2 _dnl__ Copyright (c) 1988 1989 1990 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
4 @setfilename _GDBP__.info
6 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO-2 macros and info-makers to format properly.
8 @c NOTE: this manual is marked up for preprocessing with a collection
9 @c of m4 macros called "pretex.m4". If you see <_if__> and <_fi__>
10 @c scattered around the source, you have the full source before
11 @c preprocessing; if you don't, you have the source configured for
12 @c _HOST__ architectures (and you can of course get the full source,
13 @c with all configurations, from wherever you got this).
16 THIS IS THE SOURCE PRIOR TO PREPROCESSING. The full source needs to
17 be run through m4 before either tex- or info- formatting: for example,
19 m4 pretex.m4 none.m4 all.m4 gdb.texinfo >gdb-all.texinfo
21 will produce (assuming your path finds either GNU m4 >= 0.84, or SysV
22 m4; Berkeley won't do) a file suitable for formatting. See the text in
23 "pretex.m4" for a fuller explanation (and the macro definitions).
28 \def\$#1${{#1}} % Kluge: collect RCS revision info without $...$
29 \xdef\manvers{\$Revision$} % For use in headers, footers too
33 @c FOR UPDATES LEADING TO THIS DRAFT, GDB CHANGELOG CONSULTED BETWEEN:
34 @c Fri Oct 11 23:27:06 1991 John Gilmore (gnu at cygnus.com)
35 @c Sat Dec 22 02:51:40 1990 John Gilmore (gnu at cygint)
37 This file documents the GNU debugger _GDBN__.
39 Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
41 Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
42 this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
43 are preserved on all copies.
46 Permission is granted to process this file through TeX and print the
47 results, provided the printed document carries copying permission
48 notice identical to this one except for the removal of this paragraph
49 (this paragraph not being relevant to the printed manual).
52 Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
53 manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also that the
54 section entitled ``GNU General Public License'' is included exactly as
55 in the original, and provided that the entire resulting derived work is
56 distributed under the terms of a permission notice identical to this
59 Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
60 into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions,
61 except that the section entitled ``GNU General Public License'' may be
62 included in a translation approved by the Free Software Foundation
63 instead of in the original English.
66 @setchapternewpage odd
68 @settitle Using _GDBN__ (<v>_GDB_VN__)
71 @settitle Using _GDBN__ <v>_GDB_VN__ (_HOST__)
78 @subtitle{A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger}
80 @subtitle{On _HOST__ Systems}
83 @c Maybe crank this up to "Fourth Edition" when released at FSF
84 @c @subtitle Third Edition---_GDBN__ version _GDB_VN__
85 @subtitle _GDBN__ version _GDB_VN__
87 @author{Richard M. Stallman@qquad @hfill Free Software Foundation}
88 @author{Roland H. Pesch@qquad @hfill Cygnus Support}
92 \hfill rms\@ai.mit.edu, pesch\@cygnus.com\par
93 \hfill {\it Using _GDBN__}, \manvers\par
94 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
98 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
99 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
101 Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
102 this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
103 are preserved on all copies.
105 Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
106 manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also that the
107 section entitled ``GNU General Public License'' is included exactly as
108 in the original, and provided that the entire resulting derived work is
109 distributed under the terms of a permission notice identical to this
112 Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
113 into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions,
114 except that the section entitled ``GNU General Public License'' may be
115 included in a translation approved by the Free Software Foundation
116 instead of in the original English.
120 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
122 This file describes version _GDB_VN__ of GDB, the GNU symbolic debugger.
126 * Summary:: Summary of _GDBN__
127 * New Features:: New Features in _GDBN__ version _GDB_VN__
128 * Sample Session:: A Sample _GDBN__ Session
129 * Invocation:: Getting In and Out of _GDBN__
130 * Commands:: _GDBN__ Commands
131 * Running:: Running Programs Under _GDBN__
132 * Stopping:: Stopping and Continuing
133 * Stack:: Examining the Stack
134 * Source:: Examining Source Files
135 * Data:: Examining Data
136 * Languages:: Using _GDBN__ with Different Languages
137 * Symbols:: Examining the Symbol Table
138 * Altering:: Altering Execution
139 * _GDBN__ Files:: _GDBN__'s Files
140 * Targets:: Specifying a Debugging Target
141 * Controlling _GDBN__:: Controlling _GDBN__
142 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
143 * Emacs:: Using _GDBN__ under GNU Emacs
144 * _GDBN__ Bugs:: Reporting Bugs in _GDBN__
146 * Installing _GDBN__:: Installing _GDBN__
147 * Copying:: GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE
150 --- The Detailed Node Listing ---
154 * Free Software:: Free Software
155 * Contributors:: Contributors to _GDBN__
157 Getting In and Out of _GDBN__
159 * Starting _GDBN__:: Starting _GDBN__
160 * Leaving _GDBN__:: Leaving _GDBN__
161 * Shell Commands:: Shell Commands
165 * File Options:: Choosing Files
166 * Mode Options:: Choosing Modes
170 * Command Syntax:: Command Syntax
171 * Help:: Getting Help
173 Running Programs Under _GDBN__
175 * Compilation:: Compiling for Debugging
176 * Starting:: Starting your Program
177 * Arguments:: Your Program's Arguments
178 * Environment:: Your Program's Environment
179 * Working Directory:: Your Program's Working Directory
180 * Input/Output:: Your Program's Input and Output
181 * Attach:: Debugging an Already-Running Process
182 * Kill Process:: Killing the Child Process
184 Stopping and Continuing
186 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Exceptions
187 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming Execution
190 Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Exceptions
192 * Set Breaks:: Setting Breakpoints
193 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting Watchpoints
194 * Exception Handling:: Breakpoints and Exceptions
195 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting Breakpoints
196 * Disabling:: Disabling Breakpoints
197 * Conditions:: Break Conditions
198 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint Command Lists
199 * Breakpoint Menus:: Breakpoint Menus
200 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
204 * Frames:: Stack Frames
205 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
206 * Selection:: Selecting a Frame
207 * Frame Info:: Information on a Frame
209 Examining Source Files
211 * List:: Printing Source Lines
212 * Search:: Searching Source Files
213 * Source Path:: Specifying Source Directories
214 * Machine Code:: Source and Machine Code
218 * Expressions:: Expressions
219 * Variables:: Program Variables
220 * Arrays:: Artificial Arrays
221 * Output formats:: Output formats
222 * Memory:: Examining Memory
223 * Auto Display:: Automatic Display
224 * Print Settings:: Print Settings
225 * Value History:: Value History
226 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience Variables
227 * Registers:: Registers
228 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating Point Hardware
230 Using GDB with Different Languages
232 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
233 * Show:: Displaying the language
234 * Checks:: Type and Range checks
235 * Support:: Supported languages
237 Switching between source languages
239 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
240 * Automatically:: Having GDB infer the source language
242 Type and range Checking
244 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
245 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
250 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
254 * C Operators:: C and C++ Operators
255 * C Constants:: C and C++ Constants
256 * Cplusplus expressions:: C++ Expressions
257 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C++
258 * C Checks:: C and C++ Type and Range Checks
259 * Debugging C:: _GDBN__ and C
260 * Debugging C plus plus:: Special features for C++
264 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
265 * Builtin Func/Proc:: Built-in Functions and Procedures
266 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 Constants
267 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
268 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
269 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
270 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
271 * GDB/M2:: GDB and Modula-2
275 * Assignment:: Assignment to Variables
276 * Jumping:: Continuing at a Different Address
277 * Signaling:: Giving the Program a Signal
278 * Returning:: Returning from a Function
279 * Calling:: Calling your Program's Functions
280 * Patching:: Patching your Program
284 * Files:: Commands to Specify Files
285 * Symbol Errors:: Errors Reading Symbol Files
287 Specifying a Debugging Target
289 * Active Targets:: Active Targets
290 * Target Commands:: Commands for Managing Targets
291 * Remote:: Remote Debugging
295 * i960-Nindy Remote:: _GDBN__ with a Remote i960 (Nindy)
296 * EB29K Remote:: _GDBN__ with a Remote EB29K
297 * VxWorks Remote:: _GDBN__ and VxWorks
299 _GDBN__ with a Remote i960 (Nindy)
301 * Nindy Startup:: Startup with Nindy
302 * Nindy Options:: Options for Nindy
303 * Nindy reset:: Nindy Reset Command
305 _GDBN__ with a Remote EB29K
307 * Comms (EB29K):: Communications Setup
308 * gdb-EB29K:: EB29K cross-debugging
309 * Remote Log:: Remote Log
313 * VxWorks connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
314 * VxWorks download:: VxWorks Download
315 * VxWorks attach:: Running Tasks
320 * Editing:: Command Editing
321 * History:: Command History
322 * Screen Size:: Screen Size
324 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional Warnings and Messages
326 Canned Sequences of Commands
328 * Define:: User-Defined Commands
329 * Command Files:: Command Files
330 * Output:: Commands for Controlled Output
332 Reporting Bugs in _GDBN__
334 * Bug Criteria:: Have You Found a Bug?
335 * Bug Reporting:: How to Report Bugs
339 * Subdirectories:: Configuration subdirectories
340 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
341 * configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
342 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print GDB documentation
345 @node Summary, New Features, Top, Top
346 @unnumbered Summary of _GDBN__
348 The purpose of a debugger such as _GDBN__ is to allow you to see what is
349 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
350 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
352 _GDBN__ can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
353 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
357 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
360 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
363 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
366 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
367 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
370 You can use _GDBN__ to debug programs written in C, C++, and Modula-2.
371 Fortran support will be added when a GNU Fortran compiler is ready.
374 * Free Software:: Free Software
375 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
378 @node Free Software, Contributors, Summary, Summary
379 @unnumberedsec Free Software
380 _GDBN__ is @dfn{free software}, protected by the GNU General Public License (GPL).
381 The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
382 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
383 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
384 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
385 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
386 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
388 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
389 you have these freedoms and that you can't take these freedoms away
392 @c FIXME: (passim) go through all xrefs, expanding to use text headings
393 For full details, @pxref{Copying}.
394 @node Contributors, , Free Software, Summary
395 @unnumberedsec Contributors to GDB
397 Richard Stallman was the original author of GDB, and of many other GNU
398 programs. Many others have contributed to its development. This
399 section attempts to credit major contributors. One of the virtues of
400 free software is that everyone is free to contribute to it; with
401 regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The file
402 @file{ChangeLog} in the GDB distribution approximates a blow-by-blow
405 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
408 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
409 or your friends (or enemies; let's be evenhanded) have been unfairly
410 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
413 So that they may not regard their long labor as thankless, we
414 particularly thank those who shepherded GDB through major releases: John
415 Gilmore (releases _GDB_VN__, 4.1, 4.0); Jim Kingdon (releases 3.9, 3.5,
416 3.4, 3.3); and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, 3.0). As major
417 maintainer of GDB for some period, each contributed significantly to the
418 structure, stability, and capabilities of the entire debugger.
420 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Pete TerMaat, Chris
421 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
423 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the GNU C++ support in GDB,
424 with significant additional contributions from Per Bothner. James
425 Clark wrote the GNU C++ demangler. Early work on C++ was by Peter
426 TerMaat (who also did much general update work leading to release 3.0).
428 GDB _GDB_VN__ uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
429 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of V. Gumby
430 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
432 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
433 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
435 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
436 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
437 support. Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support. Chris
438 Hanson improved the HP9000 support. Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki
439 Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support. David Johnson contributed
440 Encore Umax support. Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
441 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support. Doug Rabson contributed
442 Acorn Risc Machine support. Chris Smith contributed Convex support
443 (and Fortran debugging). Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
444 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support. Tim Tucker contributed
445 support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode. Pace Willison
446 contributed Intel 386 support. Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry
449 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
452 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that GDB and GAS agree about
453 several machine instruction sets.
455 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped
456 develop remote debugging. Intel Corporation and Wind River Systems
457 contributed remote debugging modules for their products.
459 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
460 command-line editing and command history.
462 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code and
463 the Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this
466 @node New Features, Sample Session, Summary, Top
467 @unnumbered New Features since _GDBN__ version 3.5
471 Using the new command @code{target}, you can select at runtime whether
472 you are debugging local files, local processes, standalone systems over
473 a serial port, realtime systems over a TCP/IP connection, etc. The
474 command @code{load} can download programs into a remote system. Serial
475 stubs are available for Motorola 680x0 and Intel 80386 remote systems;
476 _GDBN__ also supports debugging realtime processes running under
477 VxWorks, using SunRPC Remote Procedure Calls over TCP/IP to talk to a
478 debugger stub on the target system. Internally, _GDBN__ now uses a
479 function vector to mediate access to different targets; if you need to
480 add your own support for a remote protocol, this makes it much easier.
483 _GDBN__ now sports watchpoints as well as breakpoints. You can use a
484 watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an expression
485 changes, without having to predict a particular place in your program
486 where this may happen.
489 Commands that issue wide output now insert newlines at places designed
490 to make the output more readable.
492 @item Object Code Formats
493 _GDBN__ uses a new library called the Binary File Descriptor (BFD)
494 Library to permit it to switch dynamically, without reconfiguration or
495 recompilation, between different object-file formats. Formats currently
496 supported are COFF, a.out, and the Intel 960 b.out; files may be read as
497 .o's, archive libraries, or core dumps. BFD is available as a
498 subroutine library so that other programs may take advantage of it, and
499 the other GNU binary utilities are being converted to use it.
501 @item Configuration and Ports
502 Compile-time configuration (to select a particular architecture and
503 operating system) is much easier. The script @code{configure} now
504 allows you to configure _GDBN__ as either a native debugger or a
505 cross-debugger. @xref{Installing _GDBN__} for details on how to
506 configure and on what architectures are now available.
509 The user interface to _GDBN__'s control variables has been simplified
510 and consolidated in two commands, @code{set} and @code{show}. Output
511 lines are now broken at readable places, rather than overflowing onto
512 the next line. You can suppress output of machine-level addresses,
513 displaying only source language information.
517 _GDBN__ now supports C++ multiple inheritance (if used with a GCC
518 version 2 compiler), and also has limited support for C++ exception
519 handling, with the commands @code{catch} and @code{info catch}: _GDBN__
520 can break when an exception is raised, before the stack is peeled back
521 to the exception handler's context.
524 _GDBN__ now has preliminary support for the GNU Modula-2 compiler,
525 currently under development at the State University of New York at
526 Buffalo. Coordinated development of both _GDBN__ and the GNU Modula-2
527 compiler will continue through the fall of 1991 and into 1992. Other
528 Modula-2 compilers are currently not supported, and attempting to debug
529 programs compiled with them will likely result in an error as the symbol
530 table of the executable is read in.
532 @item Command Rationalization
533 Many _GDBN__ commands have been renamed to make them easier to remember
534 and use. In particular, the subcommands of @code{info} and
535 @code{show}/@code{set} are grouped to make the former refer to the state
536 of your program, and the latter refer to the state of _GDBN__ itself.
537 @xref{Renamed Commands}, for details on what commands were renamed.
539 @item Shared Libraries
540 _GDBN__ _GDB_VN__ can debug programs and core files that use SunOS shared
544 _GDBN__ _GDB_VN__ has a reference card; @xref{Formatting Documentation} for
545 instructions on printing it.
547 @item Work in Progress
548 Kernel debugging for BSD and Mach systems; Tahoe and HPPA architecture
553 @node Sample Session, Invocation, New Features, Top
554 @chapter A Sample _GDBN__ Session
556 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about _GDBN__.
557 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
558 debugger. This chapter illustrates these commands.
561 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @i{input},
562 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
565 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
566 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
568 One of the preliminary versions of GNU @code{m4} (a generic macro
569 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
570 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro's
571 definition in another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
572 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
573 then use the @code{m4} builtin @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
574 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
575 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
576 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
585 @i{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
589 @i{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
591 @i{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
594 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
598 Let's use _GDBN__ to try to see what's going on.
602 GDB is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies of it
603 under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see the conditions.
604 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB; type "show warranty" for details.
605 GDB _GDB_VN__, Copyright 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
610 _GDBN__ reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the rest
611 when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly. We
612 then tell _GDBN__ to use a narrower display width than usual, so
613 that examples will fit in this manual.
616 (_GDBP__) @i{set width 70}
620 Let's see how the @code{m4} builtin @code{changequote} works.
621 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
622 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with _GDBN__'s
623 @code{break} command.
626 (_GDBP__) @i{break m4_changequote}
627 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
631 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under _GDBN__
632 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
633 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
637 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
645 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. _GDBN__
646 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
647 context where it stops.
650 @i{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
652 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70) at builtin.c:879
653 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]), argc, 1, 3))
657 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
658 the next line of the current function.
662 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1]) : nil,
666 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
667 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
668 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
669 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
673 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
675 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
679 The summary display showing the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
680 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. We can
681 use the @code{backtrace} command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}),
682 to see where we are in the stack: it displays a stack frame for each
687 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
689 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70) at builtin.c:882
690 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
691 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
693 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
694 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
698 Let's step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
699 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
700 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
703 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
705 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote :\
708 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote : xstrdup\
711 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
715 The last line displayed looks a little odd; let's examine the variables
716 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
717 and right quotes we specified. We can use the command @code{p}
718 (@code{print}) to see their values.
721 (_GDBP__) @i{p lquote}
722 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
723 (_GDBP__) @i{p rquote}
724 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
728 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
729 Let's look at some context; we can display ten lines of source
730 surrounding the current line, with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
736 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote : xstrdup\
738 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote : xstrdup\
741 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
742 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
749 Let's step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
750 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
754 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
757 (_GDBP__) @i{p len_lquote}
759 (_GDBP__) @i{p len_rquote}
764 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
765 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
766 @code{rquote} respectively. Let's try setting them to better values.
767 We can use the @code{p} command for this, since it'll print the value of
768 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
772 (_GDBP__) p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)
774 (_GDBP__) p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)
779 Let's see if that fixes the problem of using the new quotes with the
780 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}. We can allow @code{m4} to continue
781 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
782 example that caused trouble initially:
788 @i{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
795 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
796 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
797 lengths. We'll let @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input.
801 Program exited normally.
805 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from _GDBN__; it
806 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our _GDBN__
807 session with the _GDBN__ @code{quit} command.
811 _1__@end smallexample
813 @node Invocation, Commands, Sample Session, Top
814 @chapter Getting In and Out of _GDBN__
817 * Starting _GDBN__:: Starting _GDBN__
818 * Leaving _GDBN__:: Leaving _GDBN__
819 * Shell Commands:: Shell Commands
822 @node Starting _GDBN__, Leaving _GDBN__, Invocation, Invocation
823 @section Starting _GDBN__
825 _GDBN__ is invoked with the shell command @code{_GDBP__}. Once started,
826 it reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
828 You can run @code{_GDBP__} with no arguments or options; but the most
829 usual way to start _GDBN__ is with one argument or two, specifying an
830 executable program as the argument:
835 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file specified:
840 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
841 to debug a running process:
846 would attach _GDBN__ to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
847 named @file{1234}; _GDBN__ does check for a core file first).
850 You can further control how _GDBN__ starts up by using command-line
851 options. _GDBN__ itself can remind you of the options available:
856 will display all available options and briefly describe their use
857 (@samp{_GDBP__ -h} is a shorter equivalent).
859 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
860 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
861 @samp{-x} option is used.
864 * File Options:: Choosing Files
865 * Mode Options:: Choosing Modes
867 _include__(gdbinv-m.m4)_dnl__
871 @node File Options, Mode Options, Starting _GDBN__, Starting _GDBN__
872 @subsection Choosing Files
874 As shown above, any arguments other than options specify an executable
875 file and core file; that is, the first argument encountered with no
876 associated option flag is equivalent to a @samp{-se} option, and the
877 second, if any, is equivalent to a @samp{-c} option. Many options have
878 both long and short forms; both are shown here. The long forms are also
879 recognized if you truncate them, so long as enough of the option is
880 present to be unambiguous. (If you prefer, you can flag option
881 arguments with @samp{+} rather than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the
882 more usual convention.)
885 @item -symbols=@var{file}
887 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
889 @item -exec=@var{file}
891 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when
892 appropriate, and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core
896 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
899 @item -core=@var{file}
901 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
903 @item -command=@var{file}
905 Execute _GDBN__ commands from file @var{file}. @xref{Command Files}.
907 @item -directory=@var{directory}
908 @itemx -d @var{directory}
909 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
913 @node Mode Options, Mode Options, File Options, Starting _GDBN__
916 @node Mode Options, , File Options, Starting _GDBN__
918 @subsection Choosing Modes
923 Do not execute commands from any @file{_GDBINIT__} initialization files.
924 Normally, the commands in these files are executed after all the
925 command options and arguments have been processed.
926 @xref{Command Files}.
930 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
931 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
934 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the command
935 files specified with @samp{-x} (and @file{_GDBINIT__}, if not inhibited).
936 Exit with nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the _GDBN__
937 commands in the command files.
939 Batch mode may be useful for running _GDBN__ as a filter, for example to
940 download and run a program on another computer; in order to make this
941 more useful, the message
943 Program exited normally.
946 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under _GDBN__ control
947 terminates) is not issued when running in batch mode.
949 @item -cd=@var{directory}
950 Run _GDBN__ using @var{directory} as its working directory,
951 instead of the current directory.
955 Emacs sets this option when it runs _GDBN__ as a subprocess. It tells _GDBN__
956 to output the full file name and line number in a standard,
957 recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is displayed (which
958 includes each time the program stops). This recognizable format looks
959 like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by the file name, line number
960 and character position separated by colons, and a newline. The
961 Emacs-to-_GDBN__ interface program uses the two @samp{\032} characters as
962 a signal to display the source code for the frame.
965 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
966 interface used by _GDBN__ for remote debugging.
968 @item -tty=@var{device}
969 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
970 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there's more to -tty. Investigate.
974 _include__(gdbinv-s.m4)
977 @node Leaving _GDBN__, Shell Commands, Starting _GDBN__, Invocation
978 @section Leaving _GDBN__
979 @cindex exiting _GDBN__
984 To exit _GDBN__, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated @code{q}), or type
985 an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{C-d}).
989 An interrupt (often @kbd{C-c}) will not exit from _GDBN__, but rather
990 will terminate the action of any _GDBN__ command that is in progress and
991 return to _GDBN__ command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
992 character at any time because _GDBN__ does not allow it to take effect
993 until a time when it is safe.
995 If you've been using _GDBN__ to control an attached process or device,
996 you can release it with the @code{detach} command; @pxref{Attach}.
