of GNU
1299 @code{ar} dated more recently than August 1989.
1302 @node Starting, Arguments, Compilation, Running
1303 @section Starting your Program
1310 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under _GDBN__. You
1311 must first specify the program name
1315 with an argument to _GDBN__
1316 (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of _GDBN__}), or using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file}
1317 command (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1321 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1322 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1323 that process run your program. (In environments without processes,
1324 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program.)
1326 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1327 receives from its superior. _GDBN__ provides ways to specify this
1328 information, which you must do @i{before} starting your program. (You
1329 can change it after starting your program, but such changes will only affect
1330 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1331 divided into four categories:
1334 @item The @i{arguments.}
1335 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1336 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the
1337 shell is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal
1338 conventions (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution)
1339 in describing the arguments. In Unix systems, you can control
1340 which shell is used with the @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1341 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.@refill
1343 @item The @i{environment.}
1344 Your program normally inherits its environment from _GDBN__, but you can
1345 use the _GDBN__ commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1346 environment} to change parts of the environment that will be given to
1347 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.@refill
1349 @item The @i{working directory.}
1350 Your program inherits its working directory from _GDBN__. You can set
1351 _GDBN__'s working directory with the @code{cd} command in _GDBN__.
1352 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1354 @item The @i{standard input and output.}
1355 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1356 standard output as _GDBN__ is using. You can redirect input and output
1357 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1358 set a different device for your program.
1359 @xref{Input/Output, Your Program's Input and Output}.
1362 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1363 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1364 program; if you attempt this, _GDBN__ is likely to wind up debugging the
1368 @c FIXME: Rewrite following paragraph, especially its third sentence.
1369 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to
1370 execute immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for
1371 discussion of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your
1372 program has been started by the @code{run} command (and then stopped),
1373 you may evaluate expressions that involve calls to functions in the
1374 inferior, using the @code{print} or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data,
1377 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the
1378 last time _GDBN__ read its symbols, _GDBN__ will discard its symbol
1379 table and re-read it. When it does this, _GDBN__ tries to retain your
1380 current breakpoints.
1382 @node Arguments, Environment, Starting, Running
1383 @section Your Program's Arguments
1385 @cindex arguments (to your program)
1386 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
1387 @code{run} command. They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard
1388 characters and performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program.
1389 _GDBN__ uses the shell indicated by your environment variable
1390 @code{SHELL} if it exists; otherwise, _GDBN__ uses @code{/bin/sh}.
1392 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
1393 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
1398 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
1399 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} will execute your program
1400 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
1401 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
1402 it again without arguments.
1406 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
1409 @node Environment, Working Directory, Arguments, Running
1410 @section Your Program's Environment
1412 @cindex environment (of your program)
1413 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
1414 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
1415 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
1416 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
1417 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
1418 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
1419 environment without having to start _GDBN__ over again.
1422 @item path @var{directory}
1424 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
1425 (the search path for executables), for both _GDBN__ and your program.
1426 You may specify several directory names, separated by @samp{:} or
1427 whitespace. If @var{directory} is already in the path, it is moved to
1428 the front, so it will be searched sooner.
1430 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
1431 working directory at the time _GDBN__ searches the path. If you use
1432 @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
1433 @code{path} command. _GDBN__ fills in the current path where needed in
1434 the @var{directory} argument, before adding it to the search path.
1435 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
1436 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
1440 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
1441 environment variable).
1443 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
1444 @kindex show environment
1445 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
1446 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
1447 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
1448 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
1450 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@r{]} @var{value}
1451 @kindex set environment
1452 Sets environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
1453 changes for your program only, not for _GDBN__ itself. @var{value} may
1454 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
1455 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
1456 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
1458 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
1459 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
1461 For example, this command:
1468 tells a Unix program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
1469 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
1470 are not actually required.)
1472 @item unset environment @var{varname}
1473 @kindex unset environment
1474 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
1475 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
1476 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
1477 rather than assigning it an empty value.
1480 @node Working Directory, Input/Output, Environment, Running
1481 @section Your Program's Working Directory
1483 @cindex working directory (of your program)
1484 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
1485 working directory from the current working directory of _GDBN__. _GDBN__'s
1486 working directory is initially whatever it inherited from its parent
1487 process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new working
1488 directory in _GDBN__ with the @code{cd} command.
1490 The _GDBN__ working directory also serves as a default for the commands
1491 that specify files for _GDBN__ to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
1494 @item cd @var{directory}
1496 Set _GDBN__'s working directory to @var{directory}.
1500 Print _GDBN__'s working directory.
1503 @node Input/Output, Attach, Working Directory, Running
1504 @section Your Program's Input and Output
1509 By default, the program you run under _GDBN__ does input and output to
1510 the same terminal that _GDBN__ uses. _GDBN__ switches the terminal to
1511 its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
1512 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
1513 running your program.
1517 @kindex info terminal
1518 Displays _GDBN__'s recorded information about the terminal modes your
1522 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
1523 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
1530 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
1533 @cindex controlling terminal
1534 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
1535 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
1536 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
1537 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
1538 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
1545 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
1546 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
1547 that as their controlling terminal.
1549 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
1550 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
1553 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
1554 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
1555 for _GDBN__ still comes from your terminal.
1557 @node Attach, Kill Process, Input/Output, Running
1558 @section Debugging an Already-Running Process
1563 @item attach @var{process-id}
1565 attaches to a running process---one that was started outside _GDBN__.
1566 (@code{info files} will show your active targets.) The command takes as
1567 argument a process ID. The usual way to find out the process-id of
1568 a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility, or with the @samp{jobs -l}
1571 @code{attach} will not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
1572 executing the command.
1575 To use @code{attach}, you must be debugging in an environment which
1576 supports processes. You must also have permission to send the process a
1577 signal, and it must have the same effective user ID as the _GDBN__
1580 When using @code{attach}, you should first use the @code{file} command
1581 to specify the program running in the process and load its symbol table.
1582 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
1584 The first thing _GDBN__ does after arranging to debug the specified
1585 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
1586 with all the _GDBN__ commands that are ordinarily available when you start
1587 processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you can step and
1588 continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the process
1589 continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
1590 attaching _GDBN__ to the process.
1595 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
1596 @code{detach} command to release it from _GDBN__'s control. Detaching
1597 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
1598 that process and _GDBN__ become completely independent once more, and you
1599 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
1600 @code{detach} will not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
1601 executing the command.
1604 If you exit _GDBN__ or use the @code{run} command while you have an attached
1605 process, you kill that process. By default, you will be asked for
1606 confirmation if you try to do either of these things; you can control
1607 whether or not you need to confirm by using the @code{set confirm} command
1608 (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and Messages}).
1610 @node Kill Process, , Attach, Running
1612 @section Killing the Child Process
1617 Kill the child process in which your program is running under _GDBN__.
1620 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
1621 running process. _GDBN__ ignores any core dump file while your program
1625 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside _GDBN__
1626 while you have breakpoints set on it inside _GDBN__. You can use the
1627 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
1628 outside the debugger.
1630 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
1631 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
1632 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
1633 next type @code{run}, _GDBN__ will notice that the file has changed, and
1634 will re-read the symbol table (while trying to preserve your current
1635 breakpoint settings).
1637 @node Stopping, Stack, Running, Top
1638 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
1640 The principal purpose of using a debugger is so that you can stop your
1641 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
1642 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
1644 Inside _GDBN__, your program may stop for any of several reasons, such
1645 as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a _GDBN__
1646 command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and change
1647 variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then continue
1648 execution. Usually, the messages shown by _GDBN__ provide ample
1649 explanation of the status of your program---but you can also explicitly
1650 request this information at any time.
1654 @kindex info program
1655 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
1656 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
1660 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Exceptions
1661 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming Execution
1665 @node Breakpoints, Continuing and Stepping, Stopping, Stopping
1666 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Exceptions
1669 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
1670 your program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add various
1671 conditions to control in finer detail whether your program will stop.
1672 You can set breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants
1673 (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where
1674 your program should stop by line number, function name or exact address
1675 in your program. In languages with exception handling (such as GNU
1676 C++), you can also set breakpoints where an exception is raised
1677 (@pxref{Exception Handling, ,Breakpoints and Exceptions}).@refill
1680 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
1681 when the value of an expression changes. You must use a different
1682 command to set watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting
1683 Watchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a watchpoint like
1684 any other breakpoint: you enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints
1685 and watchpoints using the same commands.@refill
1687 Each breakpoint or watchpoint is assigned a number when it is created;
1688 these numbers are successive integers starting with one. In many of the
1689 commands for controlling various features of breakpoints you use the
1690 breakpoint number to say which breakpoint you want to change. Each
1691 breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has
1692 no effect on your program until you enable it again.
1695 * Set Breaks:: Setting Breakpoints
1696 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting Watchpoints
1697 * Exception Handling:: Breakpoints and Exceptions
1698 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting Breakpoints
1699 * Disabling:: Disabling Breakpoints
1700 * Conditions:: Break Conditions
1701 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint Command Lists
1702 * Breakpoint Menus:: Breakpoint Menus
1703 * Error in Breakpoints::
1706 @node Set Breaks, Set Watchpoints, Breakpoints, Breakpoints
1707 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
1709 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
1710 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
1712 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
1716 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated @code{b}).
1718 You have several ways to say where the breakpoint should go.
1721 @item break @var{function}
1722 Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function}. When using source
1723 languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as C++,
1724 @var{function} may refer to more than one possible place to break.
1725 @xref{Breakpoint Menus}, for a discussion of that situation.
1727 @item break +@var{offset}
1728 @itemx break -@var{offset}
1729 Set a breakpoint some number of lines forward or back from the position
1730 at which execution stopped in the currently selected frame.
1732 @item break @var{linenum}
1733 Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in the current source file.
1734 That file is the last file whose source text was printed. This
1735 breakpoint will stop your program just before it executes any of the
1738 @item break @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
1739 Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in source file @var{filename}.
1741 @item break @var{filename}:@var{function}
1742 Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function} found in file
1743 @var{filename}. Specifying a file name as well as a function name is
1744 superfluous except when multiple files contain similarly named
1747 @item break *@var{address}
1748 Set a breakpoint at address @var{address}. You can use this to set
1749 breakpoints in parts of your program which do not have debugging
1750 information or source files.
1753 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
1754 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
1755 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
1756 innermost, this will cause your program to stop as soon as control
1757 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
1758 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
1759 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
1760 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, _GDBN__ will
1761 stop the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
1762 inside loops.@refill
1764 _GDBN__ normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
1765 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
1766 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
1767 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
1768 existed when your program stopped.
1770 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
1771 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
1772 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
1773 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
1774 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described above
1775 (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions, ,Break
1776 Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
1778 @item tbreak @var{args}
1780 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
1781 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
1782 way, but the breakpoint is automatically disabled after the first time your
1783 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
1785 @item rbreak @var{regex}
1787 @cindex regular expression
1788 @c FIXME what kind of regexp?
1789 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
1790 @var{regex}. This command
1791 sets an unconditional breakpoint on all matches, printing a list of all
1792 breakpoints it set. Once these breakpoints are set, they are treated
1793 just like the breakpoints set with the @code{break} command. They can
1794 be deleted, disabled, made conditional, etc., in the standard ways.
1796 When debugging C++ programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
1797 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
1800 @kindex info breakpoints
1801 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
1802 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
1803 @item info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
1804 Print a list of all breakpoints (but not watchpoints) set and not
1805 deleted, showing their numbers, where in your program they are, and any
1806 special features in use for them. Disabled breakpoints are included in
1807 the list, but marked as disabled. @code{info break} with a breakpoint
1808 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
1809 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
1810 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
1811 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). The equivalent command
1812 for watchpoints is @code{info watch}. @end table
1814 _GDBN__ allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place
1815 in your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this.
1816 When the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
1817 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
1819 @node Set Watchpoints, Exception Handling, Set Breaks, Breakpoints
1820 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
1821 @cindex setting watchpoints
1822 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
1823 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place
1824 where this may happen.
1826 Watchpoints currently execute two orders of magnitude more slowly than
1827 other breakpoints, but this can well be worth it to catch errors where
1828 you have no clue what part of your program is the culprit. Some
1829 processors provide special hardware to support watchpoint evaluation; future
1830 releases of _GDBN__ will use such hardware if it is available.
1834 @item watch @var{expr}
1835 Set a watchpoint for an expression.
1837 @kindex info watchpoints
1838 @item info watchpoints
1839 This command prints a list of watchpoints; it is otherwise similar to
1843 @node Exception Handling, Delete Breaks, Set Watchpoints, Breakpoints
1844 @subsection Breakpoints and Exceptions
1845 @cindex exception handlers
1847 Some languages, such as GNU C++, implement exception handling. You can
1848 use _GDBN__ to examine what caused your program to raise an exception,
1849 and to list the exceptions your program is prepared to handle at a
1850 given point in time.
1853 @item catch @var{exceptions}
1855 You can set breakpoints at active exception handlers by using the
1856 @code{catch} command. @var{exceptions} is a list of names of exceptions
1860 You can use @code{info catch} to list active exception handlers.
1861 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information About a Frame}.
1863 There are currently some limitations to exception handling in _GDBN__.
1864 These will be corrected in a future release.
1868 If you call a function interactively, _GDBN__ normally returns
1869 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
1870 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
1871 returns control to you and cause your program to simply continue
1872 running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal that _GDBN__ is
1873 listening for, or exits.
1875 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
1877 You cannot interactively install an exception handler.
1880 @cindex raise exceptions
1881 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
1882 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
1883 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
1884 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
1885 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
1886 out where the exception was raised.
1888 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
1889 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of GNU C++, exceptions are
1890 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
1891 which has the following ANSI C interface:
1894 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
1895 ID is the exception identifier. */
1896 void __raise_exception (void **@var{addr}, void *@var{id});
1900 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
1901 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
1902 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints Watchpoints and Exceptions}).
1904 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
1905 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
1906 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
1907 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
1910 @node Delete Breaks, Disabling, Exception Handling, Breakpoints
1911 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
1913 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints
1914 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints
1915 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint or watchpoint once it
1916 has done its job and you no longer want your program to stop there. This
1917 is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A breakpoint that has been
1918 deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
1920 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
1921 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
1922 delete individual breakpoints or watchpoints by specifying their
1925 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. _GDBN__
1926 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
1927 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
1932 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
1933 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
1934 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
1935 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
1937 @item clear @var{function}
1938 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
1939 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the function @var{function}.
1941 @item clear @var{linenum}
1942 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
1943 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified line.
1945 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{bnums}@dots{}@r{]}
1946 @cindex delete breakpoints
1949 Delete the breakpoints or watchpoints of the numbers specified as
1950 arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all breakpoints (_GDBN__
1951 asks confirmation, unless you've @code{set confirm off}). You
1952 can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
1955 @node Disabling, Conditions, Delete Breaks, Breakpoints
1956 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
1958 @cindex disabled breakpoints
1959 @cindex enabled breakpoints
1960 Rather than deleting a breakpoint or watchpoint, you might prefer to
1961 @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if it had
1962 been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so that
1963 you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
1965 You disable and enable breakpoints and watchpoints with the
1966 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying one or
1967 more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} or
1968 @code{info watch} to print a list of breakpoints or watchpoints if you
1969 do not know which numbers to use.
1971 A breakpoint or watchpoint can have any of four different states of
1976 Enabled. The breakpoint will stop your program. A breakpoint set
1977 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
1979 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
1981 Enabled once. The breakpoint will stop your program, but
1982 when it does so it will become disabled. A breakpoint set
1983 with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
1985 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint will stop your program, but
1986 immediately after it does so it will be deleted permanently.
1989 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints and
1993 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{bnums}@dots{}@r{]}
1994 @kindex disable breakpoints
1997 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
1998 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
1999 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
2000 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
2001 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
2003 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{bnums}@dots{}@r{]}
2004 @kindex enable breakpoints
2006 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
2007 become effective once again in stopping your program.
2009 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{bnums}@dots{}
2010 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. Each will be disabled
2011 again the next time it stops your program.
2013 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{bnums}@dots{}
2014 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once and then die. Each of
2015 the breakpoints will be deleted the next time it stops your program.
2018 Save for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
2019 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially
2020 enabled; subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you
2021 use one of the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and
2022 delete a breakpoint of its own, but it will not change the state of
2023 your other breakpoints; @pxref{Continuing and Stepping}.)
2025 @node Conditions, Break Commands, Disabling, Breakpoints
2026 @subsection Break Conditions
2027 @cindex conditional breakpoints
2028 @cindex breakpoint conditions
2030 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
2031 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
2032 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
2033 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
2034 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
2035 programming language (@pxref{Expressions}). A breakpoint with a condition
2036 evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it, and the
2037 program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
2039 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
2040 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
2041 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
2042 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
2043 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
2045 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
2046 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
2047 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
2048 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
2051 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
2052 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
2053 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
2054 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
2055 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
2056 that case, _GDBN__ might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
2057 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
2058 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible for the
2059 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
2060 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
2062 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
2063 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
2064 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
2065 with the @code{condition} command. The @code{watch} command does not
2066 recognize the @code{if} keyword; @code{condition} is the only way to
2067 impose a further condition on a watchpoint.
2070 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
2072 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint or
2073 watchpoint number @var{bnum}. From now on, this breakpoint will stop
2074 your program only if the value of @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in
2075 C). When you use @code{condition}, _GDBN__ checks @var{expression}
2076 immediately for syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols
2077 in it have referents in the context of your breakpoint.
2078 @c FIXME so what does GDB do if there is no referent? Moreover, what
2079 @c about watchpoints?
2081 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
2082 command is given, however. @xref{Expressions}.
2084 @item condition @var{bnum}
2085 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
2086 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
2089 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
2090 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
2091 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
2092 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
2093 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
2094 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
2095 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
2096 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
2097 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
2098 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint will not stop the next @var{n} times it
2102 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
2104 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
2105 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
2106 execution will not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, _GDBN__
2109 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
2112 @item continue @var{count}
2113 @itemx c @var{count}
2114 @itemx fg @var{count}
2115 @kindex continue @var{count}
2116 Continue execution of your program, setting the ignore count of the
2117 breakpoint where your program stopped to @var{count} minus one.
2118 Thus, your program will not stop at this breakpoint until the
2119 @var{count}'th time it is reached.
2121 An argument to this command is meaningful only when your program stopped
2122 due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to @code{continue} is
2125 The synonym @code{fg} is provided purely for convenience, and has
2126 exactly the same behavior as other forms of the command.
