1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988-1996, 1998-2012 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
6 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
11 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
12 @setchapternewpage odd
21 @c To avoid file-name clashes between index.html and Index.html, when
22 @c the manual is produced on a Posix host and then moved to a
23 @c case-insensitive filesystem (e.g., MS-Windows), we separate the
24 @c indices into two: Concept Index and all the rest.
28 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
29 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
33 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
34 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
37 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
40 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
42 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
43 @c manuals to an info tree.
44 @dircategory Software development
46 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
50 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
51 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
53 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
55 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
56 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
57 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
58 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
59 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
60 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
62 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
63 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
64 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
68 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
70 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
71 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
72 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
73 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
75 Version @value{GDBVN}.
81 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
82 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
84 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
85 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
87 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
89 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
93 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
94 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
95 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
99 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
100 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
101 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
102 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
103 ISBN 978-0-9831592-3-0 @*
110 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
112 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
114 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
116 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
117 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
118 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
120 Version @value{GDBVN}.
122 Copyright (C) 1988-2012 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
124 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
125 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
126 software in general. We will miss him.
129 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
130 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
132 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
133 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
134 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
135 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
136 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
137 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
138 * Stack:: Examining the stack
139 * Source:: Examining source files
140 * Data:: Examining data
141 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
142 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
143 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
144 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
146 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
148 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
149 * Altering:: Altering execution
150 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
151 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
152 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
153 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
154 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
155 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
156 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
157 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
158 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
159 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
160 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
161 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
162 * In-Process Agent:: In-Process Agent
164 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
166 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
167 * Command Line Editing: (rluserman). Command Line Editing
168 * Using History Interactively: (history). Using History Interactively
170 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
171 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
172 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
174 * In Memoriam:: In Memoriam
175 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
176 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
177 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
178 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
179 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
180 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
182 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
184 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
185 * Index Section Format:: .gdb_index section format
186 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
187 how you can copy and share GDB
188 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
189 * Concept Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} concepts
190 * Command and Variable Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} commands, variables,
191 functions, and Python data types
199 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
201 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
202 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
203 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
205 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
206 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
210 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
213 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
216 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
219 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
220 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
223 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
224 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
225 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
227 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
231 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
232 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
234 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
235 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
238 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
239 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
240 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
244 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
245 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
248 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
249 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
252 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
253 * Free Documentation:: Free Software Needs Free Documentation
254 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
258 @unnumberedsec Free Software
260 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
261 General Public License
262 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
263 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
264 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
265 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
266 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
267 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
269 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
270 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
273 @node Free Documentation
274 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
276 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
277 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
278 include with the free software. Many of our most important
279 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
280 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
281 when an important free software package does not come with a free
282 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
285 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
286 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
287 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
288 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
289 them from the free software world.
291 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
292 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
293 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
294 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
295 contract to make it non-free.
297 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
298 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
299 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
300 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
301 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
302 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
303 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
305 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
306 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
307 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
308 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
310 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
311 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
312 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
313 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
314 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
315 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
318 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
319 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
320 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
321 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
322 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
323 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
324 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
325 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
328 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
329 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
330 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
331 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
332 manual to replace it.
334 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
335 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
336 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
337 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
338 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
339 the free software community.
341 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
342 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
343 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
344 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
345 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
346 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
347 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
348 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
349 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
351 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
352 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
353 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
354 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
355 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
356 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
357 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
358 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
360 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
361 published by other publishers, at
362 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
365 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
367 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
368 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
369 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
370 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
371 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
372 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
373 blow-by-blow account.
375 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
378 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
379 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
380 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
383 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
384 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
386 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
387 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
388 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
389 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
390 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
391 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
392 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
393 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
394 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
396 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
397 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
399 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
400 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
401 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
402 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
403 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
405 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
406 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
407 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
409 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
410 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
412 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
414 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
415 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
417 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
418 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
419 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
420 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
421 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
422 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
423 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
424 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
425 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
426 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
427 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
428 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
429 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
430 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
431 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
432 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
434 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
436 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
439 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
440 about several machine instruction sets.
442 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
443 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
444 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
445 and RDI targets, respectively.
447 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
448 command-line editing and command history.
450 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
451 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
453 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
454 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
457 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
458 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
460 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
462 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
465 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
467 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
469 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
471 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
474 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
476 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
478 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
479 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
481 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
482 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
483 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
484 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
485 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
486 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
487 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
489 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
490 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
492 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
493 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
494 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
495 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
496 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
497 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
498 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
499 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
500 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
501 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
502 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
503 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
504 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
505 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
506 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
508 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
509 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
511 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
514 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
515 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
516 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
517 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
518 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
519 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
521 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
522 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
523 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
524 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
525 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
526 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
527 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
528 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
529 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
530 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
531 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
534 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
535 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
536 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
537 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
539 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
540 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
543 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
545 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
546 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
547 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
550 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
551 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
554 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
555 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
557 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
558 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
559 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
560 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
561 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
562 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
563 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
564 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
565 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
574 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
578 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
580 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
583 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
587 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
590 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
591 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
592 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
593 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
594 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
596 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
599 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
604 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
605 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
606 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
607 that examples fit in this manual.
610 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
614 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
615 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
616 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
617 @code{break} command.
620 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
621 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
625 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
626 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
627 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
630 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
631 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
639 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
640 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
641 context where it stops.
644 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
646 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
648 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
652 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
653 the next line of the current function.
657 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
662 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
663 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
664 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
665 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
669 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
671 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
675 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
676 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
677 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
678 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
679 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
680 stack frame for each active subroutine.
683 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
684 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
686 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
688 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
689 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
691 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
692 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
696 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
697 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
698 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
702 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
704 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
705 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
707 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
710 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
714 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
715 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
716 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
717 (@code{print}) to see their values.
720 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
721 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
722 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
723 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
727 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
728 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
729 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
735 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
737 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
740 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
741 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
748 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
749 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
753 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
756 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
758 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
763 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
764 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
765 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
766 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
767 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
771 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
773 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
778 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
779 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
780 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
781 example that caused trouble initially:
787 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
794 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
795 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
796 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
800 Program exited normally.
804 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
805 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
806 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
809 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
813 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
815 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
819 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
821 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
825 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
826 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
827 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
828 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
832 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
834 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
835 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
837 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
838 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
840 The command-line options described here are designed
841 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
842 options may effectively be unavailable.
844 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
845 specifying an executable program:
848 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
852 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
856 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
859 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
860 to debug a running process:
863 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
867 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
868 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
870 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
871 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
872 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
873 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
874 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
876 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
877 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
880 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
882 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
883 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
885 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
886 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
893 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
894 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
904 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
905 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
907 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
908 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
909 @samp{-x} option is used.
913 * File Options:: Choosing files
914 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
915 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
919 @subsection Choosing Files
921 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
922 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
923 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
924 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
925 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
926 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
927 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
928 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
929 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
930 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
931 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
932 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
933 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
935 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
936 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
937 argument and ignore it.
939 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
940 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
941 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
942 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
943 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
945 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
946 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
950 @item -symbols @var{file}
952 @cindex @code{--symbols}
954 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
956 @item -exec @var{file}
958 @cindex @code{--exec}
960 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
961 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
965 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
968 @item -core @var{file}
970 @cindex @code{--core}
972 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
974 @item -pid @var{number}
975 @itemx -p @var{number}
978 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
980 @item -command @var{file}
982 @cindex @code{--command}
984 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
985 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
986 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
988 @item -eval-command @var{command}
989 @itemx -ex @var{command}
990 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
992 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
994 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
995 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
998 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
999 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
1002 @item -init-command @var{file}
1003 @itemx -ix @var{file}
1004 @cindex @code{--init-command}
1006 Execute commands from file @var{file} before loading the inferior (but
1007 after loading gdbinit files).
1010 @item -init-eval-command @var{command}
1011 @itemx -iex @var{command}
1012 @cindex @code{--init-eval-command}
1014 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command before loading the inferior (but
1015 after loading gdbinit files).
1018 @item -directory @var{directory}
1019 @itemx -d @var{directory}
1020 @cindex @code{--directory}
1022 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
1026 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1028 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1029 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1030 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1035 @subsection Choosing Modes
1037 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1038 batch mode or quiet mode.
1046 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1047 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1048 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1054 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1055 @cindex @code{--silent}
1057 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1058 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1061 @cindex @code{--batch}
1062 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1063 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1064 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1065 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1066 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1067 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1068 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1070 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1071 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1072 make this more useful, the message
1075 Program exited normally.
1079 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1080 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1084 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1085 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1086 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1087 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1088 for an interactive session.
1090 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1091 messages, for example.
1093 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1094 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1096 @item -return-child-result
1097 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1098 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1099 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1103 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1104 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1105 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1107 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1109 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1110 the exit code will be -1.
1113 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1114 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1119 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1121 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1122 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1123 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1127 @cindex @code{--windows}
1129 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1132 @item -cd @var{directory}
1134 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1135 instead of the current directory.
1137 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1138 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1139 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1140 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1141 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1145 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1147 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1148 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1149 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1150 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1151 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1152 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1153 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1154 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1158 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1159 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1160 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1161 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1164 @item -annotate @var{level}
1165 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1166 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1167 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1168 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1169 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1170 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1171 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1172 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1173 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1175 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1179 @cindex @code{--args}
1180 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1181 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1182 This option stops option processing.
1184 @item -baud @var{bps}
1186 @cindex @code{--baud}
1188 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1189 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1191 @item -l @var{timeout}
1193 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1194 for remote debugging.
1196 @item -tty @var{device}
1197 @itemx -t @var{device}
1198 @cindex @code{--tty}
1200 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1201 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1203 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1205 @cindex @code{--tui}
1206 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1207 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1208 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1209 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Do not use this
1210 option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,
1211 Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1214 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1215 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1216 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1217 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1220 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1221 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1222 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1223 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1224 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1225 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1227 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1228 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1229 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1230 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1231 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1232 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1235 @cindex @code{--write}
1236 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1237 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1241 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1242 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1243 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1246 @cindex @code{--version}
1247 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1248 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1253 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1254 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1256 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1260 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1261 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1265 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1266 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1267 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1270 @anchor{Home Directory Init File}
1272 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1273 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1274 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1277 @anchor{Option -init-eval-command}
1279 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-iex} and
1280 @samp{-ix} options in their specified order. Usually you should use the
1281 @samp{-ex} and @samp{-x} options instead, but this way you can apply
1282 settings before @value{GDBN} init files get executed and before inferior
1286 Processes command line options and operands.
1288 @anchor{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}
1290 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1291 working directory as long as @samp{set auto-load local-gdbinit} is set to
1292 @samp{on} (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory}).
1293 This is only done if the current directory is
1294 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1295 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1296 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1300 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1301 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1302 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1303 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1305 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1306 you must do something like the following:
1309 $ gdb -iex "set auto-load python-scripts off" myprogram
1312 Option @samp{-ex} does not work because the auto-loading is then turned
1316 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-ex} and
1317 @samp{-x} options in their specified order. @xref{Command Files}, for
1318 more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1321 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1322 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1323 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1326 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1327 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1328 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1329 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1330 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1331 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1333 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1334 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1336 @cindex init file name
1337 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1338 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1339 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1340 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1341 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1342 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1343 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1344 the file to the standard name.
1348 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1349 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1350 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1353 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1354 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1355 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1357 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1358 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1359 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1360 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1365 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1366 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1367 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1368 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1369 until a time when it is safe.
1371 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1372 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1373 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1375 @node Shell Commands
1376 @section Shell Commands
1378 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1379 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1380 just use the @code{shell} command.
1385 @cindex shell escape
1386 @item shell @var{command-string}
1387 @itemx !@var{command-string}
1388 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command-string}.
1389 Note that no space is needed between @code{!} and @var{command-string}.
1390 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1391 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1392 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1395 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1396 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1401 @cindex calling make
1402 @item make @var{make-args}
1403 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1404 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1407 @node Logging Output
1408 @section Logging Output
1409 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1410 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1412 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1413 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1417 @item set logging on
1419 @item set logging off
1421 @cindex logging file name
1422 @item set logging file @var{file}
1423 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1424 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1425 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1426 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1427 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1428 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1429 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1430 @kindex show logging
1432 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1436 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1438 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1439 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1440 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1441 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1442 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1445 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1446 * Completion:: Command completion
1447 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1450 @node Command Syntax
1451 @section Command Syntax
1453 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1454 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1455 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1456 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1457 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1458 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1460 @cindex abbreviation
1461 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1462 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1463 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1464 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1465 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1466 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1467 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1469 @cindex repeating commands
1470 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1471 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1472 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1473 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1474 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1475 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1476 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1478 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1479 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1480 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1482 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1483 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1484 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1485 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1486 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1488 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1490 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1491 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1492 Files,,Command Files}).
1494 @cindex repeating command sequences
1495 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1496 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1497 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1498 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1502 @section Command Completion
1505 @cindex word completion
1506 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1507 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1508 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1509 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1511 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1512 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1513 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1514 enter it). For example, if you type
1516 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1517 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1518 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1519 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1521 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1525 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1526 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1529 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1533 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1534 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1535 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1536 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1537 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1538 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1540 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1541 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1542 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1543 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1544 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1545 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1546 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1547 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1551 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1552 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1553 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1554 make_abs_section make_function_type
1555 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1556 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1557 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1558 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1562 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1563 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1566 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1567 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1568 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1569 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1570 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1572 @cindex quotes in commands
1573 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1574 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1575 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1576 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1577 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1578 @value{GDBN} commands.
1580 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1581 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1582 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1583 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1584 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1585 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1586 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1587 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1588 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1589 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1590 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1593 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1594 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1595 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1598 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1599 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1600 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1604 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1605 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1606 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1610 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1611 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1612 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1614 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1615 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1616 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1617 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1619 @cindex completion of structure field names
1620 @cindex structure field name completion
1621 @cindex completion of union field names
1622 @cindex union field name completion
1623 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1624 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1625 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1626 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1627 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1631 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1632 magic to_fputs to_rewind
1633 to_data to_isatty to_write
1634 to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1639 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1640 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1647 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1648 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1649 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1650 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1651 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1652 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1653 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1654 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1655 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1662 @section Getting Help
1663 @cindex online documentation
1666 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1667 using the command @code{help}.
1670 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1673 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1674 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1678 List of classes of commands:
1680 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1681 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1682 data -- Examining data
1683 files -- Specifying and examining files
1684 internals -- Maintenance commands
1685 obscure -- Obscure features
1686 running -- Running the program
1687 stack -- Examining the stack
1688 status -- Status inquiries
1689 support -- Support facilities
1690 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1691 stopping the program
1692 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1694 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1695 commands in that class.
1696 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1698 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1701 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1703 @item help @var{class}
1704 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1705 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1706 help display for the class @code{status}:
1709 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1714 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1715 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1716 info -- Generic command for showing things
1717 about the program being debugged
1718 show -- Generic command for showing things
1721 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1723 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1727 @item help @var{command}
1728 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1729 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1732 @item apropos @var{args}
1733 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1734 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1735 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1746 alias -- Define a new command that is an alias of an existing command
1747 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1748 d -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1749 del -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1750 delete -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1755 @item complete @var{args}
1756 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1757 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1758 command you want completed. For example:
1764 @noindent results in:
1775 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1778 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1779 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1780 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1781 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1782 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Command, Variable, and
1783 Function Index point to all the sub-commands. @xref{Command and Variable
1789 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1791 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1792 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1793 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1794 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1795 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1796 @w{@code{help info}}.
1800 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1801 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1802 @code{set prompt $}.
1806 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1807 @value{GDBN} itself.
1808 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1809 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1810 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1811 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1814 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1815 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1816 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1817 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1818 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1819 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1823 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1824 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1827 @kindex show version
1828 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1830 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1831 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1832 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1833 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1834 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1835 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1836 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1837 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1840 @kindex show copying
1841 @kindex info copying
1842 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1845 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1847 @kindex show warranty
1848 @kindex info warranty
1850 @itemx info warranty
1851 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1852 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1857 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1859 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1860 debugging information when you compile it.
1862 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1863 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1864 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1865 kill a child process.
1868 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1869 * Starting:: Starting your program
1870 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1871 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1873 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1874 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1875 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1876 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1878 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1879 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1880 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1881 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1885 @section Compiling for Debugging
1887 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1888 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1889 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1890 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1891 and addresses in the executable code.
1893 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1896 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1897 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1898 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1899 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1900 executables containing debugging information.
1902 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1903 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1904 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1905 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1906 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1908 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1909 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1910 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1912 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1913 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1914 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1915 the @option{-g} flag alone. Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC},
1916 the @sc{gnu} C compiler, provides macro information if you are using
1917 the DWARF debugging format, and specify the option @option{-g3}.
1919 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
1920 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}, for more
1921 information on @value{NGCC} options affecting debug information.
1923 You will have the best debugging experience if you use the latest
1924 version of the DWARF debugging format that your compiler supports.
1925 DWARF is currently the most expressive and best supported debugging
1926 format in @value{GDBN}.
1930 @section Starting your Program
1936 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1939 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1940 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1941 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1942 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1943 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1947 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1948 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1949 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1950 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1951 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1952 message like this one:
1955 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1956 Try "help target" or "continue".
1960 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1961 first (@pxref{load}).
1963 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1964 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1965 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1966 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1967 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1968 divided into four categories:
1971 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1972 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1973 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1974 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1975 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1977 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1978 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1979 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1981 @item The @emph{environment.}
1982 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1983 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1984 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1985 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1987 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1988 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1989 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1990 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1992 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1993 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1994 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1995 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1996 set a different device for your program.
1997 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
2000 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
2001 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
2002 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
2006 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
2007 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
2008 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
2009 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
2010 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
2012 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
2013 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
2014 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
2015 your current breakpoints.
2020 @cindex run to main procedure
2021 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
2022 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
2023 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
2024 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
2025 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
2026 procedure, depending on the language used.
2028 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2029 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
2030 the @samp{run} command.
2032 @cindex elaboration phase
2033 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
2034 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
2035 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
2036 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
2037 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
2038 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
2039 will remain to halt execution.
2041 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
2042 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2043 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2044 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2045 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2047 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2048 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
2049 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
2050 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
2051 elaboration code before running your program.
2053 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2054 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2055 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2056 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2057 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2058 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2059 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2060 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2061 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2062 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2063 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2065 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2066 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2067 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2068 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2070 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2071 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2075 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2079 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2080 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2082 @kindex set disable-randomization
2083 @item set disable-randomization
2084 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2085 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2086 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2087 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2088 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2090 This feature is implemented only on certain targets, including @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2091 On @sc{gnu}/Linux you can get the same behavior using
2094 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2097 @item set disable-randomization off
2098 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2099 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2100 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2101 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2102 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2103 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2105 On targets where it is available, virtual address space randomization
2106 protects the programs against certain kinds of security attacks. In these
2107 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2108 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2109 a code at its expected addresses.
2111 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2112 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2113 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2114 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2115 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2116 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2117 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2118 a randomly chosen address.
2120 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2121 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2122 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2123 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2124 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2126 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2127 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2129 @item show disable-randomization
2130 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2131 the virtual address space of the started program.
2136 @section Your Program's Arguments
2138 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2139 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2141 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2142 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2143 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2144 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2145 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2147 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2148 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2149 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2150 the program, not by the shell.
2152 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2153 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2158 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2159 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2160 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2161 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2162 it again without arguments.
2166 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2170 @section Your Program's Environment
2172 @cindex environment (of your program)
2173 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2174 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2175 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2176 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2177 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2178 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2179 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2183 @item path @var{directory}
2184 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2185 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2186 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2187 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2188 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2189 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2190 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2192 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2193 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2194 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2195 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2196 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2197 @var{directory} to the search path.
2198 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2199 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2203 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2204 environment variable).
2206 @kindex show environment
2207 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2208 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2209 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2210 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2211 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2213 @kindex set environment
2214 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2215 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2216 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2217 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2218 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2219 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2221 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2222 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2224 For example, this command:
2231 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2232 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2233 are not actually required.)
2235 @kindex unset environment
2236 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2237 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2238 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2239 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2240 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2243 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2245 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2246 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2247 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2248 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2249 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2250 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2253 @node Working Directory
2254 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2256 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2257 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2258 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2259 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2260 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2261 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2263 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2264 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2269 @cindex change working directory
2270 @item cd @r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
2271 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}. If not
2272 given, @var{directory} uses @file{'~'}.
2276 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2279 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2280 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2281 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2282 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2283 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2284 current working directory of the debuggee.
2287 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2292 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2293 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2294 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2295 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2296 running your program.
2299 @kindex info terminal
2301 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2305 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2306 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2313 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2316 @cindex controlling terminal
2317 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2318 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2319 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2320 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2321 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2328 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2329 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2330 that as their controlling terminal.
2332 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2333 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2336 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2337 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2338 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2339 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2341 @cindex inferior tty
2342 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2343 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2344 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2348 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2349 @kindex set inferior-tty
2350 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2352 @item show inferior-tty
2353 @kindex show inferior-tty
2354 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2358 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2363 @item attach @var{process-id}
2364 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2365 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2366 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2367 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2368 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2370 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2371 executing the command.
2374 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2375 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2376 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2377 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2379 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2380 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2381 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2382 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2383 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2386 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2387 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2388 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2389 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2390 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2391 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2392 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2397 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2398 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2399 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2400 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2401 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2402 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2403 executing the command.
2406 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2407 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2408 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2409 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2410 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2414 @section Killing the Child Process
2419 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2422 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2423 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2426 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2427 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2428 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2429 outside the debugger.
2431 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2432 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2433 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2434 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2435 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2436 breakpoint settings).
2438 @node Inferiors and Programs
2439 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2441 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2442 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2443 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2444 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2445 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2446 from multiple executables.
2449 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2450 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2451 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2452 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2453 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2454 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2455 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2456 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2457 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2458 threads running in it.
2460 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2464 @kindex info inferiors
2465 @item info inferiors
2466 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2468 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2472 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2475 the target system's inferior identifier
2478 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2483 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2484 indicates the current inferior.
2488 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2491 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2492 Num Description Executable
2493 2 process 2307 hello
2494 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2497 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2500 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2501 @item inferior @var{infno}
2502 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2503 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2504 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2508 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2509 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2510 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2511 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2512 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2513 @w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2516 @kindex add-inferior
2517 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2518 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2519 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2520 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2521 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2522 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2524 @kindex clone-inferior
2525 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2526 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2527 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2528 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2529 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2532 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2533 Num Description Executable
2534 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2535 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2538 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2539 Num Description Executable
2541 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2544 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2546 @kindex remove-inferiors
2547 @item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2548 Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2549 possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2550 those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2554 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2555 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2556 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2557 using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2560 @kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2561 @item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2562 Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2563 inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2564 still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2565 but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2567 @kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2568 @item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2569 Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2570 number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2571 stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2572 Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2575 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2576 @code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2577 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2578 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2581 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2582 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2585 @kindex set print inferior-events
2586 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2587 @item set print inferior-events
2588 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2589 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2590 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2591 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2592 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2593 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2595 @kindex show print inferior-events
2596 @item show print inferior-events
2597 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2598 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2601 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2602 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2603 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2606 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2607 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2608 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2609 info program-spaces}} command.
2612 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2613 @item maint info program-spaces
2614 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2617 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2621 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2624 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2625 the @code{file} command.
2630 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2631 indicates the current program space.
2633 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2634 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2635 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2638 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2641 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2645 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2646 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2647 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2648 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2649 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2652 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2655 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2658 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2659 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2663 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2665 @cindex threads of execution
2666 @cindex multiple threads
2667 @cindex switching threads
2668 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2669 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2670 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2671 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2672 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2673 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2674 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2676 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2680 @item automatic notification of new threads
2681 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2682 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2683 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2684 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2685 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2686 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2687 messages on thread start and exit.
2688 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2689 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2690 isn't compatible with the program.
2694 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2695 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2696 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2697 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2698 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2702 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2703 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2704 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2705 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2707 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2708 @c doesn't support threads"?
2711 @cindex focus of debugging
2712 @cindex current thread
2713 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2714 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2715 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2716 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2717 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2719 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2720 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2721 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2722 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2723 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2724 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2725 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2726 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2727 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2728 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2731 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2735 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2736 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2739 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2740 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2741 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2743 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2744 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2745 @c threads ab initio?
2747 @cindex thread number
2748 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2749 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2750 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2753 @kindex info threads
2754 @item info threads @r{[}@var{id}@dots{}@r{]}
2755 Display a summary of all threads currently in your program. Optional
2756 argument @var{id}@dots{} is one or more thread ids separated by spaces, and
2757 means to print information only about the specified thread or threads.
2758 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2762 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2765 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2768 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
2769 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
2773 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2777 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2778 indicates the current thread.
2782 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2785 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2787 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2788 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2789 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2793 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2794 Solaris-specific command:
2797 @item maint info sol-threads
2798 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2799 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2800 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2804 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2805 @item thread @var{threadno}
2806 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2807 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2808 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2809 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2810 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2813 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2814 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
2815 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
2816 8 printf ("hello\n");
2820 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2821 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2824 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2825 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2826 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2827 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2828 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2829 information on convenience variables.
2831 @kindex thread apply
2832 @cindex apply command to several threads
2833 @item thread apply [@var{threadno} | all] @var{command}
2834 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2835 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2836 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2837 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2838 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2839 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2840 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2843 @cindex name a thread
2844 @item thread name [@var{name}]
2845 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
2846 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
2847 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
2849 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
2850 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
2851 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
2852 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
2853 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
2856 @cindex search for a thread
2857 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
2858 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
2859 matches the supplied regular expression.
2861 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
2862 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
2863 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
2867 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
2868 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
2869 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
2871 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
2874 @kindex set print thread-events
2875 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2876 @item set print thread-events
2877 @itemx set print thread-events on
2878 @itemx set print thread-events off
2879 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2880 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2881 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2882 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2883 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2885 @kindex show print thread-events
2886 @item show print thread-events
2887 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2888 have started and exited.
2891 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2892 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2893 programs with multiple threads.
2895 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2896 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2898 @anchor{set libthread-db-search-path}
2900 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2901 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2902 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2903 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2904 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2905 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2906 its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
2907 Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
2910 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2911 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2912 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2913 to find @code{libthread_db}. @value{GDBN} also consults first if inferior
2914 specific thread debugging library loading is enabled
2915 by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2917 A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2918 refers to the default system directories that are
2919 normally searched for loading shared libraries. The @samp{$sdir} entry
2920 is the only kind not needing to be enabled by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db}
2921 (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2923 A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2924 refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
2925 was loaded in the inferior process.
2927 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2928 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2929 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2930 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2931 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2932 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2933 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2935 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2936 only on some platforms.
2938 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2939 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2940 Display current libthread_db search path.
2942 @kindex set debug libthread-db
2943 @kindex show debug libthread-db
2944 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
2945 @item set debug libthread-db
2946 @itemx show debug libthread-db
2947 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
2948 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
2952 @section Debugging Forks
2954 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2955 @cindex multiple processes
2956 @cindex processes, multiple
2957 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2958 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2959 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2960 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2961 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2962 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2963 will cause it to terminate.
2965 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2966 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2967 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2968 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2969 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2970 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2971 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2972 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2973 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2974 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2976 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2977 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2978 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2979 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2981 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2982 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2984 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2985 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2988 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2989 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2990 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2991 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2992 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2996 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2997 unimpeded. This is the default.
3000 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
3005 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
3006 @item show follow-fork-mode
3007 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
3010 @cindex debugging multiple processes
3011 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
3012 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
3015 @kindex set detach-on-fork
3016 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
3017 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
3018 retain debugger control over them both.
3022 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
3023 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
3024 independently. This is the default.
3027 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
3028 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
3029 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
3034 @kindex show detach-on-fork
3035 @item show detach-on-fork
3036 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
3039 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
3040 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
3041 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
3042 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
3043 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
3044 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
3046 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
3047 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
3048 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3049 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3052 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3053 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3054 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3055 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3056 the child process's @code{main}.
3058 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3059 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3061 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3062 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3063 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3064 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3065 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3066 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3070 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3071 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3073 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3074 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3076 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3080 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3081 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3082 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3088 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3090 Id Description Executable
3093 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3094 Program exited normally.
3095 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3096 Id Description Executable
3102 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3103 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3104 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3105 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3106 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3111 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3112 Id Description Executable
3115 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3116 Program exited normally.
3117 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3118 Id Description Executable
3125 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3126 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3127 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3129 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3130 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3135 @cindex snapshot of a process
3136 @cindex rewind program state
3138 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3139 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3140 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3143 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3144 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3145 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3146 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3147 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3149 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3150 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3151 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3152 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3153 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3154 start again from there.
3156 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3157 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3159 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3164 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3165 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3166 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3168 @kindex info checkpoints
3169 @item info checkpoints
3170 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3171 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3178 @item Source line, or label
3181 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3182 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3183 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3184 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3185 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3186 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3187 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3189 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3190 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3191 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3194 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3195 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3196 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3200 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3201 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3202 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3203 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3204 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3205 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3206 previously read data can be read again.
3208 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3209 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3210 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3211 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3212 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3213 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3215 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3216 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3217 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3218 different execution path this time.
3220 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3221 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3222 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3223 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3224 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3225 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3226 potentially pose a problem.
3228 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3230 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3231 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3232 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3233 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3234 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3237 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3238 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3239 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3240 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3241 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3244 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3246 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3247 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3248 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3250 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3251 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3252 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3253 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3254 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3255 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3256 explicitly request this information at any time.
3259 @kindex info program
3261 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3262 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3266 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3267 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3268 * Skipping Over Functions and Files::
3269 Skipping over functions and files
3271 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3275 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3278 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3279 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3280 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3281 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3282 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3283 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3286 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3287 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3288 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3289 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3290 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3294 @cindex data breakpoints
3295 @cindex memory tracing
3296 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3297 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3298 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3299 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3300 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3301 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3302 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3303 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3304 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3305 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3308 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3309 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3313 @cindex breakpoint on events
3314 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3315 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3316 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3317 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3318 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3319 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3320 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3322 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3323 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3324 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3325 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3326 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3327 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3328 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3329 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3332 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3333 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3334 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3335 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3336 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3337 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3338 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3341 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3342 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3343 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3344 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3345 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3346 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3347 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3348 * Dynamic Printf:: Dynamic printf
3349 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3350 * Static Probe Points:: Listing static probe points
3351 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3352 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3356 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3358 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3359 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3361 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3364 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3365 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3366 @cindex latest breakpoint
3367 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3368 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3369 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3370 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3371 convenience variables.
3374 @item break @var{location}
3375 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3376 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3377 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3378 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3379 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3381 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3382 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3383 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3386 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3387 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3388 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3391 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3392 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3393 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3394 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3395 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3396 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3397 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3398 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3399 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3402 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3403 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3404 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3405 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3406 existed when your program stopped.