998 @node Shell Commands, , Leaving _GDBN__, Invocation
999 @section Shell Commands
1000 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1001 debugging session, there's no need to leave or suspend _GDBN__; you can
1002 just use the @code{shell} command.
1005 @item shell @var{command string}
1007 @cindex shell escape
1008 Directs _GDBN__ to invoke an inferior shell to execute @var{command
1009 string}. If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} is used
1010 for the name of the shell to run. Otherwise _GDBN__ uses
1014 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1015 You don't have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in _GDBN__:
1018 @item make @var{make-args}
1020 @cindex calling make
1021 Causes _GDBN__ to execute an inferior @code{make} program with the specified
1022 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1025 @node Commands, Running, Invocation, Top
1026 @chapter _GDBN__ Commands
1029 * Command Syntax:: Command Syntax
1030 * Help:: Getting Help
1033 @node Command Syntax, Help, Commands, Commands
1034 @section Command Syntax
1035 A _GDBN__ command is a single line of input. There is no limit on how long
1036 it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by arguments
1037 whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the command
1038 @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to step,
1039 as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command with
1040 no arguments. Some command names do not allow any arguments.
1042 @cindex abbreviation
1043 _GDBN__ command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1044 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1045 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1046 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1047 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1048 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1049 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1051 @cindex repeating commands
1053 A blank line as input to _GDBN__ (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1054 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1055 will not repeat this way; these are commands for which unintentional
1056 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1059 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1060 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1061 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1063 _GDBN__ can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1064 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1065 (@pxref{Screen Size}). Since it's easy to press one @key{RET} too many
1066 in this situation, _GDBN__ disables command repetition after any command
1067 that generates this sort of display.
1071 A line of input starting with @kbd{#} is a comment; it does nothing.
1072 This is useful mainly in command files (@xref{Command Files}).
1074 @node Help, , Command Syntax, Commands
1075 @section Getting Help
1076 @cindex online documentation
1078 You can always ask _GDBN__ itself for information on its commands, using the
1079 command @code{help}.
1085 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1086 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1089 List of classes of commands:
1091 running -- Running the program
1092 stack -- Examining the stack
1093 data -- Examining data
1094 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1095 files -- Specifying and examining files
1096 status -- Status inquiries
1097 support -- Support facilities
1098 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1099 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1100 obscure -- Obscure features
1102 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of commands in that class.
1103 Type "help" followed by command name for full documentation.
1104 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1108 @item help @var{class}
1109 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1110 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1111 help display for the class @code{status}:
1113 (_GDBP__) help status
1118 show -- Generic command for showing things set with "set"
1119 info -- Generic command for printing status
1121 Type "help" followed by command name for full documentation.
1122 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1126 @item help @var{command}
1127 With a command name as @code{help} argument, _GDBN__ will display a
1128 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1131 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the _GDBN__ commands @code{info}
1132 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1133 of _GDBN__ itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1134 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1135 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1136 all the sub-commands.
1137 @c FIXME: @pxref{Index} used to be here, but even though it shows up in
1138 @c FIXME...the 'aux' file with a pageno the xref can't find it.
1145 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1146 program; for example, it can list the arguments given to your program
1147 (@code{info args}), the registers currently in use (@code{info
1148 registers}), or the breakpoints you've set (@code{info breakpoints}).
1149 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1150 @w{@code{help info}}.
1154 In contrast, @code{show} is for describing the state of _GDBN__ itself.
1155 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1156 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1157 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1158 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1161 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1162 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1163 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1164 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1165 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1166 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1170 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1171 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1174 @kindex show version
1175 @cindex version number
1177 Show what version of _GDBN__ is running. You should include this
1178 information in _GDBN__ bug-reports. If multiple versions of _GDBN__ are
1179 in use at your site, you may occasionally want to make sure what version
1180 of _GDBN__ you're running; as _GDBN__ evolves, new commands are
1181 introduced, and old ones may wither away. The version number is also
1182 announced when you start _GDBN__ with no arguments.
1184 @kindex show copying
1186 Display information about permission for copying _GDBN__.
1188 @kindex show warranty
1190 Display the GNU ``NO WARRANTY'' statement.
1193 @node Running, Stopping, Commands, Top
1194 @chapter Running Programs Under _GDBN__
1197 * Compilation:: Compiling for Debugging
1198 * Starting:: Starting your Program
1199 * Arguments:: Your Program's Arguments
1200 * Environment:: Your Program's Environment
1201 * Working Directory:: Your Program's Working Directory
1202 * Input/Output:: Your Program's Input and Output
1203 * Attach:: Debugging an Already-Running Process
1204 * Kill Process:: Killing the Child Process
1207 @node Compilation, Starting, Running, Running
1208 @section Compiling for Debugging
1210 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1211 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1212 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1213 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1214 and addresses in the executable code.
1216 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1219 Many C compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O}
1220 options together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1221 executables containing debugging information.
1223 The GNU C compiler supports @samp{-g} with or without @samp{-O}, making it
1224 possible to debug optimized code. We recommend that you @emph{always} use
1225 @samp{-g} whenever you compile a program. You may think the program is
1226 correct, but there's no sense in pushing your luck.
1228 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
1229 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
1230 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
1231 please report it as a bug (including a test case!).
1233 Older versions of the GNU C compiler permitted a variant option
1234 @samp{-gg} for debugging information. _GDBN__ no longer supports this
1235 format; if your GNU C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1238 @comment As far as I know, there are no cases in which _GDBN__ will
1239 @comment produce strange output in this case. (but no promises).
1240 If your program includes archives made with the @code{ar} program, and
1241 if the object files used as input to @code{ar} were compiled without the
1242 @samp{-g} option and have names longer than 15 characters, _GDBN__ will get
1243 confused reading the program's symbol table. No error message will be
1244 given, but _GDBN__ may behave strangely. The reason for this problem is a
1245 deficiency in the Unix archive file format, which cannot represent file
1246 names longer than 15 characters.
1248 To avoid this problem, compile the archive members with the @samp{-g}
1249 option or use shorter file names. Alternatively, use a version of GNU
1250 @code{ar} dated more recently than August 1989.
1254 @node Starting, Arguments, Compilation, Running
1255 @section Starting your Program
1262 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under _GDBN__. You
1263 must first specify the program name
1267 with an argument to _GDBN__
1268 (@pxref{Invocation}), or using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file}
1269 command (@pxref{Files}).
1273 On targets that support processes, @code{run} creates an inferior
1274 process and makes that process run your program. On other targets,
1275 @code{run} jumps to the start of the program.
1277 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1278 receives from its superior. _GDBN__ provides ways to specify this
1279 information, which you must do @i{before} starting the program. (You
1280 can change it after starting the program, but such changes will only affect
1281 the program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1282 divided into four categories:
1285 @item The @i{arguments.}
1286 You specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1287 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1288 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1289 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in
1290 describing the arguments. In Unix systems, you can control which shell
1291 is used with the @code{SHELL} environment variable. @xref{Arguments}.@refill
1293 @item The @i{environment.}
1294 Your program normally inherits its environment from _GDBN__, but you can
1295 use the _GDBN__ commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1296 environment} to change parts of the environment that will be given to
1297 the program. @xref{Environment}.@refill
1299 @item The @i{working directory.}
1300 Your program inherits its working directory from _GDBN__. You can set
1301 _GDBN__'s working directory with the @code{cd} command in _GDBN__.
1302 @xref{Working Directory}.
1304 @item The @i{standard input and output.}
1305 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1306 standard output as _GDBN__ is using. You can redirect input and output
1307 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1308 set a different device for your program.
1309 @xref{Input/Output}.
1312 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you can't use
1313 pipes to pass the output of the program you're debugging to another
1314 program; if you attempt this, _GDBN__ is likely to wind up debugging the
1318 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1319 immediately. @xref{Stopping}, for discussion of how to arrange for your
1320 program to stop. Once your program has been started by the @code{run}
1321 command (and then stopped), you may evaluate expressions that involve
1322 calls to functions in the inferior, using the @code{print} or
1323 @code{call} commands. @xref{Data}.
1325 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1326 time _GDBN__ read its symbols, _GDBN__ will discard its symbol table and re-read
1327 it. In this process, it tries to retain your current breakpoints.
1329 @node Arguments, Environment, Starting, Running
1330 @section Your Program's Arguments
1332 @cindex arguments (to your program)
1333 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
1334 @code{run} command. They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard
1335 characters and performs redirection of I/O, and thence to the program.
1336 _GDBN__ uses the shell indicated by your environment variable
1337 @code{SHELL} if it exists; otherwise, _GDBN__ uses @code{/bin/sh}.
1339 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
1340 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
1345 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
1346 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} will execute your program
1347 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
1348 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
1349 it again without arguments.
1353 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
1356 @node Environment, Working Directory, Arguments, Running
1357 @section Your Program's Environment
1359 @cindex environment (of your program)
1360 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
1361 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
1362 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
1363 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
1364 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
1365 debugging, it can be useful to try running the program with a modified
1366 environment without having to start _GDBN__ over again.
1369 @item path @var{directory}
1371 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
1372 (the search path for executables), for both _GDBN__ and your program.
1373 You may specify several directory names, separated by @samp{:} or
1374 whitespace. If @var{directory} is already in the path, it is moved to
1375 the front, so it will be searched sooner.
1377 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
1378 working directory at the time _GDBN__ searches the path. If you use
1379 @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
1380 @code{path} command. _GDBN__ fills in the current path where needed in
1381 the @var{directory} argument, before adding it to the search path.
1382 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it's silly to
1383 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
1387 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
1388 environment variable).
1390 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
1391 @kindex show environment
1392 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
1393 your program when it starts. If you don't supply @var{varname},
1394 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
1395 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
1397 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@r{]} @var{value}
1398 @kindex set environment
1399 Sets environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
1400 changes for your program only, not for _GDBN__ itself. @var{value} may
1401 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
1402 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
1403 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
1405 @c "any string" here doesn't include leading, trailing
1406 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
1408 For example, this command:
1415 tells a Unix program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
1416 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
1417 are not actually required.)
1419 @item unset environment @var{varname}
1420 @kindex unset environment
1421 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
1422 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
1423 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
1424 rather than assigning it an empty value.
1427 @node Working Directory, Input/Output, Environment, Running
1428 @section Your Program's Working Directory
1430 @cindex working directory (of your program)
1431 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
1432 working directory from the current working directory of _GDBN__. _GDBN__'s
1433 working directory is initially whatever it inherited from its parent
1434 process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new working
1435 directory in _GDBN__ with the @code{cd} command.
1437 The _GDBN__ working directory also serves as a default for the commands
1438 that specify files for _GDBN__ to operate on. @xref{Files}.
1441 @item cd @var{directory}
1443 Set _GDBN__'s working directory to @var{directory}.
1447 Print _GDBN__'s working directory.
1450 @node Input/Output, Attach, Working Directory, Running
1451 @section Your Program's Input and Output
1456 By default, the program you run under _GDBN__ does input and output to
1457 the same terminal that _GDBN__ uses. _GDBN__ switches the terminal to
1458 its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
1459 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
1460 running your program.
1464 @kindex info terminal
1465 Displays _GDBN__'s recorded information about the terminal modes your
1469 You can redirect the program's input and/or output using shell
1470 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
1477 starts the program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
1480 @cindex controlling terminal
1481 Another way to specify where the program should do input and output is
1482 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
1483 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
1484 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
1485 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
1492 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
1493 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
1494 that as their controlling terminal.
1496 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
1497 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
1500 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
1501 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
1502 for _GDBN__ still comes from your terminal.
1504 @node Attach, Kill Process, Input/Output, Running
1505 @section Debugging an Already-Running Process
1510 @item attach @var{process-id}
1512 attaches to a running process---one that was started outside _GDBN__.
1513 (@code{info files} will show your active targets.) The command takes as
1514 argument a process ID. The usual way to find out the process-id of
1515 a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility, or with the @samp{jobs -l}
1518 @code{attach} will not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
1519 executing the command.
1522 To use @code{attach}, you must be debugging in an environment which
1523 supports processes. You must also have permission to send the process a
1524 signal, and it must have the same effective user ID as the _GDBN__
1527 When using @code{attach}, you should first use the @code{file} command
1528 to specify the program running in the process and load its symbol table.
1531 The first thing _GDBN__ does after arranging to debug the specified
1532 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
1533 with all the _GDBN__ commands that are ordinarily available when you start
1534 processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you can step and
1535 continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the process
1536 continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
1537 attaching _GDBN__ to the process.
1542 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
1543 @code{detach} command to release it from _GDBN__'s control. Detaching
1544 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
1545 that process and _GDBN__ become completely independent once more, and you
1546 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
1547 @code{detach} will not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
1548 executing the command.
1551 If you exit _GDBN__ or use the @code{run} command while you have an attached
1552 process, you kill that process. By default, you will be asked for
1553 confirmation if you try to do either of these things; you can control
1554 whether or not you need to confirm by using the @code{set confirm} command
1555 (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1557 @node Kill Process, , Attach, Running
1559 @section Killing the Child Process
1564 Kill the child process in which your program is running under _GDBN__.
1567 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
1568 running process. _GDBN__ ignores any core dump file while your program
1572 On some operating systems, a program can't be executed outside _GDBN__
1573 while you have breakpoints set on it inside _GDBN__. You can use the
1574 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running the program
1575 outside the debugger.
1577 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
1578 relink the program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
1579 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
1580 next type @code{run}, _GDBN__ will notice that the file has changed, and
1581 will re-read the symbol table (while trying to preserve your current
1582 breakpoint settings).
1584 @node Stopping, Stack, Running, Top
1585 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
1587 The principal purpose of using a debugger is so that you can stop your
1588 program before it terminates; or so that, if the program runs into
1589 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
1591 Inside _GDBN__, your program may stop for any of several reasons, such
1592 as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a _GDBN__
1593 command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and change
1594 variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then continue
1595 execution. Usually, the messages shown by _GDBN__ provide ample
1596 explanation of the status of your program---but you can also explicitly
1597 request this information at any time.
1601 @kindex info program
1602 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
1603 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
1607 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Exceptions
1608 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming Execution
1612 @node Breakpoints, Continuing and Stepping, Stopping, Stopping
1613 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Exceptions
1616 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
1617 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add various
1618 conditions to control in finer detail whether the program will stop.
1619 You can set breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants
1620 (@pxref{Set Breaks}), to specify the place where the program should stop
1621 by line number, function name or exact address in the program. In
1622 languages with exception handling (such as GNU C++), you can also set
1623 breakpoints where an exception is raised (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
1626 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program when
1627 the value of an expression changes. You must use a different command to
1628 set watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints}), but aside from that, you can
1629 manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you enable, disable, and
1630 delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the same commands.
1632 Each breakpoint or watchpoint is assigned a number when it is created;
1633 these numbers are successive integers starting with one. In many of the
1634 commands for controlling various features of breakpoints you use the
1635 breakpoint number to say which breakpoint you want to change. Each
1636 breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has
1637 no effect on the program until you enable it again.
1640 * Set Breaks:: Setting Breakpoints
1641 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting Watchpoints
1642 * Exception Handling:: Breakpoints and Exceptions
1643 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting Breakpoints
1644 * Disabling:: Disabling Breakpoints
1645 * Conditions:: Break Conditions
1646 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint Command Lists
1647 * Breakpoint Menus:: Breakpoint Menus
1648 * Error in Breakpoints::
1651 @node Set Breaks, Set Watchpoints, Breakpoints, Breakpoints
1652 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
1656 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated @code{b}).
1658 You have several ways to say where the breakpoint should go.
1661 @item break @var{function}
1662 Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function}. When using source
1663 languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as C++,
1664 @var{function} may refer to more than one possible place to break.
1665 @xref{Breakpoint Menus}, for a discussion of that situation.
1667 @item break +@var{offset}
1668 @itemx break -@var{offset}
1669 Set a breakpoint some number of lines forward or back from the position
1670 at which execution stopped in the currently selected frame.
1672 @item break @var{linenum}
1673 Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in the current source file.
1674 That file is the last file whose source text was printed. This
1675 breakpoint will stop the program just before it executes any of the
1678 @item break @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
1679 Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in source file @var{filename}.
1681 @item break @var{filename}:@var{function}
1682 Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function} found in file
1683 @var{filename}. Specifying a file name as well as a function name is
1684 superfluous except when multiple files contain similarly named
1687 @item break *@var{address}
1688 Set a breakpoint at address @var{address}. You can use this to set
1689 breakpoints in parts of the program which do not have debugging
1690 information or source files.
1693 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at the
1694 next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
1695 (@pxref{Stack}). In any selected frame but the innermost, this will
1696 cause the program to stop as soon as control returns to that frame.
1697 This is similar to the effect of a @code{finish} command in the frame
1698 inside the selected frame---except that @code{finish} doesn't leave an
1699 active breakpoint. If you use @code{break} without an argument in the
1700 innermost frame, _GDBN__ will stop the next time it reaches the current
1701 location; this may be useful inside loops.
1703 _GDBN__ normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
1704 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
1705 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
1706 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
1707 existed when the program stopped.
1709 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
1710 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
1711 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
1712 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
1713 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described above
1714 (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions}, for more
1715 information on breakpoint conditions.
1717 @item tbreak @var{args}
1719 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
1720 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
1721 way, but the breakpoint is automatically disabled the first time it
1722 is hit. @xref{Disabling}.
1724 @item rbreak @var{regex}
1726 @cindex regular expression
1727 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
1728 @var{regex}. This command
1729 sets an unconditional breakpoint on all matches, printing a list of all
1730 breakpoints it set. Once these breakpoints are set, they are treated
1731 just like the breakpoints set with the @code{break} command. They can
1732 be deleted, disabled, made conditional, etc., in the standard ways.
1734 When debugging C++ programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
1735 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
1738 @kindex info breakpoints
1739 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
1740 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
1741 @item info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
1742 Print a list of all breakpoints (but not watchpoints) set and not
1743 deleted, showing their numbers, where in the program they are, and any
1744 special features in use for them. Disabled breakpoints are included in
1745 the list, but marked as disabled. @code{info break} with a breakpoint
1746 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The convenience
1747 variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for the @code{x}
1748 command are set to the address of the last breakpoint listed
1749 (@pxref{Memory}). The equivalent command for watchpoints is @code{info
1752 _GDBN__ allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in the
1753 program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When the
1754 breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful (@pxref{Conditions}).
1756 @node Set Watchpoints, Exception Handling, Set Breaks, Breakpoints
1757 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
1758 @cindex setting watchpoints
1759 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
1760 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place
1761 where this may happen.
1763 Watchpoints currently execute two orders of magnitude more slowly than
1764 other breakpoints, but this can well be worth it to catch errors where
1765 you have no clue what part of your program is the culprit. Some
1766 processors provide special hardware to support watchpoint evaluation; future
1767 releases of _GDBN__ will use such hardware if it is available.
1771 @item watch @var{expr}
1772 Set a watchpoint for an expression.
1774 @kindex info watchpoints
1775 @item info watchpoints
1776 This command prints a list of watchpoints; it is otherwise similar to
1780 @node Exception Handling, Delete Breaks, Set Watchpoints, Breakpoints
1781 @subsection Breakpoints and Exceptions
1782 @cindex exception handlers
1784 Some languages, such as GNU C++, implement exception handling. You can
1785 use _GDBN__ to examine what caused the program to raise an exception,
1786 and to list the exceptions the program is prepared to handle at a
1787 given point in time.
1790 @item catch @var{exceptions}
1792 You can set breakpoints at active exception handlers by using the
1793 @code{catch} command. @var{exceptions} is a list of names of exceptions
1797 You can use @code{info catch} to list active exception handlers;
1800 There are currently some limitations to exception handling in _GDBN__.
1801 These will be corrected in a future release.
1805 If you call a function interactively, _GDBN__ normally returns
1806 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
1807 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
1808 returns control to the user and cause the program to simply continue
1809 running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal that _GDBN__ is
1810 listening for, or exits.
1812 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
1814 You cannot interactively install an exception handler.
1817 @cindex raise exceptions
1818 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
1819 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it's better to
1820 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
1821 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
1822 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
1823 out where the exception was raised.
1825 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
1826 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of GNU C++, exceptions are
1827 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
1828 which has the following ANSI C interface:
1831 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
1832 ID is the exception identifier. */
1833 void __raise_exception (void **@var{addr}, void *@var{id});
1837 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
1838 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
1839 (@pxref{Breakpoints}).
1841 With a conditional breakpoint (@xref{Conditions}) that depends on the
1842 value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when a specific exception
1843 is raised. You can use multiple conditional breakpoints to stop the
1844 program when any of a number of exceptions are raised.
1846 @node Delete Breaks, Disabling, Exception Handling, Breakpoints
1847 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
1849 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints
1850 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints
1851 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint or watchpoint once it
1852 has done its job and you no longer want the program to stop there. This
1853 is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A breakpoint that has been
1854 deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
1856 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
1857 where they are in the program. With the @code{delete} command you can
1858 delete individual breakpoints or watchpoints by specifying their
1861 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. _GDBN__
1862 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
1863 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
1868 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
1869 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection}). When the innermost frame
1870 is selected, this is a good way to delete a breakpoint that the program
1873 @item clear @var{function}
1874 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
1875 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the function @var{function}.
1877 @item clear @var{linenum}
1878 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
1879 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified line.
1881 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{bnums}@dots{}@r{]}
1882 @cindex delete breakpoints
1885 Delete the breakpoints or watchpoints of the numbers specified as
1886 arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all breakpoints (_GDBN__
1887 asks confirmation, unless you've @code{set confirm off}). You
1888 can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
1891 @node Disabling, Conditions, Delete Breaks, Breakpoints
1892 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
1894 @cindex disabled breakpoints
1895 @cindex enabled breakpoints
1896 Rather than deleting a breakpoint or watchpoint, you might prefer to
1897 @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if it had
1898 been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so that
1899 you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
1901 You disable and enable breakpoints and watchpoints with the
1902 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying one or
1903 more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} or
1904 @code{info watch} to print a list of breakpoints or watchpoints if you
1905 don't know which numbers to use.
1907 A breakpoint or watchpoint can have any of four different states of
1912 Enabled. The breakpoint will stop the program. A breakpoint set
1913 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
1915 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on the program.
1917 Enabled once. The breakpoint will stop the program, but
1918 when it does so it will become disabled. A breakpoint set
1919 with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
1921 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint will stop the program, but
1922 immediately after it does so it will be deleted permanently.