2129 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the condition
2130 is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero, the condition will
2133 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
2134 as _0__@w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}}_1__ using a debugger convenience
2135 variable that is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars,
2136 ,Convenience Variables}.@refill
2138 @node Break Commands, Breakpoint Menus, Conditions, Breakpoints
2139 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
2141 @cindex breakpoint commands
2142 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint) a series of commands to
2143 execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For example, you
2144 might want to print the values of certain expressions, or enable other
2148 @item commands @r{[}@var{bnum}@r{]}
2149 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
2153 Specify a list of commands for breakpoint number @var{bnum}. The commands
2154 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
2155 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
2157 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
2158 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
2160 With no @var{bnum} argument, @code{commands} refers to the last
2161 breakpoint or watchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
2165 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last _GDBN__ command is
2166 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
2168 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
2169 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
2170 that resumes execution. Subsequent commands in the command list are
2174 If the first command specified is @code{silent}, the usual message about
2175 stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may be desirable for
2176 breakpoints that are to print a specific message and then continue.
2177 If the remaining commands too print nothing, you will see no sign that
2178 the breakpoint was reached at all. @code{silent} is meaningful only
2179 at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
2181 The commands @code{echo} and @code{output} that allow you to print
2182 precisely controlled output are often useful in silent breakpoints.
2183 @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
2185 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
2186 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
2199 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
2200 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
2201 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
2202 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
2203 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
2204 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
2205 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
2217 One deficiency in the operation of automatically continuing breakpoints
2218 under Unix appears when your program uses raw mode for the terminal.
2219 _GDBN__ switches back to its own terminal modes (not raw) before executing
2220 commands, and then must switch back to raw mode when your program is
2221 continued. This causes any pending terminal input to be lost.
2222 @c FIXME: revisit below when GNU sys avail.
2223 @c In the GNU system, this will be fixed by changing the behavior of
2226 Under Unix, you can get around this problem by writing actions into
2227 the breakpoint condition rather than in commands. For example
2230 condition 5 (x = y + 4), 0
2234 specifies a condition expression (@pxref{Expressions}) that will change
2235 @code{x} as needed, then always have the value zero so your program will
2236 not stop. No input is lost here, because _GDBN__ evaluates break
2237 conditions without changing the terminal modes. When you want to have
2238 nontrivial conditions for performing the side effects, the operators
2239 @samp{&&}, @samp{||} and @samp{?@dots{}:} may be useful.
2241 @node Breakpoint Menus, Error in Breakpoints, Break Commands, Breakpoints
2242 @subsection Breakpoint Menus
2244 @cindex symbol overloading
2246 Some programming languages (notably C++) permit a single function name
2247 to be defined several times, for application in different contexts.
2248 This is called @dfn{overloading}. When a function name is overloaded,
2249 @samp{break @var{function}} is not enough to tell _GDBN__ where you
2250 want a breakpoint. _GDBN__ offers you a menu of numbered choices for
2251 different possible breakpoints, and waits for your selection with the
2252 prompt @samp{>}. The first two options are always @samp{[0] cancel}
2253 and @samp{[1] all}. Typing @kbd{1} sets a breakpoint at each
2254 definition of @var{function}, and typing @kbd{0} aborts the
2255 @code{break} command without setting any new breakpoints.
2257 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
2258 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
2259 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
2262 (_GDBP__) b String::after
2265 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
2266 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
2267 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
2268 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
2269 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
2270 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
2272 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
2273 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
2274 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
2275 Multiple breakpoints were set.
2276 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted breakpoints.
2281 @node Error in Breakpoints, , Breakpoint Menus, Breakpoints
2282 @subsection ``Cannot Insert Breakpoints''
2284 @c FIXME: "cannot insert breakpoints" error, v unclear.
2286 @c some light may be shed by looking at instances of
2287 @c ONE_PROCESS_WRITETEXT. But error seems possible otherwise
2288 @c too. pesch, 20sep91
2289 Under some operating systems, breakpoints cannot be used in a program if
2290 any other process is running that program. In this situation,
2291 attempting to run or continue a program with a breakpoint causes _GDBN__
2292 to stop the other process.
2294 When this happens, you have three ways to proceed:
2298 Remove or disable the breakpoints, then continue.
2301 Suspend _GDBN__, and copy the file containing your program to a new name.
2302 Resume _GDBN__ and use the @code{exec-file} command to specify that _GDBN__
2303 should run your program under that name. Then start your program again.
2305 @c FIXME: RMS commented here "Show example". Maybe when someone
2306 @c explains the first FIXME: in this section...
2309 Relink your program so that the text segment is nonsharable, using the
2310 linker option @samp{-N}. The operating system limitation may not apply
2311 to nonsharable executables.
2314 @node Continuing and Stepping, Signals, Breakpoints, Stopping
2315 @section Continuing and Stepping
2319 @cindex resuming execution
2320 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
2321 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
2322 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
2323 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
2324 particular command you use). Either when continuing
2325 or when stepping, your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint
2326 or to a signal. (If due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle},
2327 or use @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals}.)@refill
2330 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
2332 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
2333 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
2334 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
2335 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
2336 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
2338 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
2339 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
2340 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
2341 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.@refill
2345 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
2346 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints Watchpoints and Exceptions}) at the
2347 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a
2348 problem is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that
2349 breakpoint, and then step through the suspect area, examining the
2350 variables that are interesting, until you see the problem happen.
2356 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
2357 line, then stop it and return control to _GDBN__. This command is
2358 abbreviated @code{s}.
2361 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
2362 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
2363 execution will proceed until control reaches another function.
2366 @item step @var{count}
2367 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
2368 breakpoint is reached or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
2369 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
2371 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
2374 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
2375 Similar to @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the line
2376 of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when control
2377 reaches a different line of code at the stack level which was executing
2378 when the @code{next} command was given. This command is abbreviated
2381 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
2383 @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
2384 @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
2385 function are executed without stopping.
2389 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
2390 returns. Print the returned value (if any).
2392 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
2393 ,Returning from a Function}).@refill
2399 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
2400 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
2401 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
2402 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
2403 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
2404 than the address of the jump.
2406 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
2407 though it, @code{until} will cause your program to continue execution
2408 until the loop is exited. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end
2409 of a loop will simply step back to the beginning of the loop, which
2410 would force you to step through the next iteration.
2412 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
2415 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
2416 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
2417 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
2418 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
2419 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
2423 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
2426 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
2429 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
2430 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
2431 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
2432 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
2433 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
2434 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
2435 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
2437 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
2438 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
2441 @item until @var{location}
2442 @item u @var{location}
2443 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
2444 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
2445 the forms of argument acceptable to @code{break} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
2446 ,Setting Breakpoints}). This form of the command uses breakpoints,
2447 and hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument.@refill
2453 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
2455 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
2456 instructions. This will cause the next instruction to be executed to
2457 be displayed automatically at each stop. @xref{Auto Display,
2458 ,Automatic Display}.
2460 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
2466 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
2467 proceed until the function returns.
2469 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
2473 @node Signals, , Continuing and Stepping, Stopping
2477 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
2478 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
2479 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
2480 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt (often @kbd{C-c});
2481 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
2482 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
2483 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
2484 requested an alarm).
2486 @cindex fatal signals
2487 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
2488 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
2489 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (kill your program immediately) if the
2490 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
2491 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
2492 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
2494 _GDBN__ has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
2495 program. You can tell _GDBN__ in advance what to do for each kind of
2498 @cindex handling signals
2499 Normally, _GDBN__ is set up to ignore non-erroneous signals like @code{SIGALRM}
2500 (so as not to interfere with their role in the functioning of your program)
2501 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
2502 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
2506 @kindex info signals
2507 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how _GDBN__ has been told to
2508 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
2509 the defined types of signals.
2511 @item handle @var{signal} @var{keywords}@dots{}
2513 Change the way _GDBN__ handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the
2514 number of a signal or its name (with or without the @samp{SIG} at the
2515 beginning). The @var{keywords} say what change to make.
2519 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
2520 Their full names are:
2524 _GDBN__ should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
2525 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
2528 _GDBN__ should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
2529 the @code{print} keyword as well.
2532 _GDBN__ should print a message when this signal happens.
2535 _GDBN__ should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
2536 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
2539 _GDBN__ should allow your program to see this signal; your program will be
2540 able to handle the signal, or may be terminated if the signal is fatal
2544 _GDBN__ should not allow your program to see this signal.
2548 When a signal has been set to stop your program, your program cannot see the
2549 signal until you continue. It will see the signal then, if @code{pass} is
2550 in effect for the signal in question @i{at that time}. In other words,
2551 after _GDBN__ reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle} command with
2552 @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether that signal will be seen by
2553 your program when you later continue it.
2555 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
2556 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
2557 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
2558 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
2559 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
2560 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
2561 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
2562 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
2565 @node Stack, Source, Stopping, Top
2566 @chapter Examining the Stack
2568 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
2569 stopped and how it got there.
2572 Each time your program performs a function call, the information about
2573 where in your program the call was made from is saved in a block of data
2574 called a @dfn{stack frame}. The frame also contains the arguments of the
2575 call and the local variables of the function that was called. All the
2576 stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
2579 When your program stops, the _GDBN__ commands for examining the stack allow you
2580 to see all of this information.
2582 @cindex selected frame
2583 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by _GDBN__ and many _GDBN__ commands
2584 refer implicitly to the selected frame. In particular, whenever you ask
2585 _GDBN__ for the value of a variable in your program, the value is found in the
2586 selected frame. There are special _GDBN__ commands to select whichever frame
2587 you are interested in.
2589 When your program stops, _GDBN__ automatically selects the currently executing
2590 frame and describes it briefly as the @code{frame} command does
2591 (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information About a Frame}).
2594 * Frames:: Stack Frames
2595 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
2596 * Selection:: Selecting a Frame
2597 * Frame Info:: Information on a Frame
2600 @node Frames, Backtrace, Stack, Stack
2601 @section Stack Frames
2605 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
2606 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
2607 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
2608 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
2609 which the function is executing.
2611 @cindex initial frame
2612 @cindex outermost frame
2613 @cindex innermost frame
2614 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
2615 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
2616 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
2617 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
2618 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
2619 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
2620 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
2621 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
2623 @cindex frame pointer
2624 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
2625 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
2626 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one of those bytes whose
2627 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
2628 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register} while execution is
2629 going on in that frame.
2631 @cindex frame number
2632 _GDBN__ assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
2633 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
2634 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
2635 they are assigned by _GDBN__ to give you a way of designating stack
2636 frames in _GDBN__ commands.
2638 @cindex frameless execution
2639 Some compilers allow functions to be compiled so that they operate
2640 without stack frames. (For example, the @code{_GCC__} option
2641 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer} will generate functions without a frame.)
2642 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
2643 the frame setup time. _GDBN__ has limited facilities for dealing with
2644 these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation has no
2645 stack frame, _GDBN__ will nevertheless regard it as though it had a
2646 separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing correct
2647 tracing of the function call chain. However, _GDBN__ has no provision
2648 for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
2650 @node Backtrace, Selection, Frames, Stack
2653 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
2654 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
2655 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
2663 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
2664 frames in the stack.
2666 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
2667 character, normally @kbd{C-c}.
2669 @item backtrace @var{n}
2671 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
2673 @item backtrace -@var{n}
2675 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
2681 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
2682 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
2684 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
2685 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
2686 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
2687 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
2688 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
2691 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
2692 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
2696 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
2698 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600) at macro.c:242
2699 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
2701 (More stack frames follow...)
2706 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
2707 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
2708 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
2710 @node Selection, Frame Info, Backtrace, Stack
2711 @section Selecting a Frame
2713 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
2714 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
2715 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
2716 of the stack frame just selected.
2723 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
2724 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
2725 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is @code{main}'s
2728 @item frame @var{addr}
2730 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
2731 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
2732 impossible for _GDBN__ to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
2733 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
2734 switches between them.
2737 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
2738 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
2739 @c note to future updaters: this is conditioned on a flag
2740 @c FRAME_SPECIFICATION_DYADIC in the tm-*.h files, currently only used
2741 @c by SPARC, hence the specific attribution. Generalize or list all
2742 @c possibilities if more supported machines start doing this.
2747 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
2748 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
2749 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
2754 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
2755 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
2756 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
2757 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
2760 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
2761 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
2762 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
2763 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line. For
2769 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
2771 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
2775 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments will
2776 print ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
2777 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines}.
2780 @item up-silently @var{n}
2781 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
2782 @kindex down-silently
2784 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
2785 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
2786 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
2787 in _GDBN__ command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
2792 @node Frame Info, , Selection, Stack
2793 @section Information About a Frame
2795 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
2801 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
2802 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
2803 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
2804 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame
2805 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}).
2811 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
2812 including the address of the frame, the addresses of the next frame down
2813 (called by this frame) and the next frame up (caller of this frame), the
2814 language that the source code corresponding to this frame was written in,
2815 the address of the frame's arguments, the program counter saved in it
2816 (the address of execution in the caller frame), and which registers
2817 were saved in the frame. The verbose description is useful when
2818 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
2819 the usual conventions.
2821 @item info frame @var{addr}
2822 @itemx info f @var{addr}
2823 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr},
2824 without selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by
2829 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
2833 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
2834 line. These are all variables declared static or automatic within all
2835 program blocks that execution in this frame is currently inside of.
2839 @cindex catch exceptions
2840 @cindex exception handlers
2841 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
2842 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
2843 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
2844 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
2845 @xref{Exception Handling, ,Breakpoints and Exceptions}.@refill
2848 @node Source, Data, Stack, Top
2849 @chapter Examining Source Files
2851 _GDBN__ can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
2852 information recorded in your program tells _GDBN__ what source files
2853 were used to build it. When your program stops, _GDBN__ spontaneously
2854 prints the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack
2855 frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), _GDBN__ prints the line
2856 where execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other
2857 portions of source files by explicit command.@refill
2859 If you use _GDBN__ through its GNU Emacs interface, you may prefer to
2860 use Emacs facilities to view source; @pxref{Emacs, ,Using _GDBN__
2861 under GNU Emacs}.@refill
2864 * List:: Printing Source Lines
2865 * Search:: Searching Source Files
2866 * Source Path:: Specifying Source Directories
2867 * Machine Code:: Source and Machine Code
2870 @node List, Search, Source, Source
2871 @section Printing Source Lines
2875 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
2876 (abbreviated @code{l}). There are several ways to specify what part
2877 of the file you want to print.
2879 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
2882 @item list @var{linenum}
2883 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
2884 current source file.
2886 @item list @var{function}
2887 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
2891 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
2892 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
2893 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
2894 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
2895 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.@refill
2898 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
2901 By default, _GDBN__ prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
2902 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
2905 @item set listsize @var{count}
2906 @kindex set listsize
2907 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
2908 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
2911 @kindex show listsize
2912 Display the number of lines that @code{list} will currently display by
2916 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
2917 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
2918 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
2919 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
2920 each repetition moves up in the source file.
2923 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
2924 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
2925 of writing them but the effect is always to specify some source line.
2926 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
2929 @item list @var{linespec}
2930 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
2932 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
2933 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
2936 @item list ,@var{last}
2937 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
2939 @item list @var{first},
2940 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
2943 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
2946 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
2949 As described in the preceding table.
2952 Here are the ways of specifying a single source line---all the
2957 Specifies line @var{number} of the current source file.
2958 When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, this refers to
2959 the same source file as the first linespec.
2962 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines after the last line printed.
2963 When used as the second linespec in a @code{list} command that has
2964 two, this specifies the line @var{offset} lines down from the
2968 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before the last line printed.
2970 @item @var{filename}:@var{number}
2971 Specifies line @var{number} in the source file @var{filename}.
2973 @item @var{function}
2974 @c FIXME: "of the open-brace" is C-centric. When we add other langs...
2975 Specifies the line of the open-brace that begins the body of the
2976 function @var{function}.
2978 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
2979 Specifies the line of the open-brace that begins the body of the
2980 function @var{function} in the file @var{filename}. You only need the
2981 file name with a function name to avoid ambiguity when there are
2982 identically named functions in different source files.
2984 @item *@var{address}
2985 Specifies the line containing the program address @var{address}.
2986 @var{address} may be any expression.
2989 @node Search, Source Path, List, Source
2990 @section Searching Source Files
2992 @kindex reverse-search
2994 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
2998 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
2999 @itemx search @var{regexp}
3001 @kindex forward-search
3002 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
3003 with the one following the last line listed, for a match for @var{regexp}.
3004 It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate the command name
3005 as @code{fo}. The synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} is also supported.
3007 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
3008 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
3009 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
3010 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
3011 this command as @code{rev}.
3014 @node Source Path, Machine Code, Search, Source
3015 @section Specifying Source Directories
3018 @cindex directories for source files
3019 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
3020 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
3021 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
3022 session. _GDBN__ has a list of directories to search for source files;
3023 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time _GDBN__ wants a source file,
3024 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
3025 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name. Note that
3026 the executable search path is @emph{not} used for this purpose. Neither is
3027 the current working directory, unless it happens to be in the source
3030 If _GDBN__ cannot find a source file in the source path, and the object
3031 program records a directory, _GDBN__ tries that directory too. If the
3032 source path is empty, and there is no record of the compilation
3033 directory, _GDBN__ will, as a last resort, look in the current
3036 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, _GDBN__ will clear out
3037 any information it has cached about where source files are found, where
3038 each line is in the file, etc.
3041 When you start _GDBN__, its source path is empty.
3042 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
3045 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
3046 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
3047 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:} or
3048 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
3049 path; this moves it forward, so it will be searched sooner.
3051 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
3052 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
3053 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
3054 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your _GDBN__
3055 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
3056 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
3059 Reset the source path to empty again. This requires confirmation.
3061 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
3062 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
3064 @item show directories
3065 @kindex show directories
3066 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
3069 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
3070 interest, _GDBN__ may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
3071 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
3075 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to empty.
3078 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
3079 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
3080 directories in one command.
3083 @node Machine Code, , Source Path, Source
3084 @section Source and Machine Code
3085 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
3086 addresses (and viceversa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
3087 a range of addresses as machine instructions.
3090 @item info line @var{linespec}
3092 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
3093 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of the
3094 ways understood by the @code{list} command (@pxref{List, ,Printing Source Lines}).