3408 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3409 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3410 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3411 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3412 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3413 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3414 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3417 @item tbreak @var{args}
3418 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3419 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3420 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3421 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3424 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3425 @item hbreak @var{args}
3426 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3427 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3428 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3429 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3430 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3431 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3432 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3433 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3434 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3435 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3436 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3437 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3438 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3439 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3440 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3441 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3442 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3443 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3446 @item thbreak @var{args}
3447 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3448 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3449 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3450 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3451 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3452 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3453 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3454 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3457 @cindex regular expression
3458 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3459 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3460 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3461 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3462 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3463 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3464 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3465 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3466 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3468 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3469 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3470 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3471 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3472 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3473 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3475 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3476 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3477 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3480 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3481 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3482 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3485 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3488 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3489 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3490 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3491 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3492 every function in a given file:
3495 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3498 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3499 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3501 @kindex info breakpoints
3502 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3503 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3504 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3505 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3506 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3507 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3508 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3511 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3513 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3515 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3516 @item Enabled or Disabled
3517 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3518 that are not enabled.
3520 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3521 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3522 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3523 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3524 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3525 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3527 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3528 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3529 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3530 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3534 If a breakpoint is conditional, there are two evaluation modes: ``host'' and
3535 ``target''. If mode is ``host'', breakpoint condition evaluation is done by
3536 @value{GDBN} on the host's side. If it is ``target'', then the condition
3537 is evaluated by the target. The @code{info break} command shows
3538 the condition on the line following the affected breakpoint, together with
3539 its condition evaluation mode in between parentheses.
3541 Breakpoint commands, if any, are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is
3542 allowed to have a condition specified for it. The condition is not parsed for
3543 validity until a shared library is loaded that allows the pending
3544 breakpoint to resolve to a valid location.
3547 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3548 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3549 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3550 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3551 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3554 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3555 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3556 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3557 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3558 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3559 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3562 For a breakpoints with an enable count (xref) greater than 1,
3563 @code{info break} also displays that count.
3567 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3568 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3569 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3570 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3572 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3573 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3574 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3575 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3579 Multiple functions in the program may have the same name.
3582 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3583 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3586 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3587 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3590 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3591 several places where that function is inlined.
3594 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3595 the relevant locations.
3597 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3598 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3599 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3600 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3601 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3602 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3603 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3608 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3609 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3611 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3612 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3613 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3616 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3617 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3618 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3619 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3620 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3621 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3622 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3623 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3624 that belong to that breakpoint.
3626 @cindex pending breakpoints
3627 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3628 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3629 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3630 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3631 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3632 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3633 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3634 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3635 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3636 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3637 is not yet resolved.
3639 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3640 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3641 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3642 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3643 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3644 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3646 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3647 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3648 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3649 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3651 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3652 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3653 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3655 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3656 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3657 address specification to an address:
3659 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3660 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3662 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3663 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3664 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3666 @item set breakpoint pending on
3667 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3668 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3670 @item set breakpoint pending off
3671 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3672 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3673 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3675 @item show breakpoint pending
3676 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3679 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3680 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3681 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3683 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3684 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3685 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3686 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3687 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3688 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3689 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3692 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3694 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3695 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3697 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3698 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3699 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3700 breakpoint must be used.
3702 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3703 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3704 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3705 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3708 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3709 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3710 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3711 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3712 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3713 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3714 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3715 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3716 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3718 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3719 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3721 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3722 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3723 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3724 removed from the target when it stops.
3726 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3727 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3728 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3729 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3730 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3732 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3733 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3734 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3735 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3736 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3737 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3738 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3741 @value{GDBN} handles conditional breakpoints by evaluating these conditions
3742 when a breakpoint breaks. If the condition is true, then the process being
3743 debugged stops, otherwise the process is resumed.
3745 If the target supports evaluating conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} may
3746 download the breakpoint, together with its conditions, to it.
3748 This feature can be controlled via the following commands:
3750 @kindex set breakpoint condition-evaluation
3751 @kindex show breakpoint condition-evaluation
3753 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation host
3754 This option commands @value{GDBN} to evaluate the breakpoint
3755 conditions on the host's side. Unconditional breakpoints are sent to
3756 the target which in turn receives the triggers and reports them back to GDB
3757 for condition evaluation. This is the standard evaluation mode.
3759 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation target
3760 This option commands @value{GDBN} to download breakpoint conditions
3761 to the target at the moment of their insertion. The target
3762 is responsible for evaluating the conditional expression and reporting
3763 breakpoint stop events back to @value{GDBN} whenever the condition
3764 is true. Due to limitations of target-side evaluation, some conditions
3765 cannot be evaluated there, e.g., conditions that depend on local data
3766 that is only known to the host. Examples include
3767 conditional expressions involving convenience variables, complex types
3768 that cannot be handled by the agent expression parser and expressions
3769 that are too long to be sent over to the target, specially when the
3770 target is a remote system. In these cases, the conditions will be
3771 evaluated by @value{GDBN}.
3773 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation auto
3774 This is the default mode. If the target supports evaluating breakpoint
3775 conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} will download breakpoint conditions to
3776 the target (limitations mentioned previously apply). If the target does
3777 not support breakpoint condition evaluation, then @value{GDBN} will fallback
3778 to evaluating all these conditions on the host's side.
3782 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3783 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3784 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3785 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3786 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3787 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3788 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3789 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3792 @node Set Watchpoints
3793 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3795 @cindex setting watchpoints
3796 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3797 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3798 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3799 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3800 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3804 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3807 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3808 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3809 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3812 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3813 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3814 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3817 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3818 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3819 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3820 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3821 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3822 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3823 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3824 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3825 the expression changes.
3827 @cindex software watchpoints
3828 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3829 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3830 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3831 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3832 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3833 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3836 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3837 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3838 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3842 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3843 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3844 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3845 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3846 to watch the value of a single variable:
3849 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3852 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3853 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3854 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3855 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3856 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3857 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3859 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3860 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3861 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3862 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3863 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3864 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3865 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3868 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
3869 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
3870 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
3871 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
3872 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
3873 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
3874 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
3875 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
3876 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
3877 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
3881 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
3882 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
3886 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3887 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3891 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3892 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3893 or written into by the program.
3895 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3896 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3897 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3898 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3901 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3902 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3903 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3904 a never-changing value:
3907 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3908 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3909 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3910 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3913 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3914 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3915 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3916 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3917 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3918 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3920 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3921 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3922 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3923 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3924 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3925 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3926 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3927 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3930 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3931 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3932 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3934 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3935 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3936 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3939 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3940 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3941 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3943 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3946 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3950 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3952 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3953 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3954 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3955 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3956 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3957 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3958 will print a message like this:
3961 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3964 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3965 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3966 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3967 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3968 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3969 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3970 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3971 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3973 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3974 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3975 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3976 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3977 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3978 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3981 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3985 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3987 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3988 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3989 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3990 expression with separately allocated resources.
3992 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3993 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3994 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3996 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3997 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3998 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3999 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
4000 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
4001 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
4002 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
4003 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
4004 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
4006 @cindex watchpoints and threads
4007 @cindex threads and watchpoints
4008 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
4009 watched expression from every thread.
4012 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
4013 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
4014 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
4015 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
4016 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
4017 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
4018 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
4019 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
4020 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
4023 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
4025 @node Set Catchpoints
4026 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
4027 @cindex catchpoints, setting
4028 @cindex exception handlers
4029 @cindex event handling
4031 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
4032 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
4033 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
4037 @item catch @var{event}
4038 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
4041 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
4042 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
4045 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
4048 @cindex Ada exception catching
4049 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
4050 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
4051 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
4052 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
4053 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
4055 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
4056 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
4057 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
4058 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
4059 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
4060 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
4061 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
4062 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4064 @item exception unhandled
4065 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
4068 A failed Ada assertion.
4071 @cindex break on fork/exec
4072 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4076 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
4077 @cindex break on a system call.
4078 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
4079 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
4080 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
4081 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
4082 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
4083 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
4086 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
4087 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
4088 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
4089 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
4091 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
4092 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
4093 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
4094 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
4096 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
4097 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
4098 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4101 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
4102 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4103 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4104 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4105 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4106 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4107 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4108 behind the OS upgrades).
4110 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4114 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4115 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4117 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4119 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4120 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4124 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4125 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4129 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4132 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4133 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4135 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4137 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4138 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4142 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4143 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4147 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4148 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4149 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4152 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4153 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4155 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4157 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4158 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4162 Program exited normally.
4166 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4167 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4168 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4169 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4172 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4173 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4174 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4178 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4179 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4180 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4181 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4182 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4183 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4186 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4187 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4188 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4189 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4190 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4194 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4196 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4197 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4200 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4201 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4204 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4207 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4211 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4214 @item load @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4215 @itemx unload @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4216 The loading or unloading of a shared library. If @var{regexp} is
4217 given, then the catchpoint will stop only if the regular expression
4218 matches one of the affected libraries.
4222 @item tcatch @var{event}
4223 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4224 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4228 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4230 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4231 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4235 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4236 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4237 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4238 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4239 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4240 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4241 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4242 disabled within interactive calls.
4245 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4248 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4251 @cindex raise exceptions
4252 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4253 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4254 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4255 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4256 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4257 out where the exception was raised.
4259 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4260 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4261 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4262 which has the following ANSI C interface:
4265 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4266 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4267 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4271 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4272 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4273 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4275 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4276 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4277 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4278 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4283 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4285 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4286 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4287 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4288 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4289 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4290 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4292 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4293 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4294 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4295 their breakpoint numbers.
4297 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4298 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4299 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4304 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4305 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4306 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4307 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4309 @item clear @var{location}
4310 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4311 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4312 most useful ones are listed below:
4315 @item clear @var{function}
4316 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4317 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4319 @item clear @var{linenum}
4320 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4321 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4322 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4325 @cindex delete breakpoints
4327 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4328 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4329 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4330 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4331 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4332 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4336 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4338 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4339 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4340 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4341 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4342 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4344 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4345 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4346 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4347 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4348 do not know which numbers to use.
4350 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4351 affects all of its locations.
4353 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of several
4354 different states of enablement:
4358 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4359 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4361 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4363 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4366 Enabled for a count. The breakpoint stops your program for the next
4367 N times, then becomes disabled.
4369 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4370 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4371 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4374 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4375 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4379 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4380 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4381 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4382 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4383 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4384 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4385 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4388 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4389 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4390 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4392 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4393 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4394 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4396 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} count @var{count} @var{range}@dots{}
4397 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} records
4398 @var{count} with each of the specified breakpoints, and decrements a
4399 breakpoint's count when it is hit. When any count reaches 0,
4400 @value{GDBN} disables that breakpoint. If a breakpoint has an ignore
4401 count (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}), that will be
4402 decremented to 0 before @var{count} is affected.
4404 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4405 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4406 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4407 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4410 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4411 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4412 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4413 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4414 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4415 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4416 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4417 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4421 @subsection Break Conditions
4422 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4423 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4425 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4426 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4427 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4428 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4429 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4430 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4431 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4432 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4434 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4435 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4436 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4437 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4438 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4440 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4441 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4442 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4443 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4446 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4447 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4448 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4449 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4450 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4451 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4452 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4453 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4455 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4456 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4458 Breakpoint conditions can also be evaluated on the target's side if
4459 the target supports it. Instead of evaluating the conditions locally,
4460 @value{GDBN} encodes the expression into an agent expression
4461 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) suitable for execution on the target,
4462 independently of @value{GDBN}. Global variables become raw memory
4463 locations, locals become stack accesses, and so forth.
4465 In this case, @value{GDBN} will only be notified of a breakpoint trigger
4466 when its condition evaluates to true. This mechanism may provide faster
4467 response times depending on the performance characteristics of the target
4468 since it does not need to keep @value{GDBN} informed about
4469 every breakpoint trigger, even those with false conditions.
4471 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4472 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4473 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4474 with the @code{condition} command.
4476 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4477 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4478 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4483 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4484 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4485 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4486 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4487 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4488 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4489 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4490 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4491 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4492 prints an error message:
4495 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4500 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4501 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4502 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4504 @item condition @var{bnum}
4505 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4506 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4509 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4510 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4511 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4512 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4513 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4514 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4515 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4516 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4517 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4518 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4519 your program reaches it.
4523 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4524 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4525 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4526 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4529 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4532 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4533 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4534 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4535 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4537 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4538 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4539 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4541 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4542 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4543 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4547 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4550 @node Break Commands
4551 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4553 @cindex breakpoint commands
4554 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4555 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4556 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4557 enable other breakpoints.
4561 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4562 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4563 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4565 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4566 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4567 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4569 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4570 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4572 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4573 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4574 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4575 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4576 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4577 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4578 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4582 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4583 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4585 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4586 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4587 that resumes execution.
4589 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4590 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4591 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4592 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4593 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4596 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4597 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4598 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4599 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4600 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4601 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4603 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4604 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4605 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4607 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4608 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4614 printf "x is %d\n",x
4619 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4620 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4621 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4622 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4623 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4624 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4625 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4636 @node Dynamic Printf
4637 @subsection Dynamic Printf
4639 @cindex dynamic printf
4641 The dynamic printf command @code{dprintf} combines a breakpoint with
4642 formatted printing of your program's data to give you the effect of
4643 inserting @code{printf} calls into your program on-the-fly, without
4644 having to recompile it.
4646 In its most basic form, the output goes to the GDB console. However,
4647 you can set the variable @code{dprintf-style} for alternate handling.
4648 For instance, you can ask to format the output by calling your
4649 program's @code{printf} function. This has the advantage that the
4650 characters go to the program's output device, so they can recorded in
4651 redirects to files and so forth.
4653 If you are doing remote debugging with a stub or agent, you can also
4654 ask to have the printf handled by the remote agent. In addition to
4655 ensuring that the output goes to the remote program's device along
4656 with any other output the program might produce, you can also ask that
4657 the dprintf remain active even after disconnecting from the remote
4658 target. Using the stub/agent is also more efficient, as it can do
4659 everything without needing to communicate with @value{GDBN}.
4663 @item dprintf @var{location},@var{template},@var{expression}[,@var{expression}@dots{}]
4664 Whenever execution reaches @var{location}, print the values of one or
4665 more @var{expressions} under the control of the string @var{template}.
4666 To print several values, separate them with commas.
4668 @item set dprintf-style @var{style}
4669 Set the dprintf output to be handled in one of several different
4670 styles enumerated below. A change of style affects all existing
4671 dynamic printfs immediately. (If you need individual control over the
4672 print commands, simply define normal breakpoints with
4673 explicitly-supplied command lists.)
4676 @kindex dprintf-style gdb
4677 Handle the output using the @value{GDBN} @code{printf} command.
4680 @kindex dprintf-style call
4681 Handle the output by calling a function in your program (normally
4685 @kindex dprintf-style agent
4686 Have the remote debugging agent (such as @code{gdbserver}) handle
4687 the output itself. This style is only available for agents that
4688 support running commands on the target.
4690 @item set dprintf-function @var{function}
4691 Set the function to call if the dprintf style is @code{call}. By
4692 default its value is @code{printf}. You may set it to any expression.
4693 that @value{GDBN} can evaluate to a function, as per the @code{call}
4696 @item set dprintf-channel @var{channel}
4697 Set a ``channel'' for dprintf. If set to a non-empty value,
4698 @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as an expression and pass the result as
4699 a first argument to the @code{dprintf-function}, in the manner of
4700 @code{fprintf} and similar functions. Otherwise, the dprintf format
4701 string will be the first argument, in the manner of @code{printf}.
4703 As an example, if you wanted @code{dprintf} output to go to a logfile
4704 that is a standard I/O stream assigned to the variable @code{mylog},
4705 you could do the following:
4708 (gdb) set dprintf-style call
4709 (gdb) set dprintf-function fprintf
4710 (gdb) set dprintf-channel mylog
4711 (gdb) dprintf 25,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob
4712 Dprintf 1 at 0x123456: file main.c, line 25.
4714 1 dprintf keep y 0x00123456 in main at main.c:25
4715 call (void) fprintf (mylog,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob)
4720 Note that the @code{info break} displays the dynamic printf commands
4721 as normal breakpoint commands; you can thus easily see the effect of
4722 the variable settings.
4724 @item set disconnected-dprintf on
4725 @itemx set disconnected-dprintf off
4726 @kindex set disconnected-dprintf
4727 Choose whether @code{dprintf} commands should continue to run if
4728 @value{GDBN} has disconnected from the target. This only applies
4729 if the @code{dprintf-style} is @code{agent}.
4731 @item show disconnected-dprintf off
4732 @kindex show disconnected-dprintf
4733 Show the current choice for disconnected @code{dprintf}.
4737 @value{GDBN} does not check the validity of function and channel,
4738 relying on you to supply values that are meaningful for the contexts
4739 in which they are being used. For instance, the function and channel
4740 may be the values of local variables, but if that is the case, then
4741 all enabled dynamic prints must be at locations within the scope of
4742 those locals. If evaluation fails, @value{GDBN} will report an error.
4744 @node Save Breakpoints
4745 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4747 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4748 breakpoints}} command.
4751 @kindex save breakpoints
4752 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4753 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4754 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4755 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4756 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4757 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4758 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4759 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4760 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4761 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4762 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4763 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4764 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4765 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4766 that can no longer be recreated.
4769 @node Static Probe Points
4770 @subsection Static Probe Points
4772 @cindex static probe point, SystemTap
4773 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{SDT} probes in the code. @acronym{SDT} stands
4774 for Statically Defined Tracing, and the probes are designed to have a tiny
4775 runtime code and data footprint, and no dynamic relocations. They are
4776 usable from assembly, C and C@t{++} languages. See
4777 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/UserSpaceProbeImplementation}
4778 for a good reference on how the @acronym{SDT} probes are implemented.
4780 Currently, @code{SystemTap} (@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/})
4781 @acronym{SDT} probes are supported on ELF-compatible systems. See
4782 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/AddingUserSpaceProbingToApps}
4783 for more information on how to add @code{SystemTap} @acronym{SDT} probes
4784 in your applications.
4786 @cindex semaphores on static probe points
4787 Some probes have an associated semaphore variable; for instance, this
4788 happens automatically if you defined your probe using a DTrace-style
4789 @file{.d} file. If your probe has a semaphore, @value{GDBN} will
4790 automatically enable it when you specify a breakpoint using the
4791 @samp{-probe-stap} notation. But, if you put a breakpoint at a probe's
4792 location by some other method (e.g., @code{break file:line}), then
4793 @value{GDBN} will not automatically set the semaphore.
4795 You can examine the available static static probes using @code{info
4796 probes}, with optional arguments:
4800 @item info probes stap @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
4801 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against provider
4802 names when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probes by all
4803 probes from all providers are listed.
4805 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe names
4806 when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probe names are not
4807 considered when deciding whether to display them.
4809 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
4810 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
4811 given, all object files are considered.
4813 @item info probes all
4814 List the available static probes, from all types.
4817 @vindex $_probe_arg@r{, convenience variable}
4818 A probe may specify up to twelve arguments. These are available at the
4819 point at which the probe is defined---that is, when the current PC is
4820 at the probe's location. The arguments are available using the
4821 convenience variables (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
4822 @code{$_probe_arg0}@dots{}@code{$_probe_arg11}. Each probe argument is
4823 an integer of the appropriate size; types are not preserved. The
4824 convenience variable @code{$_probe_argc} holds the number of arguments
4825 at the current probe point.
4827 These variables are always available, but attempts to access them at
4828 any location other than a probe point will cause @value{GDBN} to give
4832 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4833 @node Error in Breakpoints
4834 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4836 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4837 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4839 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4840 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4842 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4843 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4847 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4848 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4849 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4851 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4852 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4854 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4855 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4856 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4858 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4859 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4860 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4861 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4863 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4864 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4865 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4866 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4867 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4868 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4869 first in the bundle.
4871 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4872 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4873 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4874 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4875 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4876 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4879 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4880 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4883 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4886 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4887 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4888 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4889 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4890 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4891 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4892 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4893 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4895 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4896 adjusted breakpoints:
4899 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4903 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4904 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4905 frequently than expected.
4907 @node Continuing and Stepping
4908 @section Continuing and Stepping
4912 @cindex resuming execution
4913 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4914 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4915 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4916 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4917 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4918 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4919 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4920 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4924 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4925 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4926 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4927 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4928 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4929 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4930 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4931 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4932 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4933 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4935 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4936 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4937 @code{continue} is ignored.
4939 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4940 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4941 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4945 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4946 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4947 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4948 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4950 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4951 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4952 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4953 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4954 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4955 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4959 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4961 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4962 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4963 abbreviated @code{s}.
4966 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4967 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4968 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4969 @c distinction here.
4970 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4971 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4972 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4973 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4974 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4975 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4979 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4980 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4981 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4982 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4983 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4984 called within the line.
4986 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4987 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4988 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4989 on @acronym{MIPS} machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4990 was any debugging information about the routine.
4992 @item step @var{count}
4993 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4994 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4995 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4998 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4999 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5000 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
5001 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
5002 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
5003 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
5004 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
5005 is abbreviated @code{n}.
5007 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
5010 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
5011 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
5013 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
5014 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
5015 @c function are executed without stopping.
5017 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
5018 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5019 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
5021 @kindex set step-mode
5023 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
5024 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
5025 @itemx set step-mode on
5026 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
5027 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
5028 information rather than stepping over it.
5030 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
5031 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
5032 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
5034 @item set step-mode off
5035 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
5036 debug information. This is the default.
5038 @item show step-mode
5039 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
5040 source line debug information.
5043 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
5045 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
5046 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
5047 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
5049 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
5050 ,Returning from a Function}).
5053 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
5054 @cindex run until specified location
5057 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
5058 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
5059 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
5060 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
5061 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
5062 than the address of the jump.
5064 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
5065 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
5066 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
5067 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
5068 through the next iteration.
5070 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
5073 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
5074 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
5075 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
5076 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
5077 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
5081 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
5083 (@value{GDBP}) until
5084 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
5087 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
5088 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
5089 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
5090 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
5091 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
5092 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
5093 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
5095 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
5096 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
5099 @item until @var{location}
5100 @itemx u @var{location}
5101 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
5102 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
5103 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
5104 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
5105 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
5106 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
5107 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
5108 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
5109 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
5110 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
5111 invocations have returned.
5114 94 int factorial (int value)
5116 96 if (value > 1) @{
5117 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
5124 @kindex advance @var{location}
5125 @item advance @var{location}
5126 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
5127 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
5128 @ref{Specify Location}.
5129 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
5130 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
5131 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
5132 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
5136 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
5138 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
5140 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
5142 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
5143 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
5144 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
5145 Display,, Automatic Display}.
5147 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
5151 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
5153 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
5155 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
5156 proceed until the function returns.
5158 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
5161 @node Skipping Over Functions and Files
5162 @section Skipping Over Functions and Files
5163 @cindex skipping over functions and files
5165 The program you are debugging may contain some functions which are
5166 uninteresting to debug. The @code{skip} comand lets you tell @value{GDBN} to
5167 skip a function or all functions in a file when stepping.
5169 For example, consider the following C function:
5180 Suppose you wish to step into the functions @code{foo} and @code{bar}, but you
5181 are not interested in stepping through @code{boring}. If you run @code{step}
5182 at line 103, you'll enter @code{boring()}, but if you run @code{next}, you'll
5183 step over both @code{foo} and @code{boring}!
5185 One solution is to @code{step} into @code{boring} and use the @code{finish}
5186 command to immediately exit it. But this can become tedious if @code{boring}
5187 is called from many places.
5189 A more flexible solution is to execute @kbd{skip boring}. This instructs
5190 @value{GDBN} never to step into @code{boring}. Now when you execute
5191 @code{step} at line 103, you'll step over @code{boring} and directly into
5194 You can also instruct @value{GDBN} to skip all functions in a file, with, for
5195 example, @code{skip file boring.c}.
5198 @kindex skip function
5199 @item skip @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5200 @itemx skip function @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5201 After running this command, the function named by @var{linespec} or the
5202 function containing the line named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when
5203 stepping. @xref{Specify Location}.
5205 If you do not specify @var{linespec}, the function you're currently debugging
5208 (If you have a function called @code{file} that you want to skip, use
5209 @kbd{skip function file}.)
5212 @item skip file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
5213 After running this command, any function whose source lives in @var{filename}
5214 will be skipped over when stepping.
5216 If you do not specify @var{filename}, functions whose source lives in the file
5217 you're currently debugging will be skipped.
5220 Skips can be listed, deleted, disabled, and enabled, much like breakpoints.
5221 These are the commands for managing your list of skips:
5225 @item info skip @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5226 Print details about the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified,
5227 print a table with details about all functions and files marked for skipping.
5228 @code{info skip} prints the following information about each skip:
5232 A number identifying this skip.
5234 The type of this skip, either @samp{function} or @samp{file}.
5235 @item Enabled or Disabled
5236 Enabled skips are marked with @samp{y}. Disabled skips are marked with @samp{n}.
5238 For function skips, this column indicates the address in memory of the function
5239 being skipped. If you've set a function skip on a function which has not yet
5240 been loaded, this field will contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Once a shared library
5241 which has the function is loaded, @code{info skip} will show the function's
5244 For file skips, this field contains the filename being skipped. For functions
5245 skips, this field contains the function name and its line number in the file
5246 where it is defined.
5250 @item skip delete @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5251 Delete the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, delete all
5255 @item skip enable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5256 Enable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, enable all
5259 @kindex skip disable
5260 @item skip disable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5261 Disable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, disable all
5270 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
5271 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
5272 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
5273 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
5274 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
5275 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
5276 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
5277 requested an alarm).
5279 @cindex fatal signals
5280 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
5281 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
5282 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
5283 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
5284 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
5285 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
5287 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
5288 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
5291 @cindex handling signals
5292 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
5293 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
5294 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
5295 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
5296 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
5299 @kindex info signals
5303 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
5304 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
5305 the defined types of signals.
5307 @item info signals @var{sig}
5308 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
5310 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
5313 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
5314 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
5315 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
5316 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
5317 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
5318 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
5319 say what change to make.
5323 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
5324 Their full names are:
5328 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
5329 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
5332 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
5333 the @code{print} keyword as well.
5336 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
5339 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
5340 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
5344 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
5345 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
5346 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
5350 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
5351 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
5355 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
5357 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
5358 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
5359 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
5360 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
5361 program sees that signal when you continue.
5363 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
5364 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
5365 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
5368 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
5369 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
5370 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
5371 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
5372 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
5373 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
5374 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
5375 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
5378 @cindex extra signal information
5379 @anchor{extra signal information}
5381 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
5382 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
5383 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
5384 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
5385 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
5386 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
5387 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
5388 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
5389 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
5392 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
5393 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
5397 (@value{GDBP}) continue
5398 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
5399 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
5401 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
5408 struct @{...@} _kill;
5409 struct @{...@} _timer;
5411 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
5412 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
5413 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
5416 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
5420 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
5421 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
5425 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
5428 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
5430 @cindex stopped threads
5431 @cindex threads, stopped
5433 @cindex continuing threads
5434 @cindex threads, continuing
5436 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5437 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5438 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5439 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5440 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5441 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5442 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5443 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5444 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5447 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5448 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5449 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5450 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5451 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5452 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5456 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5458 @cindex all-stop mode
5460 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5461 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5462 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5463 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5466 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5467 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5468 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5470 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5471 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5472 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5473 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5474 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5475 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5478 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5479 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5480 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5481 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5483 @cindex automatic thread selection
5484 @cindex switching threads automatically
5485 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5486 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5487 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5488 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5489 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5492 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5493 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5496 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5497 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5498 @cindex lock scheduler
5499 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5500 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5501 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5502 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5503 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5504 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5505 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5506 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5507 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5508 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5509 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5510 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5512 @item show scheduler-locking
5513 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5516 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5517 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5518 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5519 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5520 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5521 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5522 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5523 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5524 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5525 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5526 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5527 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5528 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5529 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5532 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5533 @item set schedule-multiple
5534 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5535 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5536 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5537 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5538 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5539 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5541 @item show schedule-multiple
5542 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5547 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5549 @cindex non-stop mode
5551 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5552 @c with more details.
5554 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5555 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5556 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5557 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5558 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5559 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5561 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5562 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5563 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5564 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5565 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5566 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5567 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5568 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5569 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5570 independently and simultaneously.
5572 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5573 or attach to your program:
5576 # Enable the async interface.
5579 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5582 # Finally, turn it on!
5586 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5589 @kindex set non-stop
5590 @item set non-stop on
5591 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5592 @item set non-stop off
5593 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5594 @kindex show non-stop
5596 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5599 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5600 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5601 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5602 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5603 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5604 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5605 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5608 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5609 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5610 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5612 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5613 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5614 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5615 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5616 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5618 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5619 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5620 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5621 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5622 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5624 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5626 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5627 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5628 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5629 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5630 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5631 previously current thread.
5633 @node Background Execution
5634 @subsection Background Execution
5636 @cindex foreground execution
5637 @cindex background execution
5638 @cindex asynchronous execution
5639 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5641 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5642 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5643 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5644 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5645 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5646 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5648 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5649 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5650 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5653 @kindex set target-async
5654 @item set target-async on
5655 Enable asynchronous mode.
5656 @item set target-async off
5657 Disable asynchronous mode.
5658 @kindex show target-async
5659 @item show target-async
5660 Show the current target-async setting.
5663 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5664 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5666 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5667 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5668 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5674 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5678 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5682 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5686 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5690 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5694 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5698 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5702 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5706 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5710 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5711 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5712 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5713 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5714 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5715 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5717 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5718 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5725 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5726 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5727 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5728 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5731 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5732 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5734 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5735 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5736 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5739 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5740 @cindex thread breakpoints
5741 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5742 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5743 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5744 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5745 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5746 specify some source line.
5748 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5749 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5750 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5751 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5752 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5754 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5755 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5758 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5759 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5760 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5763 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5768 @node Interrupted System Calls
5769 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5771 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5772 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5773 @cindex premature return from system calls
5774 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5775 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5776 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5777 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5778 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5779 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5782 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5783 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5786 For example, do not write code like this:
5792 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5793 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5795 Instead, write this:
5800 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5803 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5804 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5805 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5808 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5809 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5810 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5811 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5814 @subsection Observer Mode
5816 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5817 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5818 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5819 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5820 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5822 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5823 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5824 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5827 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5828 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5829 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5830 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5831 stream will still not be able to be placed.
5836 @item set observer on
5837 @itemx set observer off
5838 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5839 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5840 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5841 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5844 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5846 @kindex may-write-registers
5847 @item set may-write-registers on
5848 @itemx set may-write-registers off
5849 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5850 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5851 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5853 @item show may-write-registers
5854 Show the current permission to write registers.
5856 @kindex may-write-memory
5857 @item set may-write-memory on
5858 @itemx set may-write-memory off
5859 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5860 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5861 defaults to @code{on}.