1925 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints and
1929 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{bnums}@dots{}@r{]}
1930 @kindex disable breakpoints
1933 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
1934 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
1935 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
1936 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
1937 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
1939 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{bnums}@dots{}@r{]}
1940 @kindex enable breakpoints
1942 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
1943 become effective once again in stopping the program.
1945 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{bnums}@dots{}
1946 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. Each will be disabled
1947 again the next time it stops the program.
1949 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{bnums}@dots{}
1950 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once and then die. Each of
1951 the breakpoints will be deleted the next time it stops the program.
1954 Save for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks}),
1955 breakpoints that you set are initially enabled; subsequently, they become
1956 disabled or enabled only when you use one of the commands above. (The
1957 command @code{until} can set and delete a breakpoint of its own, but it
1958 will not change the state of your other breakpoints;
1959 @pxref{Continuing and Stepping}.)
1961 @node Conditions, Break Commands, Disabling, Breakpoints
1962 @subsection Break Conditions
1963 @cindex conditional breakpoints
1964 @cindex breakpoint conditions
1966 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time the program reaches a
1967 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
1968 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
1969 programming language. (@xref{Expressions}). A breakpoint with a condition
1970 evaluates the expression each time the program reaches it, and the
1971 program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
1973 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
1974 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
1975 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
1976 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
1977 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
1979 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
1980 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
1981 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
1982 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
1985 Break conditions ca have side effects, and may even call functions in
1986 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
1987 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to format
1988 special data structures. The effects are completely predictable unless
1989 there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In that
1990 case, _GDBN__ might see the other breakpoint first and stop the program
1991 without checking the condition of this one.) Note that breakpoint
1992 commands are usually more convenient and flexible for the purpose of
1993 performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
1994 (@pxref{Break Commands}).
1996 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
1997 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set Breaks}.
1998 They can also be changed at any time with the @code{condition} command.
1999 The @code{watch} command doesn't recognize the @code{if} keyword;
2000 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
2004 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
2006 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint or
2007 watchpoint number @var{bnum}. From now on, this breakpoint will stop
2008 the program only if the value of @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in
2009 C). When you use @code{condition}, _GDBN__ checks @var{expression}
2010 immediately for syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols
2011 in it have referents in the context of your breakpoint. _GDBN__ does
2012 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
2013 command is given, however. @xref{Expressions}.
2015 @item condition @var{bnum}
2016 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
2017 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
2020 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
2021 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
2022 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
2023 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
2024 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
2025 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
2026 therefore has no effect. But if the program reaches a breakpoint whose
2027 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
2028 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
2029 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint will not stop the next @var{n} times it
2033 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
2035 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
2036 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
2037 execution will not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, _GDBN__
2040 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
2043 @item continue @var{count}
2044 @itemx c @var{count}
2045 @itemx fg @var{count}
2046 @kindex continue @var{count}
2047 Continue execution of the program, setting the ignore count of the
2048 breakpoint that the program stopped at to @var{count} minus one.
2049 Thus, the program will not stop at this breakpoint until the
2050 @var{count}'th time it is reached.
2052 An argument to this command is meaningful only when the program stopped
2053 due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to @code{continue} is
2056 The synonym @code{fg} is provided purely for convenience, and has
2057 exactly the same behavior as other forms of the command.
2060 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the condition
2061 is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero, the condition will
2064 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a
2065 condition such as _0__@w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}}_1__ using a debugger convenience
2066 variable that is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars}.
2068 @node Break Commands, Breakpoint Menus, Conditions, Breakpoints
2069 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
2071 @cindex breakpoint commands
2072 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint) a series of commands to
2073 execute when the program stops due to that breakpoint. For example, you
2074 might want to print the values of certain expressions, or enable other
2078 @item commands @r{[}@var{bnum}@r{]}
2079 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
2083 Specify a list of commands for breakpoint number @var{bnum}. The commands
2084 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
2085 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
2087 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} followed
2088 immediately by @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
2090 With no @var{bnum} argument, @code{commands} refers to the last
2091 breakpoint or watchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
2095 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last _GDBN__ command is
2096 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
2098 You can use breakpoint commands to start the program up again. Simply
2099 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
2100 that resumes execution. Subsequent commands in the command list are
2104 If the first command specified is @code{silent}, the usual message about
2105 stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may be desirable for
2106 breakpoints that are to print a specific message and then continue.
2107 If the remaining commands too print nothing, you will see no sign that
2108 the breakpoint was reached at all. @code{silent} is meaningful only
2109 at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
2111 The commands @code{echo} and @code{output} that allow you to print precisely
2112 controlled output are often useful in silent breakpoints. @xref{Output}.
2114 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
2115 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
2128 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
2129 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
2130 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
2131 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
2132 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
2133 so that the program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
2134 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
2146 One deficiency in the operation of automatically continuing breakpoints
2147 under Unix appears when your program uses raw mode for the terminal.
2148 _GDBN__ switches back to its own terminal modes (not raw) before executing
2149 commands, and then must switch back to raw mode when your program is
2150 continued. This causes any pending terminal input to be lost.
2151 @c FIXME: revisit below when GNU sys avail.
2152 @c In the GNU system, this will be fixed by changing the behavior of
2155 Under Unix, you can get around this problem by writing actions into
2156 the breakpoint condition rather than in commands. For example
2159 condition 5 (x = y + 4), 0
2163 specifies a condition expression (@xref{Expressions}) that will change
2164 @code{x} as needed, then always have the value zero so the program will
2165 not stop. No input is lost here, because _GDBN__ evaluates break
2166 conditions without changing the terminal modes. When you want to have
2167 nontrivial conditions for performing the side effects, the operators
2168 @samp{&&}, @samp{||} and @samp{?@dots{}:} may be useful.
2170 @node Breakpoint Menus, Error in Breakpoints, Break Commands, Breakpoints
2171 @subsection Breakpoint Menus
2173 @cindex symbol overloading
2175 Some programming languages (notably C++) permit a single function name
2176 to be defined several times, for application in different contexts.
2177 This is called @dfn{overloading}. When a function name is overloaded,
2178 @samp{break @var{function}} is not enough to tell _GDBN__ where you
2179 want a breakpoint. _GDBN__ offers you a menu of numbered choices for
2180 different possible breakpoints, and waits for your selection with the
2181 prompt @samp{>}. The first two options are always @samp{[0] cancel}
2182 and @samp{[1] all}. Typing @kbd{1} sets a breakpoint at each
2183 definition of @var{function}, and typing @kbd{0} aborts the
2184 @code{break} command without setting any new breakpoints.
2186 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
2187 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
2188 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
2191 (_GDBP__) b String::after
2194 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
2195 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
2196 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
2197 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
2198 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
2199 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
2201 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
2202 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
2203 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
2204 Multiple breakpoints were set.
2205 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted breakpoints.
2210 @node Error in Breakpoints, , Breakpoint Menus, Breakpoints
2211 @subsection ``Cannot Insert Breakpoints''
2213 @c FIXME: "cannot insert breakpoints" error, v unclear.
2215 @c some light may be shed by looking at instances of
2216 @c ONE_PROCESS_WRITETEXT. But error seems possible otherwise
2217 @c too. pesch, 20sep91
2218 Under some operating systems, breakpoints cannot be used in a program if
2219 any other process is running that program. In this situation,
2220 attempting to run or continue a program with a breakpoint causes _GDBN__
2221 to stop the other process.
2223 When this happens, you have three ways to proceed:
2227 Remove or disable the breakpoints, then continue.
2230 Suspend _GDBN__, and copy the file containing the program to a new name.
2231 Resume _GDBN__ and use the @code{exec-file} command to specify that _GDBN__
2232 should run the program under that name. Then start the program again.
2234 @c FIXME: RMS commented here "Show example". Maybe when someone
2235 @c explains the first FIXME: in this section...
2238 Relink the program so that the text segment is nonsharable, using the
2239 linker option @samp{-N}. The operating system limitation may not apply
2240 to nonsharable executables.
2243 @node Continuing and Stepping, Signals, Breakpoints, Stopping
2244 @section Continuing and Stepping
2248 @cindex resuming execution
2249 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
2250 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
2251 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
2252 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
2253 particular command you use). Either when continuing
2254 or when stepping, the program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint
2255 or to a signal. (If due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle},
2256 or use @samp{signal 0} to resume execution; @pxref{Signals}.)
2259 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
2261 Resume program execution, at the address where the program last stopped;
2262 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
2263 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
2264 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
2265 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions}).
2267 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
2268 (@pxref{Returning}) to go back to the calling function; or @code{jump}
2269 (@pxref{Jumping}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
2273 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
2274 (@pxref{Breakpoints}) at the beginning of the function or the section of
2275 the program in which a problem is believed to lie, run the program until
2276 it stops at that breakpoint, and then step through the suspect area,
2277 examining the variables that are interesting, until you see the problem
2284 Continue running the program until control reaches a different source
2285 line, then stop it and return control to _GDBN__. This command is
2286 abbreviated @code{s}.
2289 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
2290 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
2291 execution will proceed until control reaches another function.
2294 @item step @var{count}
2295 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
2296 breakpoint is reached or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
2297 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
2299 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
2302 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
2303 Similar to @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the line
2304 of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when control
2305 reaches a different line of code at the stack level which was executing
2306 when the @code{next} command was given. This command is abbreviated
2309 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
2311 @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
2312 @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
2313 function are executed without stopping.
2317 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
2318 returns. Print the returned value (if any).
2320 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning}).
2326 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
2327 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
2328 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
2329 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
2330 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
2331 than the address of the jump.
2333 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
2334 though it, @code{until} will cause the program to continue execution
2335 until the loop is exited. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end
2336 of a loop will simply step back to the beginning of the loop, which
2337 would force you to step through the next iteration.
2339 @code{until} always stops the program if it attempts to exit the current
2342 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
2343 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
2344 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
2345 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
2346 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
2350 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
2353 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
2356 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
2357 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
2358 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
2359 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
2360 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
2361 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
2362 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
2364 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
2365 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
2368 @item until @var{location}
2369 @item u @var{location}
2370 Continue running the program until either the specified location is
2371 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location}
2372 is any of the forms of argument acceptable to @code{break}
2373 (@pxref{Set Breaks}). This form of the command uses breakpoints, and
2374 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument.
2380 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
2382 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
2383 instructions. This will cause the next instruction to be executed to
2384 be displayed automatically at each stop. @xref{Auto Display}.
2386 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
2392 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
2393 proceed until the function returns.
2395 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
2399 @node Signals, , Continuing and Stepping, Stopping
2403 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
2404 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
2405 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
2406 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt (often @kbd{C-c});
2407 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
2408 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
2409 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if the program has
2410 requested an alarm).
2412 @cindex fatal signals
2413 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
2414 functioning of the program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
2415 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (kill the program immediately) if the
2416 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
2417 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in the program, but it is normally
2418 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
2420 _GDBN__ has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in the program
2421 running under _GDBN__'s control. You can tell _GDBN__ in advance what to do for
2422 each kind of signal.
2424 @cindex handling signals
2425 Normally, _GDBN__ is set up to ignore non-erroneous signals like @code{SIGALRM}
2426 (so as not to interfere with their role in the functioning of the program)
2427 but to stop the program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
2428 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
2432 @kindex info signals
2433 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how _GDBN__ has been told to
2434 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
2435 the defined types of signals.
2437 @item handle @var{signal} @var{keywords}@dots{}
2439 Change the way _GDBN__ handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the
2440 number of a signal or its name (with or without the @samp{SIG} at the
2441 beginning). The @var{keywords} say what change to make.
2445 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
2446 Their full names are:
2450 _GDBN__ should not stop the program when this signal happens. It may
2451 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
2454 _GDBN__ should stop the program when this signal happens. This implies
2455 the @code{print} keyword as well.
2458 _GDBN__ should print a message when this signal happens.
2461 _GDBN__ should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
2462 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
2465 _GDBN__ should allow the program to see this signal; the program will be
2466 able to handle the signal, or may be terminated if the signal is fatal
2470 _GDBN__ should not allow the program to see this signal.
2474 When a signal has been set to stop the program, the program cannot see the
2475 signal until you continue. It will see the signal then, if @code{pass} is
2476 in effect for the signal in question @i{at that time}. In other words,
2477 after _GDBN__ reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle} command with
2478 @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether that signal will be seen by
2479 the program when you later continue it.
2481 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent the program from
2482 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
2483 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if the program stopped
2484 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
2485 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
2486 execution; but the program would probably terminate immediately as
2487 a result of the fatal signal once it sees the signal. To prevent this,
2488 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling}.
2490 @node Stack, Source, Stopping, Top
2491 @chapter Examining the Stack
2493 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
2494 stopped and how it got there.
2497 Each time your program performs a function call, the information about
2498 where in the program the call was made from is saved in a block of data
2499 called a @dfn{stack frame}. The frame also contains the arguments of the
2500 call and the local variables of the function that was called. All the
2501 stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
2504 When your program stops, the _GDBN__ commands for examining the stack allow you
2505 to see all of this information.
2507 @cindex selected frame
2508 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by _GDBN__ and many _GDBN__ commands
2509 refer implicitly to the selected frame. In particular, whenever you ask
2510 _GDBN__ for the value of a variable in the program, the value is found in the
2511 selected frame. There are special _GDBN__ commands to select whichever frame
2512 you are interested in.
2514 When the program stops, _GDBN__ automatically selects the currently executing
2515 frame and describes it briefly as the @code{frame} command does
2516 (@pxref{Frame Info}).
2519 * Frames:: Stack Frames
2520 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
2521 * Selection:: Selecting a Frame
2522 * Frame Info:: Information on a Frame
2525 @node Frames, Backtrace, Stack, Stack
2526 @section Stack Frames
2530 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
2531 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
2532 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
2533 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
2534 which the function is executing.
2536 @cindex initial frame
2537 @cindex outermost frame
2538 @cindex innermost frame
2539 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
2540 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
2541 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
2542 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
2543 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
2544 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
2545 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
2546 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
2548 @cindex frame pointer
2549 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
2550 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
2551 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one of those bytes whose
2552 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
2553 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register} while execution is
2554 going on in that frame.
2556 @cindex frame number
2557 _GDBN__ assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
2558 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
2559 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
2560 they are assigned by _GDBN__ to give you a way of designating stack
2561 frames in _GDBN__ commands.
2563 @cindex frameless execution
2564 Some compilers allow functions to be compiled so that they operate
2565 without stack frames. (For example, the @code{_GCC__} option
2566 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer} will generate functions without a frame.)
2567 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
2568 the frame setup time. _GDBN__ has limited facilities for dealing with
2569 these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation has no
2570 stack frame, _GDBN__ will nevertheless regard it as though it had a
2571 separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing correct
2572 tracing of the function call chain. However, _GDBN__ has no provision
2573 for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
2575 @node Backtrace, Selection, Frames, Stack
2578 A backtrace is a summary of how the program got where it is. It shows one
2579 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
2580 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
2588 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
2589 frames in the stack.
2591 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
2592 character, normally @kbd{C-c}.
2594 @item backtrace @var{n}
2596 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
2598 @item backtrace -@var{n}
2600 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
2606 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
2607 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
2609 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
2610 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
2611 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
2612 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
2613 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
2616 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
2617 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
2621 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8) at builtin.c:993
2622 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600) at macro.c:242
2623 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
2625 (More stack frames follow...)
2630 The display for frame zero doesn't begin with a program counter
2631 value, indicating that the program has stopped at the beginning of the
2632 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
2634 @node Selection, Frame Info, Backtrace, Stack
2635 @section Selecting a Frame
2637 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in the program work on
2638 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
2639 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
2640 of the stack frame just selected.
2647 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
2648 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
2649 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is @code{main}'s
2652 @item frame @var{addr}
2654 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
2655 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
2656 impossible for _GDBN__ to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
2657 addition, this can be useful when the program has multiple stacks and
2658 switches between them.
2661 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
2662 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
2663 @c note to future updaters: this is conditioned on a flag
2664 @c FRAME_SPECIFICATION_DYADIC in the tm-*.h files, currently only used
2665 @c by SPARC, hence the specific attribution. Generalize or list all
2666 @c possibilities if more supported machines start doing this.
2671 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
2672 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
2673 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
2678 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
2679 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
2680 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
2681 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
2684 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
2685 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
2686 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
2687 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line. For
2692 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc) at env.c:10
2693 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
2696 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments will print
2697 ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame. @xref{List}.
2700 @item up-silently @var{n}
2701 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
2702 @kindex down-silently
2704 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
2705 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
2706 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
2707 in _GDBN__ command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
2712 @node Frame Info, , Selection, Stack
2713 @section Information About a Frame
2715 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
2721 When used without any argument, this command does not change which frame
2722 is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
2723 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
2724 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame (@pxref{Selection}).
2730 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
2731 including the address of the frame, the addresses of the next frame down
2732 (called by this frame) and the next frame up (caller of this frame), the
2733 language that the source code corresponding to this frame was written in,
2734 the address of the frame's arguments, the program counter saved in it
2735 (the address of execution in the caller frame), and which registers
2736 were saved in the frame. The verbose description is useful when
2737 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
2738 the usual conventions.
2740 @item info frame @var{addr}
2741 @itemx info f @var{addr}
2742 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr},
2743 without selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by
2748 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
2752 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
2753 line. These are all variables declared static or automatic within all
2754 program blocks that execution in this frame is currently inside of.
2758 @cindex catch exceptions
2759 @cindex exception handlers
2760 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
2761 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
2762 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
2763 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
2764 @xref{Exception Handling}.
2767 @node Source, Data, Stack, Top
2768 @chapter Examining Source Files
2770 _GDBN__ can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
2771 information recorded in your program tells _GDBN__ what source files
2772 were used to built it. When your program stops, _GDBN__ spontaneously
2773 prints the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack
2774 frame (@pxref{Selection}), _GDBN__ prints the line where execution in
2775 that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of source files by
2778 If you use _GDBN__ through its GNU Emacs interface, you may prefer to
2779 use Emacs facilities to view source; @pxref{Emacs}.
2782 * List:: Printing Source Lines
2783 * Search:: Searching Source Files
2784 * Source Path:: Specifying Source Directories
2785 * Machine Code:: Source and Machine Code
2788 @node List, Search, Source, Source
2789 @section Printing Source Lines
2793 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
2794 (abbreviated @code{l}). There are several ways to specify what part
2795 of the file you want to print.
2797 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
2800 @item list @var{linenum}
2801 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
2802 current source file.
2804 @item list @var{function}
2805 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
2809 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
2810 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
2811 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
2812 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack}), this prints
2813 lines centered around that line.
2816 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
2819 By default, _GDBN__ prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
2820 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
2823 @item set listsize @var{count}
2824 @kindex set listsize
2825 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
2826 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
2829 @kindex show listsize
2830 Display the number of lines that @code{list} will currently display by
2834 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
2835 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
2836 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
2837 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
2838 each repetition moves up in the source file.
2841 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
2842 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
2843 of writing them but the effect is always to specify some source line.
2844 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
2847 @item list @var{linespec}
2848 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
2850 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
2851 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
2854 @item list ,@var{last}
2855 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
2857 @item list @var{first},
2858 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
2861 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
2864 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
2867 As described in the preceding table.
2870 Here are the ways of specifying a single source line---all the
2875 Specifies line @var{number} of the current source file.
2876 When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, this refers to
2877 the same source file as the first linespec.
2880 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines after the last line printed.
2881 When used as the second linespec in a @code{list} command that has
2882 two, this specifies the line @var{offset} lines down from the
2886 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before the last line printed.
2888 @item @var{filename}:@var{number}
2889 Specifies line @var{number} in the source file @var{filename}.
2891 @item @var{function}
2892 @c FIXME: "of the open-brace" is C-centric. When we add other langs...
2893 Specifies the line of the open-brace that begins the body of the
2894 function @var{function}.
2896 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
2897 Specifies the line of the open-brace that begins the body of the
2898 function @var{function} in the file @var{filename}. You only need the
2899 file name with a function name to avoid ambiguity when there are
2900 identically named functions in different source files.
2902 @item *@var{address}
2903 Specifies the line containing the program address @var{address}.
2904 @var{address} may be any expression.
2907 @node Search, Source Path, List, Source
2908 @section Searching Source Files
2910 @kindex reverse-search
2912 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
2916 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
2917 @itemx search @var{regexp}
2919 @kindex forward-search
2920 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
2921 with the one following the last line listed, for a match for @var{regexp}.
2922 It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate the command name
2923 as @code{fo}. The synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} is also supported.
2925 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
2926 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
2927 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
2928 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
2929 this command as @code{rev}.
2932 @node Source Path, Machine Code, Search, Source
2933 @section Specifying Source Directories
2936 @cindex directories for source files
2937 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
2938 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
2939 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
2940 session. _GDBN__ has a list of directories to search for source files;
2941 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time _GDBN__ wants a source file,
2942 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
2943 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name. Note that
2944 the executable search path is @emph{not} used for this purpose. Neither is
2945 the current working directory, unless it happens to be in the source
2948 If _GDBN__ can't find a source file in the source path, and the object
2949 program records a directory, _GDBN__ tries that directory too. If the
2950 source path is empty, and there is no record of the compilation
2951 directory, _GDBN__ will, as a last resort, look in the current
2954 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, _GDBN__ will clear out
2955 any information it has cached about where source files are found, where
2956 each line is in the file, etc.
2959 When you start _GDBN__, its source path is empty.
2960 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
2963 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
2964 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
2965 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:} or
2966 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
2967 path; this moves it forward, so it will be searched sooner.
2969 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
2970 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
2971 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
2972 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your _GDBN__
2973 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
2974 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
2977 Reset the source path to empty again. This requires confirmation.
2979 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
2980 @c repeating it would be a no-op we don't say that. (thanks to RMS)
2982 @item show directories
2983 @kindex show directories
2984 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
2987 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
2988 interest, _GDBN__ may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
2989 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
2993 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to empty.
2996 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
2997 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
2998 directories in one command.
3001 @node Machine Code, , Source Path, Source
3002 @section Source and Machine Code
3003 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
3004 addresses (and viceversa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
3005 a range of addresses as machine instructions.
3008 @item info line @var{linespec}
3010 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
3011 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of the
3012 ways understood by the @code{list} command (@pxref{List}).