3097 For example, we can use @code{info line} to inquire on where the object
3098 code for the first line of function @code{m4_changequote} lies:
3100 (_GDBP__) info line m4_changecom
3101 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
3105 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
3106 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
3108 (_GDBP__) info line *0x63ff
3109 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
3112 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
3113 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
3114 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
3115 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
3116 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
3117 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
3123 This specialized command is provided to dump a range of memory as
3124 machine instructions. The default memory range is the function
3125 surrounding the program counter of the selected frame. A single
3126 argument to this command is a program counter value; the function
3127 surrounding this value will be dumped. Two arguments (separated by one
3128 or more spaces) specify a range of addresses (first inclusive, second
3129 exclusive) to be dumped.
3132 We can use @code{disassemble} to inspect the object code
3133 range shown in the last @code{info line} example:
3136 (_GDBP__) disas 0x63e4 0x6404
3137 Dump of assembler code from 0x63e4 to 0x6404:
3138 0x63e4 <builtin_init+5340>: ble 0x63f8 <builtin_init+5360>
3139 0x63e8 <builtin_init+5344>: sethi %hi(0x4c00), %o0
3140 0x63ec <builtin_init+5348>: ld [%i1+4], %o0
3141 0x63f0 <builtin_init+5352>: b 0x63fc <builtin_init+5364>
3142 0x63f4 <builtin_init+5356>: ld [%o0+4], %o0
3143 0x63f8 <builtin_init+5360>: or %o0, 0x1a4, %o0
3144 0x63fc <builtin_init+5364>: call 0x9288 <path_search>
3145 0x6400 <builtin_init+5368>: nop
3146 End of assembler dump.
3151 @node Data, Languages, Source, Top
3152 @chapter Examining Data
3154 @cindex printing data
3155 @cindex examining data
3158 @c "inspect" isn't quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
3159 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
3160 @c different window or something like that.
3161 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
3162 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
3163 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
3164 program is written in (@pxref{Languages}).
3167 @item print @var{exp}
3168 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{exp}
3169 @var{exp} is an expression (in the source language). By default
3170 the value of @var{exp} is printed in a format appropriate to its data
3171 type; you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}},
3172 where @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; @pxref{Output formats}.
3175 @itemx print /@var{f}
3176 If you omit @var{exp}, _GDBN__ displays the last value again (from the
3177 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History}). This allows you to
3178 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
3181 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
3182 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
3183 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
3185 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the fields
3186 of a struct or class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
3187 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols}.
3190 * Expressions:: Expressions
3191 * Variables:: Program Variables
3192 * Arrays:: Artificial Arrays
3193 * Output formats:: Output formats
3194 * Memory:: Examining Memory
3195 * Auto Display:: Automatic Display
3196 * Print Settings:: Print Settings
3197 * Value History:: Value History
3198 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience Variables
3199 * Registers:: Registers
3200 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating Point Hardware
3203 @node Expressions, Variables, Data, Data
3204 @section Expressions
3207 @code{print} and many other _GDBN__ commands accept an expression and
3208 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
3209 by the programming language you are using is legal in an expression in
3210 _GDBN__. This includes conditional expressions, function calls, casts
3211 and string constants. It unfortunately does not include symbols defined
3212 by preprocessor @code{#define} commands.
3214 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
3215 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages,, Using _GDBN__ with Different
3216 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
3219 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in _GDBN__
3220 expressions regardless of your programming language.
3222 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
3223 useful to cast a number into a pointer so as to examine a structure
3224 at that address in memory.
3225 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
3227 _GDBN__ supports these operators in addition to those of programming
3232 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
3233 @xref{Arrays}, for more information.
3236 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
3237 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables}.
3239 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
3240 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
3241 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
3242 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
3243 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
3244 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.@refill
3247 @node Variables, Arrays, Expressions, Data
3248 @section Program Variables
3250 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
3253 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
3254 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must either be global
3255 (or static) or be visible according to the scope rules of the
3256 programming language from the point of execution in that frame. This
3257 means that in the function
3272 the variable @code{a} is usable whenever your program is executing
3273 within the function @code{foo}, but the variable @code{b} is visible
3274 only while your program is executing inside the block in which @code{b}
3277 @cindex variable name conflict
3278 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
3279 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
3280 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
3281 function with the same name (in different source files). If that happens,
3282 referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish, you can
3283 specify a variable in a particular file, using the colon-colon notation:
3287 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
3291 @var{file}::@var{variable}
3295 Here @var{file} is the name of the source file whose variable you want.
3297 @cindex C++ scope resolution
3298 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
3299 use of the same notation in C++. _GDBN__ also supports use of the C++
3300 scope resolution operator in _GDBN__ expressions.
3302 @cindex wrong values
3303 @cindex variable values, wrong
3305 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
3306 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to the
3307 function, and just before exit. You may see this problem when you are
3308 stepping by machine instructions. This is because on most machines, it
3309 takes more than one instruction to set up a stack frame (including local
3310 variable definitions); if you are stepping by machine instructions,
3311 variables may appear to have the wrong values until the stack frame is
3312 completely built. On function exit, it usually also takes more than one
3313 machine instruction to destroy a stack frame; after you begin stepping
3314 through that group of instructions, local variable definitions may be
3318 @node Arrays, Output formats, Variables, Data
3319 @section Artificial Arrays
3321 @cindex artificial array
3323 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
3324 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
3325 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
3328 This can be done by constructing an @dfn{artificial array} with the
3329 binary operator @samp{@@}. The left operand of @samp{@@} should be
3330 the first element of the desired array, as an individual object.
3331 The right operand should be the desired length of the array. The result is
3332 an array value whose elements are all of the type of the left argument.
3333 The first element is actually the left argument; the second element
3334 comes from bytes of memory immediately following those that hold the
3335 first element, and so on. Here is an example. If a program says
3338 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
3342 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
3348 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
3349 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
3350 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
3351 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
3352 (@pxref{Value History}), after printing one out.)
3354 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism isn't quite enough; in
3355 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
3356 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the
3357 values of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this
3358 situation is to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars,
3359 ,Convenience Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the
3360 first interesting value, and then repeat that expression via
3361 @key{RET}. For instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of
3362 pointers to structures, and you are interested in the values of a
3363 field @code{fv} in each structure. Here's an example of what you
3373 @node Output formats, Memory, Arrays, Data
3374 @section Output formats
3376 @cindex formatted output
3377 @cindex output formats
3378 By default, _GDBN__ prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
3379 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
3380 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
3381 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
3382 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
3384 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
3385 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
3386 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
3387 letters supported are:
3391 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
3395 Print as integer in signed decimal.
3398 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
3401 Print as integer in octal.
3404 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
3407 Print as an address, both absolute in hex and as an offset from the
3408 nearest preceding symbol. This format can be used to discover where (in
3409 what function) an unknown address is located:
3411 (_GDBP__) p/a 0x54320
3412 _0__$3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>_1__
3417 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant.
3420 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
3421 using typical floating point syntax.
3424 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
3431 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
3432 names in _GDBN__ cannot contain a slash.
3434 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
3435 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
3436 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
3438 @node Memory, Auto Display, Output formats, Data
3439 @section Examining Memory
3441 @cindex examining memory
3444 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
3447 You can use the command @code{x} (for `examine') to examine memory in
3448 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
3449 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters to specify how
3450 much memory to display, and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
3451 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
3452 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
3453 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
3456 @var{n}, the repeat count, is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It
3457 specifies how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
3458 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
3461 @var{f}, the display format, is one of the formats used by @code{print},
3462 or @samp{s} (null-terminated string) or @samp{i} (machine instruction).
3463 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially, or the format from the
3464 last time you used either @code{x} or @code{print}.
3466 @var{u}, the unit size, is any of
3471 Halfwords (two bytes).
3473 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
3475 Giant words (eight bytes).
3479 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
3480 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. (For the @samp{s} and
3481 @samp{i} formats, the unit size is ignored and is normally not written.)
3483 @var{addr} is the address where you want _GDBN__ to begin displaying
3484 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
3485 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
3486 @xref{Expressions} for more information on expressions. The default for
3487 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
3488 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
3489 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
3490 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
3491 a value from memory).
3493 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
3494 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
3495 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
3496 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
3497 @pxref{Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
3499 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
3500 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
3501 unit size or format comes first; either order will work. The output
3502 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
3503 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} will not work.)
3505 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
3506 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
3507 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
3508 including any operands. The command @code{disassemble} gives an
3509 alternative way of inspecting machine instructions; @pxref{Machine
3512 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
3513 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
3514 you use @code{x}. For example, after you've inspected three machine
3515 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
3516 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
3517 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
3518 for successive uses of @code{x}.
3520 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
3521 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
3522 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
3523 would get in the way. Instead, _GDBN__ makes these values available for
3524 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
3525 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
3526 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
3527 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
3528 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
3530 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
3531 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
3532 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
3534 @node Auto Display, Print Settings, Memory, Data
3535 @section Automatic Display
3536 @cindex automatic display
3537 @cindex display of expressions
3539 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
3540 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
3541 display list} so that _GDBN__ will print its value each time your program stops.
3542 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
3543 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
3544 The automatic display looks like this:
3548 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
3552 showing item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
3553 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
3554 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
3555 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending on how elaborate your
3556 format specification is---it uses @code{x} if you specify a unit size,
3557 or one of the two formats (@samp{i} and @samp{s}) that are only
3558 supported by @code{x}; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
3561 @item display @var{exp}
3563 Add the expression @var{exp} to the list of expressions to display
3564 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions}.
3566 @code{display} will not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
3568 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{exp}
3569 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
3570 count, add the expression @var{exp} to the auto-display list but
3571 arranges to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
3572 @xref{Output formats}.
3574 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
3575 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
3576 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
3577 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
3578 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
3581 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
3582 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
3583 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers}).
3586 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
3587 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
3588 @kindex delete display
3590 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
3592 @code{undisplay} will not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
3593 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
3595 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
3596 @kindex disable display
3597 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
3598 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
3599 enabled again later.
3601 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
3602 @kindex enable display
3603 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
3604 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
3607 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
3608 done when your program stops.
3611 @kindex info display
3612 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
3613 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
3614 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
3615 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
3616 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
3619 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
3620 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
3621 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
3622 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
3623 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
3624 @code{last_char}, then this argument will be displayed while your program
3625 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
3626 there is no variable @code{last_char}---display is disabled. The next time
3627 your program stops where @code{last_char} is meaningful, you can enable the
3628 display expression once again.
3630 @node Print Settings, Value History, Auto Display, Data
3631 @section Print Settings
3633 @cindex format options
3634 @cindex print settings
3635 _GDBN__ provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
3636 and symbols are printed.
3639 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
3642 @item set print address
3643 @item set print address on
3644 @kindex set print address
3645 _GDBN__ will print memory addresses showing the location of stack
3646 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
3647 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
3648 is on. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like, with
3649 @code{set print address on}:
3652 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
3654 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
3657 @item set print address off
3658 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
3659 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
3661 (_GDBP__) set print addr off
3663 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
3664 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
3667 @item show print address
3668 @kindex show print address
3669 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
3671 @item set print array
3672 @itemx set print array on
3673 @kindex set print array
3674 _GDBN__ will pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
3675 but uses more space. The default is off.
3677 @item set print array off.
3678 Return to compressed format for arrays.
3680 @item show print array
3681 @kindex show print array
3682 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
3685 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
3686 @kindex set print elements
3687 If _GDBN__ is printing a large array, it will stop printing after it has
3688 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
3689 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
3691 @item show print elements
3692 @kindex show print elements
3693 Display the number of elements of a large array that _GDBN__ will print
3694 before losing patience.
3696 @item set print pretty on
3697 @kindex set print pretty
3698 Cause _GDBN__ to print structures in an indented format with one member per
3712 @item set print pretty off
3713 Cause _GDBN__ to print structures in a compact format, like this:
3716 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, meat \
3721 This is the default format.
3723 @item show print pretty
3724 @kindex show print pretty
3725 Show which format _GDBN__ will use to print structures.
3727 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
3728 @kindex set print sevenbit-strings
3729 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
3730 _GDBN__ will display any eight-bit characters (in strings or character
3731 values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. For example, @kbd{M-a} is
3732 displayed as @code{\341}.
3734 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
3735 Print using either seven-bit or eight-bit characters, as required. This
3738 @item show print sevenbit-strings
3739 @kindex show print sevenbit-strings
3740 Show whether or not _GDBN__ will print only seven-bit characters.
3742 @item set print union on
3743 @kindex set print union
3744 Tell _GDBN__ to print unions which are contained in structures. This is the
3747 @item set print union off
3748 Tell _GDBN__ not to print unions which are contained in structures.
3750 @item show print union
3751 @kindex show print union
3752 Ask _GDBN__ whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
3755 For example, given the declarations
3758 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
3759 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
3760 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
3771 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
3775 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
3778 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
3782 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
3785 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
3790 These settings are of interest when debugging C++ programs:
3793 @item set print demangle
3794 @itemx set print demangle on
3795 @kindex set print demangle
3796 Print C++ names in their source form rather than in the mangled form
3797 in which they are passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe linkage.
3800 @item show print demangle
3801 @kindex show print demangle
3802 Show whether C++ names will be printed in mangled or demangled form.
3804 @item set print asm-demangle
3805 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
3806 @kindex set print asm-demangle
3807 Print C++ names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
3808 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
3811 @item show print asm-demangle
3812 @kindex show print asm-demangle
3813 Show whether C++ names in assembly listings will be printed in mangled
3816 @item set print object
3817 @itemx set print object on
3818 @kindex set print object
3819 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
3820 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
3821 the virtual function table.
3823 @item set print object off
3824 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
3825 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
3827 @item show print object
3828 @kindex show print object
3829 Show whether actual, or declared, object types will be displayed.
3831 @item set print vtbl
3832 @itemx set print vtbl on
3833 @kindex set print vtbl
3834 Pretty print C++ virtual function tables. The default is off.
3836 @item set print vtbl off
3837 Do not pretty print C++ virtual function tables.
3839 @item show print vtbl
3840 @kindex show print vtbl
3841 Show whether C++ virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
3845 @node Value History, Convenience Vars, Print Settings, Data
3846 @section Value History
3848 @cindex value history
3849 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in _GDBN__'s @dfn{value
3850 history} so that you can refer to them in other expressions. Values are
3851 kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded (for example with
3852 the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands). When the symbol table
3853 changes, the value history is discarded, since the values may contain
3854 pointers back to the types defined in the symbol table.
3858 @cindex history number
3859 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} for you to refer to them
3860 by. These are successive integers starting with one. @code{print} shows you
3861 the history number assigned to a value by printing @samp{$@var{num} = }
3862 before the value; here @var{num} is the history number.
3864 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
3865 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
3866 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
3867 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
3868 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
3869 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
3870 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
3872 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
3873 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
3879 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
3880 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
3887 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
3888 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
3890 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
3891 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
3899 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
3900 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
3905 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
3906 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
3907 values} does not change the history.
3909 @item show values @var{n}
3910 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
3913 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
3914 values are available, produces no display.
3917 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
3918 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
3920 @node Convenience Vars, Registers, Value History, Data
3921 @section Convenience Variables
3923 @cindex convenience variables
3924 _GDBN__ provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
3925 _GDBN__ to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
3926 exist entirely within _GDBN__; they are not part of your program, and
3927 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
3928 of your program. That's why you can use them freely.
3930 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
3931 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
3932 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers}).
3933 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
3934 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History}.)
3936 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
3937 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program. Example:
3940 set $foo = *object_ptr
3944 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
3947 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it; but its value
3948 is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the value with
3949 another assignment at any time.
3951 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
3952 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
3953 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
3954 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
3957 @item show convenience
3958 @kindex show convenience
3959 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
3960 Abbreviated @code{show con}.
3963 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
3964 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
3965 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
3969 print bar[$i++]->contents
3970 @i{@dots{} repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.}
3973 Some convenience variables are created automatically by _GDBN__ and given
3974 values likely to be useful.
3979 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
3980 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
3981 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
3982 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
3983 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
3984 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
3985 to the type of @code{$__}.
3989 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
3990 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
3991 to match the format in which the data was printed.
3994 @node Registers, Floating Point Hardware, Convenience Vars, Data
3998 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
3999 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
4000 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
4004 @item info registers
4005 @kindex info registers
4006 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
4007 registers (in the selected stack frame).
4009 @item info all-registers
4010 @kindex info all-registers
4011 @cindex floating point registers
4012 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
4015 @item info registers @var{regname}
4016 Print the relativized value of register @var{regname}. @var{regname}
4017 may be any register name valid on the machine you are using, with
4018 or without the initial @samp{$}.
4021 _GDBN__ has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
4022 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
4023 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
4024 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
4025 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
4026 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
4027 register that contains the processor status. For example,
4028 you could print the program counter in hex with
4034 or print the instruction to be executed next with
4040 or add four to the stack pointer @footnote{This is a way of removing
4041 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
4042 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
4043 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
4044 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
4045 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
4046 @pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with@refill
4051 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
4052 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
4053 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
4054 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
4055 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
4056 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}.
4058 _GDBN__ always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
4059 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
4060 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
4061 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
4062 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
4063 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
4064 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
4066 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
4067 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
4068 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
4069 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
4070 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
4071 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
4072 cases, _GDBN__ normally works with the virtual format only (the format that
4073 makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
4074 prints the data in both formats.
4076 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
4077 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
4078 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
4079 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
4080 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
4081 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
4083 However, _GDBN__ must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
4084 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
4085 _GDBN__ is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
4086 frame will make no difference.
4088 @node Floating Point Hardware, , Registers, Data
4089 @section Floating Point Hardware
4090 @cindex floating point
4091 Depending on the host machine architecture, _GDBN__ may be able to give
4092 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
4097 If available, provides hardware-dependent information about the floating
4098 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
4099 floating point chip.
4101 @c FIXME: this is a cop-out. Try to get examples, explanations. Only
4102 @c FIXME...supported currently on arm's and 386's. Mark properly with
4103 @c FIXME... m4 macros to isolate general statements from hardware-dep,
4104 @c FIXME... at that point.
4106 @node Languages, Symbols, Data, Top
4107 @chapter Using _GDBN__ with Different Languages
4110 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
4111 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
4112 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
4113 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
4114 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C are written
4115 like @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
4117 @cindex working language
4118 Language-specific information is built into _GDBN__ for some languages,
4119 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
4120 native language, and allowing _GDBN__ to output values in a manner
4121 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
4122 language you use to build expressions, called the @dfn{working
4123 language}, can be selected manually, or _GDBN__ can set it
4127 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
4128 * Show:: Displaying the language
4129 * Checks:: Type and Range checks
4130 * Support:: Supported languages
4133 @node Setting, Show, Languages, Languages
4134 @section Switching between source languages
4136 There are two ways to control the working language---either have _GDBN__
4137 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
4138 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, _GDBN__
4139 defaults to setting the language automatically.