5863 @item show may-write-memory
5864 Show the current permission to write memory.
5866 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5867 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5868 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5869 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5870 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5871 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5873 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
5874 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5876 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5877 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5878 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5879 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5880 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5881 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5882 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5884 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
5885 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5887 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5888 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5889 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5890 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5891 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5892 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5893 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5895 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5896 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5898 @kindex may-interrupt
5899 @item set may-interrupt on
5900 @itemx set may-interrupt off
5901 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
5902 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
5903 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
5904 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5906 @item show may-interrupt
5907 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
5911 @node Reverse Execution
5912 @chapter Running programs backward
5913 @cindex reverse execution
5914 @cindex running programs backward
5916 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5917 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5918 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5919 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5921 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5922 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5923 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5924 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5925 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5926 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5928 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5929 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5930 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5931 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5932 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5933 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5934 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5935 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5936 prior values@footnote{
5937 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5938 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5939 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5941 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5942 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5943 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5944 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5945 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5946 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5947 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5950 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5951 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5954 @kindex reverse-continue
5955 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5956 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5957 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5958 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5959 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5960 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5961 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5963 @kindex reverse-step
5964 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5965 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5966 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5967 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5969 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5970 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5971 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5972 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5973 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5974 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5976 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5977 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5979 @kindex reverse-stepi
5980 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5981 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5982 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5983 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5984 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5985 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5986 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5988 @kindex reverse-next
5989 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5990 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5991 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5992 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5993 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5994 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5995 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5996 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5997 line of a function back to its return to its caller
5998 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
6000 @kindex reverse-nexti
6001 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
6002 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6003 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
6004 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
6005 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
6006 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
6007 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
6010 @kindex reverse-finish
6011 @item reverse-finish
6012 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
6013 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
6014 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
6015 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
6017 @kindex set exec-direction
6018 @item set exec-direction
6019 Set the direction of target execution.
6020 @item set exec-direction reverse
6021 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
6022 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
6023 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
6024 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
6025 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
6026 @item set exec-direction forward
6027 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
6028 This is the default.
6032 @node Process Record and Replay
6033 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
6034 @cindex process record and replay
6035 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
6037 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
6038 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
6039 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
6042 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
6043 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
6044 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
6045 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
6046 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
6047 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
6048 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
6049 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
6053 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
6054 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
6055 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
6058 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
6059 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
6060 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
6061 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
6062 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
6063 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
6065 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
6066 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
6067 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
6068 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
6070 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
6071 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
6074 @kindex target record
6078 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
6079 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
6080 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
6081 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
6082 the @kbd{target record} command.
6084 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
6086 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
6087 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
6088 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
6089 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
6090 doesn't support displaced stepping.
6092 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
6093 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
6094 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
6095 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
6096 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
6097 support these two modes.
6102 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
6103 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
6104 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
6106 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
6107 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
6108 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
6109 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
6110 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
6112 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
6113 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
6114 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
6115 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
6116 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
6118 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
6119 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
6122 @item record save @var{filename}
6123 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6124 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
6125 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
6127 @kindex record restore
6128 @item record restore @var{filename}
6129 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6130 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
6132 @kindex set record insn-number-max
6133 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
6134 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
6136 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
6137 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
6138 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
6139 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
6140 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
6141 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
6142 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
6143 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
6145 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
6146 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
6147 instructions is unlimited in this case.
6149 @kindex show record insn-number-max
6150 @item show record insn-number-max
6151 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
6153 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
6154 @item set record stop-at-limit
6155 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
6156 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
6157 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
6158 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
6159 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
6160 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
6162 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
6163 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
6165 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
6166 @item show record stop-at-limit
6167 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
6169 @kindex set record memory-query
6170 @item set record memory-query
6171 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
6172 changes caused by an instruction. If ON, @value{GDBN} will query
6173 whether to stop the inferior in that case.
6175 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
6176 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
6177 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
6178 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
6181 @kindex show record memory-query
6182 @item show record memory-query
6183 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
6187 Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
6188 in-memory execution log buffer, including:
6192 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
6194 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
6196 Highest recorded instruction number.
6198 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
6200 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
6202 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
6205 @kindex record delete
6208 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
6209 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
6210 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
6211 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
6216 @chapter Examining the Stack
6218 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
6219 stopped and how it got there.
6222 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
6224 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
6225 the arguments of the call,
6226 and the local variables of the function being called.
6227 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
6228 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
6231 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
6232 stack allow you to see all of this information.
6234 @cindex selected frame
6235 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
6236 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
6237 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
6238 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
6239 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
6240 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6242 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
6243 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
6244 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
6247 * Frames:: Stack frames
6248 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
6249 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
6250 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
6255 @section Stack Frames
6257 @cindex frame, definition
6259 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
6260 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
6261 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
6262 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
6263 which the function is executing.
6265 @cindex initial frame
6266 @cindex outermost frame
6267 @cindex innermost frame
6268 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
6269 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
6270 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
6271 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
6272 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
6273 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
6274 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
6275 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
6277 @cindex frame pointer
6278 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
6279 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
6280 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
6281 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
6282 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
6283 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
6285 @cindex frame number
6286 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
6287 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
6288 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
6289 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
6290 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
6292 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
6293 @c underflow problems.
6294 @cindex frameless execution
6295 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
6296 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
6298 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
6300 generates functions without a frame.)
6301 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
6302 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
6303 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
6304 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
6305 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
6306 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
6307 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
6310 @kindex frame@r{, command}
6311 @cindex current stack frame
6312 @item frame @var{args}
6313 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
6314 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
6315 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
6316 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
6318 @kindex select-frame
6319 @cindex selecting frame silently
6321 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
6322 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
6330 @cindex call stack traces
6331 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
6332 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
6333 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
6338 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
6341 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
6342 frames in the stack.
6344 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
6345 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
6347 @item backtrace @var{n}
6349 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
6351 @item backtrace -@var{n}
6353 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
6355 @item backtrace full
6357 @itemx bt full @var{n}
6358 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
6359 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
6360 number of frames to print, as described above.
6365 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
6366 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
6368 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
6369 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
6370 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
6371 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
6372 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
6373 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
6374 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
6375 multi-threaded program.
6377 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
6378 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
6379 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
6380 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
6381 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
6384 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
6385 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
6389 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6391 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
6392 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
6394 (More stack frames follow...)
6399 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
6400 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
6401 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
6404 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
6405 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
6406 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
6407 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
6408 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
6410 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
6411 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
6412 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
6413 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
6414 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
6415 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
6416 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
6417 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
6418 such a backtrace might look like:
6422 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6424 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
6425 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
6427 (More stack frames follow...)
6432 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
6433 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
6435 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
6436 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
6437 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
6439 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
6440 @cindex program entry point
6441 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
6442 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
6443 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
6444 @code{main}@footnote{
6445 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
6446 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
6447 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6448 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6449 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6450 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6452 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6453 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6456 @item set backtrace past-main
6457 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
6458 @kindex set backtrace
6459 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6461 @item set backtrace past-main off
6462 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6465 @item show backtrace past-main
6466 @kindex show backtrace
6467 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6469 @item set backtrace past-entry
6470 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6471 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6472 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6473 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6475 @item set backtrace past-entry off
6476 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6477 application. This is the default.
6479 @item show backtrace past-entry
6480 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6482 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6483 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
6484 @cindex backtrace limit
6485 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
6488 @item show backtrace limit
6489 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6493 @section Selecting a Frame
6495 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6496 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6497 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6498 of the stack frame just selected.
6501 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6502 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6505 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6506 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6507 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6510 @item frame @var{addr}
6512 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6513 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6514 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6515 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6516 switches between them.
6518 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6519 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6521 On the @acronym{MIPS} and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6522 pointer and a program counter.
6524 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6525 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6529 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6530 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6531 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6534 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6536 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6537 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6538 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6539 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6542 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6543 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6544 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6545 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6553 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6555 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
6559 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
6560 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
6561 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
6562 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
6563 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
6567 @kindex down-silently
6569 @item up-silently @var{n}
6570 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
6571 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
6572 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
6573 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
6574 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
6579 @section Information About a Frame
6581 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
6587 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
6588 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
6589 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
6590 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
6591 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6594 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
6597 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
6602 the address of the frame
6604 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
6606 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
6608 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
6610 the address of the frame's arguments
6612 the address of the frame's local variables
6614 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
6616 which registers were saved in the frame
6619 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
6620 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
6621 the usual conventions.
6623 @item info frame @var{addr}
6624 @itemx info f @var{addr}
6625 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
6626 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
6627 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
6628 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
6629 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6633 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
6637 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
6638 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
6639 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
6645 @chapter Examining Source Files
6647 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6648 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6649 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6650 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6651 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6652 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6653 source files by explicit command.
6655 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6656 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6657 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6660 * List:: Printing source lines
6661 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6662 * Edit:: Editing source files
6663 * Search:: Searching source files
6664 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6665 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6669 @section Printing Source Lines
6672 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6673 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6674 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6675 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6676 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6678 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6681 @item list @var{linenum}
6682 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6683 current source file.
6685 @item list @var{function}
6686 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6690 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6691 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6692 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6693 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6694 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6697 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6700 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6701 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6702 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6705 @kindex set listsize
6706 @item set listsize @var{count}
6707 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6708 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6710 @kindex show listsize
6712 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6715 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6716 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6717 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6718 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6719 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6721 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6722 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6723 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6724 to specify some source line.
6726 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6729 @item list @var{linespec}
6730 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6732 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6733 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6734 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6735 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6736 the same source file as the first linespec.
6738 @item list ,@var{last}
6739 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6741 @item list @var{first},
6742 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6745 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6748 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6751 As described in the preceding table.
6754 @node Specify Location
6755 @section Specifying a Location
6756 @cindex specifying location
6759 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6760 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6761 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6762 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6764 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6765 @value{GDBN} understands:
6769 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6772 @itemx +@var{offset}
6773 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6774 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6775 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6776 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6777 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6778 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6779 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6782 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6783 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6784 If @var{filename} is a relative file name, then it will match any
6785 source file name with the same trailing components. For example, if
6786 @var{filename} is @samp{gcc/expr.c}, then it will match source file
6787 name of @file{/build/trunk/gcc/expr.c}, but not
6788 @file{/build/trunk/libcpp/expr.c} or @file{/build/trunk/gcc/x-expr.c}.
6790 @item @var{function}
6791 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6792 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6794 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
6795 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
6797 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6798 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6799 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6800 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6801 functions in different source files.
6804 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
6805 @value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
6806 the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
6807 stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
6808 @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
6810 @item *@var{address}
6811 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6812 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6813 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6814 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6815 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6818 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6819 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6820 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6821 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6822 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6826 @item @var{expression}
6827 Any expression valid in the current working language.
6829 @item @var{funcaddr}
6830 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6831 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6832 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6833 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6834 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6835 (although the Pascal form also works).
6837 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6838 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6840 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6841 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6842 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6843 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6844 functions with identical names in different source files.
6847 @cindex breakpoint at static probe point
6848 @item -pstap|-probe-stap @r{[}@var{objfile}:@r{[}@var{provider}:@r{]}@r{]}@var{name}
6849 The @sc{gnu}/Linux tool @code{SystemTap} provides a way for
6850 applications to embed static probes. @xref{Static Probe Points}, for more
6851 information on finding and using static probes. This form of linespec
6852 specifies the location of such a static probe.
6854 If @var{objfile} is given, only probes coming from that shared library
6855 or executable matching @var{objfile} as a regular expression are considered.
6856 If @var{provider} is given, then only probes from that provider are considered.
6857 If several probes match the spec, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at
6858 each one of those probes.
6864 @section Editing Source Files
6865 @cindex editing source files
6868 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6869 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6870 The editing program of your choice
6871 is invoked with the current line set to
6872 the active line in the program.
6873 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6874 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6877 @item edit @var{location}
6878 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6879 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6880 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6881 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6882 command most commonly used:
6885 @item edit @var{number}
6886 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6888 @item edit @var{function}
6889 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6894 @subsection Choosing your Editor
6895 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6897 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6898 following command-line syntax:
6900 ex +@var{number} file
6902 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6903 the file where to start editing.}.
6904 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6905 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6906 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6907 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6913 or in the @code{csh} shell,
6915 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6920 @section Searching Source Files
6921 @cindex searching source files
6923 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6928 @kindex forward-search
6929 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
6930 @itemx search @var{regexp}
6931 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6932 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
6933 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
6934 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
6937 @kindex reverse-search
6938 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
6939 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
6940 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
6941 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
6942 this command as @code{rev}.
6946 @section Specifying Source Directories
6949 @cindex directories for source files
6950 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
6951 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
6952 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
6953 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
6954 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
6955 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
6956 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
6958 For example, suppose an executable references the file
6959 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
6960 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
6961 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
6962 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
6963 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
6964 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
6965 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
6966 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
6967 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
6968 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
6970 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
6971 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
6972 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
6973 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
6974 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
6975 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
6977 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
6980 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
6981 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
6982 each line is in the file.
6986 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
6987 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
6988 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
6990 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
6991 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
6993 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
6994 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
6995 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
6996 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
6997 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
6998 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
6999 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
7000 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
7001 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
7002 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
7003 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
7004 name to look up the sources.
7006 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
7007 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
7008 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
7009 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
7010 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
7011 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
7012 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
7013 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
7015 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
7016 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
7017 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
7018 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
7019 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
7020 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
7021 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
7023 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
7024 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
7025 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
7026 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
7027 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
7028 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
7029 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
7032 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
7033 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
7034 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
7035 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
7036 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
7037 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
7038 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
7040 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
7041 @cindex default source path substitution
7042 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
7043 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
7044 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
7045 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
7046 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
7047 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
7048 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
7049 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
7050 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
7054 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
7055 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
7056 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
7057 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
7058 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
7059 part of absolute file names) or
7060 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
7061 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
7065 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
7066 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
7067 @cindex compilation directory
7068 @cindex current directory
7069 @cindex working directory
7070 @cindex directory, current
7071 @cindex directory, compilation
7072 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
7073 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
7074 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
7075 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
7076 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
7077 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
7080 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
7082 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
7083 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
7085 @item set directories @var{path-list}
7086 @kindex set directories
7087 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
7088 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
7090 @item show directories
7091 @kindex show directories
7092 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
7094 @anchor{set substitute-path}
7095 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
7096 @kindex set substitute-path
7097 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
7098 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
7099 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
7101 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
7102 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
7105 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
7109 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
7110 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
7111 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
7113 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
7114 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
7115 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
7118 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
7121 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
7122 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
7126 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
7127 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
7128 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
7129 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
7132 @item unset substitute-path [path]
7133 @kindex unset substitute-path
7134 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
7135 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
7136 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
7138 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
7140 @item show substitute-path [path]
7141 @kindex show substitute-path
7142 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
7143 which would rewrite that path, if any.
7145 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
7150 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
7151 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
7152 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
7156 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
7159 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
7160 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
7161 directories in one command.
7165 @section Source and Machine Code
7166 @cindex source line and its code address
7168 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
7169 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
7170 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
7171 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
7172 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
7173 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
7174 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
7179 @item info line @var{linespec}
7180 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
7181 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
7182 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
7185 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
7186 the object code for the first line of function
7187 @code{m4_changequote}:
7189 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
7190 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
7192 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
7193 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
7197 @cindex code address and its source line
7198 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
7199 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
7201 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
7202 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
7205 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
7206 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
7207 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
7208 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
7209 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
7210 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
7211 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
7212 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7217 @cindex assembly instructions
7218 @cindex instructions, assembly
7219 @cindex machine instructions
7220 @cindex listing machine instructions
7222 @itemx disassemble /m
7223 @itemx disassemble /r
7224 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
7225 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
7226 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
7227 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
7228 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
7229 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
7230 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
7231 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
7232 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
7233 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
7236 @item @var{start},@var{end}
7237 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
7238 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
7239 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
7240 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
7244 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
7245 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
7247 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
7248 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
7250 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
7251 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
7254 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
7255 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
7258 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
7259 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
7260 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
7261 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
7262 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7263 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
7264 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
7265 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
7266 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
7267 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7268 End of assembler dump.
7271 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
7272 program is stopped just after function prologue:
7275 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
7276 Dump of assembler code for function main:
7278 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
7279 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
7280 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
7281 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
7282 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
7284 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
7285 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
7286 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
7290 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
7291 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
7292 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
7294 End of assembler dump.
7297 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
7300 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
7301 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
7302 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
7303 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
7304 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
7305 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
7306 End of assembler dump.
7309 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
7310 mnemonics or other syntax.
7312 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
7313 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
7314 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
7315 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
7316 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
7319 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
7320 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
7321 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
7322 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
7323 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
7324 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
7326 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
7327 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
7328 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
7329 assemblers for x86-based targets.
7331 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
7332 @item show disassembly-flavor
7333 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
7337 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
7338 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
7339 @item set disassemble-next-line
7340 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
7341 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
7342 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
7343 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
7344 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
7345 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
7346 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
7347 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
7348 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
7349 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
7350 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
7351 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
7352 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
7353 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
7354 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
7360 @chapter Examining Data
7362 @cindex printing data
7363 @cindex examining data
7366 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
7367 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
7368 @c different window or something like that.
7369 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
7370 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
7371 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
7372 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
7373 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
7374 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
7377 @item print @var{expr}
7378 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
7379 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
7380 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
7381 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
7382 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
7386 @itemx print /@var{f}
7387 @cindex reprint the last value
7388 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
7389 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
7390 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
7393 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
7394 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
7395 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7397 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
7398 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
7399 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
7402 @cindex exploring hierarchical data structures
7404 Another way of examining values of expressions and type information is
7405 through the Python extension command @code{explore} (available only if
7406 the @value{GDBN} build is configured with @code{--with-python}). It
7407 offers an interactive way to start at the highest level (or, the most
7408 abstract level) of the data type of an expression (or, the data type
7409 itself) and explore all the way down to leaf scalar values/fields
7410 embedded in the higher level data types.
7413 @item explore @var{arg}
7414 @var{arg} is either an expression (in the source language), or a type
7415 visible in the current context of the program being debugged.
7418 The working of the @code{explore} command can be illustrated with an
7419 example. If a data type @code{struct ComplexStruct} is defined in your
7429 struct ComplexStruct
7431 struct SimpleStruct *ss_p;
7437 followed by variable declarations as
7440 struct SimpleStruct ss = @{ 10, 1.11 @};
7441 struct ComplexStruct cs = @{ &ss, @{ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 @} @};
7445 then, the value of the variable @code{cs} can be explored using the
7446 @code{explore} command as follows.
7450 The value of `cs' is a struct/class of type `struct ComplexStruct' with
7451 the following fields:
7453 ss_p = <Enter 0 to explore this field of type `struct SimpleStruct *'>
7454 arr = <Enter 1 to explore this field of type `int [10]'>
7456 Enter the field number of choice:
7460 Since the fields of @code{cs} are not scalar values, you are being
7461 prompted to chose the field you want to explore. Let's say you choose
7462 the field @code{ss_p} by entering @code{0}. Then, since this field is a
7463 pointer, you will be asked if it is pointing to a single value. From
7464 the declaration of @code{cs} above, it is indeed pointing to a single
7465 value, hence you enter @code{y}. If you enter @code{n}, then you will
7466 be asked if it were pointing to an array of values, in which case this
7467 field will be explored as if it were an array.
7470 `cs.ss_p' is a pointer to a value of type `struct SimpleStruct'
7471 Continue exploring it as a pointer to a single value [y/n]: y
7472 The value of `*(cs.ss_p)' is a struct/class of type `struct
7473 SimpleStruct' with the following fields:
7475 i = 10 .. (Value of type `int')
7476 d = 1.1100000000000001 .. (Value of type `double')
7478 Press enter to return to parent value:
7482 If the field @code{arr} of @code{cs} was chosen for exploration by
7483 entering @code{1} earlier, then since it is as array, you will be
7484 prompted to enter the index of the element in the array that you want
7488 `cs.arr' is an array of `int'.
7489 Enter the index of the element you want to explore in `cs.arr': 5
7491 `(cs.arr)[5]' is a scalar value of type `int'.
7495 Press enter to return to parent value:
7498 In general, at any stage of exploration, you can go deeper towards the
7499 leaf values by responding to the prompts appropriately, or hit the
7500 return key to return to the enclosing data structure (the @i{higher}
7501 level data structure).
7503 Similar to exploring values, you can use the @code{explore} command to
7504 explore types. Instead of specifying a value (which is typically a
7505 variable name or an expression valid in the current context of the
7506 program being debugged), you specify a type name. If you consider the
7507 same example as above, your can explore the type
7508 @code{struct ComplexStruct} by passing the argument
7509 @code{struct ComplexStruct} to the @code{explore} command.
7512 (gdb) explore struct ComplexStruct
7516 By responding to the prompts appropriately in the subsequent interactive
7517 session, you can explore the type @code{struct ComplexStruct} in a
7518 manner similar to how the value @code{cs} was explored in the above
7521 The @code{explore} command also has two sub-commands,
7522 @code{explore value} and @code{explore type}. The former sub-command is
7523 a way to explicitly specify that value exploration of the argument is
7524 being invoked, while the latter is a way to explicitly specify that type
7525 exploration of the argument is being invoked.
7528 @item explore value @var{expr}
7529 @cindex explore value
7530 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the value of the
7531 expression @var{expr} (if @var{expr} is an expression valid in the
7532 current context of the program being debugged). The behavior of this
7533 command is identical to that of the behavior of the @code{explore}
7534 command being passed the argument @var{expr}.
7536 @item explore type @var{arg}
7537 @cindex explore type
7538 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the type of @var{arg} (if
7539 @var{arg} is a type visible in the current context of program being
7540 debugged), or the type of the value/expression @var{arg} (if @var{arg}
7541 is an expression valid in the current context of the program being
7542 debugged). If @var{arg} is a type, then the behavior of this command is
7543 identical to that of the @code{explore} command being passed the
7544 argument @var{arg}. If @var{arg} is an expression, then the behavior of
7545 this command will be identical to that of the @code{explore} command
7546 being passed the type of @var{arg} as the argument.
7550 * Expressions:: Expressions
7551 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
7552 * Variables:: Program variables
7553 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
7554 * Output Formats:: Output formats
7555 * Memory:: Examining memory
7556 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
7557 * Print Settings:: Print settings
7558 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
7559 * Value History:: Value history
7560 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
7561 * Registers:: Registers
7562 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
7563 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
7564 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
7565 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
7566 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
7567 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
7568 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
7569 character set than GDB does
7570 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
7571 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
7575 @section Expressions
7578 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
7579 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
7580 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
7581 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
7582 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
7583 you compiled your program to include this information; see
7586 @cindex arrays in expressions
7587 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
7588 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
7589 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
7590 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
7591 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
7592 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
7594 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
7595 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
7596 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
7599 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
7600 expressions regardless of your programming language.
7602 @cindex casts, in expressions
7603 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
7604 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
7605 at that address in memory.
7606 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
7608 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
7609 to programming languages:
7613 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
7614 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
7617 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
7618 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
7620 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
7621 @cindex type casting memory
7622 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
7623 @cindex casts, to view memory
7624 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
7625 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
7626 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
7627 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
7628 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
7629 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
7632 @node Ambiguous Expressions
7633 @section Ambiguous Expressions
7634 @cindex ambiguous expressions
7636 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
7637 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
7638 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
7639 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
7640 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
7641 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
7642 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
7644 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
7645 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
7646 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
7647 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
7648 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
7651 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
7652 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
7653 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
7654 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
7655 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
7656 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
7657 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
7660 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
7661 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
7662 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
7664 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
7667 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
7670 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
7671 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
7672 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
7673 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
7674 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
7675 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
7677 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
7678 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
7679 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
7680 Multiple breakpoints were set.
7681 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
7688 @kindex set multiple-symbols
7689 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
7690 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
7692 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
7695 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
7696 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
7697 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
7698 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
7699 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
7700 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
7701 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
7702 in the use of the menu.
7704 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
7705 when an ambiguity is detected.
7707 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
7708 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
7710 @kindex show multiple-symbols
7711 @item show multiple-symbols
7712 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
7716 @section Program Variables
7718 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
7721 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
7722 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
7726 global (or file-static)
7733 visible according to the scope rules of the
7734 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
7737 @noindent This means that in the function
7752 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
7753 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
7754 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
7755 the block where @code{b} is declared.
7757 @cindex variable name conflict
7758 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
7759 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
7760 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
7761 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
7762 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
7763 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file by
7764 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
7766 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
7768 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
7769 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
7772 @var{file}::@var{variable}
7773 @var{function}::@var{variable}
7777 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
7778 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
7779 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
7780 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
7783 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
7786 The @code{::} notation is normally used for referring to
7787 static variables, since you typically disambiguate uses of local variables
7788 in functions by selecting the appropriate frame and using the
7789 simple name of the variable. However, you may also use this notation
7790 to refer to local variables in frames enclosing the selected frame:
7799 process (a); /* Stop here */
7810 For example, if there is a breakpoint at the commented line,
7811 here is what you might see
7812 when the program stops after executing the call @code{bar(0)}:
7817 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
7820 #2 0x080483d0 in foo (a=5) at foobar.c:12
7823 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
7827 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
7828 These uses of @samp{::} are very rarely in conflict with the very similar
7829 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
7830 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
7831 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
7834 @cindex wrong values
7835 @cindex variable values, wrong
7836 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
7837 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
7839 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
7840 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
7841 scope, and just before exit.
7843 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
7844 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
7845 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
7846 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
7847 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
7848 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
7849 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
7850 variable definitions may be gone.
7852 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
7853 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
7856 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
7857 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
7858 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
7859 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
7860 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
7861 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
7862 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
7865 No symbol "foo" in current context.
7868 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
7869 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
7870 formats. @xref{Compilation}, for more information on choosing compiler
7871 options. @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug
7872 info formats that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
7874 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
7875 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
7876 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
7877 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
7879 If you append @kbd{@@entry} string to a function parameter name you get its
7880 value at the time the function got called. If the value is not available an
7881 error message is printed. Entry values are available only with some compilers.
7882 Entry values are normally also printed at the function parameter list according
7883 to @ref{set print entry-values}.
7886 Breakpoint 1, d (i=30) at gdb.base/entry-value.c:29
7892 (gdb) print i@@entry
7896 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
7897 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
7898 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
7899 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
7900 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
7905 signed char var1[] = "A";
7908 You get during debugging
7913 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7917 @section Artificial Arrays
7919 @cindex artificial array
7921 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7922 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7923 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7924 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7927 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7928 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7929 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7930 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7931 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7932 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7933 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7934 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
7935 example. If a program says
7938 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
7942 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
7948 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
7949 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
7950 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
7951 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7952 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
7954 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
7955 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
7956 The value need not be in memory:
7958 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
7959 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7962 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
7963 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
7964 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
7966 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
7967 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7970 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
7971 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
7972 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
7973 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
7974 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7975 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
7976 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
7977 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
7978 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
7979 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
7989 @node Output Formats
7990 @section Output Formats
7992 @cindex formatted output
7993 @cindex output formats
7994 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
7995 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
7996 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
7997 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
7998 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
8000 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
8001 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
8002 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
8003 letters supported are:
8007 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
8011 Print as integer in signed decimal.
8014 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
8017 Print as integer in octal.
8020 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
8021 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
8022 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
8023 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
8026 @cindex unknown address, locating
8027 @cindex locate address
8028 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
8029 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
8030 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
8033 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
8034 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
8038 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
8039 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
8042 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
8043 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
8044 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
8045 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
8047 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
8048 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
8049 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
8053 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
8054 using typical floating point syntax.
8057 @cindex printing strings
8058 @cindex printing byte arrays
8059 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
8060 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
8061 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
8064 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
8065 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
8066 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
8070 @cindex raw printing
8071 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
8072 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
8073 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
8074 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
8075 pretty-printer which might exist.
8078 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
8085 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
8086 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
8088 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
8089 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
8090 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
8093 @section Examining Memory
8095 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
8096 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
8098 @cindex examining memory
8100 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
8101 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
8104 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
8107 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
8108 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
8109 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
8110 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
8111 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
8114 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
8115 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
8116 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
8117 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
8120 @item @var{f}, the display format
8121 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
8122 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
8123 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
8124 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
8125 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
8127 @item @var{u}, the unit size
8128 The unit size is any of
8134 Halfwords (two bytes).
8136 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
8138 Giant words (eight bytes).
8141 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
8142 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
8143 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
8144 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
8145 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
8146 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
8147 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
8148 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
8149 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
8150 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
8153 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
8154 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
8155 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
8156 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
8157 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
8158 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
8159 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
8160 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
8161 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
8162 a value from memory).
8165 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
8166 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
8167 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
8168 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
8169 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
8171 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
8172 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
8173 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
8174 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
8175 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
8177 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
8178 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
8179 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
8180 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
8181 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
8182 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
8183 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
8184 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
8185 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
8187 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
8188 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
8189 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
8190 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
8191 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
8192 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
8193 for successive uses of @code{x}.
8195 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
8196 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
8199 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
8200 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
8201 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
8202 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
8203 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
8204 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
8207 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
8208 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
8209 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
8210 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
8211 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
8212 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
8213 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
8214 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
8215 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
8217 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
8218 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
8219 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
8221 @cindex remote memory comparison
8222 @cindex verify remote memory image
8223 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
8224 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
8225 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
8226 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
8230 @kindex compare-sections
8231 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
8232 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
8233 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
8234 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
8235 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
8236 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
8241 @section Automatic Display
8242 @cindex automatic display
8243 @cindex display of expressions
8245 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
8246 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
8247 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
8248 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
8249 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
8250 The automatic display looks like this:
8254 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
8258 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
8259 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
8260 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
8261 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
8262 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
8263 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
8267 @item display @var{expr}
8268 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
8269 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
8271 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
8273 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
8274 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
8275 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
8276 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
8277 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
8279 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
8280 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
8281 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
8282 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
8283 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
8286 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
8287 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
8288 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8291 @kindex delete display
8293 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
8294 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8295 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
8296 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
8297 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
8298 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
8299 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8301 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
8302 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
8304 @kindex disable display
8305 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8306 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
8307 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
8308 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
8309 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
8310 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
8311 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
8312 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8314 @kindex enable display
8315 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8316 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
8317 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
8318 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
8319 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
8320 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
8321 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8324 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
8325 done when your program stops.
8327 @kindex info display
8329 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
8330 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
8331 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
8332 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
8333 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
8336 @cindex display disabled out of scope
8337 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
8338 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
8339 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
8340 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
8341 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
8342 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
8343 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
8344 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
8345 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
8346 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
8348 @node Print Settings
8349 @section Print Settings
8351 @cindex format options
8352 @cindex print settings
8353 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
8354 and symbols are printed.