3015 For example, we can use @code{info line} to inquire on where the object
3016 code for the first line of function @code{m4_changequote} lies:
3018 (_GDBP__) info line m4_changecom
3019 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
3023 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
3024 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
3026 (_GDBP__) info line *0x63ff
3027 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
3030 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
3031 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x}
3032 command is changed to the starting address of the line, so that
3033 @samp{x/i} is sufficient to begin examining the machine code
3034 (@pxref{Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
3035 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars}).
3040 This specialized command is provided to dump a range of memory as
3041 machine instructions. The default memory range is the function
3042 surrounding the program counter of the selected frame. A single
3043 argument to this command is a program counter value; the function
3044 surrounding this value will be dumped. Two arguments (separated by one
3045 or more spaces) specify a range of addresses (first inclusive, second
3046 exclusive) to be dumped.
3049 We can use @code{disassemble} to inspect the object code
3050 range shown in the last @code{info line} example:
3053 (_GDBP__) disas 0x63e4 0x6404
3054 Dump of assembler code from 0x63e4 to 0x6404:
3055 0x63e4 <builtin_init+5340>: ble 0x63f8 <builtin_init+5360>
3056 0x63e8 <builtin_init+5344>: sethi %hi(0x4c00), %o0
3057 0x63ec <builtin_init+5348>: ld [%i1+4], %o0
3058 0x63f0 <builtin_init+5352>: b 0x63fc <builtin_init+5364>
3059 0x63f4 <builtin_init+5356>: ld [%o0+4], %o0
3060 0x63f8 <builtin_init+5360>: or %o0, 0x1a4, %o0
3061 0x63fc <builtin_init+5364>: call 0x9288 <path_search>
3062 0x6400 <builtin_init+5368>: nop
3063 End of assembler dump.
3068 @node Data, Languages, Source, Top
3069 @chapter Examining Data
3071 @cindex printing data
3072 @cindex examining data
3075 @c "inspect" isn't quite a synonym if you're using Epoch, which we don't
3076 @c document because it's nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
3077 @c different window or something like that.
3078 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
3079 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
3080 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
3081 program is written in (@pxref{Languages}).
3084 @item print @var{exp}
3085 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{exp}
3086 @var{exp} is an expression (in the source language). By default
3087 the value of @var{exp} is printed in a format appropriate to its data
3088 type; you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}},
3089 where @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; @pxref{Output formats}.
3092 @itemx print /@var{f}
3093 If you omit @var{exp}, _GDBN__ displays the last value again (from the
3094 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History}). This allows you to
3095 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
3098 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
3099 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
3100 specified format. @xref{Memory}.
3102 If you're interested in information about types, or about how the fields
3103 of a struct or class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
3104 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols}.
3107 * Expressions:: Expressions
3108 * Variables:: Program Variables
3109 * Arrays:: Artificial Arrays
3110 * Output formats:: Output formats
3111 * Memory:: Examining Memory
3112 * Auto Display:: Automatic Display
3113 * Print Settings:: Print Settings
3114 * Value History:: Value History
3115 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience Variables
3116 * Registers:: Registers
3117 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating Point Hardware
3120 @node Expressions, Variables, Data, Data
3121 @section Expressions
3124 @code{print} and many other _GDBN__ commands accept an expression and
3125 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
3126 by the programming language you are using is legal in an expression in
3127 _GDBN__. This includes conditional expressions, function calls, casts
3128 and string constants. It unfortunately does not include symbols defined
3129 by preprocessor @code{#define} commands.
3131 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
3132 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages,, Using _GDBN__ with Different
3133 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
3136 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in _GDBN__
3137 expressions regardless of your programming language.
3139 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
3140 useful to cast a number into a pointer so as to examine a structure
3141 at that address in memory.
3142 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
3144 _GDBN__ supports these operators in addition to those of programming
3149 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
3150 @xref{Arrays}, for more information.
3153 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
3154 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables}.
3156 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
3157 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
3158 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
3159 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
3160 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
3161 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.@refill
3164 @node Variables, Arrays, Expressions, Data
3165 @section Program Variables
3167 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
3170 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
3171 (@pxref{Selection}); they must either be global (or static) or be visible
3172 according to the scope rules of the programming language from the point of
3173 execution in that frame. This means that in the function
3188 the variable @code{a} is usable whenever the program is executing
3189 within the function @code{foo}, but the variable @code{b} is visible
3190 only while the program is executing inside the block in which @code{b}
3193 @cindex variable name conflict
3194 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
3195 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
3196 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
3197 function with the same name (in different source files). If that happens,
3198 referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish, you can
3199 specify a variable in a particular file, using the colon-colon notation:
3204 @var{file}::@var{variable}
3208 Here @var{file} is the name of the source file whose variable you want.
3210 @cindex C++ scope resolution
3211 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
3212 use of the same notation in C++. _GDBN__ also supports use of the C++
3213 scope resolution operator in _GDBN__ expressions.
3215 @cindex wrong values
3216 @cindex variable values, wrong
3218 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
3219 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to the
3220 function, and just before exit. You may see this problem when you're
3221 stepping by machine instructions. This is because on most machines, it
3222 takes more than one instruction to set up a stack frame (including local
3223 variable definitions); if you're stepping by machine instructions,
3224 variables may appear to have the wrong values until the stack frame is
3225 completely built. On function exit, it usually also takes more than one
3226 machine instruction to destroy a stack frame; after you begin stepping
3227 through that group of instructions, local variable definitions may be
3231 @node Arrays, Output formats, Variables, Data
3232 @section Artificial Arrays
3234 @cindex artificial array
3236 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
3237 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
3238 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
3241 This can be done by constructing an @dfn{artificial array} with the
3242 binary operator @samp{@@}. The left operand of @samp{@@} should be
3243 the first element of the desired array, as an individual object.
3244 The right operand should be the desired length of the array. The result is
3245 an array value whose elements are all of the type of the left argument.
3246 The first element is actually the left argument; the second element
3247 comes from bytes of memory immediately following those that hold the
3248 first element, and so on. Here is an example. If a program says
3251 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
3255 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
3261 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
3262 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
3263 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
3264 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
3265 (@pxref{Value History}), after printing one out.)
3267 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism isn't quite enough; in
3268 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
3269 actually be adjacent---for example, if you're interested in the values
3270 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is to
3271 use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a counter in an
3272 expression that prints the first interesting value, and then repeat that
3273 expression via @key{RET}. For instance, suppose you have an array
3274 @code{dtab} of pointers to structures, and you're interested in the
3275 values of a field @code{fv} in each structure. Here's an example of
3276 what you might type:
3285 @node Output formats, Memory, Arrays, Data
3286 @section Output formats
3288 @cindex formatted output
3289 @cindex output formats
3290 By default, _GDBN__ prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
3291 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
3292 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
3293 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
3294 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
3296 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
3297 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
3298 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
3299 letters supported are:
3303 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
3307 Print as integer in signed decimal.
3310 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
3313 Print as integer in octal.
3316 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
3319 Print as an address, both absolute in hex and as an offset from the
3320 nearest preceding symbol. This format can be used to discover where (in
3321 what function) an unknown address is located:
3323 (_GDBP__) p/a 0x54320
3324 _0__$3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>_1__
3329 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant.
3332 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
3333 using typical floating point syntax.
3336 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
3343 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
3344 names in _GDBN__ cannot contain a slash.
3346 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
3347 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
3348 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
3350 @node Memory, Auto Display, Output formats, Data
3351 @section Examining Memory
3353 @cindex examining memory
3356 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
3359 You can use the command @code{x} (for `examine') to examine memory in
3360 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
3361 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters to specify how
3362 much memory to display, and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
3363 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
3364 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
3365 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
3368 @var{n}, the repeat count, is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It
3369 specifies how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
3370 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
3373 @var{f}, the display format, is one of the formats used by @code{print},
3374 or @samp{s} (null-terminated string) or @samp{i} (machine instruction).
3375 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially, or the format from the
3376 last time you used either @code{x} or @code{print}.
3378 @var{u}, the unit size, is any of
3383 Halfwords (two bytes).
3385 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
3387 Giant words (eight bytes).
3391 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
3392 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. (For the @samp{s} and
3393 @samp{i} formats, the unit size is ignored and is normally not written.)
3395 @var{addr} is the address where you want _GDBN__ to begin displaying
3396 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
3397 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
3398 @xref{Expressions} for more information on expressions. The default for
3399 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
3400 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
3401 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
3402 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
3403 a value from memory).
3405 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
3406 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
3407 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
3408 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
3409 @pxref{Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
3411 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
3412 letters specifying output formats, you don't have to remember whether
3413 unit size or format comes first; either order will work. The output
3414 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
3415 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} will not work.)
3417 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
3418 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
3419 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
3420 including any operands. The command @code{disassemble} gives an
3421 alternative way of inspecting machine instructions; @pxref{Machine
3424 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
3425 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
3426 you use @code{x}. For example, after you've inspected three machine
3427 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
3428 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
3429 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
3430 for successive uses of @code{x}.
3432 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
3433 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
3434 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
3435 would get in the way. Instead, _GDBN__ makes these values available for
3436 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
3437 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
3438 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
3439 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
3440 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
3442 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
3443 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
3444 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
3446 @node Auto Display, Print Settings, Memory, Data
3447 @section Automatic Display
3448 @cindex automatic display
3449 @cindex display of expressions
3451 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
3452 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
3453 display list} so that _GDBN__ will print its value each time the program stops.
3454 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
3455 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
3456 The automatic display looks like this:
3460 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
3464 showing item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
3465 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
3466 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
3467 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending on how elaborate your
3468 format specification is---it uses @code{x} if you specify a unit size,
3469 or one of the two formats (@samp{i} and @samp{s}) that are only
3470 supported by @code{x}; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
3473 @item display @var{exp}
3475 Add the expression @var{exp} to the list of expressions to display
3476 each time the program stops. @xref{Expressions}.
3478 @code{display} will not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
3480 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{exp}
3481 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
3482 count, add the expression @var{exp} to the auto-display list but
3483 arranges to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
3484 @xref{Output formats}.
3486 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
3487 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
3488 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
3489 be examined each time the program stops. Examining means in effect
3490 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory}.
3493 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
3494 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
3495 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers}).
3498 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
3499 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
3500 @kindex delete display
3502 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
3504 @code{undisplay} will not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
3505 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
3507 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
3508 @kindex disable display
3509 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
3510 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
3511 enabled again later.
3513 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
3514 @kindex enable display
3515 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
3516 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
3519 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
3520 done when the program stops.
3523 @kindex info display
3524 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
3525 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
3526 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
3527 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
3528 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
3531 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
3532 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
3533 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
3534 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
3535 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
3536 @code{last_char}, then this argument will be displayed while the program
3537 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
3538 there is no variable @code{last_char}---display is disabled. The next time
3539 your program stops where @code{last_char} is meaningful, you can enable the
3540 display expression once again.
3542 @node Print Settings, Value History, Auto Display, Data
3543 @section Print Settings
3545 @cindex format options
3546 @cindex print settings
3547 _GDBN__ provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
3548 and symbols are printed.
3551 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
3554 @item set print address
3555 @item set print address on
3556 @kindex set print address
3557 _GDBN__ will print memory addresses showing the location of stack
3558 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
3559 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
3560 is on. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like, with
3561 @code{set print address on}:
3564 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
3566 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
3569 @item set print address off
3570 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
3571 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
3573 (_GDBP__) set print addr off
3575 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
3576 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
3579 @item show print address
3580 @kindex show print address
3581 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
3583 @item set print array
3584 @itemx set print array on
3585 @kindex set print array
3586 _GDBN__ will pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
3587 but uses more space. The default is off.
3589 @item set print array off.
3590 Return to compressed format for arrays.
3592 @item show print array
3593 @kindex show print array
3594 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
3597 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
3598 @kindex set print elements
3599 If _GDBN__ is printing a large array, it will stop printing after it has
3600 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
3601 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
3603 @item show print elements
3604 @kindex show print elements
3605 Display the number of elements of a large array that _GDBN__ will print
3606 before losing patience.
3608 @item set print pretty on
3609 @kindex set print pretty
3610 Cause _GDBN__ to print structures in an indented format with one member per
3624 @item set print pretty off
3625 Cause _GDBN__ to print structures in a compact format, like this:
3628 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, meat \
3633 This is the default format.
3635 @item show print pretty
3636 @kindex show print pretty
3637 Show which format _GDBN__ will use to print structures.
3639 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
3640 @kindex set print sevenbit-strings
3641 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
3642 _GDBN__ will display any eight-bit characters (in strings or character
3643 values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. For example, @kbd{M-a} is
3644 displayed as @code{\341}.
3646 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
3647 Print using either seven-bit or eight-bit characters, as required. This
3650 @item show print sevenbit-strings
3651 @kindex show print sevenbit-strings
3652 Show whether or not _GDBN__ will print only seven-bit characters.
3654 @item set print union on
3655 @kindex set print union
3656 Tell _GDBN__ to print unions which are contained in structures. This is the
3659 @item set print union off
3660 Tell _GDBN__ not to print unions which are contained in structures.
3662 @item show print union
3663 @kindex show print union
3664 Ask _GDBN__ whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
3667 For example, given the declarations
3670 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
3671 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
3672 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@} Bug_forms;
3682 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
3686 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
3689 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
3693 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
3696 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
3701 These settings are of interest when debugging C++ programs:
3704 @item set print demangle
3705 @itemx set print demangle on
3706 @kindex set print demangle
3707 Print C++ names in their source form rather than in the mangled form
3708 in which they are passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe linkage.
3711 @item show print demangle
3712 @kindex show print demangle
3713 Show whether C++ names will be printed in mangled or demangled form.
3715 @item set print asm-demangle
3716 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
3717 @kindex set print asm-demangle
3718 Print C++ names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
3719 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
3722 @item show print asm-demangle
3723 @kindex show print asm-demangle
3724 Show whether C++ names in assembly listings will be printed in mangled
3727 @item set print object
3728 @itemx set print object on
3729 @kindex set print object
3730 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
3731 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
3732 the virtual function table.
3734 @item set print object off
3735 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
3736 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
3738 @item show print object
3739 @kindex show print object
3740 Show whether actual, or declared, object types will be displayed.
3742 @item set print vtbl
3743 @itemx set print vtbl on
3744 @kindex set print vtbl
3745 Pretty print C++ virtual function tables. The default is off.
3747 @item set print vtbl off
3748 Do not pretty print C++ virtual function tables.
3750 @item show print vtbl
3751 @kindex show print vtbl
3752 Show whether C++ virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
3756 @node Value History, Convenience Vars, Print Settings, Data
3757 @section Value History
3759 @cindex value history
3760 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in _GDBN__'s @dfn{value
3761 history} so that you can refer to them in other expressions. Values are
3762 kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded (for example with
3763 the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands). When the symbol table
3764 changes, the value history is discarded, since the values may contain
3765 pointers back to the types defined in the symbol table.
3769 @cindex history number
3770 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} for you to refer to them
3771 by. These are successive integers starting with one. @code{print} shows you
3772 the history number assigned to a value by printing @samp{$@var{num} = }
3773 before the value; here @var{num} is the history number.
3775 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
3776 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
3777 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
3778 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
3779 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
3780 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
3781 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
3783 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
3784 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
3790 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
3791 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
3798 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
3799 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
3801 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
3802 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
3810 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
3811 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
3816 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
3817 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
3818 values} does not change the history.
3820 @item show values @var{n}
3821 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
3824 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
3825 values are available, produces no display.
3828 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
3829 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
3831 @node Convenience Vars, Registers, Value History, Data
3832 @section Convenience Variables
3834 @cindex convenience variables
3835 _GDBN__ provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
3836 _GDBN__ to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
3837 exist entirely within _GDBN__; they are not part of your program, and
3838 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
3839 of your program. That's why you can use them freely.
3841 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
3842 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
3843 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers}).
3844 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
3845 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History}.)
3847 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
3848 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program. Example:
3851 set $foo = *object_ptr
3855 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
3858 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it; but its value
3859 is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the value with
3860 another assignment at any time.
3862 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
3863 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
3864 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
3865 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
3868 @item show convenience
3869 @kindex show convenience
3870 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
3871 Abbreviated @code{show con}.
3874 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
3875 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
3876 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
3880 print bar[$i++]->contents
3881 @i{@dots{} repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.}
3884 Some convenience variables are created automatically by _GDBN__ and given
3885 values likely to be useful.
3890 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
3891 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory}). Other commands which
3892 provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also set @code{$_}
3893 to that address; these commands include @code{info line} and @code{info
3894 breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *} except when set by the
3895 @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer to the type of @code{$__}.
3899 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
3900 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
3901 to match the format in which the data was printed.
3904 @node Registers, Floating Point Hardware, Convenience Vars, Data
3908 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
3909 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
3910 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
3914 @item info registers
3915 @kindex info registers
3916 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
3917 registers (in the selected stack frame).
3919 @item info all-registers
3920 @kindex info all-registers
3921 @cindex floating point registers
3922 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
3925 @item info registers @var{regname}
3926 Print the relativized value of register @var{regname}. @var{regname}
3927 may be any register name valid on the machine you are using, with
3928 or without the initial @samp{$}.
3931 _GDBN__ has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
3932 expressions) on most machines---whenever they don't conflict with an
3933 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
3934 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
3935 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
3936 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
3937 register that contains the processor status. For example,
3938 you could print the program counter in hex with
3944 or print the instruction to be executed next with
3950 or add four to the stack pointer @footnote{This is a way of removing one
3951 word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in memory
3952 (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost stack frame
3953 is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other stack frames
3954 are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack, regardless of
3955 machine architecture, use @code{return}; @pxref{Returning}.} with
3960 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
3961 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
3962 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
3963 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
3964 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
3965 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}.
3967 _GDBN__ always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
3968 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
3969 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
3970 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
3971 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
3972 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
3973 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
3975 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
3976 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
3977 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
3978 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
3979 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
3980 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
3981 cases, _GDBN__ normally works with the virtual format only (the format that
3982 makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
3983 prints the data in both formats.
3985 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
3986 (@pxref{Selection}). This means that you get the value that the
3987 register would contain if all stack frames farther in were exited and
3988 their saved registers restored. In order to see the true contents of
3989 hardware registers, you must select the innermost frame (with
3992 However, _GDBN__ must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
3993 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
3994 _GDBN__ is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
3995 frame will make no difference.
3997 @node Floating Point Hardware, , Registers, Data
3998 @section Floating Point Hardware
3999 @cindex floating point
4000 Depending on the host machine architecture, _GDBN__ may be able to give
4001 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
4006 If available, provides hardware-dependent information about the floating
4007 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
4008 floating point chip.
4010 @c FIXME: this is a cop-out. Try to get examples, explanations. Only
4011 @c FIXME...supported currently on arm's and 386's. Mark properly with
4012 @c FIXME... m4 macros to isolate general statements from hardware-dep,
4013 @c FIXME... at that point.
4015 @node Languages, Symbols, Data, Top
4016 @chapter Using _GDBN__ with Different Languages
4019 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
4020 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
4021 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
4022 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
4023 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C are written
4024 like @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
4026 @cindex working language
4027 Language-specific information is built into _GDBN__ for some languages,
4028 allowing you to express operations like the above in the program's
4029 native language, and allowing _GDBN__ to output values in a manner
4030 consistent with the syntax of the program's native language. The
4031 language you use to build expressions, called the @dfn{working
4032 language}, can be selected manually, or _GDBN__ can set it
4036 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
4037 * Show:: Displaying the language
4038 * Checks:: Type and Range checks
4039 * Support:: Supported languages
4042 @node Setting, Show, Languages, Languages
4043 @section Switching between source languages
4045 There are two ways to control the working language---either have _GDBN__
4046 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
4047 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, _GDBN__
4048 defaults to setting the language automatically.
4051 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
4052 * Automatically:: Having _GDBN__ infer the source language
4055 @node Manually, Automatically, Setting, Setting
4056 @subsection Setting the working language
4058 @kindex set language
4059 To set the language, issue the command @samp{set language @var{lang}},
4060 where @var{lang} is the name of a language: @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
4061 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
4063 Setting the language manually prevents _GDBN__ from updating the working
4064 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
4065 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
4066 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
4067 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
4068 source file were written in C, and _GDBN__ was parsing Modula-2, a
4076 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
4077 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
4078 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
4079 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
4081 If you allow _GDBN__ to set the language automatically, then
4082 you can count on expressions evaluating the same way in your debugging
4083 session and in your program.
4085 @node Automatically, , Manually, Setting
4086 @subsection Having _GDBN__ infer the source language
4088 To have _GDBN__ set the working language automatically, use @samp{set
4089 language local} or @samp{set language auto}. _GDBN__ then infers the
4090 language that a program was written in by looking at the name of its
4091 source files, and examining their extensions:
4095 Modula-2 source file
4099 C or C++ source file.
4102 This information is recorded for each function or procedure in a source
4103 file. When your program stops in a frame (usually by encountering a
4104 breakpoint), _GDBN__ sets the working language to the language recorded
4105 for the function in that frame. If the language for a frame is unknown
4106 (that is, if the function or block corresponding to the frame was
4107 defined in a source file that does not have a recognized extension), the
4108 current working language is not changed, and _GDBN__ issues a warning.
4110 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
4111 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
4112 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
4113 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
4114 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
4116 @node Show, Checks, Setting, Languages
4117 @section Displaying the language
4119 The following commands will help you find out which language is the
4120 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
4122 @kindex show language
4127 Display the current working language. This is the
4128 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
4129 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in the program.
4132 Among the other information listed here (@pxref{Frame Info,,Information
4133 about a Frame}) is the source language for this frame. This is the
4134 language that will become the working language if you ever use an
4135 identifier that is in this frame.
4138 Among the other information listed here (@pxref{Symbols,,Examining the
4139 Symbol Table}) is the source language of this source file.
4143 @node Checks, Support, Show, Languages
4144 @section Type and range Checking
4147 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the _GDBN__ commands for type and range
4148 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
4149 section documents the intended facilities.
4151 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
4153 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
4154 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
4155 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
4156 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
4157 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
4158 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
4159 errors when the program is running.
4161 _GDBN__ can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
4162 Although _GDBN__ will not check the statements in your program, it
4163 can check expressions entered directly into _GDBN__ for evaluation via
4164 the @code{print} command, for example. As with the working language,
4165 _GDBN__ can also decide whether or not to check automatically based on
4166 the source language of the program being debugged.
4167 @xref{Support,,Supported Languages}, for the default settings
4168 of supported languages.