4142 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
4143 * Automatically:: Having _GDBN__ infer the source language
4146 @node Manually, Automatically, Setting, Setting
4147 @subsection Setting the working language
4149 @kindex set language
4150 To set the language, issue the command @samp{set language @var{lang}},
4151 where @var{lang} is the name of a language: @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
4152 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
4154 Setting the language manually prevents _GDBN__ from updating the working
4155 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
4156 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
4157 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
4158 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
4159 source file were written in C, and _GDBN__ was parsing Modula-2, a
4167 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
4168 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
4169 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
4170 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
4172 If you allow _GDBN__ to set the language automatically, then
4173 you can count on expressions evaluating the same way in your debugging
4174 session and in your program.
4176 @node Automatically, , Manually, Setting
4177 @subsection Having _GDBN__ infer the source language
4179 To have _GDBN__ set the working language automatically, use @samp{set
4180 language local} or @samp{set language auto}. _GDBN__ then infers the
4181 language that a program was written in by looking at the name of its
4182 source files, and examining their extensions:
4186 Modula-2 source file
4190 C or C++ source file.
4193 This information is recorded for each function or procedure in a source
4194 file. When your program stops in a frame (usually by encountering a
4195 breakpoint), _GDBN__ sets the working language to the language recorded
4196 for the function in that frame. If the language for a frame is unknown
4197 (that is, if the function or block corresponding to the frame was
4198 defined in a source file that does not have a recognized extension), the
4199 current working language is not changed, and _GDBN__ issues a warning.
4201 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
4202 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
4203 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
4204 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
4205 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
4207 @node Show, Checks, Setting, Languages
4208 @section Displaying the language
4210 The following commands will help you find out which language is the
4211 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
4213 @kindex show language
4218 Display the current working language. This is the
4219 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
4220 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
4223 Among the other information listed here (@pxref{Frame Info,,Information
4224 about a Frame}) is the source language for this frame. This is the
4225 language that will become the working language if you ever use an
4226 identifier that is in this frame.
4229 Among the other information listed here (@pxref{Symbols,,Examining the
4230 Symbol Table}) is the source language of this source file.
4234 @node Checks, Support, Show, Languages
4235 @section Type and range Checking
4238 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the _GDBN__ commands for type and range
4239 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
4240 section documents the intended facilities.
4242 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
4244 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
4245 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
4246 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
4247 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
4248 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
4249 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
4250 errors when your program is running.
4252 _GDBN__ can check for conditions like the above if you wish. Although
4253 _GDBN__ will not check the statements in your program, it can check
4254 expressions entered directly into _GDBN__ for evaluation via the
4255 @code{print} command, for example. As with the working language,
4256 _GDBN__ can also decide whether or not to check automatically based on
4257 your program's source language. @xref{Support,,Supported Languages},
4258 for the default settings of supported languages.@refill
4261 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
4262 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
4265 @cindex type checking
4266 @cindex checks, type
4267 @node Type Checking, Range Checking, Checks, Checks
4268 @subsection An overview of type checking
4270 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
4271 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
4272 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
4273 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
4280 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
4281 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
4283 For expressions you use in _GDBN__ commands, you can tell the _GDBN__
4284 type checker to skip checking; to treat any mismatches as errors and
4285 abandon the expression; or only issue warnings when type mismatches
4286 occur, but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
4287 these, _GDBN__ evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
4288 also issues a warning.
4290 Even though you may turn type checking off, other type-based reasons may
4291 prevent _GDBN__ from evaluating an expression. For instance, _GDBN__ does not
4292 know how to add an @code{int} and a @code{struct foo}. These particular
4293 type errors have nothing to do with the language in use, and usually
4294 arise from expressions, such as the one described above, which make
4295 little sense to evaluate anyway.
4297 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
4298 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
4299 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
4300 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
4301 operators. @xref{Support,,Supported Languages}, for futher
4302 details on specific languages.
4304 _GDBN__ provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
4307 @kindex set check type
4308 @kindex show check type
4310 @item set check type auto
4311 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
4312 @xref{Support,,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
4315 @item set check type on
4316 @itemx set check type off
4317 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
4318 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
4319 match the language's default. If any type mismatches occur in
4320 evaluating an expression while typechecking is on, _GDBN__ prints a
4321 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
4323 @item set check type warn
4324 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
4325 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
4326 be impossible for other reasons. For example, _GDBN__ cannot add
4327 numbers and structures.
4330 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not _GDBN__ is
4331 setting it automatically.
4334 @cindex range checking
4335 @cindex checks, range
4336 @node Range Checking, , Type Checking, Checks
4337 @subsection An overview of Range Checking
4339 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
4340 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
4341 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
4342 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
4343 not exceed the bounds of the array.
4345 For expressions you use in _GDBN__ commands, you can tell _GDBN__ to
4346 ignore range errors; to always treat them as errors and abandon the
4347 expression; or to issue warnings when a range error occurs but evaluate
4348 the expression anyway.
4350 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
4351 array index bound, or when you type in a constant that is not a member
4352 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
4353 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
4354 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
4355 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
4357 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
4360 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
4361 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Support,,
4362 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
4364 _GDBN__ provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
4367 @kindex set check range
4368 @kindex show check range
4370 @item set check range auto
4371 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
4372 @xref{Support,,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
4375 @item set check range on
4376 @itemx set check range off
4377 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
4378 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
4379 match the language's default. If a range error occurs, then a message
4380 is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
4382 @item set check range warn
4383 Output messages when the _GDBN__ range checker detects a range error,
4384 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
4385 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
4386 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many UNIX
4390 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
4391 being set automatically by _GDBN__.
4394 @node Support, , Checks, Languages
4395 @section Supported Languages
4397 _GDBN__ _GDB_VN__ supports C, C++, and Modula-2. The syntax for C and C++ is
4398 so closely related that _GDBN__ does not distinguish the two. Some
4399 _GDBN__ features may be used in expressions regardless of the language
4400 you use: the _GDBN__ @code{@@} and @code{::} operators, and the
4401 @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of
4402 any of the supported languages.
4404 The following sections detail to what degree each of these
4405 source languages is supported by _GDBN__. These sections are
4406 not meant to be language tutorials or references, but serve only as a
4407 reference guide to what the _GDBN__ expression parser will accept, and
4408 what input and output formats should look like for different languages.
4409 There are many good books written on each of these languages; please
4410 look to these for a language reference or tutorial.
4414 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
4417 @node C, Modula-2, Support, Support
4418 @subsection C and C++
4421 @cindex expressions in C or C++
4422 Since C and C++ are so closely related, _GDBN__ does not distinguish
4423 between them when interpreting the expressions recognized in _GDBN__
4429 The C++ debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the GNU C++
4430 compiler and _GDBN__. Therefore, to debug your C++ code effectively,
4431 you must compile your C++ programs with the GNU C++ compiler,
4436 * C Operators:: C and C++ Operators
4437 * C Constants:: C and C++ Constants
4438 * Cplusplus expressions:: C++ Expressions
4439 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C++
4440 * C Checks:: C and C++ Type and Range Checks
4441 * Debugging C:: _GDBN__ and C
4442 * Debugging C plus plus:: Special features for C++
4445 @cindex C and C++ operators
4446 @node C Operators, C Constants, C, C
4447 @subsubsection C and C++ Operators
4449 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
4450 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
4451 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of C and C++, the
4452 following definitions hold:
4456 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
4457 specifiers, @code{char}, and @code{enum}s.
4460 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float} and @code{double}.
4463 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type}
4467 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
4472 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
4473 in order of increasing precedence:
4478 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
4479 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
4480 expression being the last expression evaluated.
4483 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
4484 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
4487 Used in an expression of the form @var{a} @var{op}@code{=} @var{b}, and
4488 translated to @var{a} @code{=} @var{a op b}. @var{op}@code{=} and
4489 @code{=} have the same precendence. @var{op} is any one of the
4490 operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&}, @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+},
4491 @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
4494 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
4495 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
4499 Logical OR. Defined on integral types.
4502 Logical AND. Defined on integral types.
4505 Bitwise OR. Defined on integral types.
4508 Bitwise exclusive-OR. Defined on integral types.
4511 Bitwise AND. Defined on integral types.
4514 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
4515 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
4517 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
4518 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
4519 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
4520 and non-zero for true.
4523 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
4526 The _GDBN__ ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions}).
4529 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
4532 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
4533 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
4534 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
4538 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
4539 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
4540 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
4541 operation takes place.
4544 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
4548 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
4551 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
4552 precedence as @code{++}.
4555 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
4559 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
4563 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
4564 _GDBN__ regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
4565 pointer based on the stored type information.
4566 Defined on @code{struct}s and @code{union}s.
4569 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
4570 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
4573 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
4576 C++ scope resolution operator. Defined on
4577 @code{struct}, @code{union}, and @code{class} types.
4580 The _GDBN__ scope operator (@pxref{Expressions}). Same precedence as
4581 @code{::}, above. _1__
4584 @cindex C and C++ constants
4585 @node C Constants, Cplusplus expressions, C Operators, C
4586 @subsubsection C and C++ Constants
4588 _GDBN__ allows you to express the constants of C and C++ in the
4594 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
4595 specified by a leading @samp{0} (ie. zero), and hexadecimal constants by
4596 a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with an
4597 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
4601 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
4602 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
4603 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
4604 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
4605 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
4608 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
4609 integral equivalents.
4612 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
4613 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
4614 (usually its @sc{ASCII} value). Within quotes, the single character may
4615 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
4616 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
4617 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
4618 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
4619 @samp{\n} for newline.
4622 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded
4623 by double quotes (@code{"}).
4626 Pointer constants are an integral value.
4631 @node Cplusplus expressions, C Defaults, C Constants, C
4632 @subsubsection C++ Expressions
4634 @cindex expressions in C++
4635 _GDBN__'s expression handling has the following extensions to
4636 interpret a significant subset of C++ expressions:
4640 @cindex member functions
4642 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
4644 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
4648 @cindex namespace in C++
4650 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
4651 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
4652 that is, _GDBN__ allows implicit references to the class instance
4653 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C++.
4655 @cindex call overloaded functions
4656 @cindex type conversions in C++
4658 You can call overloaded functions; _GDBN__ will resolve the function
4659 call to the right definition, with one restriction---you must use
4660 arguments of the type required by the function that you want to call.
4661 _GDBN__ will not perform conversions requiring constructors or
4662 user-defined type operators.
4664 @cindex reference declarations
4666 _GDBN__ understands variables declared as C++ references; you can use them in
4667 expressions just as you do in C++ source---they are automatically
4670 In the parameter list shown when _GDBN__ displays a frame, the values of
4671 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
4672 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
4673 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
4674 you've specified @samp{set print address off}.
4678 _GDBN__ supports the C++ name resolution operator @code{::}---your
4679 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
4680 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
4681 necessary, for example in an expression like
4682 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. _GDBN__ also allows
4683 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C++
4684 debugging; @pxref{Variables}.
4689 @node C Defaults, C Checks, Cplusplus expressions, C
4690 @subsubsection C and C++ Defaults
4691 @cindex C and C++ defaults
4693 If you allow _GDBN__ to set type and range checking automatically, they
4694 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
4695 C/C++. This happens regardless of whether you, or _GDBN__,
4696 selected the working language.
4698 If you allow _GDBN__ to set the language automatically, it sets the
4699 working language to C/C++ on entering code compiled from a source file
4700 whose name ends with @file{.c} or @file{.cc}.
4701 @xref{Automatically,,Having _GDBN__ infer the source language}, for
4704 @node C Checks, Debugging C, C Defaults, C
4705 @subsubsection C and C++ Type and Range Checks
4706 @cindex C and C++ checks
4709 @emph{Warning:} in this release, _GDBN__ does not yet perform type or
4712 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
4714 By default, when _GDBN__ parses C or C++ expressions, type checking
4715 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, _GDBN__ will
4716 consider two variables type equivalent if:
4720 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
4724 Two two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
4725 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
4728 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
4731 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
4732 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
4738 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
4739 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
4740 that is not itself an array.
4742 @node Debugging C, Debugging C plus plus, C Checks, C
4743 @subsubsection _GDBN__ and C
4745 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
4746 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
4747 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} will also be printed.
4748 Otherwise, it will appear as @samp{@{...@}}.
4750 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
4751 with pointers and a memory allocation function. (@pxref{Expressions})
4753 @node Debugging C plus plus, , Debugging C, C
4754 @subsubsection _GDBN__ Commands for C++
4756 @cindex commands for C++
4757 Some _GDBN__ commands are particularly useful with C++, and some are
4758 designed specifically for use with C++. Here is a summary:
4761 @cindex break in overloaded functions
4762 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
4763 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
4764 _GDBN__'s breakpoint menus help you specify which function definition
4765 you want. @xref{Breakpoint Menus}.
4767 @cindex overloading in C++
4768 @item rbreak @var{regex}
4769 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
4770 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
4772 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
4774 @cindex C++ exception handling
4775 @item catch @var{exceptions}
4777 Debug C++ exception handling using these commands. @xref{Exception
4778 Handling, ,Breakpoints and Exceptions}. @refill
4781 @item ptype @var{typename}
4782 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
4786 @cindex C++ symbol display
4787 @item set print demangle
4788 @itemx show print demangle
4789 @itemx set print asm-demangle
4790 @itemx show print asm-demangle
4791 Control whether C++ symbols display in their source form, both when
4792 displaying code as C++ source and when displaying disassemblies.
4793 @xref{Print Settings}.
4795 @item set print object
4796 @itemx show print object
4797 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
4798 @xref{Print Settings}.
4800 @item set print vtbl
4801 @itemx show print vtbl
4802 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
4803 @xref{Print Settings}.
4808 @node Modula-2, , C, Support
4809 @subsection Modula-2
4812 The extensions made to _GDBN__ to support Modula-2 support output
4813 from the GNU Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being developed).
4814 Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and attempting to
4815 debug executables produced by them will most likely result in an error
4816 as _GDBN__ reads in the executable's symbol table.
4818 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
4820 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
4821 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in Functions and Procedures
4822 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 Constants
4823 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
4824 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
4825 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
4826 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
4827 * GDB/M2:: _GDBN__ and Modula-2
4830 @node M2 Operators, Built-In Func/Proc, Modula-2, Modula-2
4831 @subsubsection Operators
4832 @cindex Modula-2 operators
4834 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
4835 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
4836 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
4837 following definitions hold:
4842 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
4846 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
4849 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
4852 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
4856 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
4859 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET}s and @code{BITSET}s.
4862 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
4867 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
4868 increasing precedence:
4873 Function argument or array index separator.
4876 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
4880 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
4884 Less than, greater than, less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
4885 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
4886 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
4888 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
4889 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
4890 Same precedence as @code{<}. In _GDBN__ scripts, only @code{<>} is
4891 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
4895 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
4896 Same precedence as @code{<}.
4899 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
4902 Boolean conjuction. Defined on boolean types.
4905 The _GDBN__ ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions}).
4908 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
4909 and difference on set types.
4912 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
4916 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
4917 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
4920 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
4921 precedence as @code{*}.
4924 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER}s and @code{REAL}s.
4927 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
4930 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
4934 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD}s. Same
4935 precedence as @code{^}.
4938 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY}s. Same precedence as @code{^}.
4941 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE}s. Same precedence
4945 _GDBN__ and Modula-2 scope operators.
4950 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so _GDBN__
4951 will treat the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
4952 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
4953 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
4957 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
4958 @node Built-In Func/Proc, M2 Constants, M2 Operators, Modula-2
4959 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
4961 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
4962 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
4967 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
4970 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
4973 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
4976 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
4977 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
4978 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}.
4981 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
4984 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
4990 represents a variable.
4993 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
4994 explanation of the function for details.
4998 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
5002 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
5005 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
5006 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument
5009 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
5012 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v}. Returns the new value.
5014 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
5015 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
5018 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
5019 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
5022 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
5023 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
5026 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
5029 Increments the value in the variable @var{v}. Returns the new value.
5031 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
5032 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
5035 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
5036 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
5037 there. Returns the new set.
5040 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
5043 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
5046 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
5049 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
5050 value of a character is its ASCII value (on machines supporting the
5051 ASCII character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
5052 integral, character and enumerated types.
5055 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
5057 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
5058 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
5060 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
5061 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
5065 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
5066 _GDBN__ will treat the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
5070 @cindex Modula-2 constants
5071 @node M2 Constants, M2 Defaults, Built-In Func/Proc, Modula-2
5072 @subsubsection Constants
5074 _GDBN__ allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
5080 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
5081 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
5082 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
5083 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
5086 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
5087 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
5088 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
5089 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
5090 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
5094 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
5095 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
5096 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their ASCII value, usually)
5097 followed by a @samp{C}.
5100 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a pair
5101 of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). Escape
5102 sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C Constants}, for a
5103 brief explanation of escape sequences.
5106 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
5109 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
5113 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
5116 Set constants are not yet supported.
5120 @node M2 Defaults, Deviations, M2 Constants, Modula-2
5121 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
5122 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
5124 If type and range checking are set automatically by _GDBN__, they
5125 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
5126 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you, or _GDBN__,
5127 selected the working language.
5129 If you allow _GDBN__ to set the language automatically, then entering
5130 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} will set the
5131 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically,,Having _GDBN__ set
5132 the language automatically}, for further details.
5134 @node Deviations, M2 Checks, M2 Defaults, Modula-2
5135 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
5136 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
5138 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
5139 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
5143 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
5144 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
5145 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
5146 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
5147 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
5148 returned a pointer.)
5151 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
5152 non-printable characters. _GDBN__ will print out strings with these
5153 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
5154 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
5157 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
5161 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
5165 @node M2 Checks, M2 Scope, Deviations, Modula-2
5166 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
5167 @cindex Modula-2 checks
5170 @emph{Warning:} in this release, _GDBN__ does not yet perform type or
5173 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
5175 _GDBN__ considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
5179 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
5180 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
5183 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
5184 GNU Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
5188 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
5189 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
5191 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
5192 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
5194 @node M2 Scope, GDB/M2, M2 Checks, Modula-2
5195 @subsubsection The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
5200 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
5201 (@code{.}) and the _GDBN__ scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
5206 @var{module} . @var{id}
5207 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
5212 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
5213 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
5214 identifier within your program, except another module.