8357 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
8361 @item set print address
8362 @itemx set print address on
8363 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
8364 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
8365 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
8366 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
8367 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
8368 @code{set print address on}:
8373 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
8375 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8379 @item set print address off
8380 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
8381 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
8385 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
8387 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
8388 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8392 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
8393 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
8394 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
8395 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
8398 @item show print address
8399 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
8402 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
8403 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
8404 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
8405 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
8406 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
8407 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
8408 it prints a symbolic address:
8411 @item set print symbol-filename on
8412 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
8413 @cindex symbol, source file and line
8414 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
8415 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8417 @item set print symbol-filename off
8418 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
8421 @item show print symbol-filename
8422 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
8423 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8426 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
8427 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
8428 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
8430 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
8431 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
8434 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
8435 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
8436 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
8437 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
8438 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
8439 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
8441 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
8442 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
8446 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
8447 @cindex pointer, finding referent
8448 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
8449 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
8450 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
8451 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
8452 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
8453 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
8456 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
8457 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
8458 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
8462 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
8463 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
8464 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
8467 You can also enable @samp{/a}-like formatting all the time using
8468 @samp{set print symbol on}:
8471 @item set print symbol on
8472 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the symbol corresponding to an address, if
8475 @item set print symbol off
8476 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print the symbol corresponding to an
8477 address. In this mode, @value{GDBN} will still print the symbol
8478 corresponding to pointers to functions. This is the default.
8480 @item show print symbol
8481 Show whether @value{GDBN} will display the symbol corresponding to an
8485 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
8488 @item set print array
8489 @itemx set print array on
8490 @cindex pretty print arrays
8491 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
8492 but uses more space. The default is off.
8494 @item set print array off
8495 Return to compressed format for arrays.
8497 @item show print array
8498 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
8501 @cindex print array indexes
8502 @item set print array-indexes
8503 @itemx set print array-indexes on
8504 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
8505 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
8506 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
8508 @item set print array-indexes off
8509 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
8511 @item show print array-indexes
8512 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
8515 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
8516 @cindex number of array elements to print
8517 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
8518 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
8519 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
8520 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
8521 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
8522 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
8523 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
8525 @item show print elements
8526 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
8527 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
8529 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
8530 @kindex set print frame-arguments
8531 @cindex printing frame argument values
8532 @cindex print all frame argument values
8533 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
8534 @cindex do not print frame argument values
8535 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
8536 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
8541 The values of all arguments are printed.
8544 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
8545 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
8546 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
8547 only scalar arguments are shown:
8550 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
8555 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
8556 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
8559 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
8564 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
8565 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
8566 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
8567 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
8568 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
8569 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
8570 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
8571 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
8572 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
8573 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
8575 @item show print frame-arguments
8576 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
8578 @anchor{set print entry-values}
8579 @item set print entry-values @var{value}
8580 @kindex set print entry-values
8581 Set printing of frame argument values at function entry. In some cases
8582 @value{GDBN} can determine the value of function argument which was passed by
8583 the function caller, even if the value was modified inside the called function
8584 and therefore is different. With optimized code, the current value could be
8585 unavailable, but the entry value may still be known.
8587 The default value is @code{default} (see below for its description). Older
8588 @value{GDBN} behaved as with the setting @code{no}. Compilers not supporting
8589 this feature will behave in the @code{default} setting the same way as with the
8592 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
8593 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
8594 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
8597 The @var{value} parameter can be one of the following:
8601 Print only actual parameter values, never print values from function entry
8605 #0 different (val=6)
8606 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>)
8608 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8612 Print only parameter values from function entry point. The actual parameter
8613 values are never printed.
8615 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
8616 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
8617 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8618 #0 born (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8619 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8623 Print only parameter values from function entry point. If value from function
8624 entry point is not known while the actual value is known, print the actual
8625 value for such parameter.
8627 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
8628 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
8629 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8631 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8635 Print actual parameter values. If actual parameter value is not known while
8636 value from function entry point is known, print the entry point value for such
8640 #0 different (val=6)
8641 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8643 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8647 Always print both the actual parameter value and its value from function entry
8648 point, even if values of one or both are not available due to compiler
8651 #0 equal (val=5, val@@entry=5)
8652 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8653 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
8654 #0 born (val=10, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8655 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8659 Print the actual parameter value if it is known and also its value from
8660 function entry point if it is known. If neither is known, print for the actual
8661 value @code{<optimized out>}. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and if both
8662 values are known and identical, print the shortened
8663 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
8665 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
8666 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8667 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8669 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8673 Always print the actual parameter value. Print also its value from function
8674 entry point, but only if it is known. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and
8675 if both values are known and identical, print the shortened
8676 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
8678 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
8679 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8680 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
8682 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8686 For analysis messages on possible failures of frame argument values at function
8687 entry resolution see @ref{set debug entry-values}.
8689 @item show print entry-values
8690 Show the method being used for printing of frame argument values at function
8693 @item set print repeats
8694 @cindex repeated array elements
8695 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
8696 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
8697 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
8698 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
8699 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
8700 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
8701 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
8703 @item show print repeats
8704 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
8707 @item set print null-stop
8708 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
8709 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
8710 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
8711 contain only short strings.
8714 @item show print null-stop
8715 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
8716 @sc{null} character.
8718 @item set print pretty on
8719 @cindex print structures in indented form
8720 @cindex indentation in structure display
8721 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
8722 per line, like this:
8737 @item set print pretty off
8738 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
8742 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
8743 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
8748 This is the default format.
8750 @item show print pretty
8751 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
8753 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
8754 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
8755 @cindex octal escapes in strings
8756 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
8757 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
8758 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
8759 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
8760 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
8762 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
8763 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
8764 international character sets, and is the default.
8766 @item show print sevenbit-strings
8767 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
8769 @item set print union on
8770 @cindex unions in structures, printing
8771 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
8772 and other unions. This is the default setting.
8774 @item set print union off
8775 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
8776 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
8779 @item show print union
8780 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
8781 structures and other unions.
8783 For example, given the declarations
8786 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
8787 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
8788 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
8799 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
8803 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
8806 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
8810 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
8813 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
8817 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
8823 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
8826 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
8827 @item set print demangle
8828 @itemx set print demangle on
8829 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
8830 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
8831 linkage. The default is on.
8833 @item show print demangle
8834 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
8836 @item set print asm-demangle
8837 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
8838 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
8839 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
8842 @item show print asm-demangle
8843 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
8846 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
8847 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
8848 @kindex set demangle-style
8849 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
8850 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
8851 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
8855 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
8858 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
8859 This is the default.
8862 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
8865 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
8868 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
8869 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
8870 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
8871 require further enhancement to permit that.
8874 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
8876 @item show demangle-style
8877 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
8879 @item set print object
8880 @itemx set print object on
8881 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
8882 @cindex display derived types
8883 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
8884 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
8885 the virtual function table. Note that the virtual function table is
8886 required---this feature can only work for objects that have run-time
8887 type identification; a single virtual method in the object's declared
8888 type is sufficient. Note that this setting is also taken into account when
8889 working with variable objects via MI (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
8891 @item set print object off
8892 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
8893 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
8895 @item show print object
8896 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
8898 @item set print static-members
8899 @itemx set print static-members on
8900 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
8901 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
8903 @item set print static-members off
8904 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
8906 @item show print static-members
8907 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
8909 @item set print pascal_static-members
8910 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
8911 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
8912 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
8913 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
8915 @item set print pascal_static-members off
8916 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
8918 @item show print pascal_static-members
8919 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
8921 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
8922 @item set print vtbl
8923 @itemx set print vtbl on
8924 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
8925 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
8926 @cindex VTBL display
8927 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
8928 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
8929 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
8931 @item set print vtbl off
8932 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
8934 @item show print vtbl
8935 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
8938 @node Pretty Printing
8939 @section Pretty Printing
8941 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
8942 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
8943 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
8946 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
8947 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
8948 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
8951 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
8952 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
8954 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
8955 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
8956 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
8958 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
8959 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
8960 pretty-printers with their names.
8961 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
8962 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
8963 Each such subprinter has its own name.
8964 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
8966 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
8967 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
8968 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
8969 do anything special.
8971 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
8975 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
8979 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
8980 when debugging that program.
8981 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
8984 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
8985 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
8986 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
8989 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
8990 pretty-printers are selected,
8992 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
8995 @node Pretty-Printer Example
8996 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
8998 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
9001 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9003 static npos = 4294967295,
9005 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
9006 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
9007 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
9009 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
9010 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
9011 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
9016 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
9019 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9023 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
9024 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
9025 @cindex pretty-printer commands
9028 @kindex info pretty-printer
9029 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9030 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
9031 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
9033 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
9034 whose pretty-printers to list.
9035 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
9036 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
9037 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
9038 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
9039 looks up a printer from these three objects.
9041 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
9044 @kindex disable pretty-printer
9045 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9046 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9047 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
9049 @kindex enable pretty-printer
9050 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9051 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9056 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
9057 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
9058 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
9059 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
9062 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9069 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9074 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
9076 2 of 3 printers enabled
9077 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9084 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
9086 1 of 3 printers enabled
9087 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9094 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
9096 0 of 3 printers enabled
9097 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9106 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
9107 as can each individual subprinter.
9110 @section Value History
9112 @cindex value history
9113 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
9114 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
9115 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
9116 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
9117 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
9118 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
9119 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
9124 @cindex history number
9125 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
9126 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
9127 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
9128 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
9131 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
9132 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
9133 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
9134 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
9135 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
9136 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
9137 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
9139 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
9140 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
9146 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
9147 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
9154 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
9155 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
9157 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
9158 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
9166 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
9167 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
9172 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
9173 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
9174 values} does not change the history.
9176 @item show values @var{n}
9177 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
9180 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
9181 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
9184 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
9185 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
9187 @node Convenience Vars
9188 @section Convenience Variables
9190 @cindex convenience variables
9191 @cindex user-defined variables
9192 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
9193 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
9194 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
9195 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
9196 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
9198 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
9199 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
9200 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
9201 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
9202 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
9204 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
9205 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
9209 set $foo = *object_ptr
9213 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
9216 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
9217 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
9218 value with another assignment at any time.
9220 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
9221 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
9222 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
9223 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
9226 @kindex show convenience
9227 @cindex show all user variables
9228 @item show convenience
9229 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
9230 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
9232 @kindex init-if-undefined
9233 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
9234 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
9235 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
9236 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
9237 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
9238 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
9239 override default values used in a command script.
9241 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
9242 any side-effects do not occur.
9245 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
9246 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
9247 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
9251 print bar[$i++]->contents
9255 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
9257 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
9258 values likely to be useful.
9261 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
9263 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
9264 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
9265 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
9266 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
9267 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
9268 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
9269 to the type of @code{$__}.
9271 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
9273 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
9274 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
9275 to match the format in which the data was printed.
9278 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
9279 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
9280 the program being debugged terminates.
9283 @itemx $_probe_arg0@dots{}$_probe_arg11
9284 Arguments to a static probe. @xref{Static Probe Points}.
9287 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
9288 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
9289 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
9290 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
9291 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
9294 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
9295 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
9296 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
9297 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
9298 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
9301 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
9302 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
9303 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
9304 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
9305 @xref{General Query Packets}.
9306 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
9310 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
9311 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
9312 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
9314 @cindex convenience functions
9315 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
9316 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
9317 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
9318 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
9323 @kindex help function
9324 @cindex show all convenience functions
9325 Print a list of all convenience functions.
9332 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
9333 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
9334 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
9338 @kindex info registers
9339 @item info registers
9340 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
9341 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9343 @kindex info all-registers
9344 @cindex floating point registers
9345 @item info all-registers
9346 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
9347 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9349 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
9350 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
9351 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
9352 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
9353 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
9356 @cindex stack pointer register
9357 @cindex program counter register
9358 @cindex process status register
9359 @cindex frame pointer register
9360 @cindex standard registers
9361 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
9362 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
9363 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
9364 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
9365 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
9366 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
9367 register that contains the processor status. For example,
9368 you could print the program counter in hex with
9375 or print the instruction to be executed next with
9382 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
9383 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
9384 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
9385 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
9386 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
9387 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
9388 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
9394 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
9395 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
9396 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
9397 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
9398 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
9399 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
9400 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
9402 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
9403 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
9404 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
9405 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
9406 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
9407 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
9408 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
9410 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
9411 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
9412 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
9413 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
9414 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
9415 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
9416 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
9417 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
9418 prints the data in both formats.
9420 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
9421 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
9422 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
9423 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
9424 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
9425 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
9426 registers in @code{struct} notation:
9429 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
9431 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
9432 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
9433 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
9434 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
9435 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
9436 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
9437 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
9442 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
9443 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
9444 value to a @code{struct} member:
9447 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
9450 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
9451 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
9452 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
9453 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
9454 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
9455 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
9457 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
9458 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
9459 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
9460 frame makes no difference.
9462 @node Floating Point Hardware
9463 @section Floating Point Hardware
9464 @cindex floating point
9466 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
9467 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
9472 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
9473 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
9474 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
9475 the ARM and x86 machines.
9479 @section Vector Unit
9482 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
9483 more information about the status of the vector unit.
9488 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
9489 layout vary depending on the hardware.
9492 @node OS Information
9493 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
9494 @cindex OS information
9496 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
9497 you debug your program.
9499 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
9500 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
9501 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
9502 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
9503 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
9504 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
9505 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
9511 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
9512 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
9513 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
9514 the @code{examine} command.
9517 @cindex auxiliary vector
9518 @cindex vector, auxiliary
9519 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
9520 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
9521 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
9522 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
9523 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
9524 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
9525 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
9526 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
9527 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
9528 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
9529 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
9534 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
9535 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
9536 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
9537 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
9538 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
9539 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
9540 an unrecognized tag.
9543 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating system-specific
9544 information and show it to you. The types of information available
9545 will differ depending on the type of operating system running on the
9546 target. The mechanism used to fetch the data is described in
9547 @ref{Operating System Information}. For remote targets, this
9548 functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
9549 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
9553 @item info os @var{infotype}
9555 Display OS information of the requested type.
9557 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, the following values of @var{infotype} are valid:
9559 @anchor{linux info os infotypes}
9561 @kindex info os processes
9563 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
9564 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, the
9565 command corresponding to the process, and the list of processor cores
9566 that the process is currently running on. (To understand what these
9567 properties mean, for this and the following info types, please consult
9568 the general @sc{gnu}/Linux documentation.)
9570 @kindex info os procgroups
9572 Display the list of process groups on the target. For each process,
9573 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process group that it belongs
9574 to, the command corresponding to the process group leader, the process
9575 identifier, and the command line of the process. The list is sorted
9576 first by the process group identifier, then by the process identifier,
9577 so that processes belonging to the same process group are grouped together
9578 and the process group leader is listed first.
9580 @kindex info os threads
9582 Display the list of threads running on the target. For each thread,
9583 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process that the thread
9584 belongs to, the command of the process, the thread identifier, and the
9585 processor core that it is currently running on. The main thread of a
9586 process is not listed.
9588 @kindex info os files
9590 Display the list of open file descriptors on the target. For each
9591 file descriptor, @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process
9592 owning the descriptor, the command of the owning process, the value
9593 of the descriptor, and the target of the descriptor.
9595 @kindex info os sockets
9597 Display the list of Internet-domain sockets on the target. For each
9598 socket, @value{GDBN} prints the address and port of the local and
9599 remote endpoints, the current state of the connection, the creator of
9600 the socket, the IP address family of the socket, and the type of the
9605 Display the list of all System V shared-memory regions on the target.
9606 For each shared-memory region, @value{GDBN} prints the region key,
9607 the shared-memory identifier, the access permissions, the size of the
9608 region, the process that created the region, the process that last
9609 attached to or detached from the region, the current number of live
9610 attaches to the region, and the times at which the region was last
9611 attached to, detach from, and changed.
9613 @kindex info os semaphores
9615 Display the list of all System V semaphore sets on the target. For each
9616 semaphore set, @value{GDBN} prints the semaphore set key, the semaphore
9617 set identifier, the access permissions, the number of semaphores in the
9618 set, the user and group of the owner and creator of the semaphore set,
9619 and the times at which the semaphore set was operated upon and changed.
9623 Display the list of all System V message queues on the target. For each
9624 message queue, @value{GDBN} prints the message queue key, the message
9625 queue identifier, the access permissions, the current number of bytes
9626 on the queue, the current number of messages on the queue, the processes
9627 that last sent and received a message on the queue, the user and group
9628 of the owner and creator of the message queue, the times at which a
9629 message was last sent and received on the queue, and the time at which
9630 the message queue was last changed.
9632 @kindex info os modules
9634 Display the list of all loaded kernel modules on the target. For each
9635 module, @value{GDBN} prints the module name, the size of the module in
9636 bytes, the number of times the module is used, the dependencies of the
9637 module, the status of the module, and the address of the loaded module
9642 If @var{infotype} is omitted, then list the possible values for
9643 @var{infotype} and the kind of OS information available for each
9644 @var{infotype}. If the target does not return a list of possible
9645 types, this command will report an error.
9648 @node Memory Region Attributes
9649 @section Memory Region Attributes
9650 @cindex memory region attributes
9652 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
9653 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
9654 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
9655 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
9656 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
9657 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
9658 user can override the fetched regions.
9660 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
9661 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
9662 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
9663 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
9666 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
9667 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
9671 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
9672 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
9673 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
9674 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
9675 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
9676 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
9679 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
9680 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
9683 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9684 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
9685 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
9688 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9689 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
9690 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
9691 It may be enabled again later.
9694 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9695 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
9699 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
9703 @item Memory Region Number
9704 @item Enabled or Disabled.
9705 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
9706 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
9709 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
9712 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
9715 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
9720 @subsection Attributes
9722 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
9723 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
9724 write accesses to a memory region.
9726 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
9727 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
9728 etc.@: from accessing memory.
9732 Memory is read only.
9734 Memory is write only.
9736 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
9739 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
9740 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
9741 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
9742 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
9743 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
9747 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
9749 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
9751 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
9753 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
9756 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
9757 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
9758 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
9759 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
9763 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
9764 @c @item swbreak (default)
9767 @subsubsection Data Cache
9768 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
9769 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
9770 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
9771 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
9776 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
9778 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
9781 @subsection Memory Access Checking
9782 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
9783 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
9784 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
9785 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
9788 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
9789 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
9790 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
9791 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
9792 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
9793 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
9794 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
9795 The default value is @code{on}.
9796 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
9797 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
9798 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
9802 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
9803 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
9804 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
9808 @c @item noverify (default)
9811 @node Dump/Restore Files
9812 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
9813 @cindex dump/restore files
9814 @cindex append data to a file
9815 @cindex dump data to a file
9816 @cindex restore data from a file
9818 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
9819 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
9820 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
9821 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
9822 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
9823 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
9829 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
9830 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
9831 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
9832 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
9834 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
9841 Motorola S-record format.
9843 Tektronix Hex format.
9846 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
9847 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
9848 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
9852 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
9853 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
9854 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
9855 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
9856 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
9859 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
9860 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
9861 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
9862 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
9863 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
9865 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
9866 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
9867 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
9868 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
9871 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
9872 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
9873 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
9874 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
9878 @node Core File Generation
9879 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
9880 @cindex dump core from inferior
9882 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
9883 image of a running process and its process status (register values
9884 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
9885 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
9886 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
9887 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
9888 the post-mortem debugging mode.
9890 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
9891 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
9892 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
9896 @kindex generate-core-file
9897 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
9898 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
9899 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
9900 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
9901 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
9902 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
9904 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
9905 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
9908 @node Character Sets
9909 @section Character Sets
9910 @cindex character sets
9912 @cindex translating between character sets
9913 @cindex host character set
9914 @cindex target character set
9916 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
9917 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
9918 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
9919 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
9920 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
9921 @dfn{target character set}.
9923 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
9924 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
9925 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
9926 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
9927 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
9928 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
9929 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
9930 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
9931 character and string literals in expressions.
9933 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
9934 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
9935 target-charset} command, described below.
9937 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
9941 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
9942 @kindex set target-charset
9943 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
9944 list of supported target character sets, type
9945 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9947 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
9948 @kindex set host-charset
9949 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
9951 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
9952 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
9953 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
9954 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
9955 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
9957 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
9958 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9959 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
9961 @item set charset @var{charset}
9963 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
9964 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9965 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
9966 for both host and target.
9969 @kindex show charset
9970 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
9972 @item show host-charset
9973 @kindex show host-charset
9974 Show the name of the current host character set.
9976 @item show target-charset
9977 @kindex show target-charset
9978 Show the name of the current target character set.
9980 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
9981 @kindex set target-wide-charset
9982 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
9983 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
9984 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
9985 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9987 @item show target-wide-charset
9988 @kindex show target-wide-charset
9989 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
9992 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
9993 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
9994 @file{charset-test.c}:
10000 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
10001 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
10002 char ibm1047_hello[]
10003 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
10004 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
10008 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10012 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
10013 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
10014 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
10016 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
10019 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
10020 $ gdb -nw charset-test
10021 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
10022 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
10027 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
10028 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
10032 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10033 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
10037 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
10038 initial character set:
10040 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
10041 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10042 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
10046 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
10047 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
10048 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
10049 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
10050 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
10053 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10054 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
10055 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10060 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
10061 literals you use in expressions:
10064 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10069 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
10072 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
10073 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
10074 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
10077 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10078 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
10079 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10084 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
10085 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
10088 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10089 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
10090 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10093 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
10094 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
10095 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
10096 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
10097 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
10100 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
10101 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10102 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
10103 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
10104 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10105 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
10106 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10108 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10109 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
10110 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10115 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
10116 string literals you use in expressions:
10119 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10124 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
10127 @node Caching Remote Data
10128 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
10129 @cindex caching data of remote targets
10131 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
10132 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
10133 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
10134 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
10135 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
10136 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
10137 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
10138 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
10139 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
10140 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
10141 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
10142 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
10143 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
10144 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
10145 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
10148 @kindex set remotecache
10149 @item set remotecache on
10150 @itemx set remotecache off
10151 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
10154 @kindex show remotecache
10155 @item show remotecache
10156 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
10158 @kindex set stack-cache
10159 @item set stack-cache on
10160 @itemx set stack-cache off
10161 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
10162 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
10164 @kindex show stack-cache
10165 @item show stack-cache
10166 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
10168 @kindex info dcache
10169 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
10170 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
10171 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
10172 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
10173 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
10176 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
10179 @item set dcache size @var{size}
10180 @cindex dcache size
10181 @kindex set dcache size
10182 Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
10184 @item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
10185 @cindex dcache line-size
10186 @kindex set dcache line-size
10187 Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
10188 Must be a power of 2.
10190 @item show dcache size
10191 @kindex show dcache size
10192 Show maximum number of dcache entries. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10194 @item show dcache line-size
10195 @kindex show dcache line-size
10196 Show default size of dcache lines. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10200 @node Searching Memory
10201 @section Search Memory
10202 @cindex searching memory
10204 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
10205 @code{find} command.
10209 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10210 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10211 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
10212 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
10213 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
10216 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
10217 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
10220 @item @var{s}, search query size
10221 The size of each search query value.
10227 halfwords (two bytes)
10231 giant words (eight bytes)
10234 All values are interpreted in the current language.
10235 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
10236 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
10238 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
10239 value's type in the current language.
10240 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
10241 pattern as a mixture of types.
10242 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
10243 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
10244 which is typically four bytes.
10246 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
10247 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
10250 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
10252 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
10253 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
10255 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
10256 number of matches found.
10258 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
10260 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
10262 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
10268 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
10269 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
10270 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
10271 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
10272 printf ("%s\n", hello);
10277 you get during debugging:
10280 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
10281 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
10283 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
10284 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
10285 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
10287 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
10288 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
10290 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
10291 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
10293 (gdb) print $numfound
10296 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
10299 @node Optimized Code
10300 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
10301 @cindex optimized code, debugging
10302 @cindex debugging optimized code
10304 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
10305 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
10306 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
10307 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
10308 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
10309 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
10310 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
10312 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
10313 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
10314 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
10315 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
10317 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
10318 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
10319 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
10320 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
10321 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
10322 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
10324 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
10325 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
10326 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
10327 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
10328 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
10331 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
10332 * Tail Call Frames:: @value{GDBN} analysis of jumps to functions
10335 @node Inline Functions
10336 @section Inline Functions
10337 @cindex inline functions, debugging
10339 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
10340 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
10341 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
10342 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
10343 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
10344 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
10345 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
10346 @code{info frame} command.
10348 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
10349 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
10350 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
10351 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
10352 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
10353 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
10354 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
10355 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
10356 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
10357 local variables in the caller.
10359 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
10360 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
10361 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
10362 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
10363 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
10364 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
10365 instructions are executed.
10367 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
10368 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
10369 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
10370 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
10372 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
10373 function calls are the same as normal calls:
10377 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
10378 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
10379 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
10380 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
10381 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
10382 or inside the inlined function instead.
10385 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
10386 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
10387 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
10388 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
10392 @node Tail Call Frames
10393 @section Tail Call Frames
10394 @cindex tail call frames, debugging
10396 Function @code{B} can call function @code{C} in its very last statement. In
10397 unoptimized compilation the call of @code{C} is immediately followed by return
10398 instruction at the end of @code{B} code. Optimizing compiler may replace the
10399 call and return in function @code{B} into one jump to function @code{C}
10400 instead. Such use of a jump instruction is called @dfn{tail call}.
10402 During execution of function @code{C}, there will be no indication in the
10403 function call stack frames that it was tail-called from @code{B}. If function
10404 @code{A} regularly calls function @code{B} which tail-calls function @code{C},
10405 then @value{GDBN} will see @code{A} as the caller of @code{C}. However, in
10406 some cases @value{GDBN} can determine that @code{C} was tail-called from
10407 @code{B}, and it will then create fictitious call frame for that, with the
10408 return address set up as if @code{B} called @code{C} normally.
10410 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
10411 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
10412 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
10415 @kbd{info frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info}) will indicate the tail call frame
10416 kind by text @code{tail call frame} such as in this sample @value{GDBN} output:
10420 0x40066b <b(int, double)+11>: jmp 0x400640 <c(int, double)>
10422 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
10423 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
10424 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
10425 source language c++.
10426 Arglist at unknown address.
10427 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
10430 The detection of all the possible code path executions can find them ambiguous.
10431 There is no execution history stored (possible @ref{Reverse Execution} is never
10432 used for this purpose) and the last known caller could have reached the known
10433 callee by multiple different jump sequences. In such case @value{GDBN} still
10434 tries to show at least all the unambiguous top tail callers and all the
10435 unambiguous bottom tail calees, if any.
10438 @anchor{set debug entry-values}
10439 @item set debug entry-values
10440 @kindex set debug entry-values
10441 When set to on, enables printing of analysis messages for both frame argument
10442 values at function entry and tail calls. It will show all the possible valid
10443 tail calls code paths it has considered. It will also print the intersection
10444 of them with the final unambiguous (possibly partial or even empty) code path
10447 @item show debug entry-values
10448 @kindex show debug entry-values
10449 Show the current state of analysis messages printing for both frame argument
10450 values at function entry and tail calls.
10453 The analysis messages for tail calls can for example show why the virtual tail
10454 call frame for function @code{c} has not been recognized (due to the indirect
10455 reference by variable @code{x}):
10458 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void);
10459 void (*x) (void) = c;
10460 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10461 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ a (); @}
10462 int main (void) @{ x (); return 0; @}
10464 Breakpoint 1, DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving cannot find
10465 DW_TAG_GNU_call_site 0x40039a in main
10467 3 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10470 #1 0x000000000040039a in main () at t.c:5
10473 Another possibility is an ambiguous virtual tail call frames resolution:
10477 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) f (void) @{ i++; @}
10478 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) e (void) @{ f (); @}
10479 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) d (void) @{ f (); @}
10480 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ d (); @}
10481 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (void)
10482 @{ if (i) c (); else e (); @}
10483 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ b (); @}
10484 int main (void) @{ a (); return 0; @}
10486 tailcall: initial: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004ce(b) 0x4004b2(c) 0x4004a2(d)
10487 tailcall: compare: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004cc(b) 0x400492(e)
10488 tailcall: reduced: 0x4004d2(a) |
10491 #1 0x00000000004004d2 in a () at t.c:8
10492 #2 0x0000000000400395 in main () at t.c:9
10495 @set CALLSEQ1A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}c@value{ARROW}d@value{ARROW}f}
10496 @set CALLSEQ2A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}e@value{ARROW}f}
10498 @c Convert CALLSEQ#A to CALLSEQ#B depending on HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK.
10499 @ifset HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10500 @set ARROW @click{}
10501 @set CALLSEQ1B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ1A}}
10502 @set CALLSEQ2B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ2A}}
10504 @ifclear HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10506 @set CALLSEQ1B @value{CALLSEQ1A}
10507 @set CALLSEQ2B @value{CALLSEQ2A}
10510 Frames #0 and #2 are real, #1 is a virtual tail call frame.
10511 The code can have possible execution paths @value{CALLSEQ1B} or
10512 @value{CALLSEQ2B}, @value{GDBN} cannot find which one from the inferior state.
10514 @code{initial:} state shows some random possible calling sequence @value{GDBN}
10515 has found. It then finds another possible calling sequcen - that one is
10516 prefixed by @code{compare:}. The non-ambiguous intersection of these two is
10517 printed as the @code{reduced:} calling sequence. That one could have many
10518 futher @code{compare:} and @code{reduced:} statements as long as there remain
10519 any non-ambiguous sequence entries.
10521 For the frame of function @code{b} in both cases there are different possible
10522 @code{$pc} values (@code{0x4004cc} or @code{0x4004ce}), therefore this frame is
10523 also ambigous. The only non-ambiguous frame is the one for function @code{a},
10524 therefore this one is displayed to the user while the ambiguous frames are
10527 There can be also reasons why printing of frame argument values at function
10532 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (int i) @{ v++; @}
10533 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i);
10534 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (int i) @{ a (i); @}
10535 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i)
10536 @{ if (i) b (i - 1); else c (0); @}
10537 int main (void) @{ a (5); return 0; @}
10540 #0 c (i=i@@entry=0) at t.c:2
10541 #1 0x0000000000400428 in a (DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving has found
10542 function "a" at 0x400420 can call itself via tail calls
10543 i=<optimized out>) at t.c:6
10544 #2 0x000000000040036e in main () at t.c:7
10547 @value{GDBN} cannot find out from the inferior state if and how many times did
10548 function @code{a} call itself (via function @code{b}) as these calls would be
10549 tail calls. Such tail calls would modify thue @code{i} variable, therefore
10550 @value{GDBN} cannot be sure the value it knows would be right - @value{GDBN}
10551 prints @code{<optimized out>} instead.