4171 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
4172 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
4175 @cindex type checking
4176 @cindex checks, type
4177 @node Type Checking, Range Checking, Checks, Checks
4178 @subsection An overview of type checking
4180 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
4181 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
4182 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
4183 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
4190 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
4191 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
4193 For expressions you use in _GDBN__ commands, you can tell the _GDBN__
4194 type checker to skip checking; to treat any mismatches as errors and
4195 abandon the expression; or only issue warnings when type mismatches
4196 occur, but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
4197 these, _GDBN__ evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
4198 also issues a warning.
4200 Even though you may turn type checking off, other type-based reasons may
4201 prevent _GDBN__ from evaluating an expression. For instance, _GDBN__ does not
4202 know how to add an @code{int} and a @code{struct foo}. These particular
4203 type errors have nothing to do with the language in use, and usually
4204 arise from expressions, such as the one described above, which make
4205 little sense to evaluate anyway.
4207 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
4208 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
4209 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
4210 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
4211 operators. @xref{Support,,Supported Languages}, for futher
4212 details on specific languages.
4214 _GDBN__ provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
4217 @kindex set check type
4218 @kindex show check type
4220 @item set check type auto
4221 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
4222 @xref{Support,,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
4225 @item set check type on
4226 @itemx set check type off
4227 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
4228 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
4229 match the language's default. If any type mismatches occur in
4230 evaluating an expression while typechecking is on, _GDBN__ prints a
4231 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
4233 @item set check type warn
4234 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
4235 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
4236 be impossible for other reasons. For example, _GDBN__ cannot add
4237 numbers and structures.
4240 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not _GDBN__ is
4241 setting it automatically.
4244 @cindex range checking
4245 @cindex checks, range
4246 @node Range Checking, , Type Checking, Checks
4247 @subsection An overview of Range Checking
4249 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
4250 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
4251 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
4252 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
4253 not exceed the bounds of the array.
4255 For expressions you use in _GDBN__ commands, you can tell _GDBN__ to
4256 ignore range errors; to always treat them as errors and abandon the
4257 expression; or to issue warnings when a range error occurs but evaluate
4258 the expression anyway.
4260 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
4261 array index bound, or when you type in a constant that is not a member
4262 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
4263 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
4264 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
4265 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
4267 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
4270 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
4271 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Support,,
4272 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
4274 _GDBN__ provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
4277 @kindex set check range
4278 @kindex show check range
4280 @item set check range auto
4281 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
4282 @xref{Support,,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
4285 @item set check range on
4286 @itemx set check range off
4287 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
4288 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
4289 match the language's default. If a range error occurs, then a message
4290 is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
4292 @item set check range warn
4293 Output messages when the _GDBN__ range checker detects a range error,
4294 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
4295 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
4296 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many UNIX
4300 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
4301 being set automatically by _GDBN__.
4304 @node Support, , Checks, Languages
4305 @section Supported Languages
4307 _GDBN__ _GDB_VN__ supports C, C++, and Modula-2. The syntax for C and C++ is
4308 so closely related that _GDBN__ does not distinguish the two. Some
4309 _GDBN__ features may be used in expressions regardless of the language
4310 you use: the _GDBN__ @code{@@} and @code{::} operators, and the
4311 @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of
4312 any of the supported languages.
4314 The following sections detail to what degree each of these
4315 source languages is supported by _GDBN__. These sections are
4316 not meant to be language tutorials or references, but serve only as a
4317 reference guide to what the _GDBN__ expression parser will accept, and
4318 what input and output formats should look like for different languages.
4319 There are many good books written on each of these languages; please
4320 look to these for a language reference or tutorial.
4324 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
4327 @node C, Modula-2, Support, Support
4328 @subsection C and C++
4331 @cindex expressions in C or C++
4332 Since C and C++ are so closely related, _GDBN__ does not distinguish
4333 between them when interpreting the expressions recognized in _GDBN__
4339 The C++ debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the GNU C++
4340 compiler and _GDBN__. Therefore, to debug your C++ code effectively,
4341 you must compile your C++ programs with the GNU C++ compiler,
4346 * C Operators:: C and C++ Operators
4347 * C Constants:: C and C++ Constants
4348 * Cplusplus expressions:: C++ Expressions
4349 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C++
4350 * C Checks:: C and C++ Type and Range Checks
4351 * Debugging C:: _GDBN__ and C
4352 * Debugging C plus plus:: Special features for C++
4355 @cindex C and C++ operators
4356 @node C Operators, C Constants, C, C
4357 @subsubsection C and C++ Operators
4359 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
4360 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
4361 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of C and C++, the
4362 following definitions hold:
4366 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
4367 specifiers, @code{char}, and @code{enum}s.
4370 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float} and @code{double}.
4373 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type}
4377 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
4382 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
4383 in order of increasing precedence:
4388 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
4389 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
4390 expression being the last expression evaluated.
4393 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
4394 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
4397 Used in an expression of the form @var{a} @var{op}@code{=} @var{b}, and
4398 translated to @var{a} @code{=} @var{a op b}. @var{op}@code{=} and
4399 @code{=} have the same precendence. @var{op} is any one of the
4400 operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&}, @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+},
4401 @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
4404 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
4405 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
4409 Logical OR. Defined on integral types.
4412 Logical AND. Defined on integral types.
4415 Bitwise OR. Defined on integral types.
4418 Bitwise exclusive-OR. Defined on integral types.
4421 Bitwise AND. Defined on integral types.
4424 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
4425 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
4427 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
4428 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
4429 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
4430 and non-zero for true.
4433 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
4436 The _GDBN__ ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions}).
4439 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
4442 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
4443 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
4444 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
4448 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
4449 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
4450 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
4451 operation takes place.
4454 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
4458 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
4461 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
4462 precedence as @code{++}.
4465 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
4469 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
4473 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
4474 _GDBN__ regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
4475 pointer based on the stored type information.
4476 Defined on @code{struct}s and @code{union}s.
4479 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
4480 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
4483 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
4486 C++ scope resolution operator. Defined on
4487 @code{struct}, @code{union}, and @code{class} types.
4490 The _GDBN__ scope operator (@pxref{Expressions}). Same precedence as
4491 @code{::}, above. _1__
4494 @cindex C and C++ constants
4495 @node C Constants, Cplusplus expressions, C Operators, C
4496 @subsubsection C and C++ Constants
4498 _GDBN__ allows you to express the constants of C and C++ in the
4504 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
4505 specified by a leading @samp{0} (ie. zero), and hexadecimal constants by
4506 a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with an
4507 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
4511 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
4512 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
4513 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
4514 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
4515 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
4518 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
4519 integral equivalents.
4522 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
4523 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
4524 (usually its @sc{ASCII} value). Within quotes, the single character may
4525 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
4526 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
4527 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
4528 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
4529 @samp{\n} for newline.
4532 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded
4533 by double quotes (@code{"}).
4536 Pointer constants are an integral value.
4541 @node Cplusplus expressions, C Defaults, C Constants, C
4542 @subsubsection C++ Expressions
4544 @cindex expressions in C++
4545 _GDBN__'s expression handling has the following extensions to
4546 interpret a significant subset of C++ expressions:
4550 @cindex member functions
4552 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
4554 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
4558 @cindex namespace in C++
4560 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
4561 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
4562 that is, _GDBN__ allows implicit references to the class instance
4563 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C++.
4565 @cindex call overloaded functions
4566 @cindex type conversions in C++
4568 You can call overloaded functions; _GDBN__ will resolve the function
4569 call to the right definition, with one restriction---you must use
4570 arguments of the type required by the function that you want to call.
4571 _GDBN__ will not perform conversions requiring constructors or
4572 user-defined type operators.
4574 @cindex reference declarations
4576 _GDBN__ understands variables declared as C++ references; you can use them in
4577 expressions just as you do in C++ source---they are automatically
4580 In the parameter list shown when _GDBN__ displays a frame, the values of
4581 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
4582 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
4583 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
4584 you've specified @samp{set print address off}.
4588 _GDBN__ supports the C++ name resolution operator @code{::}---your
4589 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
4590 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
4591 necessary, for example in an expression like
4592 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. _GDBN__ also allows
4593 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C++
4594 debugging; @pxref{Variables}.
4599 @node C Defaults, C Checks, Cplusplus expressions, C
4600 @subsubsection C and C++ Defaults
4601 @cindex C and C++ defaults
4603 If you allow _GDBN__ to set type and range checking automatically, they
4604 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
4605 C/C++. This happens regardless of whether you, or _GDBN__,
4606 selected the working language.
4608 If you allow _GDBN__ to set the language automatically, it sets the
4609 working language to C/C++ on entering code compiled from a source file
4610 whose name ends with @file{.c} or @file{.cc}.
4611 @xref{Automatically,,Having _GDBN__ infer the source language}, for
4614 @node C Checks, Debugging C, C Defaults, C
4615 @subsubsection C and C++ Type and Range Checks
4616 @cindex C and C++ checks
4619 @emph{Warning:} in this release, _GDBN__ does not yet perform type or
4622 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
4624 By default, when _GDBN__ parses C or C++ expressions, type checking
4625 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, _GDBN__ will
4626 consider two variables type equivalent if:
4630 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
4634 Two two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
4635 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
4638 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
4641 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
4642 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
4648 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
4649 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
4650 that is not itself an array.
4652 @node Debugging C, Debugging C plus plus, C Checks, C
4653 @subsubsection _GDBN__ and C
4655 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
4656 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
4657 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} will also be printed.
4658 Otherwise, it will appear as @samp{@{...@}}.
4660 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
4661 with pointers and a memory allocation function. (@pxref{Expressions})
4663 @node Debugging C plus plus, , Debugging C, C
4664 @subsubsection _GDBN__ Commands for C++
4666 @cindex commands for C++
4667 Some _GDBN__ commands are particularly useful with C++, and some are
4668 designed specifically for use with C++. Here is a summary:
4671 @cindex break in overloaded functions
4672 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
4673 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
4674 _GDBN__'s breakpoint menus help you specify which function definition
4675 you want. @xref{Breakpoint Menus}.
4677 @cindex overloading in C++
4678 @item rbreak @var{regex}
4679 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
4680 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
4684 @cindex C++ exception handling
4685 @item catch @var{exceptions}
4687 Debug C++ exception handling using these commands. @xref{Exception Handling}.
4690 @item ptype @var{typename}
4691 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
4695 @cindex C++ symbol display
4696 @item set print demangle
4697 @itemx show print demangle
4698 @itemx set print asm-demangle
4699 @itemx show print asm-demangle
4700 Control whether C++ symbols display in their source form, both when
4701 displaying code as C++ source and when displaying disassemblies.
4702 @xref{Print Settings}.
4704 @item set print object
4705 @itemx show print object
4706 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
4707 @xref{Print Settings}.
4709 @item set print vtbl
4710 @itemx show print vtbl
4711 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
4712 @xref{Print Settings}.
4717 @node Modula-2, , C, Support
4718 @subsection Modula-2
4721 The extensions made to _GDBN__ to support Modula-2 support output
4722 from the GNU Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being developed).
4723 Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and attempting to
4724 debug executables produced by them will most likely result in an error
4725 as _GDBN__ reads in the executable's symbol table.
4727 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
4729 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
4730 * Builtin Func/Proc:: Built-in Functions and Procedures
4731 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 Constants
4732 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
4733 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
4734 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
4735 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
4736 * GDB/M2:: _GDBN__ and Modula-2
4739 @node M2 Operators, Builtin Func/Proc, Modula-2, Modula-2
4740 @subsubsection Operators
4741 @cindex Modula-2 operators
4743 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
4744 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
4745 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
4746 following definitions hold:
4751 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
4755 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
4758 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
4761 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
4765 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
4768 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET}s and @code{BITSET}s.
4771 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
4776 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
4777 increasing precedence:
4782 Function argument or array index separator.
4785 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
4789 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
4793 Less than, greater than, less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
4794 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
4795 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
4797 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
4798 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
4799 Same precedence as @code{<}. In _GDBN__ scripts, only @code{<>} is
4800 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
4804 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
4805 Same precedence as @code{<}.
4808 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
4811 Boolean conjuction. Defined on boolean types.
4814 The _GDBN__ ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions}).
4817 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
4818 and difference on set types.
4821 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
4825 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
4826 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
4829 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
4830 precedence as @code{*}.
4833 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER}s and @code{REAL}s.
4836 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
4839 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
4843 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD}s. Same
4844 precedence as @code{^}.
4847 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY}s. Same precedence as @code{^}.
4850 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE}s. Same precedence
4854 _GDBN__ and Modula-2 scope operators.
4859 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so _GDBN__
4860 will treat the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
4861 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
4862 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
4866 @cindex Modula-2 builtins
4867 @node Builtin Func/Proc, M2 Constants, M2 Operators, Modula-2
4868 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
4870 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
4871 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
4876 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
4879 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
4882 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
4885 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
4886 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
4887 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}.
4890 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
4893 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
4899 represents a variable.
4902 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
4903 explanation of the function for details.
4907 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
4911 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
4914 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
4915 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument
4918 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
4921 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v}. Returns the new value.
4923 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
4924 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
4927 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
4928 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
4931 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
4932 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
4935 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
4938 Increments the value in the variable @var{v}. Returns the new value.
4940 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
4941 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
4944 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
4945 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
4946 there. Returns the new set.
4949 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
4952 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
4955 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
4958 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
4959 value of a character is its ASCII value (on machines supporting the
4960 ASCII character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
4961 integral, character and enumerated types.
4964 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
4966 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
4967 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
4969 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
4970 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
4974 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
4975 _GDBN__ will treat the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
4979 @cindex Modula-2 constants
4980 @node M2 Constants, M2 Defaults, Builtin Func/Proc, Modula-2
4981 @subsubsection Constants
4983 _GDBN__ allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
4989 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
4990 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
4991 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
4992 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
4995 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
4996 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
4997 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
4998 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
4999 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
5003 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
5004 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
5005 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their ASCII value, usually)
5006 followed by a @samp{C}.
5009 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a pair
5010 of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). Escape
5011 sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C Constants}, for a
5012 brief explanation of escape sequences.
5015 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
5018 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
5022 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
5025 Set constants are not yet supported.
5029 @node M2 Defaults, Deviations, M2 Constants, Modula-2
5030 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
5031 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
5033 If type and range checking are set automatically by _GDBN__, they
5034 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
5035 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you, or _GDBN__,
5036 selected the working language.
5038 If you allow _GDBN__ to set the language automatically, then entering
5039 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} will set the
5040 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically,,Having _GDBN__ set
5041 the language automatically}, for further details.
5043 @node Deviations, M2 Checks, M2 Defaults, Modula-2
5044 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
5045 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
5047 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
5048 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
5052 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
5053 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
5054 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
5055 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
5056 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
5057 returned a pointer.)
5060 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
5061 non-printable characters. _GDBN__ will print out strings with these
5062 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
5063 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
5066 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
5070 All builtin procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
5074 @node M2 Checks, M2 Scope, Deviations, Modula-2
5075 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
5076 @cindex Modula-2 checks
5079 @emph{Warning:} in this release, _GDBN__ does not yet perform type or
5082 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
5084 _GDBN__ considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
5088 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
5089 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
5092 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
5093 GNU Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
5097 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
5098 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
5100 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
5101 index bounds, and all builtin functions and procedures.
5103 @node M2 Scope, GDB/M2, M2 Checks, Modula-2
5104 @subsubsection The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
5109 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
5110 (@code{.}) and the _GDBN__ scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
5115 @var{module} . @var{id}
5116 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
5121 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
5122 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any delcared
5123 identifier within the program, except another module.
5125 Using the @code{::} operator makes _GDBN__ search the scope
5126 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
5127 found in the specified scope, then _GDBN__ will search all scopes
5128 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
5130 Using the @code{.} operator makes _GDBN__ search the current scope for
5131 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
5132 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
5133 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
5134 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
5137 @node GDB/M2, , M2 Scope, Modula-2
5138 @subsubsection _GDBN__ and Modula-2
5140 Some _GDBN__ commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
5141 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
5142 specifically to C and C++: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
5143 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
5144 apply to C++, and the last to C's @code{union} type, which has no direct
5145 analogue in Modula-2.
5147 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions}), while available
5148 while using any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
5149 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
5150 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C++. However, because an
5151 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
5152 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful. (@pxref{Expressions})
5155 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
5156 In _GDBN__ scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
5157 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
5161 @node Symbols, Altering, Languages, Top
5162 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
5164 The commands described in this section allow you to inquire about the
5165 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
5166 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
5167 does not change as the program executes. _GDBN__ finds it in your
5168 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started _GDBN__
5169 (@pxref{File Options}), or by one of the file-management commands
5173 @item info address @var{symbol}
5174 @kindex info address
5175 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
5176 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
5177 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
5180 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
5181 at all for a register variables, and for a stack local variable prints
5182 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
5184 @item whatis @var{exp}
5186 Print the data type of expression @var{exp}. @var{exp} is not
5187 actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
5188 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
5192 Print the data type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
5194 @item ptype @var{typename}
5196 Print a description of data type @var{typename}. @var{typename} may be
5197 the name of a type, or for C code it may have the form
5198 @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
5199 @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.@refill
5201 @item ptype @var{exp}
5203 Print a description of the type of expression @var{exp}. @code{ptype}
5204 differs from @code{whatis} by printing a detailed description, instead of just
5205 the name of the type. For example, if your program declares a variable
5208 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
5211 compare the output of the two commands:
5214 type = struct complex
5216 type = struct complex @{
5222 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
5223 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
5225 @item info types @var{regexp}
5228 Print a brief description of all types whose name matches @var{regexp}
5229 (or all types in your program, if you supply no argument). Each
5230 complete typename is matched as though it were a complete line; thus,
5231 @samp{i type value} gives information on all types in your program whose
5232 name includes the string @code{value}, but @samp{i type ^value$} gives
5233 information only on types whose complete name is @code{value}.
5235 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
5236 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
5237 lists all source files where a type is defined.
5241 Show the name of the current source file---that is, the source file for
5242 the function containing the current point of execution---and the language
5246 @kindex info sources
5247 Print the names of all source files in the program for which there is
5248 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
5249 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
5251 @item info functions
5252 @kindex info functions
5253 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
5255 @item info functions @var{regexp}
5256 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
5257 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
5258 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
5259 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
5260 start with @code{step}.
5262 @item info variables
5263 @kindex info variables
5264 Print the names and data types of all variables that are declared
5265 outside of functions (i.e., excluding local variables).
5267 @item info variables @var{regexp}
5268 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
5269 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
5274 This was never implemented.
5276 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
5277 @kindex info methods
5278 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
5279 methods within C++ program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
5280 specific set of methods found in the various C++ classes. Many
5281 C++ classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
5282 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
5283 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
5284 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
5287 @item printsyms @var{filename}
5288 @itemx printpsyms @var{filename}
5292 @cindex partial symbol dump
5293 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
5294 These commands are used to debug the _GDBN__ symbol-reading code. Only
5295 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @code{printsyms},
5296 _GDBN__ includes all the symbols for which it has already collected full
5297 details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for only those files
5298 whose symbols _GDBN__ has read. You can use the command @code{info
5299 sources} to find out which files these are. If you use
5300 @code{printpsyms}, the dump also shows information about symbols that
5301 _GDBN__ only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in files that
5302 _GDBN__ has skimmed, but not yet read completely. The description of
5303 @code{symbol-file} describes how _GDBN__ reads symbols; both commands
5304 are described under @ref{Files}.
5308 @node Altering, _GDBN__ Files, Symbols, Top
5309 @chapter Altering Execution
5311 Once you think you have found an error in the program, you might want to
5312 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
5313 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
5314 experiment, using the _GDBN__ features for altering execution of the
5317 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
5318 locations, give the program a signal, restart it at a different address,
5319 or even return prematurely from a function to its caller.
5322 * Assignment:: Assignment to Variables
5323 * Jumping:: Continuing at a Different Address
5324 * Signaling:: Giving the Program a Signal
5325 * Returning:: Returning from a Function
5326 * Calling:: Calling your Program's Functions
5327 * Patching:: Patching your Program
5330 @node Assignment, Jumping, Altering, Altering
5331 @section Assignment to Variables
5334 @cindex setting variables
5335 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
5336 @xref{Expressions}. For example,
5343 would store the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then print the
5344 value of the assignment expression (which is 4). @xref{Languages}, for
5345 more information on operators in supported languages.
5347 @kindex set variable
5348 @cindex variables, setting
5349 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
5350 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
5351 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is not
5352 printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History}). The
5353 expression is evaluated only for its effects.
5355 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
5356 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
5357 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
5358 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, a
5359 program might well have a variable @code{width}---which leads to
5360 an error if we try to set a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, as
5361 we might if @code{set width} didn't happen to be a _GDBN__ command:
5363 (_GDBP__) whatis width
5367 (_GDBP__) set width=47
5368 Invalid syntax in expression.
5371 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. What we can do in
5372 order to actually set our program's variable @code{width} is
5374 (_GDBP__) set var width=47
5377 _GDBN__ allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C does; you can
5378 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa, and
5379 any structure can be converted to any other structure that is the same
5381 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
5384 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
5385 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
5386 (@pxref{Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
5387 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
5388 and representation in memory), and
5391 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
5395 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
5397 @node Jumping, Signaling, Assignment, Altering
5398 @section Continuing at a Different Address
5400 Ordinarily, when you continue the program, you do so at the place where
5401 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
5402 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
5405 @item jump @var{linespec}
5407 Resume execution at line @var{linespec}. Execution will stop
5408 immediately if there is a breakpoint there. @xref{List} for a
5409 description of the different forms of @var{linespec}.
5411 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
5412 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
5413 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
5414 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
5415 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
5416 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
5417 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
5418 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
5419 well acquainted with the machine-language code of the program.
5421 @item jump *@var{address}
5422 Resume execution at the instruction at address @var{address}.
5425 You can get much the same effect as the @code{jump} command by storing a
5426 new value into the register @code{$pc}. The difference is that this
5427 does not start the program running; it only changes the address where it
5428 @emph{will} run when it is continued. For example,
5435 causes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command to execute at
5436 address 0x485, rather than at the address where the program stopped.
5437 @xref{Continuing and Stepping}.
5439 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back up,
5440 perhaps with more breakpoints set, over a portion of a program that has
5441 already executed, in order to examine its execution in more detail.
5443 @node Signaling, Returning, Jumping, Altering
5445 @section Giving the Program a Signal
5448 @item signal @var{signalnum}
5450 Resume execution where the program stopped, but give it immediately the
5451 signal number @var{signalnum}.