5216 Using the @code{::} operator makes _GDBN__ search the scope
5217 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
5218 found in the specified scope, then _GDBN__ will search all scopes
5219 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
5221 Using the @code{.} operator makes _GDBN__ search the current scope for
5222 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
5223 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
5224 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
5225 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
5228 @node GDB/M2, , M2 Scope, Modula-2
5229 @subsubsection _GDBN__ and Modula-2
5231 Some _GDBN__ commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
5232 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
5233 specifically to C and C++: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
5234 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
5235 apply to C++, and the last to C's @code{union} type, which has no direct
5236 analogue in Modula-2.
5238 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions}), while available
5239 while using any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
5240 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
5241 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C++. However, because an
5242 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
5243 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful. (@pxref{Expressions})
5246 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
5247 In _GDBN__ scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
5248 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
5252 @node Symbols, Altering, Languages, Top
5253 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
5255 The commands described in this section allow you to inquire about the
5256 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
5257 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
5258 does not change as your program executes. _GDBN__ finds it in your
5259 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started _GDBN__
5260 (@pxref{File Options}), or by one of the file-management commands
5261 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
5264 @item info address @var{symbol}
5265 @kindex info address
5266 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
5267 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
5268 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
5271 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
5272 at all for a register variables, and for a stack local variable prints
5273 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
5275 @item whatis @var{exp}
5277 Print the data type of expression @var{exp}. @var{exp} is not
5278 actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
5279 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
5283 Print the data type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
5285 @item ptype @var{typename}
5287 Print a description of data type @var{typename}. @var{typename} may be
5288 the name of a type, or for C code it may have the form
5289 @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
5290 @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.@refill
5292 @item ptype @var{exp}
5294 Print a description of the type of expression @var{exp}. @code{ptype}
5295 differs from @code{whatis} by printing a detailed description, instead of just
5296 the name of the type. For example, if your program declares a variable
5299 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
5302 compare the output of the two commands:
5305 type = struct complex
5307 type = struct complex @{
5313 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
5314 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
5316 @item info types @var{regexp}
5319 Print a brief description of all types whose name matches @var{regexp}
5320 (or all types in your program, if you supply no argument). Each
5321 complete typename is matched as though it were a complete line; thus,
5322 @samp{i type value} gives information on all types in your program whose
5323 name includes the string @code{value}, but @samp{i type ^value$} gives
5324 information only on types whose complete name is @code{value}.
5326 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
5327 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
5328 lists all source files where a type is defined.
5332 Show the name of the current source file---that is, the source file for
5333 the function containing the current point of execution---and the language
5337 @kindex info sources
5338 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
5339 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
5340 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
5342 @item info functions
5343 @kindex info functions
5344 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
5346 @item info functions @var{regexp}
5347 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
5348 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
5349 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
5350 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
5351 start with @code{step}.
5353 @item info variables
5354 @kindex info variables
5355 Print the names and data types of all variables that are declared
5356 outside of functions (i.e., excluding local variables).
5358 @item info variables @var{regexp}
5359 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
5360 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
5365 This was never implemented.
5367 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
5368 @kindex info methods
5369 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
5370 methods within C++ program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
5371 specific set of methods found in the various C++ classes. Many
5372 C++ classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
5373 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
5374 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
5375 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
5378 @item printsyms @var{filename}
5379 @itemx printpsyms @var{filename}
5383 @cindex partial symbol dump
5384 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
5385 These commands are used to debug the _GDBN__ symbol-reading code. Only
5386 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @code{printsyms},
5387 _GDBN__ includes all the symbols for which it has already collected full
5388 details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for only those files
5389 whose symbols _GDBN__ has read. You can use the command @code{info
5390 sources} to find out which files these are. If you use
5391 @code{printpsyms}, the dump also shows information about symbols that
5392 _GDBN__ only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in files that
5393 _GDBN__ has skimmed, but not yet read completely. The description of
5394 @code{symbol-file} describes how _GDBN__ reads symbols; both commands
5395 are described under @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
5399 @node Altering, _GDBN__ Files, Symbols, Top
5400 @chapter Altering Execution
5402 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
5403 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
5404 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
5405 experiment, using the _GDBN__ features for altering execution of the
5408 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
5409 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different address,
5410 or even return prematurely from a function to its caller.
5413 * Assignment:: Assignment to Variables
5414 * Jumping:: Continuing at a Different Address
5415 * Signaling:: Giving your program a Signal
5416 * Returning:: Returning from a Function
5417 * Calling:: Calling your Program's Functions
5418 * Patching:: Patching your Program
5421 @node Assignment, Jumping, Altering, Altering
5422 @section Assignment to Variables
5425 @cindex setting variables
5426 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
5427 @xref{Expressions}. For example,
5434 would store the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then print the
5435 value of the assignment expression (which is 4). @xref{Languages}, for
5436 more information on operators in supported languages.
5438 @kindex set variable
5439 @cindex variables, setting
5440 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
5441 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
5442 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is not
5443 printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History}). The
5444 expression is evaluated only for its effects.
5446 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
5447 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
5448 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
5449 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, a
5450 program might well have a variable @code{width}---which leads to
5451 an error if we try to set a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, as
5452 we might if @code{set width} didn't happen to be a _GDBN__ command:
5454 (_GDBP__) whatis width
5458 (_GDBP__) set width=47
5459 Invalid syntax in expression.
5462 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. What we can do in
5463 order to actually set our program's variable @code{width} is
5465 (_GDBP__) set var width=47
5468 _GDBN__ allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C does; you can
5469 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa, and
5470 any structure can be converted to any other structure that is the same
5472 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
5475 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
5476 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
5477 (@pxref{Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
5478 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
5479 and representation in memory), and
5482 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
5486 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
5488 @node Jumping, Signaling, Assignment, Altering
5489 @section Continuing at a Different Address
5491 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
5492 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
5493 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
5496 @item jump @var{linespec}
5498 Resume execution at line @var{linespec}. Execution will stop
5499 immediately if there is a breakpoint there. @xref{List, ,Printing
5500 Source Lines}, for a description of the different forms of
5503 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
5504 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
5505 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
5506 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
5507 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
5508 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
5509 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
5510 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
5511 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
5513 @item jump *@var{address}
5514 Resume execution at the instruction at address @var{address}.
5517 You can get much the same effect as the @code{jump} command by storing a
5518 new value into the register @code{$pc}. The difference is that this
5519 does not start your program running; it only changes the address where it
5520 @emph{will} run when it is continued. For example,
5527 causes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command to execute at
5528 address 0x485, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
5529 @xref{Continuing and Stepping}.
5531 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back up,
5532 perhaps with more breakpoints set, over a portion of a program that has
5533 already executed, in order to examine its execution in more detail.
5535 @node Signaling, Returning, Jumping, Altering
5537 @section Giving your program a Signal
5540 @item signal @var{signalnum}
5542 Resume execution where your program stopped, but give it immediately the
5543 signal number @var{signalnum}.
5545 Alternatively, if @var{signalnum} is zero, continue execution without
5546 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
5547 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
5548 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
5551 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
5552 after executing the command.
5556 @node Returning, Calling, Signaling, Altering
5557 @section Returning from a Function
5561 @itemx return @var{expression}
5562 @cindex returning from a function
5564 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
5565 command. If you give an
5566 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
5570 When you use @code{return}, _GDBN__ discards the selected stack frame
5571 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
5572 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
5573 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
5575 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
5576 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
5577 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
5578 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
5581 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
5582 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
5583 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command
5584 (@pxref{Continuing and Stepping})
5585 resumes execution until the selected stack frame returns naturally.@refill
5587 @node Calling, Patching, Returning, Altering
5588 @section Calling your Program's Functions
5590 @cindex calling functions
5593 @item call @var{expr}
5594 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
5598 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
5599 execute a function from your program, but without cluttering the output
5600 with @code{void} returned values. The result is printed and saved in
5601 the value history, if it is not void.
5603 @node Patching, , Calling, Altering
5604 @section Patching your Program
5605 @cindex patching binaries
5606 @cindex writing into executables
5607 @cindex writing into corefiles
5608 By default, _GDBN__ opens the file containing your program's executable
5609 code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental alterations
5610 to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally patching
5611 your program's binary.
5613 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
5614 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
5615 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
5620 @itemx set write off
5622 If you specify @samp{set write on}, _GDBN__ will open executable and
5623 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @samp{set write
5624 off} (the default), _GDBN__ will open them read-only.
5626 If you've already loaded a file, you must load it
5627 again (using the @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after
5628 changing @code{set write}, for your new setting to take effect.
5632 Display whether executable files and core files will be opened for
5633 writing as well as reading.
5637 @node _GDBN__ Files, Targets, Altering, Top
5638 @chapter _GDBN__'s Files
5641 * Files:: Commands to Specify Files
5642 * Symbol Errors:: Errors Reading Symbol Files
5645 @node Files, Symbol Errors, _GDBN__ Files, _GDBN__ Files
5646 @section Commands to Specify Files
5647 @cindex core dump file
5648 @cindex symbol table
5649 _GDBN__ needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged, both in
5650 order to read its symbol table and in order to start your program. To
5651 debug a core dump of a previous run, _GDBN__ must be told the file name of
5654 The usual way to specify the executable and core dump file names is with
5655 the command arguments given when you start _GDBN__, as discussed in
5656 @pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of _GDBN__}.
5658 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
5659 _GDBN__ session. Or you may run _GDBN__ and forget to specify the files you
5660 want to use. In these situations the _GDBN__ commands to specify new files
5664 @item file @var{filename}
5665 @cindex executable file
5667 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
5668 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
5669 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
5670 directory and the file is not found in _GDBN__'s working directory,
5672 _GDBN__ uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
5673 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
5674 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both _GDBN__ and
5675 your program, using the @code{path} command.
5678 @code{file} with no argument makes _GDBN__ discard any information it
5679 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
5681 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
5683 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
5684 in @var{filename}. _GDBN__ will search the environment variable @code{PATH}
5685 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
5686 discard information on the executable file.
5688 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
5690 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
5691 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
5692 table and program to run from the same file.
5694 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out _GDBN__'s information on your
5695 program's symbol table.
5697 The @code{symbol-file} command causes _GDBN__ to forget the contents of its
5698 convenience variables, the value history, and all breakpoints and
5699 auto-display expressions. This is because they may contain pointers to
5700 the internal data recording symbols and data types, which are part of
5701 the old symbol table data being discarded inside _GDBN__.
5703 @code{symbol-file} will not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
5706 On some kinds of object files, the @code{symbol-file} command does not
5707 actually read the symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans
5708 the symbol table quickly to find which source files and which symbols
5709 are present. The details are read later, one source file at a time,
5710 when they are needed.
5712 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make _GDBN__ start up
5713 faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for occasional pauses
5714 while the symbol table details for a particular source file are being
5715 read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these pauses into
5716 messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
5719 When the symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} does
5720 read the symbol table data in full right away. We haven't implemented
5721 the two-stage strategy for COFF yet.
5723 When _GDBN__ is configured for a particular environment, it will
5724 understand debugging information in whatever format is the standard
5725 generated for that environment; you may use either a GNU compiler, or
5726 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions. Best results are
5727 usually obtained from GNU compilers; for example, using @code{_GCC__}
5728 you can generate debugging information for optimized code.
5730 @item core-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
5733 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
5734 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
5735 address space of the process that generated them; _GDBN__ can access the
5736 executable file itself for other parts.
5738 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
5741 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
5742 under _GDBN__. So, if you have been running your program and you wish to
5743 debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which the
5744 program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
5745 (@pxref{Kill Process}).
5747 @item load @var{filename}
5750 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
5751 _GDBN__, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
5752 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
5753 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
5754 @code{load} also records @var{filename}'s symbol table in _GDBN__, like
5755 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
5757 If @code{load} is not available on your _GDBN__, attempting to execute
5758 it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your target is
5763 On VxWorks, @code{load} will dynamically link @var{filename} on the
5764 current target system as well as adding its symbols in _GDBN__.
5768 @cindex download to Nindy-960
5769 With the Nindy interface to an Intel 960 board, @code{load} will
5770 download @var{filename} to the 960 as well as adding its symbols in
5774 @code{load} will not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
5776 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
5777 @kindex add-symbol-file
5778 @cindex dynamic linking
5779 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table information
5780 from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command when @var{filename}
5781 has been dynamically loaded (by some other means) into the program that
5782 is running. @var{address} should be the memory address at which the
5783 file has been loaded; _GDBN__ cannot figure this out for itself.
5785 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
5786 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
5787 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data thus
5788 read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data instead,
5789 use the @code{symbol-file} command.
5791 @code{add-symbol-file} will not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
5797 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
5798 current targets (@pxref{Targets}), including the names of the executable
5799 and core dump files currently in use by _GDBN__, and the files from
5800 which symbols were loaded. The command @code{help targets} lists all
5801 possible targets rather than current ones.
5805 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
5806 as arguments. _GDBN__ always converts the file name to an absolute path
5807 name and remembers it that way.
5809 @cindex shared libraries
5811 _GDBN__ supports the SunOS shared library format. _GDBN__ automatically
5812 loads symbol definitions from shared libraries when you use the
5813 @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file. (Before you issue
5814 the @code{run} command, _GDBN__ won't understand references to a
5815 function in a shared library, however---unless you are debugging a core
5817 @c FIXME: next _GDBN__ release should permit some refs to undef
5818 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they're from a shared lib
5822 @itemx info sharedlibrary
5823 @kindex info sharedlibrary
5825 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded.
5827 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
5828 @itemx share @var{regex}
5829 @kindex sharedlibrary
5831 This is an obsolescent command; you can use it to explicitly
5832 load shared object library symbols for files matching a UNIX regular
5833 expression, but as with files loaded automatically, it will only load
5834 shared libraries required by your program for a core file or after
5835 typing @code{run}. If @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries
5836 required by your program are loaded.
5839 @node Symbol Errors, , Files, _GDBN__ Files
5840 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
5841 While reading a symbol file, _GDBN__ will occasionally encounter
5842 problems, such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in
5843 compiler output. By default, _GDBN__ does not notify you of such
5844 problems, since they're relatively common and primarily of interest to
5845 people debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
5846 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask _GDBN__ to print
5847 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
5848 times the problem occurs; or you can ask _GDBN__ to print more messages,
5849 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set complaints}
5850 command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and Messages}).
5852 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, are:
5855 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
5857 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
5858 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
5859 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
5860 in its outer scope blocks.
5862 _GDBN__ circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
5863 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
5864 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
5867 @item block at @var{address} out of order
5869 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
5870 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
5873 _GDBN__ does not circumvent this problem, and will have trouble locating
5874 symbols in the source file whose symbols being read. (You can often
5875 determine what source file is affected by specifying @code{set verbose
5876 on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and Messages}.)
5878 @item bad block start address patched
5880 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
5881 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
5882 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
5884 _GDBN__ circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
5885 starting on the previous source line.
5887 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
5890 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
5891 larger than the size of the string table.
5893 _GDBN__ circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
5894 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
5897 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
5899 The symbol information contains new data types that _GDBN__ does not yet
5900 know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the misunderstood
5901 information, in hexadecimal.
5903 _GDBN__ circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information. This
5904 will usually allow your program to be debugged, though certain symbols
5905 will not be accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
5906 debugging it, you can debug @code{_GDBP__} with itself, breakpoint on
5907 @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab} and
5908 examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
5910 @item stub type has NULL name
5911 _GDBN__ could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
5913 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
5915 The symbol information for a C++ member function is missing some
5916 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output
5919 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
5921 _GDBN__ could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
5925 @node Targets, Controlling _GDBN__, _GDBN__ Files, Top
5926 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
5927 @cindex debugging target
5929 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
5930 Often, _GDBN__ runs in the same host environment as your program you are
5931 debugging; in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side
5932 effect when you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you
5933 need more flexibility---for example, running _GDBN__ on a physically
5934 separate host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or
5935 a realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the
5936 @code{target} command to specify one of the target types configured for
5937 _GDBN__ (@pxref{Target Commands}).
5940 * Active Targets:: Active Targets
5941 * Target Commands:: Commands for Managing Targets
5942 * Remote:: Remote Debugging
5945 @node Active Targets, Target Commands, Targets, Targets
5946 @section Active Targets
5947 @cindex stacking targets
5948 @cindex active targets
5949 @cindex multiple targets
5951 There are three classes of targets: processes, core files, and
5952 executable files. _GDBN__ can work concurrently on up to three active
5953 targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for example) start a
5954 process and inspect its activity without abandoning your work on a core
5957 If, for example, you execute @samp{gdb a.out}, then the executable file
5958 @code{a.out} is the only active target. If you designate a core file as
5959 well---presumably from a prior run that crashed and coredumped---then
5960 _GDBN__ has two active targets and will use them in tandem, looking
5961 first in the corefile target, then in the executable file, to satisfy
5962 requests for memory addresses. (Typically, these two classes of target
5963 are complementary, since core files contain only a program's
5964 read-write memory---variables and so on---plus machine status, while
5965 executable files contain only the program text and initialized data.)
5967 When you type @code{run}, your executable file becomes an active process
5968 target as well. When a process target is active, all _GDBN__ commands
5969 requesting memory addresses refer to that target; addresses in an active
5970 core file or executable file target are obscured while the process
5973 Use the @code{core-file}, and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new
5974 core file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To specify as a target
5975 a process that's already running, use the @code{attach} command
5976 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-Running Process}.).
5978 @node Target Commands, Remote, Active Targets, Targets
5979 @section Commands for Managing Targets
5982 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
5983 Connects the _GDBN__ host environment to a target machine or process. A
5984 target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging facilities. You
5985 use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or protocol of the
5988 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
5989 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
5990 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
5992 The @code{target} command will not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
5993 after executing the command.
5997 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
5998 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
5999 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
6001 @item help target @var{name}
6002 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
6006 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the _GDBN__
6010 @item target exec @var{prog}
6012 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{prog}} is the same as
6013 @samp{exec-file @var{prog}}.
6015 @item target core @var{filename}
6017 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
6018 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
6020 @item target remote @var{dev}
6021 @kindex target remote
6022 Remote serial target in _GDBN__-specific protocol. The argument @var{dev}
6023 specifies what serial device to use for the connection (e.g.
6024 @file{/dev/ttya}). @xref{Remote}.
6027 @item target amd-eb @var{dev} @var{speed} @var{PROG}
6028 @kindex target amd-eb
6030 Remote PC-resident AMD EB29K board, attached over serial lines.
6031 @var{dev} is the serial device, as for @code{target remote};
6032 @var{speed} allows you to specify the linespeed; and @var{PROG} is the
6033 name of the program to be debugged, as it appears to DOS on the PC.
6034 @xref{EB29K Remote}.