10554 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
10556 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
10557 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
10558 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
10559 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
10560 where it was defined.
10562 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
10563 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
10564 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
10565 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
10567 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
10568 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
10569 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
10570 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
10571 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
10572 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
10575 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
10576 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
10577 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
10581 @kindex macro expand
10582 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
10583 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
10584 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
10585 @item macro expand @var{expression}
10586 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
10587 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
10588 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
10589 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
10590 it can be any string of tokens.
10593 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
10594 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
10595 @cindex expand macro once
10596 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
10597 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
10598 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
10599 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
10600 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
10601 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
10602 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
10603 can be any string of tokens.
10606 @cindex macro definition, showing
10607 @cindex definition of a macro, showing
10608 @cindex macros, from debug info
10609 @item info macro [-a|-all] [--] @var{macro}
10610 Show the current definition or all definitions of the named @var{macro},
10611 and describe the source location or compiler command-line where that
10612 definition was established. The optional double dash is to signify the end of
10613 argument processing and the beginning of @var{macro} for non C-like macros where
10614 the macro may begin with a hyphen.
10616 @kindex info macros
10617 @item info macros @var{linespec}
10618 Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
10619 by @var{linespec}, and describe the source location or compiler
10620 command-line where those definitions were established.
10622 @kindex macro define
10623 @cindex user-defined macros
10624 @cindex defining macros interactively
10625 @cindex macros, user-defined
10626 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
10627 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
10628 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
10629 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
10630 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
10631 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
10632 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
10635 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
10636 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
10637 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
10638 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
10639 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
10641 @kindex macro undef
10642 @item macro undef @var{macro}
10643 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
10644 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
10645 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
10646 in the program being debugged.
10650 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
10653 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
10654 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
10655 show our source files:
10660 #include "sample.h"
10663 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10668 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10670 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10672 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
10679 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
10680 @value{NGCC}. We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2}@footnote{This is the
10681 minimum. Recent versions of @value{NGCC} support @option{-gdwarf-3}
10682 and @option{-gdwarf-4}; we recommend always choosing the most recent
10683 version of DWARF.} @emph{and} @option{-g3} flags to ensure the compiler
10684 includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
10688 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
10692 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
10696 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
10697 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
10698 GDB is free software, @dots{}
10702 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
10703 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
10704 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
10707 (@value{GDBP}) list main
10710 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10715 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10717 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10718 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
10719 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
10720 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10721 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
10722 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
10723 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
10725 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
10726 expands to: (42 + 1)
10727 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
10728 expands to: once (M + 1)
10732 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
10733 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
10734 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
10735 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
10737 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
10738 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
10741 (@value{GDBP}) break main
10742 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
10744 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
10746 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
10747 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10751 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
10754 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
10755 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
10757 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
10758 expands to: 28 < 42
10759 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
10764 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
10765 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
10766 thereof) in force at each point:
10769 (@value{GDBP}) next
10771 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10772 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
10773 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
10774 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
10775 (@value{GDBP}) next
10777 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
10778 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
10779 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
10781 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
10782 expands to: 1729 < 42
10783 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
10788 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
10789 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
10790 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
10791 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
10794 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
10795 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
10802 @chapter Tracepoints
10803 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
10804 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
10806 @cindex tracepoints
10807 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
10808 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
10809 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
10810 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
10811 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
10812 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
10813 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
10815 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
10816 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
10817 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
10818 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
10819 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
10820 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
10821 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
10822 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
10823 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
10824 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
10825 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
10827 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
10828 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
10829 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
10830 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
10831 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
10832 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
10835 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
10836 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
10837 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
10839 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
10842 * Set Tracepoints::
10843 * Analyze Collected Data::
10844 * Tracepoint Variables::
10848 @node Set Tracepoints
10849 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
10851 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
10852 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
10853 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
10854 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
10855 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
10856 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
10857 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
10859 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
10860 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
10861 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
10862 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
10863 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
10864 tracepoint was hit.
10866 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
10867 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
10868 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
10871 @cindex fast tracepoints
10872 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
10873 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
10874 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
10876 @cindex static tracepoints
10877 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
10878 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
10879 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
10880 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
10881 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
10882 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
10883 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
10884 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
10885 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
10886 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
10887 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
10888 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
10889 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
10890 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
10891 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
10892 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
10893 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
10894 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
10895 static tracepoint marker.
10897 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
10898 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
10900 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
10901 conditions and actions.
10904 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
10905 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
10906 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
10907 * Tracepoint Conditions::
10908 * Trace State Variables::
10909 * Tracepoint Actions::
10910 * Listing Tracepoints::
10911 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
10912 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
10913 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
10916 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
10917 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
10920 @cindex set tracepoint
10922 @item trace @var{location}
10923 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
10924 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
10925 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
10926 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
10927 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
10928 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
10929 changing its actions takes effect immediately if the remote stub
10930 supports the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature (@pxref{install tracepoint
10932 If remote stub doesn't support the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature, all
10933 these changes don't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
10934 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
10935 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts. In addition,
10936 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{pending tracepoints}---tracepoints whose
10937 address is not yet resolved. (This is similar to pending breakpoints.)
10938 Pending tracepoints are not downloaded to the target and not installed
10939 until they are resolved. The resolution of pending tracepoints requires
10940 @value{GDBN} support---when debugging with the remote target, and
10941 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the remote stub (@pxref{disconnected
10942 tracing}), pending tracepoints can not be resolved (and downloaded to
10943 the remote stub) while @value{GDBN} is disconnected.
10945 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
10948 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
10950 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
10952 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
10954 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
10956 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
10960 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
10962 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
10963 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
10964 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
10965 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
10966 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
10967 information on tracepoint conditions.
10969 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
10970 @cindex set fast tracepoint
10971 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
10973 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
10974 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
10975 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
10976 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
10977 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
10978 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
10981 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
10984 On 32-bit x86-architecture systems, fast tracepoints normally need to
10985 be placed at an instruction that is 5 bytes or longer, but can be
10986 placed at 4-byte instructions if the low 64K of memory of the target
10987 program is available to install trampolines. Some Unix-type systems,
10988 such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, exclude low addresses from the program's
10989 address space; but for instance with the Linux kernel it is possible
10990 to let @value{GDBN} use this area by doing a @command{sysctl} command
10991 to set the @code{mmap_min_addr} kernel parameter, as in
10994 sudo sysctl -w vm.mmap_min_addr=32768
10998 which sets the low address to 32K, which leaves plenty of room for
10999 trampolines. The minimum address should be set to a page boundary.
11001 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11002 @cindex set static tracepoint
11003 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
11004 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
11006 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
11007 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
11008 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
11009 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
11010 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
11012 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
11013 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
11014 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
11015 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
11016 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
11017 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
11018 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
11019 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
11020 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
11026 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
11031 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
11032 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
11035 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11036 Cnt Enb ID Address What
11037 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
11043 so you may probe the marker above with:
11046 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
11049 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
11050 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
11051 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
11052 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
11053 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
11054 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
11055 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
11056 the @samp{Data:} field.
11058 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
11059 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
11060 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
11063 @cindex last tracepoint number
11064 @cindex recent tracepoint number
11065 @cindex tracepoint number
11066 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
11067 of the most recently set tracepoint.
11069 @kindex delete tracepoint
11070 @cindex tracepoint deletion
11071 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11072 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
11073 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
11074 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
11079 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
11081 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
11085 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
11088 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11089 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11091 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
11094 @kindex disable tracepoint
11095 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11096 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
11097 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
11098 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
11099 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
11100 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
11101 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
11102 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
11103 next trace experiment.
11105 @kindex enable tracepoint
11106 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11107 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
11108 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
11109 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
11110 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
11111 next time a trace experiment is run.
11114 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
11115 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
11119 @cindex tracepoint pass count
11120 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
11121 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
11122 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
11123 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
11124 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
11125 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
11126 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
11127 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
11133 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
11134 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
11136 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
11137 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
11138 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11139 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
11140 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
11141 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
11142 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
11143 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
11144 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
11145 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
11146 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
11150 @node Tracepoint Conditions
11151 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
11152 @cindex conditional tracepoints
11153 @cindex tracepoint conditions
11155 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
11156 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
11157 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
11158 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
11159 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
11160 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
11163 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
11164 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
11165 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
11166 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
11167 just as with breakpoints.
11169 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
11170 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
11171 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
11172 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
11173 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
11174 accesses, and so forth.
11176 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
11177 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
11178 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
11179 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
11180 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
11181 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
11185 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
11188 @node Trace State Variables
11189 @subsection Trace State Variables
11190 @cindex trace state variables
11192 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
11193 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
11194 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
11195 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
11196 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
11199 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
11200 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
11201 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
11202 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
11204 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
11205 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
11206 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
11207 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
11208 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
11209 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
11210 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
11211 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
11212 variable with the same name.
11216 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
11218 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
11219 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
11220 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
11221 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
11222 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
11223 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
11224 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
11225 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
11226 value. The default initial value is 0.
11228 @item info tvariables
11229 @kindex info tvariables
11230 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
11231 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
11234 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
11235 @kindex delete tvariable
11236 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
11241 @node Tracepoint Actions
11242 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
11246 @cindex tracepoint actions
11247 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11248 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
11249 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
11250 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
11251 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
11252 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
11253 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
11254 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
11255 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
11256 @code{while-stepping}.
11258 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
11259 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
11260 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
11262 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
11263 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
11264 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
11267 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
11269 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
11271 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
11274 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
11275 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
11276 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
11277 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
11278 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
11279 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
11280 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
11281 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
11284 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11285 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11286 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
11289 > while-stepping 12
11290 > collect $pc, arr[i]
11295 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
11296 @item collect@r{[}/@var{mods}@r{]} @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11297 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
11298 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
11299 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
11300 special arguments are supported:
11304 Collect all registers.
11307 Collect all function arguments.
11310 Collect all local variables.
11313 Collect the return address. This is helpful if you want to see more
11317 Collects the number of arguments from the static probe at which the
11318 tracepoint is located.
11319 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11321 @item $_probe_arg@var{n}
11322 @var{n} is an integer between 0 and 11. Collects the @var{n}th argument
11323 from the static probe at which the tracepoint is located.
11324 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11327 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
11328 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
11329 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
11330 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
11331 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
11332 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
11333 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
11334 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
11335 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
11338 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
11339 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
11342 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
11343 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
11344 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
11348 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
11349 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
11350 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
11352 The optional @var{mods} changes the usual handling of the arguments.
11353 @code{s} requests that pointers to chars be handled as strings, in
11354 particular collecting the contents of the memory being pointed at, up
11355 to the first zero. The upper bound is by default the value of the
11356 @code{print elements} variable; if @code{s} is followed by a decimal
11357 number, that is the upper bound instead. So for instance
11358 @samp{collect/s25 mystr} collects as many as 25 characters at
11361 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
11362 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
11364 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
11365 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11366 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
11367 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
11368 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
11369 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
11370 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
11373 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
11374 @item while-stepping @var{n}
11375 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
11376 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
11377 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
11378 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
11381 > while-stepping 12
11382 > collect $regs, myglobal
11388 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
11389 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
11390 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
11393 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11394 @kindex set default-collect
11395 @cindex default collection action
11396 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
11397 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
11398 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
11399 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
11400 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
11401 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
11403 @item show default-collect
11404 @kindex show default-collect
11405 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
11410 @node Listing Tracepoints
11411 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
11414 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
11415 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
11416 @cindex information about tracepoints
11417 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
11418 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
11419 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
11420 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
11421 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
11422 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
11424 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
11429 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
11433 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
11434 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
11435 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
11437 collect globfoo, $regs
11446 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
11449 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
11450 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
11453 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
11454 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
11455 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
11456 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
11459 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
11463 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
11466 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
11467 @item Enabled or Disabled
11468 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
11469 that are not enabled.
11471 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
11473 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
11474 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
11475 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
11476 will be left blank.
11480 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
11484 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
11485 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
11487 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
11488 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
11492 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11493 Cnt ID Enb Address What
11494 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
11495 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
11496 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
11497 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
11503 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11504 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11507 @kindex tstart [ @var{notes} ]
11508 @cindex start a new trace experiment
11509 @cindex collected data discarded
11511 This command starts the trace experiment, and begins collecting data.
11512 It has the side effect of discarding all the data collected in the
11513 trace buffer during the previous trace experiment. If any arguments
11514 are supplied, they are taken as a note and stored with the trace
11515 experiment's state. The notes may be arbitrary text, and are
11516 especially useful with disconnected tracing in a multi-user context;
11517 the notes can explain what the trace is doing, supply user contact
11518 information, and so forth.
11520 @kindex tstop [ @var{notes} ]
11521 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
11523 This command stops the trace experiment. If any arguments are
11524 supplied, they are recorded with the experiment as a note. This is
11525 useful if you are stopping a trace started by someone else, for
11526 instance if the trace is interfering with the system's behavior and
11527 needs to be stopped quickly.
11529 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
11530 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
11531 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
11534 @cindex status of trace data collection
11535 @cindex trace experiment, status of
11537 This command displays the status of the current trace data
11541 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
11544 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
11545 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11546 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
11547 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
11548 > while-stepping 11
11552 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
11553 [time passes @dots{}]
11554 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
11557 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
11558 @cindex disconnected tracing
11559 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
11560 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
11561 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
11562 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
11563 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
11564 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
11565 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
11566 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
11569 @item set disconnected-tracing on
11570 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
11571 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
11572 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
11573 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
11574 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
11575 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
11576 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
11578 @item show disconnected-tracing
11579 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
11580 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
11584 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
11585 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
11586 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
11587 it will continue after reconnection.
11589 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
11590 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
11591 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
11592 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
11593 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
11594 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
11595 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
11596 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
11597 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
11598 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
11600 @cindex circular trace buffer
11601 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
11602 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
11603 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
11604 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
11605 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
11606 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
11607 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
11608 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
11609 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
11610 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
11614 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
11615 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
11616 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
11617 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
11618 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
11619 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
11620 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
11622 @item show circular-trace-buffer
11623 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
11624 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
11625 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
11626 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
11627 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
11632 @item set trace-user @var{text}
11633 @kindex set trace-user
11635 @item show trace-user
11636 @kindex show trace-user
11638 @item set trace-notes @var{text}
11639 @kindex set trace-notes
11640 Set the trace run's notes.
11642 @item show trace-notes
11643 @kindex show trace-notes
11644 Show the trace run's notes.
11646 @item set trace-stop-notes @var{text}
11647 @kindex set trace-stop-notes
11648 Set the trace run's stop notes. The handling of the note is as for
11649 @code{tstop} arguments; the set command is convenient way to fix a
11650 stop note that is mistaken or incomplete.
11652 @item show trace-stop-notes
11653 @kindex show trace-stop-notes
11654 Show the trace run's stop notes.
11658 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
11659 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
11661 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
11662 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
11663 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
11664 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
11665 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
11666 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
11667 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
11668 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
11674 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
11675 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
11676 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
11677 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
11678 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
11679 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
11680 cannot be collected either.
11683 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
11684 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
11685 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
11686 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
11687 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
11688 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
11689 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
11690 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
11691 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
11692 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
11695 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
11696 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
11697 in a misleading way.
11700 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
11701 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
11702 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
11703 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
11704 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
11705 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
11706 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
11710 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
11711 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
11712 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*(unsigned char *)$esp@@300}
11713 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
11714 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
11715 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
11716 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
11717 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
11718 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
11719 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
11723 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
11724 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
11725 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
11726 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
11727 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
11728 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
11729 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
11734 @node Analyze Collected Data
11735 @section Using the Collected Data
11737 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
11738 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
11739 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
11740 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
11741 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
11742 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
11743 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
11744 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
11745 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
11746 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
11747 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
11748 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
11749 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
11750 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
11751 the buffer will fail.
11754 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
11755 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
11756 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
11760 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
11763 @cindex select trace snapshot
11764 @cindex find trace snapshot
11765 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
11766 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
11767 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
11768 snapshot is selected.
11770 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
11774 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
11775 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
11778 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
11781 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
11784 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
11787 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
11788 retracing earlier steps.
11790 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
11791 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
11792 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
11793 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
11794 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
11796 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
11797 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
11798 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
11799 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
11800 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
11802 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
11803 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
11804 addresses (exclusive).
11806 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
11807 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
11808 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
11810 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
11811 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
11812 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
11813 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
11814 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
11815 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
11816 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
11817 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
11820 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
11821 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
11822 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
11823 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
11824 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
11825 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
11826 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
11827 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
11828 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
11829 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
11830 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
11831 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
11832 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
11833 tracepoint as the current one.
11835 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
11836 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
11837 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
11838 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
11839 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
11842 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
11843 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
11844 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
11845 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
11849 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
11850 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
11851 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
11852 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
11853 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
11854 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
11855 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
11856 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
11857 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
11858 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
11859 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
11862 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
11866 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
11867 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
11868 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
11878 @subsection @code{tdump}
11880 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
11881 @cindex tracepoint data, display
11883 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
11884 the current trace snapshot.
11887 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
11888 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11889 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
11890 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
11893 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
11895 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
11896 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
11898 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
11900 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
11901 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
11902 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
11906 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
11909 d7 0x380035 3670069
11910 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
11911 a1 0x3000668 50333288
11913 a3 0x322000 3284992
11914 a4 0x3000698 50333336
11915 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
11916 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
11917 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
11919 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
11923 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
11930 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
11935 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
11936 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
11937 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
11938 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
11940 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
11941 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
11942 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
11943 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
11944 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
11945 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
11946 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
11947 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
11948 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
11949 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
11951 @node save tracepoints
11952 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
11953 @kindex save tracepoints
11954 @kindex save-tracepoints
11955 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
11957 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
11958 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
11959 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
11960 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
11961 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
11962 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
11964 @node Tracepoint Variables
11965 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
11966 @cindex tracepoint variables
11967 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
11970 @vindex $trace_frame
11971 @item (int) $trace_frame
11972 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
11973 snapshot is selected.
11975 @vindex $tracepoint
11976 @item (int) $tracepoint
11977 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
11979 @vindex $trace_line
11980 @item (int) $trace_line
11981 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
11983 @vindex $trace_file
11984 @item (char []) $trace_file
11985 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
11987 @vindex $trace_func
11988 @item (char []) $trace_func
11989 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
11992 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
11993 use @code{output} instead.
11995 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
11996 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
11997 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
11998 which are managed by the target.
12001 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12003 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
12004 > output $trace_file
12005 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
12011 @section Using Trace Files
12012 @cindex trace files
12014 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
12015 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
12016 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
12017 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
12018 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
12023 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
12024 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
12025 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
12026 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
12027 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
12028 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
12029 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
12030 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
12031 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
12033 @kindex target tfile
12035 @item target tfile @var{filename}
12036 Use the file named @var{filename} as a source of trace data. Commands
12037 that examine data work as they do with a live target, but it is not
12038 possible to run any new trace experiments. @code{tstatus} will report
12039 the state of the trace run at the moment the data was saved, as well
12040 as the current trace frame you are examining. @var{filename} must be
12041 on a filesystem accessible to the host.
12046 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
12049 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
12050 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
12051 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
12055 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
12056 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
12057 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
12058 mapped by asking the inferior.
12059 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
12062 @node How Overlays Work
12063 @section How Overlays Work
12064 @cindex mapped overlays
12065 @cindex unmapped overlays
12066 @cindex load address, overlay's
12067 @cindex mapped address
12068 @cindex overlay area
12070 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
12071 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
12072 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
12073 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
12074 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
12076 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
12077 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
12078 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
12079 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
12080 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
12081 largest overlay as well.
12083 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
12084 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
12085 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
12088 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
12089 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
12090 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
12094 Data Instruction Larger
12095 Address Space Address Space Address Space
12096 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
12098 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
12099 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
12100 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
12101 | and heap | | | | | |
12102 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
12103 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
12104 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
12106 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
12107 address | | | | | |
12108 | overlay | <-' | | |
12109 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
12110 | | <---. | | load address
12111 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
12118 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
12122 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
12123 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
12124 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
12125 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
12126 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
12127 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
12128 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
12129 program and the overlay area.
12131 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
12132 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
12133 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
12134 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
12135 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
12136 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
12137 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
12139 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
12140 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
12141 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
12146 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
12147 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
12148 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
12149 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
12152 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
12153 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
12154 your program's performance.
12157 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
12158 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
12159 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
12160 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
12161 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
12162 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
12163 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
12166 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
12167 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
12168 instruction and data spaces.
12172 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
12173 improved in many ways:
12178 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
12179 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
12180 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
12181 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
12182 area in the usual way.
12185 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
12186 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
12189 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
12190 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
12191 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
12192 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
12193 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
12194 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
12195 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
12200 @node Overlay Commands
12201 @section Overlay Commands
12203 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
12204 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
12205 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
12206 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
12207 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
12208 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
12210 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
12211 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
12216 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
12217 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
12218 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
12219 overlay support is disabled.
12221 @item overlay manual
12222 @cindex manual overlay debugging
12223 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12224 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
12225 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
12226 commands described below.
12228 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
12229 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
12230 @cindex map an overlay
12231 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
12232 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
12233 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
12234 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
12235 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
12236 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
12238 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
12239 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
12240 @cindex unmap an overlay
12241 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
12242 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
12243 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
12244 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
12247 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12248 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
12249 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
12250 Overlay Debugging}.
12252 @item overlay load-target
12253 @itemx overlay load
12254 @cindex reloading the overlay table
12255 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
12256 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
12257 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
12258 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
12259 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
12261 @item overlay list-overlays
12262 @itemx overlay list
12263 @cindex listing mapped overlays
12264 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
12265 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
12269 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
12270 of the function the address falls in:
12273 (@value{GDBP}) print main
12274 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
12277 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
12278 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
12279 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
12280 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
12283 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12284 No sections are mapped.
12285 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
12286 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
12289 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
12293 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12294 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
12295 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
12296 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
12297 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
12300 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
12301 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
12302 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
12303 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
12304 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
12308 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
12309 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
12310 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
12311 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
12313 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
12314 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
12315 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
12316 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
12317 breakpoints properly.
12321 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
12322 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
12323 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
12325 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
12326 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
12327 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
12328 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
12329 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
12330 current state of the overlays.
12332 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
12333 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
12337 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
12338 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
12343 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
12346 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
12347 unsigned long size;
12349 /* The overlay's load address. */
12352 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
12354 unsigned long mapped;
12358 @item @code{_novlys}:
12359 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
12360 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
12364 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
12365 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
12366 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
12367 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
12368 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
12371 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
12372 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
12373 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
12374 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
12375 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
12376 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
12377 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
12378 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
12379 are not being executed.
12381 @node Overlay Sample Program
12382 @section Overlay Sample Program
12383 @cindex overlay example program
12385 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
12386 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
12387 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
12388 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
12389 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
12390 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
12391 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
12393 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
12394 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
12395 suite. The program consists of the following files from
12396 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
12400 The main program file.
12402 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
12407 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
12410 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
12411 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
12414 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
12415 cross-compiler like this:
12418 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
12419 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
12420 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
12421 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
12422 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
12423 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
12424 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
12425 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
12428 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
12429 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
12430 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
12434 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
12437 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
12438 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
12439 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
12440 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
12441 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
12442 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
12444 @cindex working language
12445 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
12446 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
12447 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
12448 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
12449 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
12453 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
12454 * Show:: Displaying the language
12455 * Checks:: Type and range checks
12456 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
12457 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
12461 @section Switching Between Source Languages
12463 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
12464 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
12465 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
12466 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
12467 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
12470 In addition to the working language, every source file that
12471 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
12472 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
12473 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
12474 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
12475 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
12476 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
12477 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
12478 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
12479 Displaying the Language}.
12481 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
12482 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
12483 another language. In that case, make the
12484 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
12485 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
12486 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
12489 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
12490 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
12491 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
12495 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
12497 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
12498 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
12516 C@t{++} source file
12522 Objective-C source file
12526 Fortran source file
12529 Modula-2 source file
12533 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
12534 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
12537 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
12538 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
12541 @subsection Setting the Working Language
12543 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
12544 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
12547 @kindex set language
12548 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
12549 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
12550 a language, such as
12551 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
12552 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
12554 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
12555 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
12556 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
12557 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
12558 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
12559 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
12567 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
12568 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
12569 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
12570 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
12572 @node Automatically
12573 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
12575 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
12576 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
12577 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
12578 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
12579 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
12580 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
12581 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
12582 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
12583 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
12585 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
12586 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
12587 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
12588 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
12589 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
12592 @section Displaying the Language
12594 The following commands help you find out which language is the
12595 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
12598 @item show language
12599 @kindex show language
12600 Display the current working language. This is the
12601 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
12602 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
12605 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
12606 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
12607 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
12608 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
12609 information listed here.
12612 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
12613 Display the source language of this source file.
12614 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
12615 information listed here.
12618 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
12619 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
12620 with a language explicitly:
12623 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
12624 @kindex set extension-language
12625 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
12626 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
12628 @item info extensions
12629 @kindex info extensions
12630 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
12634 @section Type and Range Checking
12637 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
12638 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
12639 section documents the intended facilities.
12641 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
12643 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
12644 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
12645 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
12646 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
12647 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
12648 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
12649 errors when your program is running.
12651 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
12652 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
12653 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
12654 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
12655 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
12656 automatically based on your program's source language.
12657 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
12658 settings of supported languages.
12661 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
12662 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
12665 @cindex type checking
12666 @cindex checks, type
12667 @node Type Checking
12668 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
12670 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
12671 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
12672 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
12673 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
12681 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
12682 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
12684 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
12685 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
12686 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
12687 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
12688 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
12689 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
12690 also issues a warning.
12692 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
12693 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
12694 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
12695 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
12696 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
12697 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
12699 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
12700 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
12701 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
12702 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
12703 operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
12704 details on specific languages.
12706 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
12708 @kindex set check type
12709 @kindex show check type
12711 @item set check type auto
12712 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
12713 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
12716 @item set check type on
12717 @itemx set check type off
12718 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
12719 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
12720 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
12721 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
12722 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
12724 @item set check type warn
12725 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
12726 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
12727 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
12728 numbers and structures.
12731 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
12732 is setting it automatically.
12735 @cindex range checking
12736 @cindex checks, range
12737 @node Range Checking
12738 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
12740 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
12741 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
12742 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
12743 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
12744 not exceed the bounds of the array.
12746 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
12747 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
12748 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
12749 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
12751 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
12752 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
12753 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
12754 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
12755 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
12756 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
12759 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
12762 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
12763 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
12764 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
12766 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
12768 @kindex set check range
12769 @kindex show check range
12771 @item set check range auto
12772 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
12773 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
12776 @item set check range on
12777 @itemx set check range off
12778 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
12779 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
12780 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
12781 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
12783 @item set check range warn
12784 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
12785 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
12786 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
12787 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
12791 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
12792 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
12795 @node Supported Languages
12796 @section Supported Languages
12798 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Go, Objective-C, Fortran, Java,
12799 OpenCL C, Pascal, assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
12800 @c This is false ...
12801 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
12802 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
12803 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
12804 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
12807 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
12808 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
12809 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
12810 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
12811 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
12812 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
12813 language reference or tutorial.
12816 * C:: C and C@t{++}
12819 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
12820 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
12821 * Fortran:: Fortran
12823 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
12828 @subsection C and C@t{++}
12830 @cindex C and C@t{++}
12831 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
12833 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
12834 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
12838 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
12839 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
12840 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
12841 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
12842 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
12843 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
12844 compiler (@code{aCC}).
12847 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
12848 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
12849 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
12850 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
12851 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
12852 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
12853 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
12854 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
12858 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
12860 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
12862 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12863 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
12864 often defined on groups of types.
12866 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
12871 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
12872 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
12875 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
12876 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
12879 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
12882 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
12887 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
12888 in order of increasing precedence:
12892 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
12893 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
12894 expression being the last expression evaluated.
12897 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
12898 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
12901 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
12902 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
12903 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
12904 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
12905 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
12908 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
12909 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
12913 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
12916 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
12919 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
12922 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
12925 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
12928 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
12929 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
12931 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
12932 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
12933 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
12934 and non-zero for true.
12937 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
12940 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
12943 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
12946 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
12947 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
12948 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
12952 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
12953 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
12954 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
12955 operation takes place.
12958 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
12962 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
12964 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
12965 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
12966 to examine the address
12967 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
12971 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
12972 precedence as @code{++}.
12975 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
12979 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
12984 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
12985 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
12986 pointer based on the stored type information.
12987 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
12990 Dereferences of pointers to members.
12993 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
12994 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
12997 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13000 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
13001 and @code{class} types.
13004 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
13005 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
13009 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
13010 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
13011 predefined meaning.
13014 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
13016 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
13018 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
13023 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
13024 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
13025 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
13026 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
13030 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
13031 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
13032 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
13033 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
13034 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
13035 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
13036 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
13037 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
13038 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
13042 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
13043 integral equivalents.
13046 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
13047 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
13048 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
13049 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
13050 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
13051 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
13052 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
13053 @samp{\n} for newline.
13055 Wide character constants can be written by prefixing a character
13056 constant with @samp{L}, as in C. For example, @samp{L'x'} is the wide
13057 form of @samp{x}. The target wide character set is used when
13058 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13061 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
13062 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
13063 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
13064 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
13067 Wide string constants can be written by prefixing a string constant
13068 with @samp{L}, as in C. The target wide character set is used when
13069 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13072 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
13073 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
13076 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
13077 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
13078 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
13079 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
13082 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
13083 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
13085 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
13086 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
13088 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
13089 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
13090 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
13091 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
13093 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use
13094 the proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently,
13095 @value{GDBN} works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled
13096 with the most recent version of @value{NGCC} possible. The DWARF
13097 debugging format is preferred; @value{NGCC} defaults to this on most
13098 popular platforms. Other compilers and/or debug formats are likely to
13099 work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug C@t{++}
13100 code. @xref{Compilation}.
13105 @cindex member functions
13107 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
13110 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
13113 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
13114 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
13116 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
13117 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
13118 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
13119 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}. @code{using}
13120 declarations in the current scope are also respected by @value{GDBN}.
13122 @cindex call overloaded functions
13123 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
13124 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
13126 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
13127 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
13128 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
13129 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
13130 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
13133 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
13134 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
13135 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
13136 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
13137 number of function arguments.
13139 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
13140 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
13141 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
13143 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
13144 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
13146 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
13149 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
13150 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
13152 @cindex reference declarations
13154 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
13155 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
13158 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
13159 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
13160 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
13161 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
13162 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
13165 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
13166 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
13167 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
13168 necessary, for example in an expression like
13169 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
13170 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
13171 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
13174 @value{GDBN} performs argument-dependent lookup, following the C@t{++}
13179 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
13181 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
13183 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
13184 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
13185 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
13186 selects the working language.