5453 Alternatively, if @var{signalnum} is zero, continue execution without
5454 giving a signal. This is useful when the program stopped on account of
5455 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
5456 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
5459 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
5460 after executing the command.
5464 @node Returning, Calling, Signaling, Altering
5465 @section Returning from a Function
5469 @itemx return @var{expression}
5470 @cindex returning from a function
5472 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
5473 command. If you give an
5474 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
5478 When you use @code{return}, _GDBN__ discards the selected stack frame
5479 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
5480 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
5481 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
5483 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection}), and any other
5484 frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the innermost remaining
5485 frame. That frame becomes selected. The specified value is stored in
5486 the registers used for returning values of functions.
5488 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
5489 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
5490 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command
5491 (@pxref{Continuing and Stepping})
5492 resumes execution until the selected stack frame returns naturally.@refill
5494 @node Calling, Patching, Returning, Altering
5495 @section Calling your Program's Functions
5497 @cindex calling functions
5500 @item call @var{expr}
5501 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
5505 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
5506 execute a function from your program, but without cluttering the output
5507 with @code{void} returned values. The result is printed and saved in
5508 the value history, if it is not void.
5510 @node Patching, , Calling, Altering
5511 @section Patching your Program
5512 @cindex patching binaries
5513 @cindex writing into executables
5514 @cindex writing into corefiles
5515 By default, _GDBN__ opens the file containing your program's executable
5516 code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental alterations
5517 to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally patching
5518 your program's binary.
5520 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
5521 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
5522 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
5527 @itemx set write off
5529 If you specify @samp{set write on}, _GDBN__ will open executable and
5530 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @samp{set write
5531 off} (the default), _GDBN__ will open them read-only.
5533 If you've already loaded a file, you must load it
5534 again (using the @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after
5535 changing @code{set write}, for your new setting to take effect.
5539 Display whether executable files and core files will be opened for
5540 writing as well as reading.
5544 @node _GDBN__ Files, Targets, Altering, Top
5545 @chapter _GDBN__'s Files
5548 * Files:: Commands to Specify Files
5549 * Symbol Errors:: Errors Reading Symbol Files
5552 @node Files, Symbol Errors, _GDBN__ Files, _GDBN__ Files
5553 @section Commands to Specify Files
5554 @cindex core dump file
5555 @cindex symbol table
5556 _GDBN__ needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged, both in
5557 order to read its symbol table and in order to start the program. To
5558 debug a core dump of a previous run, _GDBN__ must be told the file name of
5561 The usual way to specify the executable and core dump file names is with
5562 the command arguments given when you start _GDBN__, as discussed in
5565 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
5566 _GDBN__ session. Or you may run _GDBN__ and forget to specify the files you
5567 want to use. In these situations the _GDBN__ commands to specify new files
5571 @item file @var{filename}
5572 @cindex executable file
5574 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
5575 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
5576 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
5577 directory and the file is not found in _GDBN__'s working directory,
5579 _GDBN__ uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
5580 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
5581 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both _GDBN__ and
5582 your program, using the @code{path} command.
5585 @code{file} with no argument makes _GDBN__ discard any information it
5586 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
5588 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
5590 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
5591 in @var{filename}. _GDBN__ will search the environment variable @code{PATH}
5592 if necessary to locate the program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
5593 discard information on the executable file.
5595 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
5597 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
5598 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
5599 table and program to run from the same file.
5601 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out _GDBN__'s information on your
5602 program's symbol table.
5604 The @code{symbol-file} command causes _GDBN__ to forget the contents of its
5605 convenience variables, the value history, and all breakpoints and
5606 auto-display expressions. This is because they may contain pointers to
5607 the internal data recording symbols and data types, which are part of
5608 the old symbol table data being discarded inside _GDBN__.
5610 @code{symbol-file} will not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
5613 On some kinds of object files, the @code{symbol-file} command does not
5614 actually read the symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans
5615 the symbol table quickly to find which source files and which symbols
5616 are present. The details are read later, one source file at a time,
5617 when they are needed.
5619 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make _GDBN__ start up
5620 faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for occasional pauses
5621 while the symbol table details for a particular source file are being
5622 read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these pauses into
5623 messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings}).
5625 When the symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} does
5626 read the symbol table data in full right away. We haven't implemented
5627 the two-stage strategy for COFF yet.
5629 When _GDBN__ is configured for a particular environment, it will
5630 understand debugging information in whatever format is the standard
5631 generated for that environment; you may use either a GNU compiler, or
5632 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions. Best results are
5633 usually obtained from GNU compilers; for example, using @code{_GCC__}
5634 you can generate debugging information for optimized code.
5636 @item core-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
5639 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
5640 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
5641 address space of the process that generated them; _GDBN__ can access the
5642 executable file itself for other parts.
5644 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
5647 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
5648 under _GDBN__. So, if you have been running the program and you wish to
5649 debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which the
5650 program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
5651 (@pxref{Kill Process}).
5653 @item load @var{filename}
5656 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
5657 _GDBN__, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
5658 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
5659 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
5660 @code{load} also records @var{filename}'s symbol table in _GDBN__, like
5661 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
5663 If @code{load} is not available on your _GDBN__, attempting to execute
5664 it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your target is
5669 On VxWorks, @code{load} will dynamically link @var{filename} on the
5670 current target system as well as adding its symbols in _GDBN__.
5674 @cindex download to Nindy-960
5675 With the Nindy interface to an Intel 960 board, @code{load} will
5676 download @var{filename} to the 960 as well as adding its symbols in
5680 @code{load} will not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
5682 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
5683 @kindex add-symbol-file
5684 @cindex dynamic linking
5685 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table information
5686 from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command when @var{filename}
5687 has been dynamically loaded (by some other means) into the program that
5688 is running. @var{address} should be the memory address at which the
5689 file has been loaded; _GDBN__ cannot figure this out for itself.
5691 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
5692 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
5693 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data thus
5694 read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data instead,
5695 use the @code{symbol-file} command.
5697 @code{add-symbol-file} will not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
5703 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
5704 current targets (@pxref{Targets}), including the names of the executable
5705 and core dump files currently in use by _GDBN__, and the files from
5706 which symbols were loaded. The command @code{help targets} lists all
5707 possible targets rather than current ones.
5711 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
5712 as arguments. _GDBN__ always converts the file name to an absolute path
5713 name and remembers it that way.
5715 @cindex shared libraries
5717 _GDBN__ supports the SunOS shared library format. _GDBN__ automatically
5718 loads symbol definitions from shared libraries when you use the
5719 @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file. (Before you issue
5720 the @code{run} command, _GDBN__ won't understand references to a
5721 function in a shared library, however---unless you're debugging a core
5723 @c FIXME: next _GDBN__ release should permit some refs to undef
5724 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they're from a shared lib
5728 @itemx info sharedlibrary
5729 @kindex info sharedlibrary
5731 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded.
5733 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
5734 @itemx share @var{regex}
5735 @kindex sharedlibrary
5737 This is an obsolescent command; you can use it to explicitly
5738 load shared object library symbols for files matching a UNIX regular
5739 expression, but as with files loaded automatically, it will only load
5740 shared libraries required by your program for a core file or after
5741 typing @code{run}. If @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries
5742 required by your program are loaded.
5745 @node Symbol Errors, , Files, _GDBN__ Files
5746 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
5747 While reading a symbol file, _GDBN__ will occasionally encounter
5748 problems, such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in
5749 compiler output. By default, _GDBN__ does not notify you of such
5750 problems, since they're relatively common and primarily of interest to
5751 people debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
5752 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask _GDBN__ to print
5753 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
5754 times the problem occurs; or you can ask _GDBN__ to print more messages,
5755 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set complaints}
5756 command (@xref{Messages/Warnings}).
5758 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, are:
5761 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
5763 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
5764 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
5765 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
5766 in its outer scope blocks.
5768 _GDBN__ circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
5769 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
5770 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
5773 @item block at @var{address} out of order
5775 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
5776 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
5779 _GDBN__ does not circumvent this problem, and will have trouble locating
5780 symbols in the source file whose symbols being read. (You can often
5781 determine what source file is affected by specifying @code{set verbose
5782 on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings}.)
5784 @item bad block start address patched
5786 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
5787 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
5788 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
5790 _GDBN__ circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
5791 starting on the previous source line.
5793 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
5796 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
5797 larger than the size of the string table.
5799 _GDBN__ circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
5800 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
5803 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
5805 The symbol information contains new data types that _GDBN__ does not yet
5806 know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the misunderstood
5807 information, in hexadecimal.
5809 _GDBN__ circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information. This
5810 will usually allow the program to be debugged, though certain symbols
5811 will not be accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
5812 debugging it, you can debug @code{_GDBP__} with itself, breakpoint on
5813 @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab} and
5814 examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
5816 @item stub type has NULL name
5817 _GDBN__ could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
5819 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
5821 The symbol information for a C++ member function is missing some
5822 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output
5825 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
5827 _GDBN__ could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
5831 @node Targets, Controlling _GDBN__, _GDBN__ Files, Top
5832 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
5833 @cindex debugging target
5835 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
5836 Often, _GDBN__ runs in the same host environment as the program you are
5837 debugging; in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side
5838 effect when you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you
5839 need more flexibility---for example, running _GDBN__ on a physically
5840 separate host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or
5841 a realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the
5842 @code{target} command to specify one of the target types configured for
5843 _GDBN__ (@pxref{Target Commands}).
5846 * Active Targets:: Active Targets
5847 * Target Commands:: Commands for Managing Targets
5848 * Remote:: Remote Debugging
5851 @node Active Targets, Target Commands, Targets, Targets
5852 @section Active Targets
5853 @cindex stacking targets
5854 @cindex active targets
5855 @cindex multiple targets
5857 There are three classes of targets: processes, core files, and
5858 executable files. _GDBN__ can work concurrently on up to three active
5859 targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for example) start a
5860 process and inspect its activity without abandoning your work on a core
5863 If, for example, you execute @samp{gdb a.out}, then the executable file
5864 @code{a.out} is the only active target. If you designate a core file as
5865 well---presumably from a prior run that crashed and coredumped---then
5866 _GDBN__ has two active targets and will use them in tandem, looking
5867 first in the corefile target, then in the executable file, to satisfy
5868 requests for memory addresses. (Typically, these two classes of target
5869 are complementary, since core files contain only the program's
5870 read-write memory---variables and so on---plus machine status, while
5871 executable files contain only the program text and initialized data.)
5873 When you type @code{run}, your executable file becomes an active process
5874 target as well. When a process target is active, all _GDBN__ commands
5875 requesting memory addresses refer to that target; addresses in an active
5876 core file or executable file target are obscured while the process
5879 Use the @code{core-file}, and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new
5880 core file or executable target (@pxref{Files}). To specify as a target
5881 a process that's already running, use the @code{attach} command
5884 @node Target Commands, Remote, Active Targets, Targets
5885 @section Commands for Managing Targets
5888 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
5889 Connects the _GDBN__ host environment to a target machine or process. A
5890 target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging facilities. You
5891 use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or protocol of the
5894 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
5895 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
5896 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
5898 The @code{target} command will not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
5899 after executing the command.
5903 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
5904 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
5907 @item help target @var{name}
5908 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
5912 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the _GDBN__
5916 @item target exec @var{prog}
5918 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{prog}} is the same as
5919 @samp{exec-file @var{prog}}.
5921 @item target core @var{filename}
5923 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
5924 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
5926 @item target remote @var{dev}
5927 @kindex target remote
5928 Remote serial target in _GDBN__-specific protocol. The argument @var{dev}
5929 specifies what serial device to use for the connection (e.g.
5930 @file{/dev/ttya}). @xref{Remote}.
5933 @item target amd-eb @var{dev} @var{speed} @var{PROG}
5934 @kindex target amd-eb
5936 Remote PC-resident AMD EB29K board, attached over serial lines.
5937 @var{dev} is the serial device, as for @code{target remote};
5938 @var{speed} allows you to specify the linespeed; and @var{PROG} is the
5939 name of the program to be debugged, as it appears to DOS on the PC.
5940 @xref{EB29K Remote}.
5944 @item target nindy @var{devicename}
5945 @kindex target nindy
5946 An Intel 960 board controlled by a Nindy Monitor. @var{devicename} is
5947 the name of the serial device to use for the connection, e.g.
5948 @file{/dev/ttya}. @xref{i960-Nindy Remote}.
5952 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
5953 @kindex target vxworks
5954 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
5955 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
5956 @xref{VxWorks Remote}.
5961 Different targets are available on different configurations of _GDBN__; your
5962 configuration may have more or fewer targets.
5965 @node Remote, , Target Commands, Targets
5966 @section Remote Debugging
5967 @cindex remote debugging
5971 _include__(gdbinv-m.m4)<>_dnl__
5975 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that can't run
5976 _GDBN__ in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging. For
5977 example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel, or on
5978 a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
5979 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
5981 Some configurations of _GDBN__ have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
5982 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
5983 _GDBN__ comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to _GDBN__, but
5984 not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
5985 write the remote stubs---the code that will run on the remote system to
5986 communicate with _GDBN__.
5988 To use the _GDBN__ remote serial protocol, the program to be debugged on
5989 the remote machine needs to contain a debugging stub which talks to
5990 _GDBN__ over the serial line. Several working remote stubs are
5991 distributed with _GDBN__; see the @file{README} file in the _GDBN__
5992 distribution for more information.
5994 For details of this communication protocol, see the comments in the
5995 _GDBN__ source file @file{remote.c}.
5997 To start remote debugging, first run _GDBN__ and specify as an executable file
5998 the program that is running in the remote machine. This tells _GDBN__ how
5999 to find the program's symbols and the contents of its pure text. Then
6000 establish communication using the @code{target remote} command with a device
6001 name as an argument. For example:
6004 target remote /dev/ttyb
6008 if the serial line is connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}. This
6009 will stop the remote machine if it is not already stopped.
6011 Now you can use all the usual commands to examine and change data and to
6012 step and continue the remote program.
6014 To resume the remote program and stop debugging it, use the @code{detach}
6017 Other remote targets may be available in your
6018 configuration of _GDBN__; use @code{help targets} to list them.
6021 @c Text on starting up GDB in various specific cases; it goes up front
6022 @c in manuals configured for any of those particular situations, here
6024 _include__(gdbinv-s.m4)
6027 @node Controlling _GDBN__, Sequences, Targets, Top
6028 @chapter Controlling _GDBN__
6030 You can alter many aspects of _GDBN__'s interaction with you by using
6031 the @code{set} command. For commands controlling how _GDBN__ displays
6032 data, @pxref{Print Settings}; other settings are described here.
6036 * Editing:: Command Editing
6037 * History:: Command History
6038 * Screen Size:: Screen Size
6040 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional Warnings and Messages
6043 @node Prompt, Editing, Controlling _GDBN__, Controlling _GDBN__
6046 _GDBN__ indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
6047 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(_GDBP__)}. You
6048 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
6049 instance, when debugging _GDBN__ with _GDBN__, it is useful to change
6050 the prompt in one of the _GDBN__<>s so that you can always tell which
6051 one you are talking to.
6054 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
6056 Directs _GDBN__ to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
6059 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
6062 @node Editing, History, Prompt, Controlling _GDBN__
6063 @section Command Editing
6065 @cindex command line editing
6066 _GDBN__ reads its input commands via the @dfn{readline} interface. This
6067 GNU library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
6068 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @code{emacs}-style
6069 or @code{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
6070 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
6073 You may control the behavior of command line editing in _GDBN__ with the
6080 @itemx set editing on
6081 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
6083 @item set editing off
6084 Disable command line editing.
6086 @kindex show editing
6088 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
6091 @node History, Screen Size, Editing, Controlling _GDBN__
6092 @section Command History
6094 @cindex history substitution
6095 @cindex history file
6096 @kindex set history filename
6097 @item set history filename @var{fname}
6098 Set the name of the _GDBN__ command history file to @var{fname}. This is
6099 the file from which _GDBN__ will read an initial command history
6100 list or to which it will write this list when it exits. This list is
6101 accessed through history expansion or through the history
6102 command editing characters listed below. This file defaults to the
6103 value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
6104 @file{./.gdb_history} if this variable is not set.
6106 @cindex history save
6107 @kindex set history save
6108 @item set history save
6109 @itemx set history save on
6110 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
6111 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
6113 @item set history save off
6114 Stop recording command history in a file.
6116 @cindex history size
6117 @kindex set history size
6118 @item set history size @var{size}
6119 Set the number of commands which _GDBN__ will keep in its history list.
6120 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
6121 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
6124 @cindex history expansion
6125 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
6127 (@xref{Event Designators}.)
6129 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
6130 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
6131 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
6132 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
6133 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
6134 history facilities will not attempt substitution on the strings
6135 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
6137 The commands to control history expansion are:
6141 @kindex set history expansion
6142 @item set history expansion on
6143 @itemx set history expansion
6144 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
6146 @item set history expansion off
6147 Disable history expansion.
6149 The readline code comes with more complete documentation of
6150 editing and history expansion features. Users unfamiliar with @code{emacs}
6151 or @code{vi} may wish to read it.
6153 @xref{Command Line Editing}.
6157 @kindex show history
6159 @itemx show history filename
6160 @itemx show history save
6161 @itemx show history size
6162 @itemx show history expansion
6163 These commands display the state of the _GDBN__ history parameters.
6164 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
6170 @kindex show commands
6172 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
6174 @item show commands @var{n}
6175 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
6177 @item show commands +
6178 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
6182 @node Screen Size, Numbers, History, Controlling _GDBN__
6183 @section Screen Size
6184 @cindex size of screen
6185 @cindex pauses in output
6186 Certain commands to _GDBN__ may produce large amounts of information
6187 output to the screen. To help you read all of it, _GDBN__ pauses and
6188 asks you for input at the end of each page of output. Type @key{RET}
6189 when you want to continue the output. _GDBN__ also uses the screen
6190 width setting to determine when to wrap lines of output. Depending on
6191 what is being printed, it tries to break the line at a readable place,
6192 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
6194 Normally _GDBN__ knows the size of the screen from the termcap data base
6195 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
6196 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
6197 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
6201 @item set height @var{lpp}
6203 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
6209 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
6210 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
6211 commands display the current settings.
6213 If you specify a height of zero lines, _GDBN__ will not pause during output
6214 no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a file
6215 or to an editor buffer.
6218 @node Numbers, Messages/Warnings, Screen Size, Controlling _GDBN__
6220 @cindex number representation
6221 @cindex entering numbers
6222 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in _GDBN__ by
6223 the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with @samp{0}, decimal
6224 numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers begin with @samp{0x}.
6225 Numbers that begin with none of these are, by default, entered in base
6226 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
6227 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
6228 both input and output with the @code{set radix} command.
6232 @item set radix @var{base}
6233 Set the default base for numeric input and display. Supported choices
6234 for @var{base} are decimal 2, 8, 10, 16. @var{base} must itself be
6235 specified either unambiguously or using the current default radix; for
6246 will set the base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set radix 10}
6247 will leave the radix unchanged no matter what it was.
6251 Display the current default base for numeric input and display.
6255 @node Messages/Warnings, , Numbers, Controlling _GDBN__
6256 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
6257 By default, _GDBN__ is silent about its inner workings. If you are running
6258 on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose} command.
6259 It will make _GDBN__ tell you when it does a lengthy internal operation, so
6260 you won't think it has crashed.
6262 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those which
6263 announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read
6264 (@pxref{Files}, in the description of the command
6265 @code{symbol-file}).
6266 @c The following is the right way to do it, but emacs 18.55 doesn't support
6267 @c @ref, and neither the emacs lisp manual version of texinfmt or makeinfo
6270 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files}).
6275 @item set verbose on
6276 Enables _GDBN__'s output of certain informational messages.
6278 @item set verbose off
6279 Disables _GDBN__'s output of certain informational messages.
6281 @kindex show verbose
6283 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
6286 By default, if _GDBN__ encounters bugs in the symbol table of an object
6287 file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may find
6288 this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors}).
6291 @kindex set complaints
6292 @item set complaints @var{limit}
6293 Permits _GDBN__ to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of unusual
6294 symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set @var{limit} to
6295 zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number to prevent
6296 complaints from being suppressed.
6298 @kindex show complaints
6299 @item show complaints
6300 Displays how many symbol complaints _GDBN__ is permitted to produce.
6303 By default, _GDBN__ is cautious, and asks what sometimes seem to be a
6304 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
6305 you try to run a program which is already running:
6308 The program being debugged has been started already.
6309 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
6312 If you're willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
6313 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
6318 @cindex confirmation
6319 @cindex stupid questions
6320 @item set confirm off
6321 Disables confirmation requests.
6323 @item set confirm on
6324 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
6327 @kindex show confirm
6328 Displays state of confirmation requests.
6331 @c FIXME this doesn't really belong here. But where *does* it belong?
6332 @cindex reloading symbols
6333 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
6334 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program.
6336 For example, in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file
6337 and keep on running.
6339 If you're running on one of these systems, you can allow _GDBN__ to
6340 reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:@refill
6342 @kindex set symbol-reloading
6343 @item set symbol-reloading on
6344 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
6345 object file with a particular name is seen again.
6347 @item set symbol-reloading off
6348 Don't replace symbol definitions when re-encountering object files of
6349 the same name. This is the default state; if you're not running on a
6350 system that permits automatically relinking modules, you should leave
6351 @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise _GDBN__ may discard symbols
6352 when linking large programs, that may contain several modules (from
6353 different directories or libraries) with the same name.
6355 @item show symbol-reloading
6356 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
6359 @node Sequences, Emacs, Controlling _GDBN__, Top
6360 @chapter Canned Sequences of Commands
6362 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands}), _GDBN__ provides two
6363 ways to store sequences of commands for execution as a unit:
6364 user-defined commands and command files.
6367 * Define:: User-Defined Commands
6368 * Command Files:: Command Files
6369 * Output:: Commands for Controlled Output
6372 @node Define, Command Files, Sequences, Sequences
6373 @section User-Defined Commands
6375 @cindex user-defined command
6376 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of _GDBN__ commands to which you
6377 assign a new name as a command. This is done with the @code{define}
6381 @item define @var{commandname}
6383 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
6384 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
6386 The definition of the command is made up of other _GDBN__ command lines,
6387 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
6388 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
6390 @item document @var{commandname}
6392 Give documentation to the user-defined command @var{commandname}. The
6393 command @var{commandname} must already be defined. This command reads
6394 lines of documentation just as @code{define} reads the lines of the
6395 command definition, ending with @code{end}. After the @code{document}
6396 command is finished, @code{help} on command @var{commandname} will print
6397 the documentation you have specified.