6038 @item target nindy @var{devicename}
6039 @kindex target nindy
6040 An Intel 960 board controlled by a Nindy Monitor. @var{devicename} is
6041 the name of the serial device to use for the connection, e.g.
6042 @file{/dev/ttya}. @xref{i960-Nindy Remote}.
6046 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
6047 @kindex target vxworks
6048 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
6049 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
6050 @xref{VxWorks Remote}.
6055 Different targets are available on different configurations of _GDBN__; your
6056 configuration may have more or fewer targets.
6059 @node Remote, , Target Commands, Targets
6060 @section Remote Debugging
6061 @cindex remote debugging
6065 _include__(gdbinv-m.m4)<>_dnl__
6069 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
6070 _GDBN__ in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging. For
6071 example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel, or on
6072 a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
6073 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
6075 Some configurations of _GDBN__ have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
6076 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
6077 _GDBN__ comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to _GDBN__, but
6078 not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
6079 write the remote stubs---the code that will run on the remote system to
6080 communicate with _GDBN__.
6082 To use the _GDBN__ remote serial protocol, the program to be debugged on
6083 the remote machine needs to contain a debugging stub which talks to
6084 _GDBN__ over the serial line. Several working remote stubs are
6085 distributed with _GDBN__; see the @file{README} file in the _GDBN__
6086 distribution for more information.
6088 For details of this communication protocol, see the comments in the
6089 _GDBN__ source file @file{remote.c}.
6091 To start remote debugging, first run _GDBN__ and specify as an executable file
6092 the program that is running in the remote machine. This tells _GDBN__ how
6093 to find your program's symbols and the contents of its pure text. Then
6094 establish communication using the @code{target remote} command with a device
6095 name as an argument. For example:
6098 target remote /dev/ttyb
6102 if the serial line is connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}. This
6103 will stop the remote machine if it is not already stopped.
6105 Now you can use all the usual commands to examine and change data and to
6106 step and continue the remote program.
6108 To resume the remote program and stop debugging it, use the @code{detach}
6111 Other remote targets may be available in your
6112 configuration of _GDBN__; use @code{help targets} to list them.
6115 @c Text on starting up GDB in various specific cases; it goes up front
6116 @c in manuals configured for any of those particular situations, here
6118 _include__(gdbinv-s.m4)
6121 @node Controlling _GDBN__, Sequences, Targets, Top
6122 @chapter Controlling _GDBN__
6124 You can alter many aspects of _GDBN__'s interaction with you by using
6125 the @code{set} command. For commands controlling how _GDBN__ displays
6126 data, @pxref{Print Settings}; other settings are described here.
6130 * Editing:: Command Editing
6131 * History:: Command History
6132 * Screen Size:: Screen Size
6134 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional Warnings and Messages
6137 @node Prompt, Editing, Controlling _GDBN__, Controlling _GDBN__
6140 _GDBN__ indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
6141 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(_GDBP__)}. You
6142 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
6143 instance, when debugging _GDBN__ with _GDBN__, it is useful to change
6144 the prompt in one of the _GDBN__<>s so that you can always tell which
6145 one you are talking to.
6148 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
6150 Directs _GDBN__ to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
6153 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
6156 @node Editing, History, Prompt, Controlling _GDBN__
6157 @section Command Editing
6159 @cindex command line editing
6160 _GDBN__ reads its input commands via the @dfn{readline} interface. This
6161 GNU library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
6162 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @code{emacs}-style
6163 or @code{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
6164 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
6167 You may control the behavior of command line editing in _GDBN__ with the
6174 @itemx set editing on
6175 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
6177 @item set editing off
6178 Disable command line editing.
6180 @kindex show editing
6182 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
6185 @node History, Screen Size, Editing, Controlling _GDBN__
6186 @section Command History
6188 @cindex history substitution
6189 @cindex history file
6190 @kindex set history filename
6191 @item set history filename @var{fname}
6192 Set the name of the _GDBN__ command history file to @var{fname}. This is
6193 the file from which _GDBN__ will read an initial command history
6194 list or to which it will write this list when it exits. This list is
6195 accessed through history expansion or through the history
6196 command editing characters listed below. This file defaults to the
6197 value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
6198 @file{./.gdb_history} if this variable is not set.
6200 @cindex history save
6201 @kindex set history save
6202 @item set history save
6203 @itemx set history save on
6204 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
6205 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
6207 @item set history save off
6208 Stop recording command history in a file.
6210 @cindex history size
6211 @kindex set history size
6212 @item set history size @var{size}
6213 Set the number of commands which _GDBN__ will keep in its history list.
6214 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
6215 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
6218 @cindex history expansion
6219 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
6221 (@pxref{Event Designators}.)
6223 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
6224 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
6225 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
6226 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
6227 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
6228 history facilities will not attempt substitution on the strings
6229 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
6231 The commands to control history expansion are:
6235 @kindex set history expansion
6236 @item set history expansion on
6237 @itemx set history expansion
6238 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
6240 @item set history expansion off
6241 Disable history expansion.
6243 The readline code comes with more complete documentation of
6244 editing and history expansion features. Users unfamiliar with @code{emacs}
6245 or @code{vi} may wish to read it.
6247 @xref{Command Line Editing}.
6251 @kindex show history
6253 @itemx show history filename
6254 @itemx show history save
6255 @itemx show history size
6256 @itemx show history expansion
6257 These commands display the state of the _GDBN__ history parameters.
6258 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
6264 @kindex show commands
6266 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
6268 @item show commands @var{n}
6269 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
6271 @item show commands +
6272 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
6276 @node Screen Size, Numbers, History, Controlling _GDBN__
6277 @section Screen Size
6278 @cindex size of screen
6279 @cindex pauses in output
6280 Certain commands to _GDBN__ may produce large amounts of information
6281 output to the screen. To help you read all of it, _GDBN__ pauses and
6282 asks you for input at the end of each page of output. Type @key{RET}
6283 when you want to continue the output. _GDBN__ also uses the screen
6284 width setting to determine when to wrap lines of output. Depending on
6285 what is being printed, it tries to break the line at a readable place,
6286 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
6288 Normally _GDBN__ knows the size of the screen from the termcap data base
6289 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
6290 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
6291 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
6295 @item set height @var{lpp}
6297 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
6303 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
6304 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
6305 commands display the current settings.
6307 If you specify a height of zero lines, _GDBN__ will not pause during output
6308 no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a file
6309 or to an editor buffer.
6312 @node Numbers, Messages/Warnings, Screen Size, Controlling _GDBN__
6314 @cindex number representation
6315 @cindex entering numbers
6316 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in _GDBN__ by
6317 the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with @samp{0}, decimal
6318 numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers begin with @samp{0x}.
6319 Numbers that begin with none of these are, by default, entered in base
6320 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
6321 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
6322 both input and output with the @code{set radix} command.
6326 @item set radix @var{base}
6327 Set the default base for numeric input and display. Supported choices
6328 for @var{base} are decimal 2, 8, 10, 16. @var{base} must itself be
6329 specified either unambiguously or using the current default radix; for
6340 will set the base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set radix 10}
6341 will leave the radix unchanged no matter what it was.
6345 Display the current default base for numeric input and display.
6349 @node Messages/Warnings, , Numbers, Controlling _GDBN__
6350 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
6351 By default, _GDBN__ is silent about its inner workings. If you are running
6352 on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose} command.
6353 It will make _GDBN__ tell you when it does a lengthy internal operation, so
6354 you won't think it has crashed.
6356 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those which
6357 announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read
6358 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, in the description of the command
6359 @code{symbol-file}).
6360 @c The following is the right way to do it, but emacs 18.55 does not support
6361 @c @ref, and neither the emacs lisp manual version of texinfmt or makeinfo
6364 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
6369 @item set verbose on
6370 Enables _GDBN__'s output of certain informational messages.
6372 @item set verbose off
6373 Disables _GDBN__'s output of certain informational messages.
6375 @kindex show verbose
6377 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
6380 By default, if _GDBN__ encounters bugs in the symbol table of an object
6381 file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may find
6382 this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors}).
6385 @kindex set complaints
6386 @item set complaints @var{limit}
6387 Permits _GDBN__ to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of unusual
6388 symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set @var{limit} to
6389 zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number to prevent
6390 complaints from being suppressed.
6392 @kindex show complaints
6393 @item show complaints
6394 Displays how many symbol complaints _GDBN__ is permitted to produce.
6397 By default, _GDBN__ is cautious, and asks what sometimes seem to be a
6398 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
6399 you try to run a program which is already running:
6402 The program being debugged has been started already.
6403 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
6406 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
6407 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
6412 @cindex confirmation
6413 @cindex stupid questions
6414 @item set confirm off
6415 Disables confirmation requests.
6417 @item set confirm on
6418 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
6421 @kindex show confirm
6422 Displays state of confirmation requests.
6425 @c FIXME this does not really belong here. But where *does* it belong?
6426 @cindex reloading symbols
6427 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
6428 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program.
6430 For example, in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file
6431 and keep on running.
6433 If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow _GDBN__ to
6434 reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:@refill
6436 @kindex set symbol-reloading
6437 @item set symbol-reloading on
6438 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
6439 object file with a particular name is seen again.
6441 @item set symbol-reloading off
6442 Do Not replace symbol definitions when re-encountering object files of
6443 the same name. This is the default state; if you are not running on a
6444 system that permits automatically relinking modules, you should leave
6445 @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise _GDBN__ may discard symbols
6446 when linking large programs, that may contain several modules (from
6447 different directories or libraries) with the same name.
6449 @item show symbol-reloading
6450 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
6453 @node Sequences, Emacs, Controlling _GDBN__, Top
6454 @chapter Canned Sequences of Commands
6456 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
6457 Command Lists}), _GDBN__ provides two ways to store sequences of
6458 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
6462 * Define:: User-Defined Commands
6463 * Command Files:: Command Files
6464 * Output:: Commands for Controlled Output
6467 @node Define, Command Files, Sequences, Sequences
6468 @section User-Defined Commands
6470 @cindex user-defined command
6471 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of _GDBN__ commands to which you
6472 assign a new name as a command. This is done with the @code{define}
6476 @item define @var{commandname}
6478 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
6479 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
6481 The definition of the command is made up of other _GDBN__ command lines,
6482 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
6483 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
6485 @item document @var{commandname}
6487 Give documentation to the user-defined command @var{commandname}. The
6488 command @var{commandname} must already be defined. This command reads
6489 lines of documentation just as @code{define} reads the lines of the
6490 command definition, ending with @code{end}. After the @code{document}
6491 command is finished, @code{help} on command @var{commandname} will print
6492 the documentation you have specified.
6494 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
6495 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
6496 does not change the documentation.
6498 @item help user-defined
6499 @kindex help user-defined
6500 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
6504 @itemx info user @var{commandname}
6506 Display the _GDBN__ commands used to define @var{commandname} (but not its
6507 documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
6508 definitions for all user-defined commands.
6511 User-defined commands do not take arguments. When they are executed, the
6512 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
6513 stops execution of the user-defined command.
6515 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
6516 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many _GDBN__ commands
6517 that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
6518 when used in a user-defined command.
6520 @node Command Files, Output, Define, Sequences
6521 @section Command Files
6523 @cindex command files
6524 A command file for _GDBN__ is a file of lines that are _GDBN__ commands. Comments
6525 (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may also be included. An empty line in a
6526 command file does nothing; it does not mean to repeat the last command, as
6527 it would from the terminal.
6530 @cindex @file{_GDBINIT__}
6531 When you start _GDBN__, it automatically executes commands from its
6532 @dfn{init files}. These are files named @file{_GDBINIT__}. _GDBN__
6533 reads the init file (if any) in your home directory and then the init
6534 file (if any) in the current working directory. (The init files are not
6535 executed if you use the @samp{-nx} option; @pxref{Mode Options}.) You
6536 can also request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
6540 @item source @var{filename}
6542 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
6545 The lines in a command file are executed sequentially. They are not
6546 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates execution
6547 of the command file.
6549 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
6550 without asking when used in a command file. Many _GDBN__ commands that
6551 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
6552 when called from command files.
6554 @node Output, , Command Files, Sequences
6555 @section Commands for Controlled Output
6557 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
6558 _GDBN__ output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
6559 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
6560 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
6564 @item echo @var{text}
6566 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
6567 @c because it is not in ANSI.
6568 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in @var{text}
6569 using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a newline. @b{No
6570 newline will be printed unless you specify one.} In addition to the
6571 standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed by a space stands for a
6572 space. This is useful for outputting a string with spaces at the
6573 beginning or the end, since leading and trailing spaces are otherwise
6574 trimmed from all arguments. Thus, to print @samp{@ and foo =@ }, use the
6575 command @samp{echo \@ and foo = \@ }.
6576 @c FIXME? '@ ' works in tex and info, but confuses texi2roff[-2].
6578 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
6579 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
6582 echo This is some text\n\
6583 which is continued\n\
6584 onto several lines.\n
6587 produces the same output as
6590 echo This is some text\n
6591 echo which is continued\n
6592 echo onto several lines.\n
6595 @item output @var{expression}
6597 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
6598 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
6599 value history either. @xref{Expressions} for more information on
6602 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
6603 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
6604 the same formats as for @code{print}; @pxref{Output formats}, for more
6607 @item printf @var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
6609 Print the values of the @var{expressions} under the control of
6610 @var{string}. The @var{expressions} are separated by commas and may
6611 be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as specified
6612 by @var{string}, exactly as if your program were to execute
6615 printf (@var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
6618 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
6621 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
6624 The only backslash-escape sequences that you can use in the format
6625 string are the simple ones that consist of backslash followed by a
6629 @node Emacs, _GDBN__ Bugs, Sequences, Top
6630 @chapter Using _GDBN__ under GNU Emacs
6633 A special interface allows you to use GNU Emacs to view (and
6634 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
6637 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
6638 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
6639 _GDBN__ as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
6640 created Emacs buffer.
6642 Using _GDBN__ under Emacs is just like using _GDBN__ normally except for two
6647 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through the Emacs buffer.
6650 This applies both to _GDBN__ commands and their output, and to the input
6651 and output done by the program you are debugging.
6653 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
6654 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
6657 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
6658 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
6659 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
6664 _GDBN__ displays source code through Emacs.
6667 Each time _GDBN__ displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
6668 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (_0__@samp{=>}_1__) at the
6669 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
6670 source display, and splits the window to show both your _GDBN__ session
6673 Explicit _GDBN__ @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
6674 usual, but you probably will have no reason to use them.
6677 @emph{Warning:} If the directory where your program resides is not your
6678 current directory, it can be easy to confuse Emacs about the location of
6679 the source files, in which case the auxiliary display buffer will not
6680 appear to show your source. _GDBN__ can find programs by searching your
6681 environment's @code{PATH} variable, so the _GDBN__ input and output
6682 session will proceed normally; but Emacs does not get enough information
6683 back from _GDBN__ to locate the source files in this situation. To
6684 avoid this problem, either start _GDBN__ mode from the directory where
6685 your program resides, or specify a full path name when prompted for the
6686 @kbd{M-x gdb} argument.
6688 A similar confusion can result if you use the _GDBN__ @code{file} command to
6689 switch to debugging a program in some other location, from an existing
6690 _GDBN__ buffer in Emacs.
6693 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If
6694 you need to call _GDBN__ by a different name (for example, if you keep
6695 several configurations around, with different names) you can set the
6696 Emacs variable @code{gdb-command-name}; for example,
6698 (setq gdb-command-name "mygdb")
6701 (preceded by @kbd{ESC ESC}, or typed in the @code{*scratch*} buffer, or
6702 in your @file{.emacs} file) will make Emacs call the program named
6703 ``@code{mygdb}'' instead.
6705 In the _GDBN__ I/O buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
6706 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
6710 Describe the features of Emacs' _GDBN__ Mode.
6713 Execute to another source line, like the _GDBN__ @code{step} command; also
6714 update the display window to show the current file and location.
6717 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
6718 calls, like the _GDBN__ @code{next} command. Then update the display window
6719 to show the current file and location.
6722 Execute one instruction, like the _GDBN__ @code{stepi} command; update
6723 display window accordingly.
6726 Execute to next instruction, using the _GDBN__ @code{nexti} command; update
6727 display window accordingly.
6730 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the _GDBN__
6731 @code{finish} command.
6734 Continue execution of your program, like the _GDBN__ @code{continue}
6737 @emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-p}.
6740 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
6741 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}),
6742 like the _GDBN__ @code{up} command.
6744 @emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-u}.@refill
6747 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
6748 _GDBN__ @code{down} command.
6750 @emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-d}.
6753 Read the number where the cursor is positioned, and insert it at the end
6754 of the _GDBN__ I/O buffer. For example, if you wish to disassemble code
6755 around an address that was displayed earlier, type @kbd{disassemble};
6756 then move the cursor to the address display, and pick up the
6757 argument for @code{disassemble} by typing @kbd{C-x &}.
6759 You can customize this further on the fly by defining elements of the list
6760 @code{gdb-print-command}; once it is defined, you can format or
6761 otherwise process numbers picked up by @kbd{C-x &} before they are
6762 inserted. A numeric argument to @kbd{C-x &} will both indicate that you
6763 wish special formatting, and act as an index to pick an element of the
6764 list. If the list element is a string, the number to be inserted is
6765 formatted using the Emacs function @code{format}; otherwise the number
6766 is passed as an argument to the corresponding list element.
6770 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x SPC} (@code{gdb-break})
6771 tells _GDBN__ to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
6773 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
6774 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the _GDBN__ buffer, to
6775 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this will recreate
6776 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
6779 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
6780 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
6781 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that _GDBN__
6782 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
6783 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that _GDBN__ knows will cease
6784 to correspond properly to the code.
6786 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
6789 @kindex emacs epoch environment
6793 Version 18 of Emacs has a built-in window system called the @code{epoch}
6794 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
6795 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
6796 each value is printed in its own window.
6799 @node _GDBN__ Bugs, Renamed Commands, Emacs, Top
6800 @chapter Reporting Bugs in _GDBN__
6801 @cindex Bugs in _GDBN__
6802 @cindex Reporting Bugs in _GDBN__
6804 Your bug reports play an essential role in making _GDBN__ reliable.
6806 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
6807 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
6808 the entire community by making the next version of _GDBN__ work better. Bug
6809 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of _GDBN__.
6811 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
6812 information that enables us to fix the bug.
6815 * Bug Criteria:: Have You Found a Bug?
6816 * Bug Reporting:: How to Report Bugs
6819 @node Bug Criteria, Bug Reporting, _GDBN__ Bugs, _GDBN__ Bugs
6820 @section Have You Found a Bug?