13188 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
13189 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
13190 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
13191 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
13192 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
13193 for further details.
13195 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
13196 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
13197 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
13200 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
13202 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
13204 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
13205 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
13206 considers two variables type equivalent if:
13210 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
13214 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
13215 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
13218 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
13221 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
13222 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
13227 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
13228 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
13229 that is not itself an array.
13232 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
13234 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
13235 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
13236 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
13237 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
13239 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
13240 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
13243 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
13244 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
13246 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
13248 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
13249 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
13252 @cindex break in overloaded functions
13253 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
13254 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
13255 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
13256 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
13257 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
13259 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
13260 @item rbreak @var{regex}
13261 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
13262 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
13264 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
13266 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
13269 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
13270 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
13272 @cindex inheritance
13273 @item ptype @var{typename}
13274 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
13276 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
13278 @item info vtbl @var{expression}.
13279 The @code{info vtbl} command can be used to display the virtual
13280 method tables of the object computed by @var{expression}. This shows
13281 one entry per virtual table; there may be multiple virtual tables when
13282 multiple inheritance is in use.
13284 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
13285 @item set print demangle
13286 @itemx show print demangle
13287 @itemx set print asm-demangle
13288 @itemx show print asm-demangle
13289 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
13290 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
13291 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13293 @item set print object
13294 @itemx show print object
13295 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
13296 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13298 @item set print vtbl
13299 @itemx show print vtbl
13300 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
13301 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13302 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
13303 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
13305 @kindex set overload-resolution
13306 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
13307 @item set overload-resolution on
13308 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
13309 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
13310 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
13311 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
13312 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
13313 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
13315 @item set overload-resolution off
13316 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
13317 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13318 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
13319 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
13320 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13321 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
13324 @kindex show overload-resolution
13325 @item show overload-resolution
13326 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
13328 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
13329 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
13330 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
13331 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
13332 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
13333 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
13334 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
13337 @node Decimal Floating Point
13338 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
13339 @cindex decimal floating point format
13341 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
13342 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
13343 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
13344 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
13346 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
13347 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
13348 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
13351 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
13352 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
13353 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
13355 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
13356 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
13357 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
13359 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
13360 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
13361 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
13367 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
13368 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
13369 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
13374 @cindex Go (programming language)
13375 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Go and compiled with
13376 @file{gccgo} or @file{6g} compilers.
13378 Here is a summary of the Go-specific features and restrictions:
13381 @cindex current Go package
13382 @item The current Go package
13383 The name of the current package does not need to be specified when
13384 specifying global variables and functions.
13386 For example, given the program:
13390 var myglob = "Shall we?"
13396 When stopped inside @code{main} either of these work:
13400 (gdb) p main.myglob
13403 @cindex builtin Go types
13404 @item Builtin Go types
13405 The @code{string} type is recognized by @value{GDBN} and is printed
13408 @cindex builtin Go functions
13409 @item Builtin Go functions
13410 The @value{GDBN} expression parser recognizes the @code{unsafe.Sizeof}
13411 function and handles it internally.
13413 @cindex restrictions on Go expressions
13414 @item Restrictions on Go expressions
13415 All Go operators are supported except @code{&^}.
13416 The Go @code{_} ``blank identifier'' is not supported.
13417 Automatic dereferencing of pointers is not supported.
13421 @subsection Objective-C
13423 @cindex Objective-C
13424 This section provides information about some commands and command
13425 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
13426 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
13427 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
13430 * Method Names in Commands::
13431 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
13434 @node Method Names in Commands
13435 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
13437 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
13438 names as line specifications:
13440 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
13441 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
13442 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
13443 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
13444 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
13448 @item @code{info line}
13453 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
13456 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
13459 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
13460 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
13461 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
13462 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
13463 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
13464 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
13468 break -[Fruit create]
13471 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
13475 list +[NSText initialize]
13478 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
13479 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
13480 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
13481 is also possible to specify just a method name:
13487 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
13488 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
13489 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
13490 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
13493 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
13494 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
13497 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
13500 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
13501 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
13502 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
13503 @kindex print-object
13504 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
13506 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
13509 print -[@var{object} hash]
13512 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
13513 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
13515 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
13516 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
13517 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
13518 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
13519 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
13520 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
13523 @subsection OpenCL C
13526 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
13529 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
13530 * OpenCL C Expressions::
13531 * OpenCL C Operators::
13534 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
13535 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
13537 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
13538 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
13539 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
13540 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
13541 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
13543 @node OpenCL C Expressions
13544 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
13546 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
13547 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
13548 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
13549 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
13551 @node OpenCL C Operators
13552 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
13554 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
13555 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
13559 @subsection Fortran
13560 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
13562 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
13563 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
13565 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
13566 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
13567 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
13568 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
13569 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
13573 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
13574 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
13575 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
13578 @node Fortran Operators
13579 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
13581 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
13583 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13584 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
13585 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
13589 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
13593 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
13594 represent a section of array.
13597 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
13598 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
13599 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
13603 @node Fortran Defaults
13604 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
13606 @cindex Fortran Defaults
13608 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
13609 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
13610 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
13611 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
13613 @node Special Fortran Commands
13614 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
13616 @cindex Special Fortran commands
13618 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
13619 such as displaying common blocks.
13622 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
13623 @kindex info common
13624 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
13625 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
13626 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
13627 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
13634 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
13635 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
13636 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
13637 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
13640 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
13641 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
13642 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
13645 @subsection Modula-2
13647 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
13649 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
13650 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
13651 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
13652 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
13653 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
13656 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
13658 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
13659 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
13660 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
13661 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
13662 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
13663 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
13664 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
13665 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
13666 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
13670 @subsubsection Operators
13671 @cindex Modula-2 operators
13673 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13674 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
13675 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
13676 following definitions hold:
13681 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
13685 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
13688 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
13691 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
13695 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
13698 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
13701 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
13705 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
13706 increasing precedence:
13710 Function argument or array index separator.
13713 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
13717 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
13721 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
13722 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
13723 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
13725 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
13726 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
13727 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
13728 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
13732 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
13733 Same precedence as @code{<}.
13736 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
13739 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
13742 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
13745 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
13746 and difference on set types.
13749 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
13753 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
13754 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
13757 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
13758 precedence as @code{*}.
13761 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
13764 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
13767 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
13771 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
13772 precedence as @code{^}.
13775 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
13778 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
13782 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
13786 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
13787 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
13788 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
13789 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
13793 @node Built-In Func/Proc
13794 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
13795 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
13797 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
13798 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
13803 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
13806 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
13809 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
13812 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
13813 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
13814 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
13817 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
13820 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
13826 represents a variable.
13829 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
13830 explanation of the function for details.
13833 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
13837 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
13840 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
13841 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
13844 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
13847 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
13849 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
13850 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
13853 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
13854 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
13857 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
13858 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
13860 @item HIGH(@var{a})
13861 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
13864 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
13866 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
13867 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
13870 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
13871 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
13872 there. Returns the new set.
13875 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
13878 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
13881 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
13884 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
13885 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
13886 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
13887 integral, character and enumerated types.
13889 @item SIZE(@var{x})
13890 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
13892 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
13893 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
13895 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
13896 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
13898 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
13899 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
13903 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
13904 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
13908 @cindex Modula-2 constants
13910 @subsubsection Constants
13912 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
13918 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
13919 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
13920 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
13921 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
13924 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
13925 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
13926 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
13927 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
13928 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
13932 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
13933 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
13934 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
13935 followed by a @samp{C}.
13938 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
13939 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
13940 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
13941 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
13945 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
13948 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
13952 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
13955 Set constants are not yet supported.
13959 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
13960 @cindex Modula-2 types
13962 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
13963 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
13964 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
13965 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
13966 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
13967 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
13969 The first example contains the following section of code:
13978 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
13979 @code{r} and @code{s}.
13982 (@value{GDBP}) print s
13984 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
13986 (@value{GDBP}) print r
13988 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
13993 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
13997 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
14001 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
14004 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14005 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
14009 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
14010 expressions using the debugger.
14012 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
14013 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
14017 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
14021 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14022 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
14025 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
14026 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
14027 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
14030 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
14034 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
14035 t = [blue..yellow] ;
14043 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
14044 and value of a variable.
14047 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14049 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
14050 type = [blue..yellow]
14054 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
14055 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
14056 their @code{C} counterparts.
14060 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14066 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14067 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
14068 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14069 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14072 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
14073 pointer types as shown in this example:
14077 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14084 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
14087 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14088 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14091 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
14092 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
14103 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
14104 myrange = [-2..2] ;
14106 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
14110 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
14114 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14115 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
14118 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
14123 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
14124 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
14126 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
14127 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
14128 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
14129 selected the working language.
14131 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
14132 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
14133 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
14134 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
14137 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
14138 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
14140 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
14141 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
14145 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
14146 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
14147 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
14148 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
14149 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
14150 returned a pointer.)
14153 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
14154 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
14155 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
14156 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
14159 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
14163 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
14167 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
14168 @cindex Modula-2 checks
14171 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
14174 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
14176 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
14180 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
14181 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
14184 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
14185 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
14188 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
14189 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
14191 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
14192 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
14195 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
14197 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
14198 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
14200 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
14201 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
14204 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
14207 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
14208 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
14213 @var{module} . @var{id}
14214 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
14218 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
14219 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
14220 identifier within your program, except another module.
14222 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
14223 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
14224 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
14225 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
14227 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
14228 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
14229 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
14230 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
14231 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
14235 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
14237 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
14238 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
14239 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
14240 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
14241 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
14242 analogue in Modula-2.
14244 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
14245 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
14246 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
14247 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
14248 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
14249 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
14251 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
14252 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
14253 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
14259 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
14260 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
14261 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
14262 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
14266 @cindex expressions in Ada
14268 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
14269 and semantics supported by Ada mode
14271 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
14272 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
14273 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
14274 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
14275 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
14276 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
14278 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
14281 @node Ada Mode Intro
14282 @subsubsection Introduction
14283 @cindex Ada mode, general
14285 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
14286 syntax, with some extensions.
14287 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
14291 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
14292 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
14293 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
14294 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
14297 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
14298 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14301 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14304 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
14305 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
14306 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
14307 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
14308 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
14310 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
14311 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
14312 was translated from an Ada source file.
14314 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
14315 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
14316 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
14317 middle (to allow based literals).
14319 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
14320 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
14321 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
14322 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
14323 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
14324 functions to procedures elsewhere.
14326 @node Omissions from Ada
14327 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
14328 @cindex Ada, omissions from
14330 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
14334 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
14338 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
14339 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
14342 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
14345 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
14351 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
14352 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
14355 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
14356 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
14364 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
14365 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
14366 not currently available.
14369 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
14370 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
14371 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
14372 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
14373 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
14374 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
14375 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
14376 indeterminate values.
14379 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
14380 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
14381 are not implemented.
14384 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
14385 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
14386 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
14387 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
14388 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
14391 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
14392 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
14393 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
14394 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
14395 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
14396 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
14400 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
14401 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
14402 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
14403 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
14404 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
14405 declared to have a type such as:
14408 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
14410 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
14414 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
14418 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
14419 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
14422 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
14423 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
14424 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
14425 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
14426 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
14427 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
14428 redundant component associations, although which component values are
14429 assigned in such cases is not defined.
14432 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
14435 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
14436 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
14437 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
14438 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
14439 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
14440 the proper resolution.
14443 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
14446 Entry calls are not implemented.
14449 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
14450 formats are not supported.
14453 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
14456 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
14457 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
14459 Should your program
14460 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
14461 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
14464 @node Additions to Ada
14465 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
14466 @cindex Ada, deviations from
14468 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
14469 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
14473 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
14474 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
14475 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
14476 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
14477 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
14478 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
14479 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
14480 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
14483 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
14484 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
14485 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
14488 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
14489 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
14492 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
14493 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
14496 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
14497 additions specific to Ada:
14501 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
14502 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
14505 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
14506 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
14510 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
14511 the value of its right-hand operand.
14512 This allows, for example,
14513 complex conditional breaks:
14516 (@value{GDBP}) break f
14517 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
14521 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
14522 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
14523 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
14524 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
14525 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
14526 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
14527 in strings. For example,
14529 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
14532 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
14536 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
14537 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
14541 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
14545 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
14546 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
14547 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
14548 of 3 might print as
14555 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
14559 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
14560 multi-character subsequence of
14561 their names (an exact match gets preference).
14562 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
14563 in place of @t{a'length}.
14566 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
14567 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
14568 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
14569 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
14570 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
14571 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
14574 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
14578 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
14579 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
14580 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
14581 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
14586 @node Stopping Before Main Program
14587 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
14589 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
14590 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
14591 before reaching the main procedure.
14592 As defined in the Ada Reference
14593 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
14594 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
14595 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
14596 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
14599 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
14600 @cindex Ada, tasking
14602 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
14603 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
14608 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
14615 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14616 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14617 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14618 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
14619 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
14620 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
14625 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
14626 task currently being inspected.
14630 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
14636 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
14639 The base priority of the task.
14642 Current state of the task.
14646 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
14650 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
14651 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
14654 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
14655 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
14656 terminated themselves.
14658 @item Child Activation Wait
14659 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
14661 @item Accept Statement
14662 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
14664 @item Waiting on entry call
14665 The task is waiting on an entry call.
14667 @item Async Select Wait
14668 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
14672 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
14675 @item Child Termination Wait
14676 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
14677 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
14678 waiting on a terminate Phase.
14680 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
14681 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
14682 finish terminating.
14684 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
14685 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
14689 Name of the task in the program.
14693 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
14694 @item info task @var{taskno}
14695 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
14696 the following example:
14701 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14702 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14703 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14704 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
14705 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
14706 Ada Task: 0x807c468
14709 Parent: 1 (main_task)
14715 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
14716 @cindex current Ada task ID
14717 This command prints the ID of the current task.
14723 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14724 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14725 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14726 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
14727 (@value{GDBP}) task
14728 [Current task is 2]
14731 @item task @var{taskno}
14732 @cindex Ada task switching
14733 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
14734 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
14735 from the current task to the given task.
14741 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14742 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14743 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14744 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
14745 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
14746 [Switching to task 1]
14747 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
14749 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
14750 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
14751 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
14752 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
14753 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
14756 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
14757 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
14758 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
14759 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
14760 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
14761 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
14762 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
14763 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
14764 in @ref{Specify Location}.
14766 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
14767 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
14768 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
14769 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
14770 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
14772 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
14773 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
14776 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
14777 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
14778 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
14786 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14787 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14788 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14789 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
14790 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
14791 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
14792 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
14793 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
14794 (@value{GDBP}) cont
14799 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
14801 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14802 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14803 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14804 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
14805 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
14806 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
14810 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
14811 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
14812 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
14814 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
14815 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
14816 the platform being used.
14817 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
14818 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
14821 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
14822 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
14823 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
14824 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
14825 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
14826 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
14828 @node Ravenscar Profile
14829 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
14830 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
14832 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
14833 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
14837 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
14838 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
14839 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
14840 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
14841 Profile. This is the default.
14843 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
14844 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
14845 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
14846 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
14847 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
14848 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
14849 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
14851 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
14852 @item show ravenscar task-switching
14853 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
14854 using the Ravenscar Profile.
14859 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
14860 @cindex Ada, problems
14862 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
14863 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
14865 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
14866 and the GNU Ada compiler.
14870 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
14871 storage are invisible to the debugger.
14874 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
14875 argument lists are treated as positional).
14878 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
14881 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
14882 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
14886 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
14887 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
14888 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
14889 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
14890 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
14891 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
14892 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
14893 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
14894 you can usually resolve the confusion
14895 by qualifying the problematic names with package
14896 @code{Standard} explicitly.
14899 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
14900 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
14901 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
14902 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
14903 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
14906 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
14907 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
14910 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
14911 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
14912 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
14913 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
14914 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
14915 This is the default.
14917 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
14918 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
14919 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
14920 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
14921 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
14922 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
14923 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
14927 @node Unsupported Languages
14928 @section Unsupported Languages
14930 @cindex unsupported languages
14931 @cindex minimal language
14932 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
14933 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
14934 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
14935 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
14936 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
14937 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
14939 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
14940 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
14944 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
14946 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
14947 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
14948 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
14949 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
14950 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
14951 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
14952 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
14954 @cindex symbol names
14955 @cindex names of symbols
14956 @cindex quoting names
14957 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
14958 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
14959 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
14960 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
14961 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
14962 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
14963 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
14964 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
14971 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
14974 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
14975 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
14976 @kindex set case-sensitive
14977 @item set case-sensitive on
14978 @itemx set case-sensitive off
14979 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
14980 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
14981 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
14982 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
14983 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
14984 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
14985 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
14986 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
14987 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
14988 case-insensitive matches.
14990 @kindex show case-sensitive
14991 @item show case-sensitive
14992 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
14995 @kindex info address
14996 @cindex address of a symbol
14997 @item info address @var{symbol}
14998 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
14999 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
15000 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
15003 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
15004 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
15005 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
15007 @kindex info symbol
15008 @cindex symbol from address
15009 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
15010 @item info symbol @var{addr}
15011 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
15012 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
15013 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
15016 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
15017 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
15021 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
15022 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
15024 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
15025 library containing the symbol is also printed:
15028 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
15029 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
15030 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
15031 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
15035 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
15036 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
15037 or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
15038 @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15040 If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
15041 is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
15042 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
15044 If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
15045 literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
15046 defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
15047 the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
15048 variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
15049 @code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
15050 fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
15051 name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
15052 such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
15054 If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
15055 @code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
15056 Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
15057 in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
15058 underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
15061 For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
15062 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
15063 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
15066 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
15067 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
15068 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
15069 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
15071 Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
15072 @code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
15073 a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
15074 of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
15075 present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
15076 the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
15077 fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
15078 @code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
15080 For example, for this variable declaration:
15083 typedef double real_t;
15084 struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
15085 typedef struct complex complex_t;
15087 real_t *real_pointer_var;
15091 the two commands give this output:
15095 (@value{GDBP}) whatis var
15097 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
15098 type = struct complex @{
15102 (@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
15103 type = struct complex
15104 (@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
15105 type = struct complex
15106 (@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
15107 type = struct complex @{
15111 (@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
15113 (@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
15119 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
15120 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15122 @cindex incomplete type
15123 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
15124 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
15125 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
15126 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
15127 given these declarations:
15131 struct foo *fooptr;
15135 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
15138 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
15139 $1 = <incomplete type>
15143 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
15144 completely specified.
15147 @item info types @var{regexp}
15149 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
15150 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
15151 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
15152 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
15153 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
15154 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
15155 name is @code{value}.
15157 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
15158 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
15159 lists all source files where a type is defined.
15162 @cindex local variables
15163 @item info scope @var{location}
15164 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
15165 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
15166 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
15167 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
15168 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
15171 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
15172 Scope for command_line_handler:
15173 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
15174 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
15175 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
15176 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
15177 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
15178 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
15179 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
15183 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
15184 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
15187 @kindex info source
15189 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
15190 the function containing the current point of execution:
15193 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
15195 the directory it was compiled in,
15197 its length, in lines,
15199 which programming language it is written in,
15201 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
15202 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
15204 whether the debugging information includes information about
15205 preprocessor macros.
15209 @kindex info sources
15211 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
15212 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
15213 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
15215 @kindex info functions
15216 @item info functions
15217 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
15219 @item info functions @var{regexp}
15220 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
15221 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
15222 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
15223 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
15224 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
15225 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
15226 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
15228 @kindex info variables
15229 @item info variables
15230 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
15231 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
15233 @item info variables @var{regexp}
15234 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
15235 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
15238 @kindex info classes
15239 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
15241 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
15242 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
15243 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15246 @kindex info selectors
15247 @item info selectors
15248 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
15249 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
15250 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15254 This was never implemented.
15255 @kindex info methods
15257 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
15258 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
15259 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
15260 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
15261 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
15262 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
15263 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
15264 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
15267 @cindex opaque data types
15268 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
15269 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
15270 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
15271 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
15272 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
15273 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
15274 another source file. The default is on.
15276 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
15277 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
15279 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
15280 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
15281 is printed as follows:
15283 @{<no data fields>@}
15286 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
15287 @item show opaque-type-resolution
15288 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
15290 @kindex maint print symbols
15291 @cindex symbol dump
15292 @kindex maint print psymbols
15293 @cindex partial symbol dump
15294 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
15295 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
15296 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
15297 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
15298 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
15299 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
15300 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
15301 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
15302 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
15303 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
15304 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
15305 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
15306 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
15307 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
15308 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
15309 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
15310 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
15312 @kindex maint info symtabs
15313 @kindex maint info psymtabs
15314 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
15315 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15316 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15317 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15318 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
15319 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
15321 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
15322 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
15323 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
15324 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
15325 structure in more detail. For example:
15328 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
15329 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
15330 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
15331 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
15332 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
15335 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
15336 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
15337 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
15338 dependencies (none)
15341 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
15345 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
15346 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
15347 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
15348 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
15349 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
15352 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
15353 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
15355 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
15356 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
15357 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
15358 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
15359 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
15362 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
15363 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
15364 debugformat DWARF 2
15373 @chapter Altering Execution
15375 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
15376 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
15377 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
15378 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
15381 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
15382 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
15383 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
15386 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
15387 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
15388 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
15389 * Returning:: Returning from a function
15390 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
15391 * Patching:: Patching your program
15395 @section Assignment to Variables
15398 @cindex setting variables
15399 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
15400 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
15407 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
15408 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
15409 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
15410 information on operators in supported languages.
15412 @kindex set variable
15413 @cindex variables, setting
15414 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
15415 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
15416 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
15417 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
15418 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
15420 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
15421 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
15422 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
15423 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
15424 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
15425 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
15426 command @code{set width}:
15429 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
15431 (@value{GDBP}) p width
15433 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
15434 Invalid syntax in expression.
15438 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
15439 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
15442 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
15445 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
15446 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
15447 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
15448 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
15449 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
15450 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
15454 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
15458 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
15462 The program being debugged has been started already.
15463 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
15464 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
15465 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
15466 Invalid bfd target.
15467 (@value{GDBP}) show g
15468 The current BFD target is "=4".
15473 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
15474 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
15478 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
15481 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
15482 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
15483 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
15484 same length or shorter.
15485 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
15486 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
15488 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
15489 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
15490 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
15491 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
15492 and representation in memory), and
15495 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
15499 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
15502 @section Continuing at a Different Address
15504 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
15505 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
15506 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
15510 @item jump @var{linespec}
15511 @itemx jump @var{location}
15512 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
15513 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
15514 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
15515 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
15516 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
15517 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
15519 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
15520 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
15521 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
15522 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
15523 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
15524 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
15525 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
15526 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
15527 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
15530 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
15531 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
15532 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
15533 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
15534 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
15542 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
15543 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
15544 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
15546 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
15547 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
15548 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
15553 @section Giving your Program a Signal
15554 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
15558 @item signal @var{signal}
15559 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
15560 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
15561 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
15562 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
15564 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
15565 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
15566 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
15567 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
15570 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
15571 after executing the command.
15575 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
15576 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
15577 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
15578 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
15579 passes the signal directly to your program.
15583 @section Returning from a Function
15586 @cindex returning from a function
15589 @itemx return @var{expression}
15590 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
15591 command. If you give an
15592 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
15596 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
15597 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
15598 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
15599 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
15601 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
15602 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
15603 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
15604 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
15607 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
15608 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
15609 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
15610 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
15611 selected stack frame returns naturally.
15613 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
15614 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
15615 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
15616 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
15617 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
15618 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
15619 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
15620 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
15621 assignment into the right register(s).
15623 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
15624 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
15625 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
15626 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
15627 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
15628 into a @code{long long int}:
15631 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
15633 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
15634 Make func return now? (y or n) y
15635 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
15636 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
15640 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
15641 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
15642 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
15643 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
15644 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
15645 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
15646 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
15647 an appropriate cast explicitly:
15650 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
15651 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
15652 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
15653 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
15654 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
15655 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
15656 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
15661 @section Calling Program Functions
15664 @cindex calling functions
15665 @cindex inferior functions, calling
15666 @item print @var{expr}
15667 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
15668 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
15672 @item call @var{expr}
15673 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
15676 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
15677 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
15678 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
15679 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
15680 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
15684 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
15685 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
15686 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
15687 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
15689 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
15690 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
15691 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
15692 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
15693 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
15694 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
15695 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
15696 in that case is controlled by the
15697 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
15700 @item set unwindonsignal
15701 @kindex set unwindonsignal
15702 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
15703 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
15704 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
15705 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
15706 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
15707 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
15708 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
15711 @item show unwindonsignal
15712 @kindex show unwindonsignal
15713 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
15716 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
15717 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
15718 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
15719 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
15720 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
15721 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
15722 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
15723 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
15724 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
15725 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
15727 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
15728 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
15729 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
15734 @cindex weak alias functions
15735 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
15736 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
15737 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
15738 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
15739 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
15740 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
15744 @section Patching Programs
15746 @cindex patching binaries
15747 @cindex writing into executables
15748 @cindex writing into corefiles
15750 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
15751 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
15752 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
15753 patching your program's binary.
15755 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
15756 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
15757 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
15763 @itemx set write off
15764 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
15765 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
15766 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
15768 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
15769 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
15770 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
15774 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
15775 as well as reading.
15779 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
15781 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
15782 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
15783 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
15784 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
15787 * Files:: Commands to specify files
15788 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
15789 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
15790 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
15791 * Data Files:: GDB data files
15795 @section Commands to Specify Files
15797 @cindex symbol table
15798 @cindex core dump file
15800 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
15801 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
15802 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
15803 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
15805 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
15806 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
15807 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
15808 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
15809 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
15810 new files are useful.
15813 @cindex executable file
15815 @item file @var{filename}
15816 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
15817 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
15818 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
15819 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
15820 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
15821 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
15822 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
15823 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
15825 @cindex unlinked object files
15826 @cindex patching object files
15827 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
15828 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
15829 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
15830 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
15831 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
15832 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
15833 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
15834 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
15837 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
15838 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
15841 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
15842 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
15843 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
15844 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
15845 discard information on the executable file.
15847 @kindex symbol-file
15848 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
15849 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
15850 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
15851 table and program to run from the same file.
15853 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
15854 program's symbol table.
15856 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
15857 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
15858 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
15859 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
15862 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
15865 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
15866 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
15867 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
15868 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
15869 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
15870 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
15873 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
15874 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
15875 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
15876 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
15877 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
15879 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
15880 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
15881 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
15882 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
15883 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
15884 Warnings and Messages}.)
15886 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
15887 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
15888 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
15889 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
15893 @cindex reading symbols immediately
15894 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
15895 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
15896 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
15897 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
15898 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
15899 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
15900 entire symbol table available.
15902 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
15903 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
15904 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
15905 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
15906 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
15907 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
15911 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
15913 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
15914 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
15915 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
15916 executable file itself for other parts.
15918 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
15921 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
15922 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
15923 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
15924 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
15925 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
15927 @kindex add-symbol-file
15928 @cindex dynamic linking
15929 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
15930 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
15931 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} -s @var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
15932 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
15933 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
15934 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
15935 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
15936 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
15937 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
15938 of @samp{-s @var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
15939 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
15940 @var{address} as an expression.
15942 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
15943 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
15944 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
15945 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
15946 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
15948 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
15949 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
15950 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
15951 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
15952 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
15953 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
15954 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
15955 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
15956 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
15960 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
15961 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
15963 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
15964 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
15966 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
15967 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
15971 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
15972 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
15973 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
15974 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
15975 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
15976 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
15977 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
15978 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
15979 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
15982 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
15984 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
15985 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
15986 @cindex load symbols from memory
15987 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
15988 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
15989 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
15990 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
15991 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
15992 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
15993 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
15994 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
15995 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
15997 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
15999 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
16000 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
16001 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
16002 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
16003 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
16004 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
16005 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
16006 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
16007 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
16008 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
16011 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
16012 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
16013 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
16014 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
16015 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
16016 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
16017 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
16021 @kindex info target
16024 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
16025 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
16026 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
16027 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
16028 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
16031 @kindex maint info sections
16032 @item maint info sections
16033 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
16034 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
16035 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
16036 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
16037 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
16038 may be arbitrarily combined):
16042 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
16043 @item @var{sections}
16044 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
16045 @item @var{section-flags}
16046 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
16047 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
16050 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
16051 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
16053 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
16054 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
16056 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
16058 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
16060 Section contains executable code only.
16062 Section contains data only (no executable code).
16064 Section will reside in ROM.
16066 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
16068 Section is not empty.
16070 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
16071 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
16072 A notification to the linker that the section contains
16073 COFF shared library information.
16075 Section contains common symbols.
16078 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
16079 @cindex read-only sections
16080 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
16081 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
16082 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
16083 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
16084 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
16085 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
16086 enhancement to debugging performance.
16088 The default is off.
16090 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
16091 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
16092 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
16093 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
16095 @item show trust-readonly-sections
16096 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
16099 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
16100 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
16101 name and remembers it that way.
16103 @cindex shared libraries
16104 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
16105 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
16106 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
16108 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
16109 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
16111 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
16112 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
16113 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
16114 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
16115 debugging a core file).
16117 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
16118 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
16120 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
16121 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
16122 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
16124 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
16125 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
16126 particularly large or there are many of them.
16128 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
16132 @kindex set auto-solib-add
16133 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
16134 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
16135 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
16136 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
16137 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
16138 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
16139 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
16141 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
16142 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
16143 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
16144 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
16145 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
16146 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
16147 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
16148 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
16149 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
16151 @kindex show auto-solib-add
16152 @item show auto-solib-add
16153 Display the current autoloading mode.
16156 @cindex load shared library
16157 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
16161 @kindex info sharedlibrary
16163 @item info share @var{regex}
16164 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16165 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
16166 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
16167 all shared libraries that are loaded.
16169 @kindex sharedlibrary
16171 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16172 @itemx share @var{regex}
16173 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
16174 Unix regular expression.
16175 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
16176 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
16177 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
16180 @item nosharedlibrary
16181 @kindex nosharedlibrary
16182 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
16183 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
16184 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
16185 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
16189 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
16190 when any of shared library events happen. The best way to do this is
16191 to use @code{catch load} and @code{catch unload} (@pxref{Set
16194 @value{GDBN} also supports the the @code{set stop-on-solib-events}
16195 command for this. This command exists for historical reasons. It is
16196 less useful than setting a catchpoint, because it does not allow for
16197 conditions or commands as a catchpoint does.
16200 @item set stop-on-solib-events
16201 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
16202 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
16203 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
16204 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
16207 @item show stop-on-solib-events
16208 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
16209 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
16210 library events happen.