6399 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
6400 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
6401 does not change the documentation.
6403 @item help user-defined
6404 @kindex help user-defined
6405 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
6409 @itemx info user @var{commandname}
6411 Display the _GDBN__ commands used to define @var{commandname} (but not its
6412 documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
6413 definitions for all user-defined commands.
6416 User-defined commands do not take arguments. When they are executed, the
6417 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
6418 stops execution of the user-defined command.
6420 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
6421 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many _GDBN__ commands
6422 that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
6423 when used in a user-defined command.
6425 @node Command Files, Output, Define, Sequences
6426 @section Command Files
6428 @cindex command files
6429 A command file for _GDBN__ is a file of lines that are _GDBN__ commands. Comments
6430 (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may also be included. An empty line in a
6431 command file does nothing; it does not mean to repeat the last command, as
6432 it would from the terminal.
6435 @cindex @file{_GDBINIT__}
6436 When you start _GDBN__, it automatically executes commands from its
6437 @dfn{init files}. These are files named @file{_GDBINIT__}. _GDBN__
6438 reads the init file (if any) in your home directory and then the init
6439 file (if any) in the current working directory. (The init files are not
6440 executed if you use the @samp{-nx} option; @pxref{Mode Options}.) You
6441 can also request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
6445 @item source @var{filename}
6447 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
6450 The lines in a command file are executed sequentially. They are not
6451 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates execution
6452 of the command file.
6454 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
6455 without asking when used in a command file. Many _GDBN__ commands that
6456 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
6457 when called from command files.
6459 @node Output, , Command Files, Sequences
6460 @section Commands for Controlled Output
6462 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
6463 _GDBN__ output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
6464 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
6465 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
6469 @item echo @var{text}
6471 @c I don't consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
6472 @c because it's not in ANSI.
6473 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in @var{text}
6474 using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a newline. @b{No
6475 newline will be printed unless you specify one.} In addition to the
6476 standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed by a space stands for a
6477 space. This is useful for outputting a string with spaces at the
6478 beginning or the end, since leading and trailing spaces are otherwise
6479 trimmed from all arguments. Thus, to print @samp{@ and foo =@ }, use the
6480 command @samp{echo \@ and foo = \@ }.
6481 @c FIXME? '@ ' works in tex and info, but confuses texi2roff[-2].
6483 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
6484 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
6487 echo This is some text\n\
6488 which is continued\n\
6489 onto several lines.\n
6492 produces the same output as
6495 echo This is some text\n
6496 echo which is continued\n
6497 echo onto several lines.\n
6500 @item output @var{expression}
6502 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
6503 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
6504 value history either. @xref{Expressions} for more information on
6507 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
6508 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
6509 the same formats as for @code{print}; @pxref{Output formats}, for more
6512 @item printf @var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
6514 Print the values of the @var{expressions} under the control of
6515 @var{string}. The @var{expressions} are separated by commas and may
6516 be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as specified
6517 by @var{string}, exactly as if the program were to execute
6520 printf (@var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
6523 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
6526 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
6529 The only backslash-escape sequences that you can use in the format
6530 string are the simple ones that consist of backslash followed by a
6534 @node Emacs, _GDBN__ Bugs, Sequences, Top
6535 @chapter Using _GDBN__ under GNU Emacs
6538 A special interface allows you to use GNU Emacs to view (and
6539 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
6542 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
6543 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
6544 _GDBN__ as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
6545 created Emacs buffer.
6547 Using _GDBN__ under Emacs is just like using _GDBN__ normally except for two
6552 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through the Emacs buffer.
6555 This applies both to _GDBN__ commands and their output, and to the input
6556 and output done by the program you are debugging.
6558 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
6559 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
6562 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
6563 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
6564 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
6569 _GDBN__ displays source code through Emacs.
6572 Each time _GDBN__ displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
6573 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (_0__@samp{=>}_1__) at the
6574 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
6575 source display, and splits the window to show both your _GDBN__ session
6578 Explicit _GDBN__ @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
6579 usual, but you probably will have no reason to use them.
6582 @emph{Warning:} If the directory where your program resides is not your
6583 current directory, it can be easy to confuse Emacs about the location of
6584 the source files, in which case the auxiliary display buffer will not
6585 appear to show your source. _GDBN__ can find programs by searching your
6586 environment's @code{PATH} variable, so the _GDBN__ input and output
6587 session will proceed normally; but Emacs doesn't get enough information
6588 back from _GDBN__ to locate the source files in this situation. To
6589 avoid this problem, either start _GDBN__ mode from the directory where
6590 your program resides, or specify a full path name when prompted for the
6591 @kbd{M-x gdb} argument.
6593 A similar confusion can result if you use the _GDBN__ @code{file} command to
6594 switch to debugging a program in some other location, from an existing
6595 _GDBN__ buffer in Emacs.
6598 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If
6599 you need to call _GDBN__ by a different name (for example, if you keep
6600 several configurations around, with different names) you can set the
6601 Emacs variable @code{gdb-command-name}; for example,
6603 (setq gdb-command-name "mygdb")
6606 (preceded by @kbd{ESC ESC}, or typed in the @code{*scratch*} buffer, or
6607 in your @file{.emacs} file) will make Emacs call the program named
6608 ``@code{mygdb}'' instead.
6610 In the _GDBN__ I/O buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
6611 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
6615 Describe the features of Emacs' _GDBN__ Mode.
6618 Execute to another source line, like the _GDBN__ @code{step} command; also
6619 update the display window to show the current file and location.
6622 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
6623 calls, like the _GDBN__ @code{next} command. Then update the display window
6624 to show the current file and location.
6627 Execute one instruction, like the _GDBN__ @code{stepi} command; update
6628 display window accordingly.
6631 Execute to next instruction, using the _GDBN__ @code{nexti} command; update
6632 display window accordingly.
6635 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the _GDBN__
6636 @code{finish} command.
6639 Continue execution of the program, like the _GDBN__ @code{continue}
6640 command. @emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-p}.
6643 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
6644 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}),
6645 like the _GDBN__ @code{up} command. @emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this
6646 command is @kbd{C-c C-u}.@refill
6649 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
6650 _GDBN__ @code{down} command. @emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command
6654 Read the number where the cursor is positioned, and insert it at the end
6655 of the _GDBN__ I/O buffer. For example, if you wish to disassemble code
6656 around an address that was displayed earlier, type @kbd{disassemble};
6657 then move the cursor to the address display, and pick up the
6658 argument for @code{disassemble} by typing @kbd{C-x &}.
6660 You can customize this further on the fly by defining elements of the list
6661 @code{gdb-print-command}; once it is defined, you can format or
6662 otherwise process numbers picked up by @kbd{C-x &} before they are
6663 inserted. A numeric argument to @kbd{C-x &} will both indicate that you
6664 wish special formatting, and act as an index to pick an element of the
6665 list. If the list element is a string, the number to be inserted is
6666 formatted using the Emacs function @code{format}; otherwise the number
6667 is passed as an argument to the corresponding list element.
6671 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x SPC} (@code{gdb-break})
6672 tells _GDBN__ to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
6674 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
6675 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the _GDBN__ buffer, to
6676 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this will recreate
6677 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
6680 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
6681 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
6682 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that _GDBN__
6683 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
6684 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that _GDBN__ knows will cease
6685 to correspond properly to the code.
6687 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
6690 @kindex emacs epoch environment
6694 Version 18 of Emacs has a built-in window system called the @code{epoch}
6695 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
6696 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
6697 each value is printed in its own window.
6700 @node _GDBN__ Bugs, Renamed Commands, Emacs, Top
6701 @chapter Reporting Bugs in _GDBN__
6702 @cindex Bugs in _GDBN__
6703 @cindex Reporting Bugs in _GDBN__
6705 Your bug reports play an essential role in making _GDBN__ reliable.
6707 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
6708 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
6709 the entire community by making the next version of _GDBN__ work better. Bug
6710 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of _GDBN__.
6712 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
6713 information that enables us to fix the bug.
6716 * Bug Criteria:: Have You Found a Bug?
6717 * Bug Reporting:: How to Report Bugs
6720 @node Bug Criteria, Bug Reporting, _GDBN__ Bugs, _GDBN__ Bugs
6721 @section Have You Found a Bug?
6722 @cindex Bug Criteria
6724 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
6728 @cindex Fatal Signal
6730 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
6731 _GDBN__ bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
6734 @cindex error on Valid Input
6735 If _GDBN__ produces an error message for valid input, that is a bug.
6738 @cindex Invalid Input
6739 If _GDBN__ does not produce an error message for invalid input,
6740 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
6741 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
6742 for traditional practice''.
6745 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
6746 for improvement of _GDBN__ are welcome in any case.
6749 @node Bug Reporting, , Bug Criteria, _GDBN__ Bugs
6750 @section How to Report Bugs
6752 @cindex _GDBN__ Bugs, Reporting
6754 A number of companies and individuals offer support for GNU products.
6755 If you obtained _GDBN__ from a support organization, we recommend you
6756 contact that organization first.
6758 Contact information for many support companies and individuals is
6759 available in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the GNU Emacs distribution.
6761 In any event, we also recommend that you send bug reports for _GDBN__ to one
6765 bug-gdb@@prep.ai.mit.edu
6766 @{ucbvax|mit-eddie|uunet@}!prep.ai.mit.edu!bug-gdb
6769 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
6770 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of _GDBN__ do not want to
6771 receive bug reports. Those that do, have arranged to receive @samp{bug-gdb}.
6773 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
6774 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
6775 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
6776 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
6777 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
6778 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
6779 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
6780 bug reports to the mailing list.
6782 As a last resort, send bug reports on paper to:
6786 Free Software Foundation
6791 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
6792 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
6793 fact or leave it out, state it!
6795 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
6796 problem and assume that some details don't matter. Thus, you might
6797 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
6798 Well, probably it doesn't, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
6799 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
6800 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
6801 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
6802 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
6803 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
6805 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix
6806 the bug if it is new to us. It isn't as important what happens if
6807 the bug is already known. Therefore, always write your bug reports on
6808 the assumption that the bug has not been reported previously.
6810 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
6811 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
6812 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
6815 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
6819 The version of _GDBN__. _GDBN__ announces it if you start with no
6820 arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show version}.
6822 Without this, we won't know whether there is any point in looking for
6823 the bug in the current version of _GDBN__.
6826 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
6830 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile _GDBN__---e.g.
6834 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
6835 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
6836 you won't omit something important, list them all.
6838 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
6839 and then we might not encounter the bug.
6842 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
6846 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
6847 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
6849 Of course, if the bug is that _GDBN__ gets a fatal signal, then we will
6850 certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might not
6851 notice unless it is glaringly wrong. We are human, after all. You
6852 might as well not give us a chance to make a mistake.
6854 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
6855 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as,
6856 your copy of _GDBN__ is out of synch, or you have encountered a
6857 bug in the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy
6858 might crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash,
6859 then when ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not
6860 happening for us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we
6861 would not be able to draw any conclusion from our observations.
6864 If you wish to suggest changes to the _GDBN__ source, send us context
6865 diffs. If you even discuss something in the _GDBN__ source, refer to
6866 it by context, not by line number.
6868 The line numbers in our development sources won't match those in your
6869 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
6873 Here are some things that are not necessary:
6877 A description of the envelope of the bug.
6879 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
6880 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
6881 changes will not affect it.
6883 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
6884 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
6885 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
6886 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
6888 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
6889 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
6890 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
6893 However, simplification is not vital; if you don't want to do this,
6894 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
6897 A patch for the bug.
6899 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But don't omit
6900 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
6901 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
6902 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
6904 Sometimes with a program as complicated as _GDBN__ it is very hard to
6905 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
6906 through the code. If you don't send us the example, we won't be able
6907 to construct one, so we won't be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
6909 And if we can't understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
6910 patch should be an improvement, we won't install it. A test case will
6911 help us to understand.
6914 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
6916 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we can't guess right about such
6917 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
6921 @include rdl-apps.texi
6924 @node Renamed Commands, Installing _GDBN__, _GDBN__ Bugs, Top
6925 @appendix Renamed Commands
6927 The following commands were renamed in _GDBN__ 4.0, in order to make the
6928 command set as a whole more consistent and easier to use and remember:
6931 @kindex delete environment
6932 @kindex info copying
6933 @kindex info convenience
6934 @kindex info directories
6935 @kindex info editing
6936 @kindex info history
6937 @kindex info targets
6939 @kindex info version
6940 @kindex info warranty
6941 @kindex set addressprint
6942 @kindex set arrayprint
6943 @kindex set prettyprint
6944 @kindex set screen-height
6945 @kindex set screen-width
6946 @kindex set unionprint
6947 @kindex set vtblprint
6948 @kindex set demangle
6949 @kindex set asm-demangle
6950 @kindex set sevenbit-strings
6951 @kindex set array-max
6953 @kindex set history write
6954 @kindex show addressprint
6955 @kindex show arrayprint
6956 @kindex show prettyprint
6957 @kindex show screen-height
6958 @kindex show screen-width
6959 @kindex show unionprint
6960 @kindex show vtblprint
6961 @kindex show demangle
6962 @kindex show asm-demangle
6963 @kindex show sevenbit-strings
6964 @kindex show array-max
6965 @kindex show caution
6966 @kindex show history write
6971 OLD COMMAND NEW COMMAND
6972 --------------- -------------------------------
6973 add-syms add-symbol-file
6974 delete environment unset environment
6975 info convenience show convenience
6976 info copying show copying
6977 info directories show directories
6978 info editing show commands
6979 info history show values
6980 info targets help target
6981 info values show values
6982 info version show version
6983 info warranty show warranty
6984 set/show addressprint set/show print address
6985 set/show array-max set/show print elements
6986 set/show arrayprint set/show print array
6987 set/show asm-demangle set/show print asm-demangle
6988 set/show caution set/show confirm
6989 set/show demangle set/show print demangle
6990 set/show history write set/show history save
6991 set/show prettyprint set/show print pretty
6992 set/show screen-height set/show height
6993 set/show screen-width set/show width
6994 set/show sevenbit-strings set/show print sevenbit-strings
6995 set/show unionprint set/show print union
6996 set/show vtblprint set/show print vtbl
6998 unset [No longer an alias for delete]
7003 \vskip \parskip\vskip \baselineskip
7004 \halign{\tt #\hfil &\qquad#&\tt #\hfil\cr
7005 {\bf Old Command} &&{\bf New Command}\cr
7006 add-syms &&add-symbol-file\cr
7007 delete environment &&unset environment\cr
7008 info convenience &&show convenience\cr
7009 info copying &&show copying\cr
7010 info directories &&show directories \cr
7011 info editing &&show commands\cr
7012 info history &&show values\cr
7013 info targets &&help target\cr
7014 info values &&show values\cr
7015 info version &&show version\cr
7016 info warranty &&show warranty\cr
7017 set{\rm / }show addressprint &&set{\rm / }show print address\cr
7018 set{\rm / }show array-max &&set{\rm / }show print elements\cr
7019 set{\rm / }show arrayprint &&set{\rm / }show print array\cr
7020 set{\rm / }show asm-demangle &&set{\rm / }show print asm-demangle\cr
7021 set{\rm / }show caution &&set{\rm / }show confirm\cr
7022 set{\rm / }show demangle &&set{\rm / }show print demangle\cr
7023 set{\rm / }show history write &&set{\rm / }show history save\cr
7024 set{\rm / }show prettyprint &&set{\rm / }show print pretty\cr
7025 set{\rm / }show screen-height &&set{\rm / }show height\cr
7026 set{\rm / }show screen-width &&set{\rm / }show width\cr
7027 set{\rm / }show sevenbit-strings &&set{\rm / }show print sevenbit-strings\cr
7028 set{\rm / }show unionprint &&set{\rm / }show print union\cr
7029 set{\rm / }show vtblprint &&set{\rm / }show print vtbl\cr
7031 unset &&\rm(No longer an alias for delete)\cr
7035 @node Installing _GDBN__, Copying, Renamed Commands, Top
7036 @appendix Installing _GDBN__
7037 @cindex configuring _GDBN__
7038 @cindex installation
7040 _GDBN__ comes with a @code{configure} script that automates the process
7041 of preparing _GDBN__ for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
7042 build the @code{_GDBP__} program.
7044 The _GDBP__ distribution includes all the source code you need for
7045 _GDBP__ in a single directory @file{gdb-_GDB_VN__}. That directory in turn
7049 @item gdb-_GDB_VN__/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
7050 script for configuring _GDBN__ and all its supporting libraries.
7052 @item gdb-_GDB_VN__/gdb
7053 the source specific to _GDBN__ itself
7055 @item gdb-_GDB_VN__/bfd
7056 source for the Binary File Descriptor Library
7058 @item gdb-_GDB_VN__/include
7061 @item gdb-_GDB_VN__/libiberty
7062 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
7064 @item gdb-_GDB_VN__/readline
7065 source for the GNU command-line interface
7068 It is most convenient to run @code{configure} from the @file{gdb-_GDB_VN__}
7069 directory. The simplest way to configure and build _GDBN__ is the
7073 ./configure @var{host}
7077 where @var{host} is something like @samp{sun4} or @samp{decstation}, that
7078 identifies the platform where _GDBN__ will run. This builds the three
7079 libraries @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and @file{libiberty}, then
7080 @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the binaries, are
7081 left in the corresponding source directories.
7083 @code{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
7084 system doesn't recognize this automatically when you run a different
7085 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
7086 @samp{sh configure @var{host}}.
7088 You can @emph{run} the @code{configure} script from any of the
7089 subordinate directories in the _GDBN__ distribution (if you only want to
7090 configure that subdirectory); but be sure to specify a path to it. For
7091 example, to configure only the @code{bfd} subdirectory,
7093 cd gdb-_GDB_VN__/bfd
7094 ../configure @var{host}
7097 You can install @code{_GDBP__} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths. However,
7098 you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by the
7099 @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable; some systems
7100 refuse to let _GDBN__ debug child processes whose programs are not
7101 readable, and _GDBN__ uses the shell to start your program.
7104 * Subdirectories:: Configuration subdirectories
7105 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
7106 * configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
7107 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print _GDBN__ documentation
7111 @node Subdirectories, Config Names, Installing _GDBN__, Installing _GDBN__
7112 @section Configuration Subdirectories
7113 If you want to run _GDBN__ versions for several host or target machines,
7114 you'll need a different _GDBP__ compiled for each combination of host
7115 and target. @code{configure} is designed to make this easy by allowing
7116 you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory. If your
7117 @code{make} program handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (GNU @code{make}
7118 does), running @code{make} in each of these directories then builds the
7119 _GDBP__ program specified there.
7121 @code{configure} creates these subdirectories for you when you
7122 simultaneously specify several configurations; but it's a good habit
7123 even for a single configuration. You can specify the use of
7124 subdirectories using the @samp{+subdirs} option (abbreviated
7125 @samp{+sub}). For example, you can build _GDBN__ this way on a Sun 4 as
7131 ./configure +sub sun4
7137 When @code{configure} uses subdirectories to build programs or
7138 libraries, it creates nested directories
7139 @file{H-@var{host}/T-@var{target}}. @code{configure} uses these two
7140 directory levels because _GDBN__ can be configured for cross-compiling:
7141 _GDBN__ can run on one machine (the host) while debugging programs that
7142 run on another machine (the target). You specify cross-debugging
7143 targets by giving the @samp{+target=@var{target}} option to
7144 @code{configure}. Specifying only hosts still gives you two levels of
7145 subdirectory for each host, with the same configuration suffix on both;
7146 that is, if you give any number of hosts but no targets, _GDBN__ will be
7147 configured for native debugging on each host. On the other hand,
7148 whenever you specify both hosts and targets on the same command line,
7149 @code{configure} creates all combinations of the hosts and targets you
7152 If you run @code{configure} from a directory (notably,
7153 @file{gdb-_GDB_VN__}) that contains source directories for multiple
7154 libraries or programs, @code{configure} creates the
7155 @file{H-@var{host}/T-@var{target}} subdirectories in each library or
7156 program's source directory. For example, typing:
7159 configure sun4 +target=vxworks960
7162 creates the following directories:
7164 gdb-_GDB_VN__/H-sun4/T-vxworks960
7165 gdb-_GDB_VN__/bfd/H-sun4/T-vxworks960
7166 gdb-_GDB_VN__/gdb/H-sun4/T-vxworks960
7167 gdb-_GDB_VN__/libiberty/H-sun4/T-vxworks960
7168 gdb-_GDB_VN__/readline/H-sun4/T-vxworks960
7171 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run it
7172 in a configured directory. If you made a single configuration,
7173 without subdirectories, run @code{make} in the source directory.
7174 If you have @file{H-@var{host}/T-@var{target}} subdirectories,
7175 run @code{make} in those subdirectories.
7177 The @code{Makefile} generated by @code{configure} for each source
7178 directory runs recursively, so that typing @code{make} in
7179 @file{gdb-_GDB_VN__} (or in a
7180 @file{gdb-_GDB_VN__/H-@var{host}/T-@var{target}} subdirectory) builds
7181 all the required libraries, then _GDBN__.@refill
7183 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured, you can run
7184 @code{make} on them in parallel (for example, if they are NFS-mounted on
7185 each of the hosts); they will not interfere with each other.
7187 You can also use the @samp{+objdir=@var{altroot}} option to have the
7188 configured files placed in a parallel directory structure rather than
7189 alongside the source files; @pxref{configure Options}.
7191 @node Config Names, configure Options, Subdirectories, Installing _GDBN__
7192 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
7194 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @code{configure}
7195 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
7196 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
7197 of information in the following pattern:
7199 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
7202 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument
7203 or in a @code{+target=@var{target}} option, but the equivalent full name
7204 is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
7206 The following table shows all the architectures, hosts, and OS prefixes
7207 that @code{configure} recognizes in _GDBN__ _GDB_VN__. Entries in the ``OS
7208 prefix'' column ending in a @samp{*} may be followed by a release number.
7213 ARCHITECTURE VENDOR OS prefix
7214 ------------+------------+-------------
7217 a29k | amd | amigados
7218 alliant | amdahl | aout
7223 h8300 | bout | dgux*
7224 i386 | bull | dynix*
7227 m68000 | convergent | hds
7228 m68k | convex | hpux*
7231 ns32k | encore | kern
7232 pyramid | gould | mach*
7233 romp | hitachi | msdos*
7234 rs6000 | hp | newsos*
7235 sparc | ibm | nindy*
7236 tahoe | intel | osf*
7238 vax | little | sunos*
7240 ymp | motorola | sym*
7255 @emph{Warning:} Many combinations of architecture, vendor, and OS are
7259 @c FIXME: this table is probably screwed in @smallbook. Try setting
7260 @c FIXME...smallbook fonts?