6821 @cindex Bug Criteria
6823 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
6827 @cindex Fatal Signal
6829 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
6830 _GDBN__ bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
6833 @cindex error on Valid Input
6834 If _GDBN__ produces an error message for valid input, that is a bug.
6837 @cindex Invalid Input
6838 If _GDBN__ does not produce an error message for invalid input,
6839 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
6840 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
6841 for traditional practice''.
6844 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
6845 for improvement of _GDBN__ are welcome in any case.
6848 @node Bug Reporting, , Bug Criteria, _GDBN__ Bugs
6849 @section How to Report Bugs
6851 @cindex _GDBN__ Bugs, Reporting
6853 A number of companies and individuals offer support for GNU products.
6854 If you obtained _GDBN__ from a support organization, we recommend you
6855 contact that organization first.
6857 Contact information for many support companies and individuals is
6858 available in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the GNU Emacs distribution.
6860 In any event, we also recommend that you send bug reports for _GDBN__ to one
6864 bug-gdb@@prep.ai.mit.edu
6865 @{ucbvax|mit-eddie|uunet@}!prep.ai.mit.edu!bug-gdb
6868 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
6869 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of _GDBN__ do not want to
6870 receive bug reports. Those that do, have arranged to receive @samp{bug-gdb}.
6872 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
6873 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
6874 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
6875 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
6876 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
6877 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
6878 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
6879 bug reports to the mailing list.
6881 As a last resort, send bug reports on paper to:
6885 Free Software Foundation
6890 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
6891 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
6892 fact or leave it out, state it!
6894 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
6895 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
6896 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
6897 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
6898 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
6899 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
6900 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
6901 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
6902 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
6904 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix
6905 the bug if it is new to us. It isn't as important what happens if
6906 the bug is already known. Therefore, always write your bug reports on
6907 the assumption that the bug has not been reported previously.
6909 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
6910 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
6911 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
6914 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
6918 The version of _GDBN__. _GDBN__ announces it if you start with no
6919 arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show version}.
6921 Without this, we won't know whether there is any point in looking for
6922 the bug in the current version of _GDBN__.
6925 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
6929 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile _GDBN__---e.g.
6933 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
6934 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
6935 you won't omit something important, list them all.
6937 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
6938 and then we might not encounter the bug.
6941 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
6945 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
6946 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
6948 Of course, if the bug is that _GDBN__ gets a fatal signal, then we will
6949 certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might not
6950 notice unless it is glaringly wrong. We are human, after all. You
6951 might as well not give us a chance to make a mistake.
6953 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
6954 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as,
6955 your copy of _GDBN__ is out of synch, or you have encountered a
6956 bug in the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy
6957 might crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash,
6958 then when ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not
6959 happening for us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we
6960 would not be able to draw any conclusion from our observations.
6963 If you wish to suggest changes to the _GDBN__ source, send us context
6964 diffs. If you even discuss something in the _GDBN__ source, refer to
6965 it by context, not by line number.
6967 The line numbers in our development sources won't match those in your
6968 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
6972 Here are some things that are not necessary:
6976 A description of the envelope of the bug.
6978 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
6979 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
6980 changes will not affect it.
6982 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
6983 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
6984 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
6985 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
6987 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
6988 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
6989 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
6992 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
6993 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
6996 A patch for the bug.
6998 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
6999 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
7000 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
7001 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
7003 Sometimes with a program as complicated as _GDBN__ it is very hard to
7004 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
7005 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we won't be able
7006 to construct one, so we won't be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
7008 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
7009 patch should be an improvement, we won't install it. A test case will
7010 help us to understand.
7013 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
7015 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
7016 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
7020 @c appendices describing GNU readline. Distributed with readline code.
7021 @include rluser.texinfo
7022 @include inc-hist.texi
7025 @node Renamed Commands, Installing _GDBN__, _GDBN__ Bugs, Top
7026 @appendix Renamed Commands
7028 The following commands were renamed in _GDBN__ 4.0, in order to make the
7029 command set as a whole more consistent and easier to use and remember:
7032 @kindex delete environment
7033 @kindex info copying
7034 @kindex info convenience
7035 @kindex info directories
7036 @kindex info editing
7037 @kindex info history
7038 @kindex info targets
7040 @kindex info version
7041 @kindex info warranty
7042 @kindex set addressprint
7043 @kindex set arrayprint
7044 @kindex set prettyprint
7045 @kindex set screen-height
7046 @kindex set screen-width
7047 @kindex set unionprint
7048 @kindex set vtblprint
7049 @kindex set demangle
7050 @kindex set asm-demangle
7051 @kindex set sevenbit-strings
7052 @kindex set array-max
7054 @kindex set history write
7055 @kindex show addressprint
7056 @kindex show arrayprint
7057 @kindex show prettyprint
7058 @kindex show screen-height
7059 @kindex show screen-width
7060 @kindex show unionprint
7061 @kindex show vtblprint
7062 @kindex show demangle
7063 @kindex show asm-demangle
7064 @kindex show sevenbit-strings
7065 @kindex show array-max
7066 @kindex show caution
7067 @kindex show history write
7072 @c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
7074 OLD COMMAND NEW COMMAND
7076 --------------- -------------------------------
7077 @c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
7078 add-syms add-symbol-file
7079 delete environment unset environment
7080 info convenience show convenience
7081 info copying show copying
7082 info directories show directories
7083 info editing show commands
7084 info history show values
7085 info targets help target
7086 info values show values
7087 info version show version
7088 info warranty show warranty
7089 set/show addressprint set/show print address
7090 set/show array-max set/show print elements
7091 set/show arrayprint set/show print array
7092 set/show asm-demangle set/show print asm-demangle
7093 set/show caution set/show confirm
7094 set/show demangle set/show print demangle
7095 set/show history write set/show history save
7096 set/show prettyprint set/show print pretty
7097 set/show screen-height set/show height
7098 set/show screen-width set/show width
7099 set/show sevenbit-strings set/show print sevenbit-strings
7100 set/show unionprint set/show print union
7101 set/show vtblprint set/show print vtbl
7103 unset [No longer an alias for delete]
7109 \vskip \parskip\vskip \baselineskip
7110 \halign{\tt #\hfil &\qquad#&\tt #\hfil\cr
7111 {\bf Old Command} &&{\bf New Command}\cr
7112 add-syms &&add-symbol-file\cr
7113 delete environment &&unset environment\cr
7114 info convenience &&show convenience\cr
7115 info copying &&show copying\cr
7116 info directories &&show directories \cr
7117 info editing &&show commands\cr
7118 info history &&show values\cr
7119 info targets &&help target\cr
7120 info values &&show values\cr
7121 info version &&show version\cr
7122 info warranty &&show warranty\cr
7123 set{\rm / }show addressprint &&set{\rm / }show print address\cr
7124 set{\rm / }show array-max &&set{\rm / }show print elements\cr
7125 set{\rm / }show arrayprint &&set{\rm / }show print array\cr
7126 set{\rm / }show asm-demangle &&set{\rm / }show print asm-demangle\cr
7127 set{\rm / }show caution &&set{\rm / }show confirm\cr
7128 set{\rm / }show demangle &&set{\rm / }show print demangle\cr
7129 set{\rm / }show history write &&set{\rm / }show history save\cr
7130 set{\rm / }show prettyprint &&set{\rm / }show print pretty\cr
7131 set{\rm / }show screen-height &&set{\rm / }show height\cr
7132 set{\rm / }show screen-width &&set{\rm / }show width\cr
7133 set{\rm / }show sevenbit-strings &&set{\rm / }show print sevenbit-strings\cr
7134 set{\rm / }show unionprint &&set{\rm / }show print union\cr
7135 set{\rm / }show vtblprint &&set{\rm / }show print vtbl\cr
7137 unset &&\rm(No longer an alias for delete)\cr
7140 @c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
7142 @node Installing _GDBN__, Copying, Renamed Commands, Top
7143 @appendix Installing _GDBN__
7144 @cindex configuring _GDBN__
7145 @cindex installation
7147 _GDBN__ comes with a @code{configure} script that automates the process
7148 of preparing _GDBN__ for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
7149 build the @code{_GDBP__} program.
7151 The _GDBP__ distribution includes all the source code you need for
7152 _GDBP__ in a single directory @file{gdb-_GDB_VN__}. That directory in turn
7156 @item gdb-_GDB_VN__/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
7157 script for configuring _GDBN__ and all its supporting libraries.
7159 @item gdb-_GDB_VN__/gdb
7160 the source specific to _GDBN__ itself
7162 @item gdb-_GDB_VN__/bfd
7163 source for the Binary File Descriptor Library
7165 @item gdb-_GDB_VN__/include
7168 @item gdb-_GDB_VN__/libiberty
7169 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
7171 @item gdb-_GDB_VN__/readline
7172 source for the GNU command-line interface
7175 It is most convenient to run @code{configure} from the @file{gdb-_GDB_VN__}
7176 directory. The simplest way to configure and build _GDBN__ is the
7180 ./configure @var{host}
7184 where @var{host} is something like @samp{sun4} or @samp{decstation}, that
7185 identifies the platform where _GDBN__ will run. This builds the three
7186 libraries @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and @file{libiberty}, then
7187 @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the binaries, are
7188 left in the corresponding source directories.
7190 @code{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
7191 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
7192 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
7193 @samp{sh configure @var{host}}.
7195 You can @emph{run} the @code{configure} script from any of the
7196 subordinate directories in the _GDBN__ distribution (if you only want to
7197 configure that subdirectory); but be sure to specify a path to it. For
7198 example, to configure only the @code{bfd} subdirectory,
7201 cd gdb-_GDB_VN__/bfd
7202 ../configure @var{host}
7206 You can install @code{_GDBP__} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
7207 Simply copy @code{gdb/gdb} to the desired directory.
7208 @comment What about installing the man pages, info files, etc?
7210 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by the
7211 @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable; some systems
7212 refuse to let _GDBN__ debug child processes whose programs are not
7213 readable, and _GDBN__ uses the shell to start your program.
7216 * Subdirectories:: Configuration subdirectories
7217 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
7218 * configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
7219 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print _GDBN__ documentation
7223 @node Subdirectories, Config Names, Installing _GDBN__, Installing _GDBN__
7224 @section Configuration Subdirectories
7225 If you want to run _GDBN__ versions for several host or target machines,
7226 you'll need a different _GDBP__ compiled for each combination of host
7227 and target. @code{configure} is designed to make this easy by allowing
7228 you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory. If your
7229 @code{make} program handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (GNU @code{make}
7230 does), running @code{make} in each of these directories then builds the
7231 _GDBP__ program specified there.
7233 @code{configure} creates these subdirectories for you when you
7234 simultaneously specify several configurations; but it is a good habit
7235 even for a single configuration. You can specify the use of
7236 subdirectories using the @samp{+subdirs} option (abbreviated
7237 @samp{+sub}). For example, you can build _GDBN__ this way on a Sun 4 as
7243 ./configure +sub sun4
7249 When @code{configure} uses subdirectories to build programs or
7250 libraries, it creates nested directories
7251 @file{H-@var{host}/T-@var{target}}. @code{configure} uses these two
7252 directory levels because _GDBN__ can be configured for cross-compiling:
7253 _GDBN__ can run on one machine (the host) while debugging programs that
7254 run on another machine (the target). You specify cross-debugging
7255 targets by giving the @samp{+target=@var{target}} option to
7256 @code{configure}. Specifying only hosts still gives you two levels of
7257 subdirectory for each host, with the same configuration suffix on both;
7258 that is, if you give any number of hosts but no targets, _GDBN__ will be
7259 configured for native debugging on each host. On the other hand,
7260 whenever you specify both hosts and targets on the same command line,
7261 @code{configure} creates all combinations of the hosts and targets you
7264 If you run @code{configure} from a directory (notably,
7265 @file{gdb-_GDB_VN__}) that contains source directories for multiple
7266 libraries or programs, @code{configure} creates the
7267 @file{H-@var{host}/T-@var{target}} subdirectories in each library or
7268 program's source directory. For example, typing:
7271 configure sun4 +target=vxworks960
7274 creates the following directories:
7276 gdb-_GDB_VN__/H-sun4/T-vxworks960
7277 gdb-_GDB_VN__/bfd/H-sun4/T-vxworks960
7278 gdb-_GDB_VN__/gdb/H-sun4/T-vxworks960
7279 gdb-_GDB_VN__/libiberty/H-sun4/T-vxworks960
7280 gdb-_GDB_VN__/readline/H-sun4/T-vxworks960
7283 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run it
7284 in a configured directory. If you made a single configuration,
7285 without subdirectories, run @code{make} in the source directory.
7286 If you have @file{H-@var{host}/T-@var{target}} subdirectories,
7287 run @code{make} in those subdirectories.
7289 The @code{Makefile} generated by @code{configure} for each source
7290 directory runs recursively, so that typing @code{make} in
7291 @file{gdb-_GDB_VN__} (or in a
7292 @file{gdb-_GDB_VN__/H-@var{host}/T-@var{target}} subdirectory) builds
7293 all the required libraries, then _GDBN__.@refill
7295 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured, you can run
7296 @code{make} on them in parallel (for example, if they are NFS-mounted on
7297 each of the hosts); they will not interfere with each other.
7299 You can also use the @samp{+objdir=@var{altroot}} option to have the
7300 configured files placed in a parallel directory structure rather than
7301 alongside the source files; @pxref{configure Options}.
7303 @node Config Names, configure Options, Subdirectories, Installing _GDBN__
7304 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
7306 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @code{configure}
7307 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
7308 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
7309 of information in the following pattern:
7311 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
7314 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument
7315 or in a @code{+target=@var{target}} option, but the equivalent full name
7316 is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
7318 The following table shows all the architectures, hosts, and OS prefixes
7319 that @code{configure} recognizes in _GDBN__ _GDB_VN__. Entries in the ``OS
7320 prefix'' column ending in a @samp{*} may be followed by a release number.
7324 @c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
7327 ARCHITECTURE VENDOR OS prefix
7329 ------------+--------------------------+---------------------------
7330 @c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
7332 580 | altos hp | aix* msdos*
7333 a29k | amd ibm | amigados newsos*
7334 alliant | amdahl intel | aout nindy*
7335 arm | aout isi | bout osf*
7336 c1 | apollo little | bsd* sco*
7337 c2 | att mips | coff sunos*
7338 cray2 | bcs motorola | ctix* svr4
7339 h8300 | bout ncr | dgux* sym*
7340 i386 | bull next | dynix* sysv*
7341 i860 | cbm nyu | ebmon ultrix*
7342 i960 | coff sco | esix* unicos*
7343 m68000 | convergent sequent | hds unos*
7344 m68k | convex sgi | hpux* uts
7345 m88k | cray sony | irix* v88r*
7346 mips | dec sun | isc* vms*
7347 ns32k | encore unicom | kern vxworks*
7348 pyramid | gould utek | mach*
7349 romp | hitachi wrs |
7362 \vskip \baselineskip
7363 \hfil\vbox{\offinterlineskip
7364 \halign{\strut\tt #\hfil\ &\vrule#&\strut\ \tt #\hfil\ &\strut\ \tt #\hfil
7365 \ &\vrule#&\strut\ \tt #\hfil\ &\strut\ \tt #\hfil \cr
7366 {\bf Architecture} &&{\bf Vendor} &&&{\bf OS prefix}\cr
7367 \multispan7\hrulefill\cr
7368 580 && altos & hp && aix* & msdos* \cr
7369 a29k && amd & ibm && amigados & newsos* \cr
7370 alliant && amdahl & intel && aout & nindy* \cr
7371 arm && aout & isi && bout & osf* \cr
7372 c1 && apollo & little && bsd* & sco* \cr
7373 c2 && att & mips && coff & sunos* \cr
7374 cray2 && bcs & motorola && ctix* & svr4 \cr
7375 h8300 && bout & ncr && dgux* & sym* \cr
7376 i386 && bull & next && dynix* & sysv* \cr
7377 i860 && cbm & nyu && ebmon & ultrix* \cr
7378 i960 && coff & sco && esix* & unicos* \cr
7379 m68000 && convergent& sequent && hds & unos* \cr
7380 m68k && convex & sgi && hpux* & uts \cr
7381 m88k && cray & sony && irix* & v88r* \cr
7382 mips && dec & sun && isc* & vms* \cr
7383 ns32k && encore & unicom && kern & vxworks* \cr
7384 pyramid && gould & utek && mach* & \cr
7385 romp && hitachi & wrs && & \cr
7386 rs6000 && & && & \cr
7395 @c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
7397 @emph{Warning:} @code{configure} can represent a very large number of
7398 combinations of architecture, vendor, and OS. There is by no means
7399 support available for all possible combinations!
7402 The @code{configure} script accompanying _GDBN__ _GDB_VN__ does not provide
7403 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
7404 aliases. @code{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
7405 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
7406 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
7407 abbreviations---for example:
7409 % sh config.sub sun4
7411 % sh config.sub sun3
7413 % sh config.sub decstation
7415 % sh config.sub hp300bsd
7417 % sh config.sub i386v
7419 % sh config.sub i486v
7420 *** Configuration "i486v" not recognized
7423 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the directory @file{gdb-_GDB_VN__}.
7425 @node configure Options, Formatting Documentation, Config Names, Installing _GDBN__
7426 @section @code{configure} Options
7428 Here is a summary of all the @code{configure} options and arguments that
7429 you might use for building _GDBN__:
7432 configure @r{[}+destdir=@var{dir}@r{]} @r{[}+subdirs@r{]}
7433 @r{[}+objdir=@var{altroot}@r{]} @r{[}+norecursion@r{]} @r{[}+rm@r{]}
7434 @r{[}+target=@var{target}@dots{}@r{]} @var{host}@dots{}
7437 You may introduce options with the character @samp{-} rather than
7438 @samp{+} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
7442 @item +destdir=@var{dir}
7443 @var{dir} is an installation directory @emph{path prefix}. After you
7444 configure with this option, @code{make install} will install _GDBN__ as
7445 @file{@var{dir}/bin/_GDBP__}, and the libraries in @file{@var{dir}/lib}.