16213 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
16214 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
16215 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
16216 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
16217 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
16218 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
16219 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
16222 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
16223 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
16224 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
16225 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
16226 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
16229 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
16230 @cindex system root, alternate
16231 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
16232 @kindex set sysroot
16233 @item set sysroot @var{path}
16234 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
16235 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
16236 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
16237 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
16238 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
16239 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
16242 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
16243 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
16244 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
16245 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
16246 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
16247 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
16248 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
16249 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
16250 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
16252 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
16253 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
16254 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
16255 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
16256 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
16259 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
16262 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
16263 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
16267 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
16270 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
16271 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
16272 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
16276 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
16279 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
16280 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
16281 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
16285 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
16286 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
16287 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
16291 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
16292 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
16293 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
16295 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
16296 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
16299 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
16302 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
16303 if you don't want or need to.
16305 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
16308 @cindex default system root
16309 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
16310 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
16311 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
16312 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
16313 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
16314 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
16317 @kindex show sysroot
16319 Display the current shared library prefix.
16321 @kindex set solib-search-path
16322 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
16323 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
16324 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
16325 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
16326 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
16327 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
16328 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
16329 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
16330 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
16331 of shared library symbols.
16333 @kindex show solib-search-path
16334 @item show solib-search-path
16335 Display the current shared library search path.
16337 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
16338 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
16339 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
16340 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
16341 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
16343 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
16344 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
16345 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
16346 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
16347 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
16348 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
16349 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
16350 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
16351 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
16352 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
16353 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
16354 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
16355 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
16356 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
16357 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
16358 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
16359 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
16360 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
16361 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
16362 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
16363 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
16364 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
16368 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
16369 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
16370 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
16374 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
16375 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
16376 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
16377 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
16378 considered directory separators.
16381 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
16382 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
16383 This is the default.
16387 @cindex file name canonicalization
16388 @cindex base name differences
16389 When processing file names provided by the user, @value{GDBN}
16390 frequently needs to compare them to the file names recorded in the
16391 program's debug info. Normally, @value{GDBN} compares just the
16392 @dfn{base names} of the files as strings, which is reasonably fast
16393 even for very large programs. (The base name of a file is the last
16394 portion of its name, after stripping all the leading directories.)
16395 This shortcut in comparison is based upon the assumption that files
16396 cannot have more than one base name. This is usually true, but
16397 references to files that use symlinks or similar filesystem
16398 facilities violate that assumption. If your program records files
16399 using such facilities, or if you provide file names to @value{GDBN}
16400 using symlinks etc., you can set @code{basenames-may-differ} to
16401 @code{true} to instruct @value{GDBN} to completely canonicalize each
16402 pair of file names it needs to compare. This will make file-name
16403 comparisons accurate, but at a price of a significant slowdown.
16406 @item set basenames-may-differ
16407 @kindex set basenames-may-differ
16408 Set whether a source file may have multiple base names.
16410 @item show basenames-may-differ
16411 @kindex show basenames-may-differ
16412 Show whether a source file may have multiple base names.
16415 @node Separate Debug Files
16416 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
16417 @cindex separate debugging information files
16418 @cindex debugging information in separate files
16419 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
16420 @cindex debugging information directory, global
16421 @cindex global debugging information directories
16422 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
16423 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
16425 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
16426 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
16427 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
16428 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
16429 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
16430 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
16431 install only when they need to debug a problem.
16433 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
16438 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
16439 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
16440 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
16441 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
16442 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
16443 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
16444 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
16445 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
16448 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
16449 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
16450 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
16451 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
16452 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
16453 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
16454 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
16455 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
16459 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
16460 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
16464 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
16465 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
16466 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under each one of the global debug
16467 directories, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
16468 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
16471 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
16472 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of each one of the global debug directories for
16473 a file named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
16474 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
16475 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
16476 hex characters, not 10.)
16479 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
16480 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
16481 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
16482 @code{abcdef1234}. If the list of the global debug directories includes
16483 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
16484 debug information files, in the indicated order:
16488 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
16490 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
16492 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
16494 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
16497 @anchor{debug-file-directory}
16498 Global debugging info directories default to what is set by @value{GDBN}
16499 configure option @option{--with-separate-debug-dir}. During @value{GDBN} run
16500 you can also set the global debugging info directories, and view the list
16501 @value{GDBN} is currently using.
16505 @kindex set debug-file-directory
16506 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
16507 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
16508 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple path components can be set
16509 concatenating them by a path separator.
16511 @kindex show debug-file-directory
16512 @item show debug-file-directory
16513 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
16518 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
16519 @cindex debug link sections
16520 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
16521 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
16525 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
16528 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
16529 boundary within the section, and
16531 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
16532 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
16533 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
16534 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
16537 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
16538 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
16541 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
16542 @cindex build ID sections
16543 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
16544 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
16545 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
16546 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
16547 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
16548 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
16549 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
16550 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
16551 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
16553 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
16554 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
16555 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
16556 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
16557 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
16558 in an ordinary executable.
16560 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
16561 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
16562 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
16563 following commands:
16566 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
16571 These commands remove the debugging
16572 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
16573 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
16578 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
16579 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
16582 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
16585 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
16586 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
16587 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
16588 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
16591 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
16592 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
16593 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
16594 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
16599 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
16600 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
16601 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
16603 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
16604 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
16605 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
16610 <em>x</em><sup>32</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>26</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>23</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>22</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>16</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>12</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>11</sup>
16611 + <em>x</em><sup>10</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>8</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>7</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>5</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>4</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>2</sup> + <em>x</em> + 1
16617 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
16618 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
16622 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
16623 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
16624 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
16625 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
16628 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
16629 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
16630 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
16631 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
16632 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
16633 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
16635 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
16636 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
16637 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
16638 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
16641 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
16644 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
16645 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
16647 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
16649 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
16650 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
16651 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
16652 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
16653 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
16654 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
16655 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
16656 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
16657 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
16658 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
16659 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
16660 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
16661 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
16662 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
16663 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
16664 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
16665 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
16666 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
16667 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
16668 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
16669 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
16670 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
16671 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
16672 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
16673 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
16674 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
16675 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
16676 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
16677 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
16678 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
16679 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
16680 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
16681 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
16682 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
16683 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
16684 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
16685 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
16686 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
16687 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
16688 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
16689 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
16690 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
16691 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
16692 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
16693 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
16694 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
16695 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
16696 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
16697 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
16698 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
16699 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
16702 unsigned char *end;
16704 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
16705 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
16706 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
16707 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
16712 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
16716 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
16717 @cindex index files
16718 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
16720 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
16721 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
16722 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
16723 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
16724 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
16727 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
16728 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
16729 using @command{objcopy}.
16731 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
16734 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
16735 @kindex save gdb-index
16736 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
16737 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
16738 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
16742 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
16743 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
16746 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
16747 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
16750 @value{GDBN} will normally ignore older versions of @file{.gdb_index}
16751 sections that have been deprecated. Usually they are deprecated because
16752 they are missing a new feature or have performance issues.
16753 To tell @value{GDBN} to use a deprecated index section anyway
16754 specify @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
16755 The default is @code{off}.
16756 This can speed up startup, but may result in some functionality being lost.
16757 @xref{Index Section Format}.
16759 @emph{Warning:} Setting @code{use-deprecated-index-sections} to @code{on}
16760 must be done before gdb reads the file. The following will not work:
16763 $ gdb -ex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
16766 Instead you must do, for example,
16769 $ gdb -iex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
16772 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
16773 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
16774 currently work for programs using Ada.
16776 @node Symbol Errors
16777 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
16779 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
16780 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
16781 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
16782 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
16783 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
16784 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
16785 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
16786 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
16787 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
16788 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
16791 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
16794 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
16796 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
16797 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
16798 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
16799 in its outer scope blocks.
16801 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
16802 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
16803 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
16806 @item block at @var{address} out of order
16808 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
16809 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
16812 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
16813 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
16814 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
16815 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
16818 @item bad block start address patched
16820 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
16821 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
16822 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
16824 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
16825 starting on the previous source line.
16827 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
16830 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
16831 larger than the size of the string table.
16833 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
16834 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
16837 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
16839 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
16840 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
16841 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
16843 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
16844 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
16845 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
16846 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
16847 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
16848 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
16850 @item stub type has NULL name
16852 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
16854 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
16855 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
16856 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
16859 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
16861 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
16866 @section GDB Data Files
16868 @cindex prefix for data files
16869 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
16870 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
16872 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
16873 is currently using.
16876 @kindex set data-directory
16877 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
16878 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
16879 to @var{directory}.
16881 @kindex show data-directory
16882 @item show data-directory
16883 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
16886 @cindex default data directory
16887 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
16888 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
16889 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
16890 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
16891 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
16892 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
16895 The data directory may also be specified with the
16896 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
16897 @xref{Mode Options}.
16900 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
16902 @cindex debugging target
16903 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
16905 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
16906 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
16907 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
16908 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
16909 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
16910 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
16911 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
16912 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
16914 @cindex target architecture
16915 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
16916 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
16917 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
16921 @kindex set architecture
16922 @kindex show architecture
16923 @item set architecture @var{arch}
16924 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
16925 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
16926 supported architectures.
16928 @item show architecture
16929 Show the current target architecture.
16931 @item set processor
16933 @kindex set processor
16934 @kindex show processor
16935 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
16936 and @code{show architecture}.
16940 * Active Targets:: Active targets
16941 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
16942 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
16945 @node Active Targets
16946 @section Active Targets
16948 @cindex stacking targets
16949 @cindex active targets
16950 @cindex multiple targets
16952 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
16953 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
16954 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
16955 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
16956 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
16957 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
16958 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
16959 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
16960 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
16962 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
16963 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
16964 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
16965 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
16967 @node Target Commands
16968 @section Commands for Managing Targets
16971 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
16972 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
16973 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
16974 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
16975 protocol of the target machine.
16977 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
16978 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
16979 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
16981 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
16982 after executing the command.
16984 @kindex help target
16986 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
16987 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
16988 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
16990 @item help target @var{name}
16991 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
16994 @kindex set gnutarget
16995 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
16996 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
16997 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
16998 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
16999 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
17000 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
17003 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
17004 you must know the actual BFD name.
17008 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
17010 @kindex show gnutarget
17011 @item show gnutarget
17012 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
17013 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
17014 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
17015 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
17018 @cindex common targets
17019 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
17024 @item target exec @var{program}
17025 @cindex executable file target
17026 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
17027 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
17029 @item target core @var{filename}
17030 @cindex core dump file target
17031 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
17032 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
17034 @item target remote @var{medium}
17035 @cindex remote target
17036 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
17037 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
17038 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
17040 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
17041 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
17044 target remote /dev/ttya
17047 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
17048 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
17049 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
17050 clobbered by the download.
17052 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
17053 @cindex built-in simulator target
17054 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
17062 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
17063 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
17064 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
17065 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
17070 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
17074 @item target nrom @var{dev}
17075 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
17076 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
17080 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
17081 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
17083 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
17084 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
17085 various aspects of this process.
17090 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17091 @cindex hash mark while downloading
17092 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
17093 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
17094 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
17098 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17099 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
17101 @item set debug monitor
17102 @kindex set debug monitor
17103 @cindex display remote monitor communications
17104 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
17105 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17107 @item show debug monitor
17108 @kindex show debug monitor
17109 Show the current status of displaying communications between
17110 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17115 @kindex load @var{filename}
17116 @item load @var{filename}
17118 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
17119 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
17120 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
17121 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
17122 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
17123 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
17125 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
17126 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
17127 target is @dots{}}''
17129 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
17130 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
17131 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
17132 specifies a fixed address.
17133 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
17135 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
17136 load programs into flash memory.
17138 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
17142 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
17144 @cindex choosing target byte order
17145 @cindex target byte order
17147 Some types of processors, such as the @acronym{MIPS}, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
17148 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
17149 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
17150 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
17151 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
17152 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
17156 @item set endian big
17157 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
17159 @item set endian little
17160 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
17162 @item set endian auto
17163 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
17167 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
17171 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
17172 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
17176 @node Remote Debugging
17177 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
17178 @cindex remote debugging
17180 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
17181 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
17182 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
17183 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
17184 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
17186 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
17187 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
17188 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
17189 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
17190 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
17191 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
17193 Other remote targets may be available in your
17194 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
17197 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
17198 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
17199 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
17200 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
17201 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
17205 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
17207 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
17208 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
17209 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
17210 program as the first argument.
17212 @cindex @code{target remote}
17213 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
17214 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
17215 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
17216 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
17217 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
17218 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
17222 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
17223 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
17224 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
17225 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
17228 target remote /dev/ttyb
17231 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
17232 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
17233 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
17234 @code{target} command.
17236 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
17237 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
17238 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
17239 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
17240 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
17241 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
17242 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
17243 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
17246 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
17250 target remote manyfarms:2828
17253 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
17254 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
17255 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
17256 port 1234 on your local machine:
17259 target remote :1234
17263 Note that the colon is still required here.
17265 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
17266 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
17267 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
17268 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
17271 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
17274 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
17275 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
17276 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
17277 cause havoc with your debugging session.
17279 @item target remote | @var{command}
17280 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
17281 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
17282 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
17283 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
17284 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
17285 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
17286 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
17287 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
17289 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
17290 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
17291 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
17295 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
17296 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
17297 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
17298 need to use @kbd{run}.
17300 @cindex interrupting remote programs
17301 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
17302 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
17303 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
17304 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
17305 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
17306 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
17309 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
17310 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
17313 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
17314 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
17315 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
17316 goes back to waiting.
17319 @kindex detach (remote)
17321 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
17322 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
17323 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
17324 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
17325 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
17329 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
17330 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
17331 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
17332 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
17335 @cindex send command to remote monitor
17336 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
17337 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
17339 @item monitor @var{cmd}
17340 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
17341 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
17342 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
17343 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
17347 @node File Transfer
17348 @section Sending files to a remote system
17349 @cindex remote target, file transfer
17350 @cindex file transfer
17351 @cindex sending files to remote systems
17353 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
17354 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
17355 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
17356 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
17357 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
17358 the only way to upload or download files.
17360 Not all remote targets support these commands.
17364 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
17365 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
17366 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
17369 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
17370 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
17371 on the host system.
17373 @kindex remote delete
17374 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
17375 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
17380 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
17383 @cindex remote connection without stubs
17384 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
17385 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
17386 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
17388 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
17389 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
17390 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
17391 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
17392 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
17393 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
17394 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
17395 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
17396 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
17397 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
17398 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
17399 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
17400 choice for debugging.
17402 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
17403 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
17407 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
17408 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
17409 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
17410 target system with the same privileges as the user running
17414 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
17415 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
17416 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
17418 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
17419 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
17420 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
17421 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
17422 system does all the symbol handling.
17424 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
17425 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
17429 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
17432 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line), or a TCP
17433 hostname and portnumber, or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
17434 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}.
17435 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
17436 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
17440 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
17443 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
17446 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
17449 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
17452 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
17453 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
17454 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
17455 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
17456 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
17457 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
17458 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
17459 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
17460 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
17461 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
17462 @code{target remote} command.
17464 The @code{stdio} connection is useful when starting @code{gdbserver}
17468 (gdb) target remote | ssh -T hostname gdbserver - hello
17471 The @samp{-T} option to ssh is provided because we don't need a remote pty,
17472 and we don't want escape-character handling. Ssh does this by default when
17473 a command is provided, the flag is provided to make it explicit.
17474 You could elide it if you want to.
17476 Programs started with stdio-connected gdbserver have @file{/dev/null} for
17477 @code{stdin}, and @code{stdout},@code{stderr} are sent back to gdb for
17478 display through a pipe connected to gdbserver.
17479 Both @code{stdout} and @code{stderr} use the same pipe.
17481 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
17482 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
17483 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
17485 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
17486 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
17489 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
17492 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
17493 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
17496 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
17497 @code{pidof} utility:
17500 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
17503 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
17504 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
17505 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
17507 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
17508 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, multiple processes
17509 @cindex multiple processes with @code{gdbserver}
17511 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
17512 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
17513 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
17514 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
17516 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
17517 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
17518 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
17519 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
17520 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
17521 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
17522 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
17523 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
17524 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
17526 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
17527 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
17528 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
17529 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
17530 the program you want to debug.
17532 In multi-process mode @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit unless you
17533 use the option @option{--once}. You can terminate it by using
17534 @code{monitor exit} (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}). Note that the
17535 conditions under which @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN}
17536 connects to it (@kbd{target remote} or @kbd{target extended-remote}). The
17537 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
17539 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
17541 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP port.
17543 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
17544 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
17545 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
17546 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
17547 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
17548 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
17549 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
17550 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
17552 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
17553 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
17554 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
17556 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
17557 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
17558 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
17559 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
17560 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
17561 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
17562 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
17563 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
17564 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
17565 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
17566 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
17567 instance closes its port after the first connection.
17569 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
17571 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
17572 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
17573 status information about the debugging process.
17574 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
17575 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
17576 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
17577 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
17579 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
17580 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
17581 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
17582 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
17583 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
17585 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
17586 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
17587 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
17588 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
17590 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
17591 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
17592 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
17593 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
17595 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
17596 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
17600 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
17603 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
17605 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
17607 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
17608 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
17609 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
17610 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
17612 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
17613 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
17614 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
17615 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
17616 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
17617 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
17620 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
17621 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
17622 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
17623 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
17624 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
17625 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
17626 already on the target.
17628 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
17629 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
17630 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
17632 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
17633 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
17634 Here are the available commands.
17638 List the available monitor commands.
17640 @item monitor set debug 0
17641 @itemx monitor set debug 1
17642 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
17644 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
17645 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
17646 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
17647 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
17649 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
17650 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
17651 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
17652 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
17653 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
17654 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
17656 The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
17657 not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
17660 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
17661 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
17662 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
17663 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
17664 of a multi-process mode debug session.
17668 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
17669 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
17671 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
17672 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
17674 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
17675 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
17676 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
17677 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
17678 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
17679 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
17680 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
17681 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
17682 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
17683 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
17684 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
17685 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
17687 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
17690 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
17692 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
17693 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
17694 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
17696 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
17698 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
17699 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
17700 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
17701 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
17702 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
17703 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
17705 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
17707 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
17708 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
17709 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
17710 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
17711 command for that. For example:
17714 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
17717 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
17718 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
17721 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
17722 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
17723 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
17724 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
17725 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
17726 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
17727 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
17728 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
17729 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
17730 @code{gdbserver} like so:
17733 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
17736 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
17740 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
17741 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
17742 (@value{GDBP}) b main
17743 (@value{GDBP}) continue
17746 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
17747 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
17748 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
17749 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
17750 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
17753 @node Remote Configuration
17754 @section Remote Configuration
17757 @kindex show remote
17758 This section documents the configuration options available when
17759 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
17760 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
17761 system-call-allowed}.
17764 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
17765 @cindex address size for remote targets
17766 @cindex bits in remote address
17767 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
17768 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
17769 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
17770 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
17772 @item show remoteaddresssize
17773 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
17775 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
17776 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
17777 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
17778 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
17781 @item show remotebaud
17782 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
17784 @item set remotebreak
17785 @cindex interrupt remote programs
17786 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
17787 @anchor{set remotebreak}
17788 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
17789 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
17790 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
17791 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
17792 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
17794 @item show remotebreak
17795 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
17796 interrupt the remote program.
17798 @item set remoteflow on
17799 @itemx set remoteflow off
17800 @kindex set remoteflow
17801 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
17802 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
17804 @item show remoteflow
17805 @kindex show remoteflow
17806 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
17808 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
17809 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
17810 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
17811 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
17814 @item show remotelogbase
17815 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
17818 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
17819 @cindex record serial communications on file
17820 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
17821 default is not to record at all.
17823 @item show remotelogfile.
17824 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
17825 serial communications.
17827 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
17828 @cindex timeout for serial communications
17829 @cindex remote timeout
17830 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
17831 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
17833 @item show remotetimeout
17834 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
17837 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
17838 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
17839 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
17840 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
17841 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
17842 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
17843 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
17844 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
17846 @cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
17847 @cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
17848 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
17849 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
17850 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum length of
17851 a remote hardware watchpoint. A limit of -1, the default, is treated
17854 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
17855 Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
17856 a remote hardware watchpoint.
17858 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
17859 @itemx show remote exec-file
17860 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
17861 @cindex executable file, for remote target
17862 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
17863 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
17864 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
17865 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
17867 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
17868 @cindex interrupt remote programs
17869 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
17870 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
17871 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
17872 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
17873 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
17874 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
17875 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
17876 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
17878 @item show interrupt-sequence
17879 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
17880 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
17881 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
17882 also known as Magic SysRq g.
17884 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
17885 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
17886 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
17887 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
17888 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
17889 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
17891 @item show interrupt-on-connect
17892 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
17893 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
17897 @item set tcp auto-retry on
17898 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
17899 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
17900 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
17901 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
17902 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
17903 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
17904 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
17905 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
17907 @item set tcp auto-retry off
17908 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
17910 @item show tcp auto-retry
17911 Show the current auto-retry setting.
17913 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
17914 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
17915 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
17916 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
17917 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
17918 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
17919 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
17922 @item show tcp connect-timeout
17923 Show the current connection timeout setting.
17926 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
17927 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
17928 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
17929 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
17930 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
17931 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
17932 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
17933 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
17934 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
17936 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
17937 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
17938 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
17939 @value{GDBN} developers.
17941 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
17942 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
17945 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
17948 @tab Related Features
17950 @item @code{fetch-register}
17952 @tab @code{info registers}
17954 @item @code{set-register}
17958 @item @code{binary-download}
17960 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
17962 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
17963 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
17964 @tab @code{info auxv}
17966 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
17967 @tab @code{qSymbol}
17968 @tab Detecting multiple threads
17970 @item @code{attach}
17971 @tab @code{vAttach}
17974 @item @code{verbose-resume}
17976 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
17982 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
17986 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
17990 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
17994 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
17998 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
18002 @item @code{target-features}
18003 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
18004 @tab @code{set architecture}
18006 @item @code{library-info}
18007 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
18008 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
18010 @item @code{memory-map}
18011 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
18012 @tab @code{info mem}
18014 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
18015 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
18016 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
18018 @item @code{read-spu-object}
18019 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
18020 @tab @code{info spu}
18022 @item @code{write-spu-object}
18023 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
18024 @tab @code{info spu}
18026 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
18027 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
18028 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
18030 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
18031 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
18032 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
18034 @item @code{threads}
18035 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
18036 @tab @code{info threads}
18038 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
18039 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
18040 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
18042 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
18043 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
18044 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
18046 @item @code{search-memory}
18047 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
18050 @item @code{supported-packets}
18051 @tab @code{qSupported}
18052 @tab Remote communications parameters
18054 @item @code{pass-signals}
18055 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
18056 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18058 @item @code{program-signals}
18059 @tab @code{QProgramSignals}
18060 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18062 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
18063 @tab @code{vFile:close}
18064 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18066 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
18067 @tab @code{vFile:open}
18068 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18070 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
18071 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
18072 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18074 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
18075 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
18076 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18078 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
18079 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
18080 @tab @code{remote delete}
18082 @item @code{hostio-readlink-packet}
18083 @tab @code{vFile:readlink}
18086 @item @code{noack-packet}
18087 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
18088 @tab Packet acknowledgment
18090 @item @code{osdata}
18091 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
18092 @tab @code{info os}
18094 @item @code{query-attached}
18095 @tab @code{qAttached}
18096 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
18098 @item @code{traceframe-info}
18099 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
18100 @tab Traceframe info
18102 @item @code{install-in-trace}
18103 @tab @code{InstallInTrace}
18104 @tab Install tracepoint in tracing
18106 @item @code{disable-randomization}
18107 @tab @code{QDisableRandomization}
18108 @tab @code{set disable-randomization}
18110 @item @code{conditional-breakpoints-packet}
18111 @tab @code{Z0 and Z1}
18112 @tab @code{Support for target-side breakpoint condition evaluation}
18116 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
18118 @cindex debugging stub, example
18119 @cindex remote stub, example
18120 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
18121 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
18122 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
18123 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
18124 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
18125 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
18126 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
18127 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
18129 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
18130 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
18131 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
18132 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
18137 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
18138 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
18139 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
18142 A C subroutine library to support your program's
18143 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
18146 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
18147 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
18148 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
18152 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
18153 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
18154 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
18158 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
18159 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
18160 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
18162 @item On the target,
18163 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
18164 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
18165 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
18167 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
18168 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
18169 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
18172 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
18173 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
18176 @cindex remote serial stub list
18177 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
18182 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
18185 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
18188 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
18189 @cindex Motorola 680x0
18191 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
18194 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
18197 For Renesas SH architectures.
18200 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
18202 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
18204 @item sparcl-stub.c
18205 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
18208 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
18212 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
18213 recently added stubs.
18216 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
18217 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
18218 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
18221 @node Stub Contents
18222 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
18224 @cindex remote serial stub
18225 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
18229 @item set_debug_traps
18230 @findex set_debug_traps
18231 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
18232 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
18233 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly in your
18234 program's startup code.
18236 @item handle_exception
18237 @findex handle_exception
18238 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
18239 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
18240 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
18241 run when a trap is triggered.
18243 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
18244 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
18245 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
18246 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
18247 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
18248 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
18249 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
18250 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
18251 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
18255 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
18256 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
18257 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
18258 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
18259 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
18260 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
18261 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
18262 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
18263 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
18264 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
18265 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
18267 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
18268 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
18269 start of your debugging session.
18272 @node Bootstrapping
18273 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
18275 @cindex remote stub, support routines
18276 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
18277 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
18278 debugging target machine.
18280 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
18284 @item int getDebugChar()
18285 @findex getDebugChar
18286 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
18287 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
18288 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
18290 @item void putDebugChar(int)
18291 @findex putDebugChar
18292 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
18293 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
18294 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
18297 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
18298 @cindex interrupting remote targets
18299 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
18300 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
18301 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
18302 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
18303 remote system to stop.
18305 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
18306 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
18307 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
18308 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
18310 Other routines you need to supply are:
18313 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
18314 @findex exceptionHandler
18315 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
18316 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
18317 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
18318 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
18319 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
18320 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
18321 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
18322 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
18323 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
18324 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
18325 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
18326 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
18327 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
18329 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
18330 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
18331 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
18332 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
18333 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
18335 @item void flush_i_cache()
18336 @findex flush_i_cache
18337 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
18338 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
18339 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
18341 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
18342 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
18346 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
18349 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
18351 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
18352 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
18353 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
18354 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
18357 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
18358 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
18359 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
18360 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
18363 @node Debug Session
18364 @subsection Putting it All Together
18366 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
18367 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
18372 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
18373 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
18375 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
18376 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
18380 Insert these lines in your program's startup code, before the main
18381 procedure is called:
18388 On some machines, when a breakpoint trap is raised, the hardware
18389 automatically makes the PC point to the instruction after the
18390 breakpoint. If your machine doesn't do that, you may need to adjust
18391 @code{handle_exception} to arrange for it to return to the instruction
18392 after the breakpoint on this first invocation, so that your program
18393 doesn't keep hitting the initial breakpoint instead of making
18397 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
18398 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
18401 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
18405 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
18406 function in your program, that function is called when
18407 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
18408 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
18409 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
18412 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
18413 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
18416 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
18417 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
18420 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
18421 @c document that. FIXME.
18422 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
18423 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
18426 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
18427 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
18431 @node Configurations
18432 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
18434 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
18435 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
18436 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
18438 There are three major categories of configurations: native
18439 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
18440 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
18441 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
18442 are quite different from each other.
18447 * Embedded Processors::
18454 This section describes details specific to particular native
18459 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
18460 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
18461 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
18462 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
18463 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
18464 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
18470 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
18471 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
18472 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
18475 @node BSD libkvm Interface
18476 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
18479 @cindex kernel memory image
18480 @cindex kernel crash dump
18482 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
18483 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
18484 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
18485 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
18486 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
18487 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
18488 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
18492 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
18495 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
18499 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
18502 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
18508 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
18511 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
18512 modern FreeBSD systems.
18515 @node SVR4 Process Information
18516 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
18518 @cindex examine process image
18519 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
18521 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
18522 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
18523 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
18524 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
18525 proc} is available to report information about the process running
18526 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
18527 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
18528 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
18529 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
18535 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
18536 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
18537 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
18538 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
18539 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
18540 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
18541 executable file's absolute file name.
18543 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
18544 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
18545 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
18546 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
18547 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
18548 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
18550 @item info proc mappings
18551 @cindex memory address space mappings
18552 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
18553 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
18554 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
18555 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
18556 memory access rights to that range.
18558 @item info proc stat
18559 @itemx info proc status
18560 @cindex process detailed status information
18561 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
18562 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
18563 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
18564 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
18565 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
18566 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
18567 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
18569 @item info proc all
18570 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
18571 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
18574 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
18575 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
18576 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
18577 @kindex info proc times
18578 @item info proc times
18579 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
18582 @kindex info proc id
18584 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
18585 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
18588 @item set procfs-trace
18589 @kindex set procfs-trace
18590 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
18591 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
18593 @item show procfs-trace
18594 @kindex show procfs-trace
18595 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
18597 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
18598 @kindex set procfs-file
18599 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
18600 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
18601 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
18604 @item show procfs-file
18605 @kindex show procfs-file
18606 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
18608 @item proc-trace-entry
18609 @itemx proc-trace-exit
18610 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
18611 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
18612 @kindex proc-trace-entry
18613 @kindex proc-trace-exit
18614 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
18615 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
18616 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
18617 from the @code{syscall} interface.
18620 @kindex info pidlist
18621 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
18622 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
18623 processes and all the threads within each process.
18626 @kindex info meminfo
18627 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
18628 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
18632 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
18633 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
18634 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
18635 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
18638 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
18639 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
18640 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
18641 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
18643 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
18644 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
18645 subsection describes those commands.
18650 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
18651 information about the target system and important OS structures.
18654 @cindex MS-DOS system info
18655 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
18656 @item info dos sysinfo
18657 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
18658 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
18659 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
18664 @cindex segment descriptor tables
18665 @cindex descriptor tables display
18667 @itemx info dos ldt
18668 @itemx info dos idt
18669 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
18670 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
18671 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
18672 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
18673 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
18674 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
18677 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
18678 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
18679 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
18680 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
18681 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
18683 @cindex garbled pointers
18684 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
18685 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
18686 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
18687 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
18688 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
18689 debugged program's data segment:
18692 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
18693 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
18697 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
18698 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
18700 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
18702 @itemx info dos pte
18703 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
18704 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
18705 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
18706 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
18707 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
18708 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
18709 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
18710 that is currently in use.
18712 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
18713 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
18714 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
18715 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
18716 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
18717 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
18718 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
18720 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
18721 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
18722 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
18725 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
18727 @cindex physical address from linear address
18728 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
18729 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
18730 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
18731 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
18732 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
18733 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
18734 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
18737 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
18738 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
18739 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
18743 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
18744 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
18745 attributes of that page.