7263 \advance\baselineskip -1pt
7264 % TERRIBLE KLUGE ABOVE makes table fit on one page (large format, prob
7265 % not smallbook). FIXME Reformat table for next time!!
7266 \vskip \baselineskip
7267 \halign{\hskip\parindent\tt #\hfil &\qquad#&\tt #\hfil &\qquad#&\tt
7268 #\hfil &\qquad\qquad\it #\hfil\cr
7269 {\bf Architecture} &&{\bf Vendor} &&{\bf OS prefix}\cr
7270 \multispan5\hrulefill\cr
7271 580 && altos && aix* \cr
7272 a29k && amd && amigados \cr
7273 alliant && amdahl && aout \cr
7274 arm && aout && bout \cr
7275 c1 && apollo && bsd* \cr
7276 c2 && att && coff \cr
7277 cray2 && bcs && ctix* \cr
7278 h8300 && bout && dgux* \cr
7279 i386 && bull && dynix* \cr
7280 i860 && cbm && ebmon &Warning: \cr
7281 i960 && coff && esix* &Many combinations \cr
7282 m68000 && convergent && hds &of architecture, vendor \cr
7283 m68k && convex && hpux* &and OS are untested. \cr
7284 m88k && cray && irix* \cr
7285 mips && dec && isc* \cr
7286 ns32k && encore && kern \cr
7287 pyramid && gould && mach* \cr
7288 romp && hitachi && msdos* \cr
7289 rs6000 && hp && newsos* \cr
7290 sparc && ibm && nindy* \cr
7291 tahoe && intel && osf* \cr
7292 tron && isi && sco* \cr
7293 vax && little && sunos* \cr
7294 xmp && mips && svr4 \cr
7295 ymp && motorola && sym* \cr
7297 && next && ultrix* \cr
7298 && nyu && unicos* \cr
7300 && sequent && uts \cr
7303 && sun && vxworks* \cr
7310 The @code{configure} script accompanying _GDBN__ _GDB_VN__ does not provide
7311 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
7312 aliases. @code{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
7313 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
7314 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
7315 abbreviations---for example:
7317 % sh config.sub sun4
7319 % sh config.sub sun3
7321 % sh config.sub decstation
7323 % sh config.sub hp300bsd
7325 % sh config.sub i386v
7327 % sh config.sub i486v
7328 *** Configuration "i486v" not recognized
7331 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the directory @file{gdb-_GDB_VN__}.
7333 @node configure Options, Formatting Documentation, Config Names, Installing _GDBN__
7334 @section @code{configure} Options
7336 Here is a summary of all the @code{configure} options and arguments that
7337 you might use for building _GDBN__:
7340 configure @r{[}+destdir=@var{dir}@r{]} @r{[}+subdirs@r{]}
7341 @r{[}+objdir=@var{altroot}@r{]} @r{[}+norecursion@r{]} @r{[}+rm@r{]}
7342 @r{[}+target=@var{target}@dots{}@r{]} @var{host}@dots{}
7345 You may introduce options with the character @samp{-} rather than
7346 @samp{+} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
7350 @item +destdir=@var{dir}
7351 @var{dir} is an installation directory @emph{path prefix}. After you
7352 configure with this option, @code{make install} will install _GDBN__ as
7353 @file{@var{dir}/bin/_GDBP__}, and the libraries in @file{@var{dir}/lib}.
7354 If you specify @samp{+destdir=/usr/local}, for example, @code{make
7355 install} creates @file{/usr/local/bin/gdb}.@refill
7358 Write configuration specific files in subdirectories of the form
7360 H-@var{host}/T-@var{target}
7363 (and configure the @code{Makefile} to generate object code in
7364 subdirectories of this form as well). Without this option, if you
7365 specify only one configuration for _GDBN__, @code{configure} will use
7366 the same directory for source, configured files, and binaries. This
7367 option is used automatically if you specify more than one @var{host} or
7368 more than one @samp{+target=@var{target}} option on the @code{configure}
7372 Configure only the directory where @code{configure} is executed; do not
7373 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
7375 @item +objdir=@var{altroot}
7376 @var{altroot} is an alternative directory used as the root for
7377 configured files. @code{configure} will create directories under
7378 @var{altroot} in parallel to the source directories. If you use
7379 @samp{+objdir=@var{altroot}} with @samp{+subdirs}, @code{configure} also
7380 builds the @samp{H-@var{host}/T-@var{target}} subdirectories in the
7381 directory tree rooted in @var{altroot}.
7385 Remove the configuration that the other arguments specify.
7387 @c This doesn't work (yet if ever). FIXME.
7388 @c @item +parse=@var{lang} @dots{}
7389 @c Configure the _GDBN__ expression parser to parse the listed languages.
7390 @c @samp{all} configures _GDBN__ for all supported languages. To get a
7391 @c list of all supported languages, omit the argument. Without this
7392 @c option, _GDBN__ is configured to parse all supported languages.
7394 @item +target=@var{target} @dots{}
7395 Configure _GDBN__ for cross-debugging programs running on each specified
7396 @var{target}. You may specify as many @samp{+target} options as you
7397 wish. Without this option, _GDBN__ is configured to debug programs that
7398 run on the same machine (@var{host}) as _GDBN__ itself.
7400 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
7402 @item @var{host} @dots{}
7403 Configure _GDBN__ to run on each specified @var{host}. You may specify as
7404 many host names as you wish.
7406 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
7410 @code{configure} accepts other options, for compatibility with
7411 configuring other GNU tools recursively; but these are the only
7412 options that affect _GDBN__ or its supporting libraries.
7414 @node Formatting Documentation, , configure Options, Installing _GDBN__
7415 @section Formatting the Documentation
7417 @cindex _GDBN__ reference card
7418 @cindex reference card
7419 The _GDBN__ _GDB_VN__ release includes an already-formatted reference card,
7420 ready for printing on a PostScript printer, as @file{gdb-_GDB_VN__/gdb/refcard.ps}.
7421 It uses the most common PostScript fonts: the Times family, Courier, and
7422 Symbol. If you have a PostScript printer, you can print the reference
7423 card by just sending @file{refcard.ps} to the printer.
7425 The release also includes the online Info version of this manual already
7426 formatted: the main Info file is @file{gdb-_GDB_VN__/gdb/gdb.info}, and it
7427 refers to subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same
7430 If you want to make these Info files yourself from the _GDBN__ manual's
7431 source, you need the GNU @code{makeinfo} program. Once you have it, you
7434 cd gdb-_GDB_VN__/gdb
7438 to make the Info file.
7440 If you want to format and print copies of the manual, you need several
7444 @TeX{}, the public domain typesetting program written by Donald Knuth,
7445 must be installed on your system and available through your execution
7448 @file{gdb-_GDB_VN__/texinfo}: @TeX{} macros defining the GNU
7449 Documentation Format.
7451 @emph{A @sc{dvi} output program.} @TeX{} doesn't actually make marks on
7452 paper; it produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. If your system
7453 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has a program for printing out
7454 these files; one popular example is @code{dvips}, which can print
7455 @sc{dvi} files on PostScript printers.
7458 Once you have these things, you can type
7460 cd gdb-_GDB_VN__/gdb
7464 to format the text of this manual, and print it with the usual output
7465 method for @TeX{} @sc{dvi} files at your site.
7467 If you want to print the reference card, but don't have a PostScript
7468 printer, or you want to use Computer Modern fonts instead,
7469 you can still print it if you have @TeX{}. Format the reference card by typing
7471 cd gdb-_GDB_VN__/gdb
7476 The _GDBN__ reference card is designed to print in landscape mode on US
7477 ``letter'' size paper; that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
7478 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
7479 your @sc{dvi} output program.
7482 @node Copying, Index, Installing _GDBN__, Top
7483 @unnumbered GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE
7484 @center Version 2, June 1991
7487 Copyright @copyright{} 1989, 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
7488 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
7490 Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies
7491 of this license document, but changing it is not allowed.
7494 @unnumberedsec Preamble
7496 The licenses for most software are designed to take away your
7497 freedom to share and change it. By contrast, the GNU General Public
7498 License is intended to guarantee your freedom to share and change free
7499 software---to make sure the software is free for all its users. This
7500 General Public License applies to most of the Free Software
7501 Foundation's software and to any other program whose authors commit to
7502 using it. (Some other Free Software Foundation software is covered by
7503 the GNU Library General Public License instead.) You can apply it to
7506 When we speak of free software, we are referring to freedom, not
7507 price. Our General Public Licenses are designed to make sure that you
7508 have the freedom to distribute copies of free software (and charge for
7509 this service if you wish), that you receive source code or can get it
7510 if you want it, that you can change the software or use pieces of it
7511 in new free programs; and that you know you can do these things.
7513 To protect your rights, we need to make restrictions that forbid
7514 anyone to deny you these rights or to ask you to surrender the rights.
7515 These restrictions translate to certain responsibilities for you if you
7516 distribute copies of the software, or if you modify it.
7518 For example, if you distribute copies of such a program, whether
7519 gratis or for a fee, you must give the recipients all the rights that
7520 you have. You must make sure that they, too, receive or can get the
7521 source code. And you must show them these terms so they know their
7524 We protect your rights with two steps: (1) copyright the software, and
7525 (2) offer you this license which gives you legal permission to copy,
7526 distribute and/or modify the software.
7528 Also, for each author's protection and ours, we want to make certain
7529 that everyone understands that there is no warranty for this free
7530 software. If the software is modified by someone else and passed on, we
7531 want its recipients to know that what they have is not the original, so
7532 that any problems introduced by others will not reflect on the original
7533 authors' reputations.
7535 Finally, any free program is threatened constantly by software
7536 patents. We wish to avoid the danger that redistributors of a free
7537 program will individually obtain patent licenses, in effect making the
7538 program proprietary. To prevent this, we have made it clear that any
7539 patent must be licensed for everyone's free use or not licensed at all.
7541 The precise terms and conditions for copying, distribution and
7542 modification follow.
7545 @unnumberedsec TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR COPYING, DISTRIBUTION AND MODIFICATION
7548 @center TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR COPYING, DISTRIBUTION AND MODIFICATION
7553 This License applies to any program or other work which contains
7554 a notice placed by the copyright holder saying it may be distributed
7555 under the terms of this General Public License. The ``Program'', below,
7556 refers to any such program or work, and a ``work based on the Program''
7557 means either the Program or any derivative work under copyright law:
7558 that is to say, a work containing the Program or a portion of it,
7559 either verbatim or with modifications and/or translated into another
7560 language. (Hereinafter, translation is included without limitation in
7561 the term ``modification''.) Each licensee is addressed as ``you''.
7563 Activities other than copying, distribution and modification are not
7564 covered by this License; they are outside its scope. The act of
7565 running the Program is not restricted, and the output from the Program
7566 is covered only if its contents constitute a work based on the
7567 Program (independent of having been made by running the Program).
7568 Whether that is true depends on what the Program does.
7571 You may copy and distribute verbatim copies of the Program's
7572 source code as you receive it, in any medium, provided that you
7573 conspicuously and appropriately publish on each copy an appropriate
7574 copyright notice and disclaimer of warranty; keep intact all the
7575 notices that refer to this License and to the absence of any warranty;
7576 and give any other recipients of the Program a copy of this License
7577 along with the Program.
7579 You may charge a fee for the physical act of transferring a copy, and
7580 you may at your option offer warranty protection in exchange for a fee.
7583 You may modify your copy or copies of the Program or any portion
7584 of it, thus forming a work based on the Program, and copy and
7585 distribute such modifications or work under the terms of Section 1
7586 above, provided that you also meet all of these conditions:
7590 You must cause the modified files to carry prominent notices
7591 stating that you changed the files and the date of any change.
7594 You must cause any work that you distribute or publish, that in
7595 whole or in part contains or is derived from the Program or any
7596 part thereof, to be licensed as a whole at no charge to all third
7597 parties under the terms of this License.
7600 If the modified program normally reads commands interactively
7601 when run, you must cause it, when started running for such
7602 interactive use in the most ordinary way, to print or display an
7603 announcement including an appropriate copyright notice and a
7604 notice that there is no warranty (or else, saying that you provide
7605 a warranty) and that users may redistribute the program under
7606 these conditions, and telling the user how to view a copy of this
7607 License. (Exception: if the Program itself is interactive but
7608 does not normally print such an announcement, your work based on
7609 the Program is not required to print an announcement.)
7612 These requirements apply to the modified work as a whole. If
7613 identifiable sections of that work are not derived from the Program,
7614 and can be reasonably considered independent and separate works in
7615 themselves, then this License, and its terms, do not apply to those
7616 sections when you distribute them as separate works. But when you
7617 distribute the same sections as part of a whole which is a work based
7618 on the Program, the distribution of the whole must be on the terms of
7619 this License, whose permissions for other licensees extend to the
7620 entire whole, and thus to each and every part regardless of who wrote it.
7622 Thus, it is not the intent of this section to claim rights or contest
7623 your rights to work written entirely by you; rather, the intent is to
7624 exercise the right to control the distribution of derivative or
7625 collective works based on the Program.
7627 In addition, mere aggregation of another work not based on the Program
7628 with the Program (or with a work based on the Program) on a volume of
7629 a storage or distribution medium does not bring the other work under
7630 the scope of this License.
7633 You may copy and distribute the Program (or a work based on it,
7634 under Section 2) in object code or executable form under the terms of
7635 Sections 1 and 2 above provided that you also do one of the following:
7639 Accompany it with the complete corresponding machine-readable
7640 source code, which must be distributed under the terms of Sections
7641 1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; or,
7644 Accompany it with a written offer, valid for at least three
7645 years, to give any third party, for a charge no more than your
7646 cost of physically performing source distribution, a complete
7647 machine-readable copy of the corresponding source code, to be
7648 distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a medium
7649 customarily used for software interchange; or,
7652 Accompany it with the information you received as to the offer
7653 to distribute corresponding source code. (This alternative is
7654 allowed only for noncommercial distribution and only if you
7655 received the program in object code or executable form with such
7656 an offer, in accord with Subsection b above.)
7659 The source code for a work means the preferred form of the work for
7660 making modifications to it. For an executable work, complete source
7661 code means all the source code for all modules it contains, plus any
7662 associated interface definition files, plus the scripts used to
7663 control compilation and installation of the executable. However, as a
7664 special exception, the source code distributed need not include
7665 anything that is normally distributed (in either source or binary
7666 form) with the major components (compiler, kernel, and so on) of the
7667 operating system on which the executable runs, unless that component
7668 itself accompanies the executable.
7670 If distribution of executable or object code is made by offering
7671 access to copy from a designated place, then offering equivalent
7672 access to copy the source code from the same place counts as
7673 distribution of the source code, even though third parties are not
7674 compelled to copy the source along with the object code.
7677 You may not copy, modify, sublicense, or distribute the Program
7678 except as expressly provided under this License. Any attempt
7679 otherwise to copy, modify, sublicense or distribute the Program is
7680 void, and will automatically terminate your rights under this License.
7681 However, parties who have received copies, or rights, from you under
7682 this License will not have their licenses terminated so long as such
7683 parties remain in full compliance.
7686 You are not required to accept this License, since you have not
7687 signed it. However, nothing else grants you permission to modify or
7688 distribute the Program or its derivative works. These actions are
7689 prohibited by law if you do not accept this License. Therefore, by
7690 modifying or distributing the Program (or any work based on the
7691 Program), you indicate your acceptance of this License to do so, and
7692 all its terms and conditions for copying, distributing or modifying
7693 the Program or works based on it.
7696 Each time you redistribute the Program (or any work based on the
7697 Program), the recipient automatically receives a license from the
7698 original licensor to copy, distribute or modify the Program subject to
7699 these terms and conditions. You may not impose any further
7700 restrictions on the recipients' exercise of the rights granted herein.
7701 You are not responsible for enforcing compliance by third parties to
7705 If, as a consequence of a court judgment or allegation of patent
7706 infringement or for any other reason (not limited to patent issues),
7707 conditions are imposed on you (whether by court order, agreement or
7708 otherwise) that contradict the conditions of this License, they do not
7709 excuse you from the conditions of this License. If you cannot
7710 distribute so as to satisfy simultaneously your obligations under this
7711 License and any other pertinent obligations, then as a consequence you
7712 may not distribute the Program at all. For example, if a patent
7713 license would not permit royalty-free redistribution of the Program by
7714 all those who receive copies directly or indirectly through you, then
7715 the only way you could satisfy both it and this License would be to
7716 refrain entirely from distribution of the Program.
7718 If any portion of this section is held invalid or unenforceable under
7719 any particular circumstance, the balance of the section is intended to
7720 apply and the section as a whole is intended to apply in other
7723 It is not the purpose of this section to induce you to infringe any
7724 patents or other property right claims or to contest validity of any
7725 such claims; this section has the sole purpose of protecting the
7726 integrity of the free software distribution system, which is
7727 implemented by public license practices. Many people have made
7728 generous contributions to the wide range of software distributed
7729 through that system in reliance on consistent application of that
7730 system; it is up to the author/donor to decide if he or she is willing
7731 to distribute software through any other system and a licensee cannot
7734 This section is intended to make thoroughly clear what is believed to
7735 be a consequence of the rest of this License.
7738 If the distribution and/or use of the Program is restricted in
7739 certain countries either by patents or by copyrighted interfaces, the
7740 original copyright holder who places the Program under this License
7741 may add an explicit geographical distribution limitation excluding
7742 those countries, so that distribution is permitted only in or among
7743 countries not thus excluded. In such case, this License incorporates
7744 the limitation as if written in the body of this License.
7747 The Free Software Foundation may publish revised and/or new versions
7748 of the General Public License from time to time. Such new versions will
7749 be similar in spirit to the present version, but may differ in detail to
7750 address new problems or concerns.
7752 Each version is given a distinguishing version number. If the Program
7753 specifies a version number of this License which applies to it and ``any
7754 later version'', you have the option of following the terms and conditions
7755 either of that version or of any later version published by the Free
7756 Software Foundation. If the Program does not specify a version number of
7757 this License, you may choose any version ever published by the Free Software
7761 If you wish to incorporate parts of the Program into other free
7762 programs whose distribution conditions are different, write to the author
7763 to ask for permission. For software which is copyrighted by the Free
7764 Software Foundation, write to the Free Software Foundation; we sometimes
7765 make exceptions for this. Our decision will be guided by the two goals
7766 of preserving the free status of all derivatives of our free software and
7767 of promoting the sharing and reuse of software generally.
7770 @heading NO WARRANTY
7777 BECAUSE THE PROGRAM IS LICENSED FREE OF CHARGE, THERE IS NO WARRANTY
7778 FOR THE PROGRAM, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. EXCEPT WHEN
7779 OTHERWISE STATED IN WRITING THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND/OR OTHER PARTIES
7780 PROVIDE THE PROGRAM ``AS IS'' WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED
7781 OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
7782 MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE ENTIRE RISK AS
7783 TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE PROGRAM IS WITH YOU. SHOULD THE
7784 PROGRAM PROVE DEFECTIVE, YOU ASSUME THE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING,
7785 REPAIR OR CORRECTION.
7788 IN NO EVENT UNLESS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR AGREED TO IN WRITING
7789 WILL ANY COPYRIGHT HOLDER, OR ANY OTHER PARTY WHO MAY MODIFY AND/OR
7790 REDISTRIBUTE THE PROGRAM AS PERMITTED ABOVE, BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR DAMAGES,
7791 INCLUDING ANY GENERAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING
7792 OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PROGRAM (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
7793 TO LOSS OF DATA OR DATA BEING RENDERED INACCURATE OR LOSSES SUSTAINED BY
7794 YOU OR THIRD PARTIES OR A FAILURE OF THE PROGRAM TO OPERATE WITH ANY OTHER
7795 PROGRAMS), EVEN IF SUCH HOLDER OR OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
7796 POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
7800 @heading END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS
7803 @center END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS
7807 @unnumberedsec Applying These Terms to Your New Programs
7809 If you develop a new program, and you want it to be of the greatest
7810 possible use to the public, the best way to achieve this is to make it
7811 free software which everyone can redistribute and change under these terms.
7813 To do so, attach the following notices to the program. It is safest
7814 to attach them to the start of each source file to most effectively
7815 convey the exclusion of warranty; and each file should have at least
7816 the ``copyright'' line and a pointer to where the full notice is found.
7819 @var{one line to give the program's name and a brief idea of what it does.}
7820 Copyright (C) 19@var{yy} @var{name of author}
7822 This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
7823 it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
7824 the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
7825 (at your option) any later version.
7827 This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
7828 but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
7829 MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
7830 GNU General Public License for more details.
7832 You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
7833 along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
7834 Foundation, Inc., 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
7837 Also add information on how to contact you by electronic and paper mail.
7839 If the program is interactive, make it output a short notice like this
7840 when it starts in an interactive mode:
7843 Gnomovision version 69, Copyright (C) 19@var{yy} @var{name of author}
7844 Gnomovision comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY; for details type `show w'.
7845 This is free software, and you are welcome to redistribute it
7846 under certain conditions; type `show c' for details.
7849 The hypothetical commands @samp{show w} and @samp{show c} should show
7850 the appropriate parts of the General Public License. Of course, the
7851 commands you use may be called something other than @samp{show w} and
7852 @samp{show c}; they could even be mouse-clicks or menu items---whatever
7855 You should also get your employer (if you work as a programmer) or your
7856 school, if any, to sign a ``copyright disclaimer'' for the program, if
7857 necessary. Here is a sample; alter the names:
7860 Yoyodyne, Inc., hereby disclaims all copyright interest in the program
7861 `Gnomovision' (which makes passes at compilers) written by James Hacker.
7863 @var{signature of Ty Coon}, 1 April 1989
7864 Ty Coon, President of Vice
7867 This General Public License does not permit incorporating your program into
7868 proprietary programs. If your program is a subroutine library, you may
7869 consider it more useful to permit linking proprietary applications with the
7870 library. If this is what you want to do, use the GNU Library General
7871 Public License instead of this License.
7874 @node Index, , Copying, Top
7880 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
7882 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
7883 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
7884 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
7885 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
7886 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
7887 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/} and}
7888 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
7889 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}