7446 If you specify @samp{+destdir=/usr/local}, for example, @code{make
7447 install} creates @file{/usr/local/bin/gdb}.@refill
7450 Write configuration specific files in subdirectories of the form
7452 H-@var{host}/T-@var{target}
7455 (and configure the @code{Makefile} to generate object code in
7456 subdirectories of this form as well). Without this option, if you
7457 specify only one configuration for _GDBN__, @code{configure} will use
7458 the same directory for source, configured files, and binaries. This
7459 option is used automatically if you specify more than one @var{host} or
7460 more than one @samp{+target=@var{target}} option on the @code{configure}
7464 Configure only the directory where @code{configure} is executed; do not
7465 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
7467 @item +objdir=@var{altroot}
7468 @var{altroot} is an alternative directory used as the root for
7469 configured files. @code{configure} will create directories under
7470 @var{altroot} in parallel to the source directories. If you use
7471 @samp{+objdir=@var{altroot}} with @samp{+subdirs}, @code{configure} also
7472 builds the @samp{H-@var{host}/T-@var{target}} subdirectories in the
7473 directory tree rooted in @var{altroot}.
7477 Remove the configuration that the other arguments specify.
7479 @c This does not work (yet if ever). FIXME.
7480 @c @item +parse=@var{lang} @dots{}
7481 @c Configure the _GDBN__ expression parser to parse the listed languages.
7482 @c @samp{all} configures _GDBN__ for all supported languages. To get a
7483 @c list of all supported languages, omit the argument. Without this
7484 @c option, _GDBN__ is configured to parse all supported languages.
7486 @item +target=@var{target} @dots{}
7487 Configure _GDBN__ for cross-debugging programs running on each specified
7488 @var{target}. You may specify as many @samp{+target} options as you
7489 wish. Without this option, _GDBN__ is configured to debug programs that
7490 run on the same machine (@var{host}) as _GDBN__ itself.
7492 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
7494 @item @var{host} @dots{}
7495 Configure _GDBN__ to run on each specified @var{host}. You may specify as
7496 many host names as you wish.
7498 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
7502 @code{configure} accepts other options, for compatibility with
7503 configuring other GNU tools recursively; but these are the only
7504 options that affect _GDBN__ or its supporting libraries.
7506 @node Formatting Documentation, , configure Options, Installing _GDBN__
7507 @section Formatting the Documentation
7509 @cindex _GDBN__ reference card
7510 @cindex reference card
7511 The _GDBN__ _GDB_VN__ release includes an already-formatted reference card,
7512 ready for printing on a PostScript printer, as @file{gdb-_GDB_VN__/gdb/refcard.ps}.
7513 It uses the most common PostScript fonts: the Times family, Courier, and
7514 Symbol. If you have a PostScript printer, you can print the reference
7515 card by just sending @file{refcard.ps} to the printer.
7517 The release also includes the online Info version of this manual already
7518 formatted: the main Info file is @file{gdb-_GDB_VN__/gdb/gdb.info}, and it
7519 refers to subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same
7522 If you want to make these Info files yourself from the _GDBN__ manual's
7523 source, you need the GNU @code{makeinfo} program. Once you have it, you
7526 cd gdb-_GDB_VN__/gdb
7530 to make the Info file.
7532 If you want to format and print copies of the manual, you need several
7536 @TeX{}, the public domain typesetting program written by Donald Knuth,
7537 must be installed on your system and available through your execution
7540 @file{gdb-_GDB_VN__/texinfo}: @TeX{} macros defining the GNU
7541 Documentation Format.
7543 @emph{A @sc{dvi} output program.} @TeX{} does not actually make marks on
7544 paper; it produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. If your system
7545 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has a program for printing out
7546 these files; one popular example is @code{dvips}, which can print
7547 @sc{dvi} files on PostScript printers.
7550 Once you have these things, you can type
7552 cd gdb-_GDB_VN__/gdb
7556 to format the text of this manual, and print it with the usual output
7557 method for @TeX{} @sc{dvi} files at your site.
7559 If you want to print the reference card, but do not have a PostScript
7560 printer, or you want to use Computer Modern fonts instead,
7561 you can still print it if you have @TeX{}. Format the reference card by typing
7563 cd gdb-_GDB_VN__/gdb
7568 The _GDBN__ reference card is designed to print in landscape mode on US
7569 ``letter'' size paper; that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
7570 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
7571 your @sc{dvi} output program.
7574 @node Copying, Index, Installing _GDBN__, Top
7575 @unnumbered GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE
7576 @center Version 2, June 1991
7579 Copyright @copyright{} 1989, 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
7580 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
7582 Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies
7583 of this license document, but changing it is not allowed.
7586 @unnumberedsec Preamble
7588 The licenses for most software are designed to take away your
7589 freedom to share and change it. By contrast, the GNU General Public
7590 License is intended to guarantee your freedom to share and change free
7591 software---to make sure the software is free for all its users. This
7592 General Public License applies to most of the Free Software
7593 Foundation's software and to any other program whose authors commit to
7594 using it. (Some other Free Software Foundation software is covered by
7595 the GNU Library General Public License instead.) You can apply it to
7598 When we speak of free software, we are referring to freedom, not
7599 price. Our General Public Licenses are designed to make sure that you
7600 have the freedom to distribute copies of free software (and charge for
7601 this service if you wish), that you receive source code or can get it
7602 if you want it, that you can change the software or use pieces of it
7603 in new free programs; and that you know you can do these things.
7605 To protect your rights, we need to make restrictions that forbid
7606 anyone to deny you these rights or to ask you to surrender the rights.
7607 These restrictions translate to certain responsibilities for you if you
7608 distribute copies of the software, or if you modify it.
7610 For example, if you distribute copies of such a program, whether
7611 gratis or for a fee, you must give the recipients all the rights that
7612 you have. You must make sure that they, too, receive or can get the
7613 source code. And you must show them these terms so they know their
7616 We protect your rights with two steps: (1) copyright the software, and
7617 (2) offer you this license which gives you legal permission to copy,
7618 distribute and/or modify the software.
7620 Also, for each author's protection and ours, we want to make certain
7621 that everyone understands that there is no warranty for this free
7622 software. If the software is modified by someone else and passed on, we
7623 want its recipients to know that what they have is not the original, so
7624 that any problems introduced by others will not reflect on the original
7625 authors' reputations.
7627 Finally, any free program is threatened constantly by software
7628 patents. We wish to avoid the danger that redistributors of a free
7629 program will individually obtain patent licenses, in effect making the
7630 program proprietary. To prevent this, we have made it clear that any
7631 patent must be licensed for everyone's free use or not licensed at all.
7633 The precise terms and conditions for copying, distribution and
7634 modification follow.
7637 @unnumberedsec TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR COPYING, DISTRIBUTION AND MODIFICATION
7640 @center TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR COPYING, DISTRIBUTION AND MODIFICATION
7645 This License applies to any program or other work which contains
7646 a notice placed by the copyright holder saying it may be distributed
7647 under the terms of this General Public License. The ``Program'', below,
7648 refers to any such program or work, and a ``work based on the Program''
7649 means either the Program or any derivative work under copyright law:
7650 that is to say, a work containing the Program or a portion of it,
7651 either verbatim or with modifications and/or translated into another
7652 language. (Hereinafter, translation is included without limitation in
7653 the term ``modification''.) Each licensee is addressed as ``you''.
7655 Activities other than copying, distribution and modification are not
7656 covered by this License; they are outside its scope. The act of
7657 running the Program is not restricted, and the output from the Program
7658 is covered only if its contents constitute a work based on the
7659 Program (independent of having been made by running the Program).
7660 Whether that is true depends on what the Program does.
7663 You may copy and distribute verbatim copies of the Program's
7664 source code as you receive it, in any medium, provided that you
7665 conspicuously and appropriately publish on each copy an appropriate
7666 copyright notice and disclaimer of warranty; keep intact all the
7667 notices that refer to this License and to the absence of any warranty;
7668 and give any other recipients of the Program a copy of this License
7669 along with the Program.
7671 You may charge a fee for the physical act of transferring a copy, and
7672 you may at your option offer warranty protection in exchange for a fee.
7675 You may modify your copy or copies of the Program or any portion
7676 of it, thus forming a work based on the Program, and copy and
7677 distribute such modifications or work under the terms of Section 1
7678 above, provided that you also meet all of these conditions:
7682 You must cause the modified files to carry prominent notices
7683 stating that you changed the files and the date of any change.
7686 You must cause any work that you distribute or publish, that in
7687 whole or in part contains or is derived from the Program or any
7688 part thereof, to be licensed as a whole at no charge to all third
7689 parties under the terms of this License.
7692 If the modified program normally reads commands interactively
7693 when run, you must cause it, when started running for such
7694 interactive use in the most ordinary way, to print or display an
7695 announcement including an appropriate copyright notice and a
7696 notice that there is no warranty (or else, saying that you provide
7697 a warranty) and that users may redistribute the program under
7698 these conditions, and telling the user how to view a copy of this
7699 License. (Exception: if the Program itself is interactive but
7700 does not normally print such an announcement, your work based on
7701 the Program is not required to print an announcement.)
7704 These requirements apply to the modified work as a whole. If
7705 identifiable sections of that work are not derived from the Program,
7706 and can be reasonably considered independent and separate works in
7707 themselves, then this License, and its terms, do not apply to those
7708 sections when you distribute them as separate works. But when you
7709 distribute the same sections as part of a whole which is a work based
7710 on the Program, the distribution of the whole must be on the terms of
7711 this License, whose permissions for other licensees extend to the
7712 entire whole, and thus to each and every part regardless of who wrote it.
7714 Thus, it is not the intent of this section to claim rights or contest
7715 your rights to work written entirely by you; rather, the intent is to
7716 exercise the right to control the distribution of derivative or
7717 collective works based on the Program.
7719 In addition, mere aggregation of another work not based on the Program
7720 with the Program (or with a work based on the Program) on a volume of
7721 a storage or distribution medium does not bring the other work under
7722 the scope of this License.
7725 You may copy and distribute the Program (or a work based on it,
7726 under Section 2) in object code or executable form under the terms of
7727 Sections 1 and 2 above provided that you also do one of the following:
7731 Accompany it with the complete corresponding machine-readable
7732 source code, which must be distributed under the terms of Sections
7733 1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; or,
7736 Accompany it with a written offer, valid for at least three
7737 years, to give any third party, for a charge no more than your
7738 cost of physically performing source distribution, a complete
7739 machine-readable copy of the corresponding source code, to be
7740 distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a medium
7741 customarily used for software interchange; or,
7744 Accompany it with the information you received as to the offer
7745 to distribute corresponding source code. (This alternative is
7746 allowed only for noncommercial distribution and only if you
7747 received the program in object code or executable form with such
7748 an offer, in accord with Subsection b above.)
7751 The source code for a work means the preferred form of the work for
7752 making modifications to it. For an executable work, complete source
7753 code means all the source code for all modules it contains, plus any
7754 associated interface definition files, plus the scripts used to
7755 control compilation and installation of the executable. However, as a
7756 special exception, the source code distributed need not include
7757 anything that is normally distributed (in either source or binary
7758 form) with the major components (compiler, kernel, and so on) of the
7759 operating system on which the executable runs, unless that component
7760 itself accompanies the executable.
7762 If distribution of executable or object code is made by offering
7763 access to copy from a designated place, then offering equivalent
7764 access to copy the source code from the same place counts as
7765 distribution of the source code, even though third parties are not
7766 compelled to copy the source along with the object code.
7769 You may not copy, modify, sublicense, or distribute the Program
7770 except as expressly provided under this License. Any attempt
7771 otherwise to copy, modify, sublicense or distribute the Program is
7772 void, and will automatically terminate your rights under this License.
7773 However, parties who have received copies, or rights, from you under
7774 this License will not have their licenses terminated so long as such
7775 parties remain in full compliance.
7778 You are not required to accept this License, since you have not
7779 signed it. However, nothing else grants you permission to modify or
7780 distribute the Program or its derivative works. These actions are
7781 prohibited by law if you do not accept this License. Therefore, by
7782 modifying or distributing the Program (or any work based on the
7783 Program), you indicate your acceptance of this License to do so, and
7784 all its terms and conditions for copying, distributing or modifying
7785 the Program or works based on it.
7788 Each time you redistribute the Program (or any work based on the
7789 Program), the recipient automatically receives a license from the
7790 original licensor to copy, distribute or modify the Program subject to
7791 these terms and conditions. You may not impose any further
7792 restrictions on the recipients' exercise of the rights granted herein.
7793 You are not responsible for enforcing compliance by third parties to
7797 If, as a consequence of a court judgment or allegation of patent
7798 infringement or for any other reason (not limited to patent issues),
7799 conditions are imposed on you (whether by court order, agreement or
7800 otherwise) that contradict the conditions of this License, they do not
7801 excuse you from the conditions of this License. If you cannot
7802 distribute so as to satisfy simultaneously your obligations under this
7803 License and any other pertinent obligations, then as a consequence you
7804 may not distribute the Program at all. For example, if a patent
7805 license would not permit royalty-free redistribution of the Program by
7806 all those who receive copies directly or indirectly through you, then
7807 the only way you could satisfy both it and this License would be to
7808 refrain entirely from distribution of the Program.
7810 If any portion of this section is held invalid or unenforceable under
7811 any particular circumstance, the balance of the section is intended to
7812 apply and the section as a whole is intended to apply in other
7815 It is not the purpose of this section to induce you to infringe any
7816 patents or other property right claims or to contest validity of any
7817 such claims; this section has the sole purpose of protecting the
7818 integrity of the free software distribution system, which is
7819 implemented by public license practices. Many people have made
7820 generous contributions to the wide range of software distributed
7821 through that system in reliance on consistent application of that
7822 system; it is up to the author/donor to decide if he or she is willing
7823 to distribute software through any other system and a licensee cannot
7826 This section is intended to make thoroughly clear what is believed to
7827 be a consequence of the rest of this License.
7830 If the distribution and/or use of the Program is restricted in
7831 certain countries either by patents or by copyrighted interfaces, the
7832 original copyright holder who places the Program under this License
7833 may add an explicit geographical distribution limitation excluding
7834 those countries, so that distribution is permitted only in or among
7835 countries not thus excluded. In such case, this License incorporates
7836 the limitation as if written in the body of this License.
7839 The Free Software Foundation may publish revised and/or new versions
7840 of the General Public License from time to time. Such new versions will
7841 be similar in spirit to the present version, but may differ in detail to
7842 address new problems or concerns.
7844 Each version is given a distinguishing version number. If the Program
7845 specifies a version number of this License which applies to it and ``any
7846 later version'', you have the option of following the terms and conditions
7847 either of that version or of any later version published by the Free
7848 Software Foundation. If the Program does not specify a version number of
7849 this License, you may choose any version ever published by the Free Software
7853 If you wish to incorporate parts of the Program into other free
7854 programs whose distribution conditions are different, write to the author
7855 to ask for permission. For software which is copyrighted by the Free
7856 Software Foundation, write to the Free Software Foundation; we sometimes
7857 make exceptions for this. Our decision will be guided by the two goals
7858 of preserving the free status of all derivatives of our free software and
7859 of promoting the sharing and reuse of software generally.
7862 @heading NO WARRANTY
7869 BECAUSE THE PROGRAM IS LICENSED FREE OF CHARGE, THERE IS NO WARRANTY
7870 FOR THE PROGRAM, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. EXCEPT WHEN
7871 OTHERWISE STATED IN WRITING THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND/OR OTHER PARTIES
7872 PROVIDE THE PROGRAM ``AS IS'' WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED
7873 OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
7874 MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE ENTIRE RISK AS
7875 TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAM IS WITH YOU. SHOULD THE
7876 PROGRAM PROVE DEFECTIVE, YOU ASSUME THE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING,
7877 REPAIR OR CORRECTION.
7880 IN NO EVENT UNLESS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR AGREED TO IN WRITING
7881 WILL ANY COPYRIGHT HOLDER, OR ANY OTHER PARTY WHO MAY MODIFY AND/OR
7882 REDISTRIBUTE THE PROGRAM AS PERMITTED ABOVE, BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR DAMAGES,
7883 INCLUDING ANY GENERAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING
7884 OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PROGRAM (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
7885 TO LOSS OF DATA OR DATA BEING RENDERED INACCURATE OR LOSSES SUSTAINED BY
7886 YOU OR THIRD PARTIES OR A FAILURE OF THE PROGRAM TO OPERATE WITH ANY OTHER
7887 PROGRAMS), EVEN IF SUCH HOLDER OR OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
7888 POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
7892 @heading END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS
7895 @center END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS
7899 @unnumberedsec Applying These Terms to Your New Programs
7901 If you develop a new program, and you want it to be of the greatest
7902 possible use to the public, the best way to achieve this is to make it
7903 free software which everyone can redistribute and change under these terms.
7905 To do so, attach the following notices to the program. It is safest
7906 to attach them to the start of each source file to most effectively
7907 convey the exclusion of warranty; and each file should have at least
7908 the ``copyright'' line and a pointer to where the full notice is found.
7911 @var{one line to give the program's name and an idea of what it does.}
7912 Copyright (C) 19@var{yy} @var{name of author}
7914 This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
7915 modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License
7916 as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2
7917 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
7919 This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
7920 but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
7921 MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
7922 GNU General Public License for more details.
7924 You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
7925 along with this program; if not, write to the
7926 Free Software Foundation, Inc., 675 Mass Ave,
7927 Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
7930 Also add information on how to contact you by electronic and paper mail.
7932 If the program is interactive, make it output a short notice like this
7933 when it starts in an interactive mode:
7936 Gnomovision version 69, Copyright (C) 19@var{yy} @var{name of author}
7937 Gnomovision comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY; for details
7938 type `show w'. This is free software, and you are welcome
7939 to redistribute it under certain conditions; type `show c'
7943 The hypothetical commands @samp{show w} and @samp{show c} should show
7944 the appropriate parts of the General Public License. Of course, the
7945 commands you use may be called something other than @samp{show w} and
7946 @samp{show c}; they could even be mouse-clicks or menu items---whatever
7949 You should also get your employer (if you work as a programmer) or your
7950 school, if any, to sign a ``copyright disclaimer'' for the program, if
7951 necessary. Here is a sample; alter the names:
7954 Yoyodyne, Inc., hereby disclaims all copyright interest in
7955 the program `Gnomovision' (which makes passes at compilers)
7956 written by James Hacker.
7958 @var{signature of Ty Coon}, 1 April 1989
7959 Ty Coon, President of Vice
7962 This General Public License does not permit incorporating your program into
7963 proprietary programs. If your program is a subroutine library, you may
7964 consider it more useful to permit linking proprietary applications with the
7965 library. If this is what you want to do, use the GNU Library General
7966 Public License instead of this License.
7969 @node Index, , Copying, Top
7975 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
7977 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
7978 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
7979 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
7980 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
7981 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
7982 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
7983 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
7984 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
7985 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}