18747 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
18748 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
18749 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
18750 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
18751 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
18752 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
18754 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
18758 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
18759 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
18760 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
18764 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
18765 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
18766 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
18767 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
18768 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
18770 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
18773 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
18774 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
18775 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
18776 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
18779 @kindex set com1base
18780 @kindex set com1irq
18781 @kindex set com2base
18782 @kindex set com2irq
18783 @kindex set com3base
18784 @kindex set com3irq
18785 @kindex set com4base
18786 @kindex set com4irq
18787 @item set com1base @var{addr}
18788 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
18791 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
18792 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
18793 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
18795 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
18796 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
18799 @kindex show com1base
18800 @kindex show com1irq
18801 @kindex show com2base
18802 @kindex show com2irq
18803 @kindex show com3base
18804 @kindex show com3irq
18805 @kindex show com4base
18806 @kindex show com4irq
18807 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
18808 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
18809 lines used by the COM ports.
18812 @kindex info serial
18813 @cindex DOS serial port status
18814 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
18815 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
18816 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
18817 counts of various errors encountered so far.
18821 @node Cygwin Native
18822 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
18823 @cindex MS Windows debugging
18824 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
18825 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
18827 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
18828 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
18830 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
18831 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
18832 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
18833 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
18834 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
18835 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
18836 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
18839 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
18840 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
18841 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
18846 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
18847 information about the target system and important OS structures.
18849 @item info w32 selector
18850 This command displays information returned by
18851 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
18852 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
18853 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
18854 Without argument, this command displays information
18855 about the six segment registers.
18857 @item info w32 thread-information-block
18858 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
18859 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
18860 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
18864 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
18866 @kindex dll-symbols
18868 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
18869 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
18871 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
18872 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
18873 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
18874 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
18875 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
18876 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
18877 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
18878 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
18879 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
18880 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
18881 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
18883 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
18884 @item show cygwin-exceptions
18885 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
18886 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
18888 @kindex set new-console
18889 @item set new-console @var{mode}
18890 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
18891 be started in a new console on next start.
18892 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
18893 be started in the same console as the debugger.
18895 @kindex show new-console
18896 @item show new-console
18897 Displays whether a new console is used
18898 when the debuggee is started.
18900 @kindex set new-group
18901 @item set new-group @var{mode}
18902 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
18903 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
18904 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
18907 @kindex show new-group
18908 @item show new-group
18909 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
18911 @kindex set debugevents
18912 @item set debugevents
18913 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
18914 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
18915 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
18916 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
18917 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
18919 @kindex set debugexec
18920 @item set debugexec
18921 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
18922 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
18924 @kindex set debugexceptions
18925 @item set debugexceptions
18926 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
18927 debuggee seen by the debugger.
18929 @kindex set debugmemory
18930 @item set debugmemory
18931 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
18932 and writes by the debugger.
18936 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
18937 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
18941 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
18946 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
18949 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
18950 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
18951 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
18952 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
18954 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
18955 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
18956 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
18957 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
18958 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
18959 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
18960 ``minimal symbols''.
18962 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
18963 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
18964 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
18965 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
18966 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
18967 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
18968 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
18969 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
18970 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
18971 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
18973 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
18975 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
18976 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
18977 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
18978 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
18979 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
18980 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
18981 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
18982 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
18983 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
18985 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
18986 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
18987 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
18988 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
18989 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
18990 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
18993 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
18994 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
18996 Non-debugging symbols:
18997 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
18998 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
19002 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
19003 All functions matching regular expression "!":
19005 Non-debugging symbols:
19006 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
19007 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
19008 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
19012 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
19014 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
19015 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
19016 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
19017 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
19018 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
19019 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
19020 a function within a DLL without a running program.
19022 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
19023 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
19024 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
19025 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
19029 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
19034 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
19035 0x10021610: "\230y\""
19038 And two possible solutions:
19041 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
19042 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19046 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
19047 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
19048 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
19049 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
19050 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
19051 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19054 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
19055 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
19056 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
19057 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
19058 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
19061 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
19062 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
19065 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
19066 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
19070 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
19071 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
19073 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
19074 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
19079 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
19080 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19081 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
19082 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
19083 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
19088 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
19089 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19090 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
19092 @item set signal-thread
19093 @itemx set sigthread
19094 @kindex set signal-thread
19095 @kindex set sigthread
19096 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
19097 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
19098 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
19101 @item show signal-thread
19102 @itemx show sigthread
19103 @kindex show signal-thread
19104 @kindex show sigthread
19105 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
19106 delivered a signal.
19109 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19110 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
19111 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
19112 continued by delivering a signal to it.
19115 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19116 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
19119 @item set exceptions
19120 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19121 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
19122 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
19123 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
19126 @item show exceptions
19127 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19128 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
19130 @item set task pause
19131 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
19132 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19133 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19134 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
19135 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
19136 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
19137 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
19138 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
19139 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
19141 @item show task pause
19142 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
19143 Show the current state of task suspension.
19145 @item set task detach-suspend-count
19146 @cindex task suspend count
19147 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19148 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
19149 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
19151 @item show task detach-suspend-count
19152 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
19154 @item set task exception-port
19155 @itemx set task excp
19156 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19157 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
19158 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
19159 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
19161 @item set noninvasive
19162 @cindex noninvasive task options
19163 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
19164 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
19165 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
19166 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
19168 @item info send-rights
19169 @itemx info receive-rights
19170 @itemx info port-rights
19171 @itemx info port-sets
19172 @itemx info dead-names
19175 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19176 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19177 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19178 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19179 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19180 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
19181 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
19182 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
19183 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
19185 @item set thread pause
19186 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
19187 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19188 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19189 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
19190 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
19191 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
19192 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
19193 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
19194 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
19195 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
19196 only the current thread.
19198 @item show thread pause
19199 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
19200 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
19202 @item set thread run
19203 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
19205 @item show thread run
19206 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
19208 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
19209 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19210 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19211 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
19212 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
19213 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
19214 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
19216 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
19217 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
19220 @item set thread exception-port
19221 @itemx set thread excp
19222 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
19223 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
19224 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
19226 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
19227 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
19228 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
19229 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
19231 @item set thread default
19232 @itemx show thread default
19233 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19234 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
19235 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
19236 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
19237 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
19238 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
19239 the non-default commands.
19246 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
19249 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
19250 @kindex set debug darwin
19251 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
19252 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
19254 @item show debug darwin
19255 @kindex show debug darwin
19256 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
19258 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
19259 @kindex set debug mach-o
19260 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
19261 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
19262 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
19263 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
19264 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
19267 @item show debug mach-o
19268 @kindex show debug mach-o
19269 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
19271 @item set mach-exceptions on
19272 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
19273 @kindex set mach-exceptions
19274 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
19275 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
19276 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
19277 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
19279 @item show mach-exceptions
19280 @kindex show mach-exceptions
19281 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
19286 @section Embedded Operating Systems
19288 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
19289 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
19293 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
19296 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
19297 various real-time operating systems.
19300 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
19306 @kindex target vxworks
19307 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
19308 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
19309 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
19313 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
19314 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
19316 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
19317 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
19318 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
19319 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
19320 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
19321 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
19322 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
19325 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
19326 @kindex vxworks-timeout
19327 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
19328 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
19329 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
19330 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
19331 of a thin network line.
19334 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
19335 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
19338 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
19339 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
19340 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
19341 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
19342 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
19343 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
19344 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
19345 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
19347 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
19349 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
19350 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
19351 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
19352 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
19354 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
19361 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
19362 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
19363 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
19366 @node VxWorks Connection
19367 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
19369 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
19370 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
19373 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
19377 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
19380 Attaching remote machine across net...
19385 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
19386 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
19387 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
19388 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
19389 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
19392 prog.o: No such file or directory.
19395 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
19396 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
19399 @node VxWorks Download
19400 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
19402 @cindex download to VxWorks
19403 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
19404 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
19405 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
19406 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
19407 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
19408 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
19409 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
19410 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
19411 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
19412 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
19413 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
19414 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
19415 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
19416 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
19417 program, type this on VxWorks:
19420 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
19424 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
19427 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
19428 (vxgdb) load prog.o
19431 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
19434 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
19437 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
19438 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
19439 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
19440 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
19441 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
19442 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
19445 @node VxWorks Attach
19446 @subsubsection Running Tasks
19448 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
19449 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
19453 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
19457 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
19458 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
19459 the time of attachment.
19461 @node Embedded Processors
19462 @section Embedded Processors
19464 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
19467 @cindex send command to simulator
19468 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
19469 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
19472 @item sim @var{command}
19473 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
19474 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
19475 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
19476 acceptable commands.
19482 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
19483 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
19484 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
19485 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
19486 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
19487 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
19488 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
19489 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
19490 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
19491 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
19494 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
19503 @item target rdi @var{dev}
19504 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
19505 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
19506 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
19509 @item target rdp @var{dev}
19514 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
19517 @item set arm disassembler
19519 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
19520 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
19522 @item show arm disassembler
19524 Show the current disassembly style.
19526 @item set arm apcs32
19527 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
19528 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
19530 @item show arm apcs32
19531 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
19533 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
19534 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
19535 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
19539 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
19541 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
19544 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
19546 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
19552 Show the current type of the FPU.
19555 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
19558 Show the currently used ABI.
19560 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
19561 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
19562 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
19563 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
19564 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
19565 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
19568 @item show arm fallback-mode
19569 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
19571 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
19572 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
19573 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
19574 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
19575 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
19577 @item show arm force-mode
19578 Show the current forced instruction mode.
19580 @item set debug arm
19581 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
19582 target support subsystem.
19584 @item show debug arm
19585 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
19588 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
19589 using the RDI interface:
19592 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
19594 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
19595 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
19596 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
19597 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
19600 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
19601 @kindex rdilogenable
19602 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
19603 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
19604 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
19605 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
19606 are logged to a file.
19608 @item set rdiromatzero
19609 @kindex set rdiromatzero
19610 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
19611 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
19612 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
19613 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
19614 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
19616 @item show rdiromatzero
19617 @kindex show rdiromatzero
19618 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
19620 @item set rdiheartbeat
19621 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
19622 @cindex RDI heartbeat
19623 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
19624 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
19625 well as the Angel monitor.
19627 @item show rdiheartbeat
19628 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
19629 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
19633 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
19634 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
19637 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
19638 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
19639 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
19640 The default value is @code{all}.
19653 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
19656 @kindex target m32r
19657 @item target m32r @var{dev}
19658 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
19660 @kindex target m32rsdi
19661 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
19662 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
19665 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
19668 @item set download-path @var{path}
19669 @kindex set download-path
19670 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
19671 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
19673 @item show download-path
19674 @kindex show download-path
19675 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
19677 @item set board-address @var{addr}
19678 @kindex set board-address
19679 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
19680 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
19682 @item show board-address
19683 @kindex show board-address
19684 Show the current IP address of the target board.
19686 @item set server-address @var{addr}
19687 @kindex set server-address
19688 @cindex download server address (M32R)
19689 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
19692 @item show server-address
19693 @kindex show server-address
19694 Display the IP address of the download server.
19696 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
19697 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
19698 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
19699 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
19700 executable file is uploaded.
19702 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
19703 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
19704 Test the @code{upload} command.
19707 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
19712 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
19713 This command resets the SDI connection.
19717 This command shows the SDI connection status.
19720 @kindex debug_chaos
19721 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
19722 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
19724 @item use_debug_dma
19725 @kindex use_debug_dma
19726 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
19729 @kindex use_mon_code
19730 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
19733 @kindex use_ib_break
19734 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
19736 @item use_dbt_break
19737 @kindex use_dbt_break
19738 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
19744 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
19745 target command for the following ROM monitor.
19749 @kindex target dbug
19750 @item target dbug @var{dev}
19751 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
19756 @subsection MicroBlaze
19757 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
19758 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
19760 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
19761 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
19762 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
19763 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
19764 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
19765 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
19766 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
19767 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
19768 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
19769 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
19770 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
19772 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
19775 @item target remote :1234
19776 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
19777 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
19779 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
19780 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
19781 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
19784 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
19786 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
19787 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
19789 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
19790 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
19793 @node MIPS Embedded
19794 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Embedded
19796 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} boards
19797 @value{GDBN} can use the @acronym{MIPS} remote debugging protocol to talk to a
19798 @acronym{MIPS} board attached to a serial line. This is available when
19799 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-elf}.
19802 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
19805 @item target mips @var{port}
19806 @kindex target mips @var{port}
19807 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
19808 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
19809 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
19810 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
19811 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
19812 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
19814 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
19815 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
19819 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
19820 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
19821 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
19822 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
19826 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
19827 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
19828 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
19829 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
19830 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
19832 @item target pmon @var{port}
19833 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
19836 @item target ddb @var{port}
19837 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
19838 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
19840 @item target lsi @var{port}
19841 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
19842 LSI variant of PMON.
19844 @kindex target r3900
19845 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
19846 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
19848 @kindex target array
19849 @item target array @var{dev}
19850 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
19856 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for @acronym{MIPS} targets:
19859 @item set mipsfpu double
19860 @itemx set mipsfpu single
19861 @itemx set mipsfpu none
19862 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
19863 @itemx show mipsfpu
19864 @kindex set mipsfpu
19865 @kindex show mipsfpu
19866 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} remote floating point
19867 @cindex floating point, @acronym{MIPS} remote
19868 If your target board does not support the @acronym{MIPS} floating point
19869 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
19870 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
19871 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
19872 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
19873 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
19874 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
19875 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
19876 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
19877 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
19878 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
19880 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
19881 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
19882 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
19884 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
19885 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
19887 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
19888 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
19889 @itemx show timeout
19890 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
19891 @cindex @code{timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
19892 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
19893 @kindex set timeout
19894 @kindex show timeout
19895 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
19896 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
19897 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the @acronym{MIPS}
19898 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
19899 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
19900 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
19901 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
19902 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
19903 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
19904 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-elf}.)
19906 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
19907 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
19908 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
19909 to run before stopping.
19911 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
19912 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19913 @cindex synchronize with remote @acronym{MIPS} target
19914 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
19915 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
19916 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
19918 @item show syn-garbage-limit
19919 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19920 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
19921 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
19923 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
19924 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19925 @cindex remote monitor prompt
19926 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
19927 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
19937 @item show monitor-prompt
19938 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19939 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
19942 @item set monitor-warnings
19943 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19944 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
19945 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
19946 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
19947 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
19949 @item show monitor-warnings
19950 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19951 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
19953 @item pmon @var{command}
19954 @kindex pmon@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19955 @cindex send PMON command
19956 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
19957 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
19960 @node OpenRISC 1000
19961 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
19962 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
19964 @cindex or1k boards
19965 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
19966 about platform and commands.
19970 @kindex target jtag
19971 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
19973 Connects to remote JTAG server.
19974 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
19975 connected via parallel port to the board.
19977 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
19980 @item or1ksim @var{command}
19981 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
19982 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
19984 @kindex info or1k spr
19985 @item info or1k spr
19986 Displays spr groups.
19988 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
19989 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
19990 Displays register names in selected group.
19992 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
19993 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
19994 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
19995 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
19996 Shows information about specified spr register.
19999 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
20000 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
20001 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
20002 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
20003 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
20006 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
20007 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
20008 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
20009 triggers can be set using:
20012 Load effective address/data
20014 Store effective address/data
20016 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
20021 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
20022 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
20024 @code{htrace} commands:
20025 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
20028 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
20029 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
20030 or Data. For example:
20032 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
20034 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
20038 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
20040 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
20041 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
20043 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
20044 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
20046 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
20047 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
20049 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
20050 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
20053 @item htrace enable
20054 @itemx htrace disable
20055 Enables/disables the HW trace.
20057 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
20058 Clears currently recorded trace data.
20060 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
20061 will be written there.
20063 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
20064 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
20066 @item htrace mode continuous
20067 Set continuous trace mode.
20069 @item htrace mode suspend
20070 Set suspend trace mode.
20074 @node PowerPC Embedded
20075 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
20077 @cindex DVC register
20078 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
20079 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
20082 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
20083 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
20086 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
20087 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
20088 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
20089 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
20090 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
20093 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
20094 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
20095 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
20096 watching variables of scalar types.
20098 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
20099 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
20102 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
20103 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
20106 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
20107 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
20109 @cindex ranged breakpoint
20110 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
20111 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
20112 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
20113 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
20114 use the @code{break-range} command.
20116 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
20119 @kindex break-range
20120 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
20121 Set a breakpoint for an address range.
20122 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location} can specify a function name,
20123 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
20124 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
20125 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
20126 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
20127 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
20128 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
20130 @kindex set powerpc
20131 @item set powerpc soft-float
20132 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
20133 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
20134 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
20135 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20137 @item set powerpc vector-abi
20138 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
20139 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
20140 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
20141 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
20142 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
20143 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
20144 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20146 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
20147 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
20148 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
20149 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
20150 address of its first byte.
20152 @kindex target dink32
20153 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
20154 DINK32 ROM monitor.
20156 @kindex target ppcbug
20157 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
20158 @kindex target ppcbug1
20159 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
20160 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
20163 @item target sds @var{dev}
20164 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
20167 @cindex SDS protocol
20168 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
20172 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
20173 @kindex set sdstimeout
20174 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
20175 default is 2 seconds.
20177 @item show sdstimeout
20178 @kindex show sdstimeout
20179 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
20181 @item sds @var{command}
20182 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
20183 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
20188 @subsection HP PA Embedded
20192 @kindex target op50n
20193 @item target op50n @var{dev}
20194 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
20196 @kindex target w89k
20197 @item target w89k @var{dev}
20198 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
20203 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
20207 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
20208 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
20209 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
20210 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
20211 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
20214 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
20215 @kindex remotetimeout
20216 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
20217 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
20218 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
20221 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
20222 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
20223 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
20224 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
20225 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
20228 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
20231 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
20234 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
20237 @cindex running, on Sparclet
20239 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
20240 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
20241 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
20243 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
20250 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
20251 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
20252 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
20253 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
20256 @node Sparclet File
20257 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
20259 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
20262 (gdbslet) file prog
20266 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
20267 @value{GDBN} locates
20268 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
20270 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
20271 files will be searched as well.
20272 @value{GDBN} locates
20273 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
20274 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
20276 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
20279 prog: No such file or directory.
20282 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
20283 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
20284 @code{target} command again.
20286 @node Sparclet Connection
20287 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
20289 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
20290 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
20293 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
20294 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
20295 main () at ../prog.c:3
20299 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
20305 @node Sparclet Download
20306 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
20308 @cindex download to Sparclet
20309 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
20310 you can use the @value{GDBN}
20311 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
20312 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
20314 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
20315 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
20316 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
20317 of each of the file's sections.
20318 For instance, if the program
20319 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
20320 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
20323 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
20324 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
20327 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
20328 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
20329 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
20331 @node Sparclet Execution
20332 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
20334 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
20335 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
20336 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
20337 manual for the list of commands.
20341 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
20343 Starting program: prog
20344 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
20345 3 char *symarg = 0;
20347 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
20352 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
20356 @kindex target sparclite
20357 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
20358 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
20359 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
20360 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
20366 @subsection Zilog Z8000
20369 @cindex simulator, Z8000
20370 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
20372 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
20375 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
20376 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
20377 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
20378 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
20381 @item target sim @var{args}
20383 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
20384 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
20385 options, specify them via @var{args}.
20389 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
20390 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
20391 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
20392 to run your program, and so on.
20394 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
20395 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
20396 additional items of information as specially named registers:
20401 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
20404 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
20407 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
20411 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
20412 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
20413 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
20414 simulated clock ticks.
20417 @subsection Atmel AVR
20420 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
20421 following AVR-specific commands:
20424 @item info io_registers
20425 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
20426 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
20427 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
20428 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
20435 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
20436 following CRIS-specific commands:
20439 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
20440 @cindex CRIS version
20441 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
20442 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
20443 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
20445 @item show cris-version
20446 Show the current CRIS version.
20448 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
20449 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
20450 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
20451 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
20454 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
20455 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
20457 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
20459 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
20460 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
20461 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
20463 @item show cris-mode
20464 Show the current CRIS mode.
20468 @subsection Renesas Super-H
20471 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
20476 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
20477 This command is deprecated, and @code{info all-registers} should be
20480 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
20482 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
20483 @kindex set sh calling-convention
20484 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
20485 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
20486 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
20487 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
20488 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
20489 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
20490 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
20491 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
20492 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
20493 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
20495 @item show sh calling-convention
20496 @kindex show sh calling-convention
20497 Show the current calling convention setting.
20502 @node Architectures
20503 @section Architectures
20505 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
20506 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
20512 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
20513 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
20518 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
20521 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
20522 @kindex set struct-convention
20523 @cindex struct return convention
20524 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
20525 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
20526 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
20527 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
20528 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
20529 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
20530 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
20531 be returned in a register.
20533 @item show struct-convention
20534 @kindex show struct-convention
20535 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
20542 See the following section.
20545 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}
20547 @cindex stack on Alpha
20548 @cindex stack on @acronym{MIPS}
20549 @cindex Alpha stack
20550 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} stack
20551 Alpha- and @acronym{MIPS}-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
20552 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
20553 find the beginning of a function.
20555 @cindex response time, @acronym{MIPS} debugging
20556 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
20557 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
20558 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
20562 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, @acronym{MIPS})
20563 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
20564 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
20565 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
20566 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
20567 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
20568 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
20569 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
20571 @item show heuristic-fence-post
20572 Display the current limit.
20576 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
20577 for debugging programs on Alpha or @acronym{MIPS} processors.
20579 Several @acronym{MIPS}-specific commands are available when debugging @acronym{MIPS}
20583 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
20584 @kindex set mips abi
20585 @cindex set ABI for @acronym{MIPS}
20586 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
20587 values of @var{arg} are:
20591 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
20601 @item show mips abi
20602 @kindex show mips abi
20603 Show the @acronym{MIPS} ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
20605 @item set mips compression @var{arg}
20606 @kindex set mips compression
20607 @cindex code compression, @acronym{MIPS}
20608 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} compressed
20609 @acronym{ISA, Instruction Set Architecture} encoding is used by the
20610 inferior. @value{GDBN} uses this for code disassembly and other
20611 internal interpretation purposes. This setting is only referred to
20612 when no executable has been associated with the debugging session or
20613 the executable does not provide information about the encoding it uses.
20614 Otherwise this setting is automatically updated from information
20615 provided by the executable.
20617 Possible values of @var{arg} are @samp{mips16} and @samp{micromips}.
20618 The default compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding is @samp{mips16}, as
20619 executables containing @acronym{MIPS16} code frequently are not
20620 identified as such.
20622 This setting is ``sticky''; that is, it retains its value across
20623 debugging sessions until reset either explicitly with this command or
20624 implicitly from an executable.
20626 The compiler and/or assembler typically add symbol table annotations to
20627 identify functions compiled for the @acronym{MIPS16} or
20628 @acronym{microMIPS} @acronym{ISA}s. If these function-scope annotations
20629 are present, @value{GDBN} uses them in preference to the global
20630 compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding setting.
20632 @item show mips compression
20633 @kindex show mips compression
20634 Show the @acronym{MIPS} compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding used by
20635 @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
20638 @itemx show mipsfpu
20639 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
20641 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
20642 @kindex set mips mask-address
20643 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} addresses, masking
20644 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
20645 @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
20646 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
20647 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
20649 @item show mips mask-address
20650 @kindex show mips mask-address
20651 Show whether the upper 32 bits of @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off or
20654 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20655 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20656 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit @acronym{MIPS} targets that
20657 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old @acronym{MIPS} 64 target
20658 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
20659 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
20661 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20662 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20663 Show the current setting of compatibility with older @acronym{MIPS} 64 targets.
20665 @item set debug mips
20666 @kindex set debug mips
20667 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the @acronym{MIPS}-specific
20668 target code in @value{GDBN}.
20670 @item show debug mips
20671 @kindex show debug mips
20672 Show the current setting of @acronym{MIPS} debugging messages.
20678 @cindex HPPA support
20680 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
20681 following special commands:
20684 @item set debug hppa
20685 @kindex set debug hppa
20686 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
20687 messages are to be displayed.
20689 @item show debug hppa
20690 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
20692 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
20693 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
20694 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
20695 given @var{address}.
20701 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
20702 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
20705 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
20706 it provides the following special commands:
20709 @item info spu event
20711 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
20712 and pending event status.
20714 @item info spu signal
20715 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
20716 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
20717 notification channels.
20719 @item info spu mailbox
20720 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
20721 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
20722 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
20725 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
20726 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
20727 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
20729 @item info spu proxydma
20730 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
20731 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
20732 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
20736 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
20737 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
20741 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
20743 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
20744 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
20745 function. The default is @code{off}.
20747 @item show spu stop-on-load
20749 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
20751 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
20752 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
20753 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
20754 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
20755 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
20756 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
20758 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
20759 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
20764 @subsection PowerPC
20765 @cindex PowerPC architecture
20767 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
20768 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
20769 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
20770 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
20771 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
20773 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
20774 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
20775 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
20777 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
20778 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
20781 @node Controlling GDB
20782 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
20784 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
20785 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
20786 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
20791 * Editing:: Command editing
20792 * Command History:: Command history
20793 * Screen Size:: Screen size
20794 * Numbers:: Numbers
20795 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
20796 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading associated files
20797 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
20798 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
20799 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
20807 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
20808 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
20809 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
20810 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
20811 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
20812 which one you are talking to.
20814 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
20815 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
20816 or a prompt that does not.
20820 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
20821 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
20823 @kindex show prompt
20825 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
20828 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled have
20829 prompt extensions. The commands for interacting with these extensions
20833 @kindex set extended-prompt
20834 @item set extended-prompt @var{prompt}
20835 Set an extended prompt that allows for substitutions.
20836 @xref{gdb.prompt}, for a list of escape sequences that can be used for
20837 substitution. Any escape sequences specified as part of the prompt
20838 string are replaced with the corresponding strings each time the prompt
20844 set extended-prompt Current working directory: \w (gdb)
20847 Note that when an extended-prompt is set, it takes control of the
20848 @var{prompt_hook} hook. @xref{prompt_hook}, for further information.
20850 @kindex show extended-prompt
20851 @item show extended-prompt
20852 Prints the extended prompt. Any escape sequences specified as part of
20853 the prompt string with @code{set extended-prompt}, are replaced with the
20854 corresponding strings each time the prompt is displayed.
20858 @section Command Editing
20860 @cindex command line editing
20862 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
20863 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
20864 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
20865 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
20866 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
20867 debugging sessions.
20869 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
20870 command @code{set}.
20873 @kindex set editing
20876 @itemx set editing on
20877 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
20879 @item set editing off
20880 Disable command line editing.
20882 @kindex show editing
20884 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
20887 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
20888 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
20890 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
20891 @xref{Command Line Editing},
20893 for more details about the Readline
20894 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
20895 encouraged to read that chapter.
20897 @node Command History
20898 @section Command History
20899 @cindex command history
20901 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
20902 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
20903 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
20906 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
20907 package, to provide the history facility.
20908 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
20909 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
20911 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
20912 @xref{Using History Interactively},
20914 for the detailed description of the History library.
20916 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
20917 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
20918 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
20919 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
20920 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
20921 pressed on a line by itself.
20923 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
20924 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
20925 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
20926 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
20928 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
20932 @cindex history substitution
20933 @cindex history file
20934 @kindex set history filename
20935 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
20936 @item set history filename @var{fname}
20937 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
20938 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
20939 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
20940 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
20941 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
20942 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
20943 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
20946 @cindex save command history
20947 @kindex set history save
20948 @item set history save
20949 @itemx set history save on
20950 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
20951 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
20953 @item set history save off
20954 Stop recording command history in a file.
20956 @cindex history size
20957 @kindex set history size
20958 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
20959 @item set history size @var{size}
20960 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
20961 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
20962 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
20965 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
20966 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
20967 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
20969 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
20970 @xref{Event Designators},
20974 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
20975 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
20976 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
20977 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
20978 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
20979 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
20980 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
20981 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
20983 The commands to control history expansion are:
20986 @item set history expansion on
20987 @itemx set history expansion
20988 @kindex set history expansion
20989 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
20991 @item set history expansion off
20992 Disable history expansion.
20995 @kindex show history
20997 @itemx show history filename
20998 @itemx show history save
20999 @itemx show history size
21000 @itemx show history expansion
21001 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
21002 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
21007 @kindex show commands
21008 @cindex show last commands
21009 @cindex display command history
21010 @item show commands
21011 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
21013 @item show commands @var{n}
21014 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
21016 @item show commands +
21017 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
21021 @section Screen Size
21022 @cindex size of screen
21023 @cindex pauses in output
21025 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
21026 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
21027 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
21028 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
21029 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
21030 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
21031 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
21032 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
21034 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
21035 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
21036 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
21037 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
21038 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
21045 @kindex show height
21046 @item set height @var{lpp}
21048 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
21050 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
21051 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
21052 commands display the current settings.
21054 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
21055 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
21056 file or to an editor buffer.
21058 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
21059 from wrapping its output.
21061 @item set pagination on
21062 @itemx set pagination off
21063 @kindex set pagination
21064 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
21065 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}. Note that
21066 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
21067 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
21069 @item show pagination
21070 @kindex show pagination
21071 Show the current pagination mode.
21076 @cindex number representation
21077 @cindex entering numbers
21079 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
21080 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
21081 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
21082 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
21083 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
21084 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
21085 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
21086 both input and output with the commands described below.
21089 @kindex set input-radix
21090 @item set input-radix @var{base}
21091 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
21092 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21093 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
21097 set input-radix 012
21098 set input-radix 10.
21099 set input-radix 0xa
21103 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
21104 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
21105 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
21106 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
21107 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
21110 @kindex set output-radix
21111 @item set output-radix @var{base}
21112 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
21113 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21114 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
21116 @kindex show input-radix
21117 @item show input-radix
21118 Display the current default base for numeric input.
21120 @kindex show output-radix
21121 @item show output-radix
21122 Display the current default base for numeric display.
21124 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
21128 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
21129 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
21130 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
21131 default value of 10.
21136 @section Configuring the Current ABI
21138 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
21139 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
21140 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
21147 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
21148 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
21149 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
21150 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
21151 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
21152 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
21153 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
21158 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
21161 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
21163 @item set osabi @var{abi}
21164 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
21167 @cindex float promotion
21169 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
21170 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
21171 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
21172 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
21173 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
21174 @code{double} and then passed.
21176 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
21177 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
21178 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
21181 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
21182 @item set coerce-float-to-double
21183 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
21184 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
21185 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
21187 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
21188 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
21191 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
21192 @item show coerce-float-to-double
21193 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
21197 @kindex show cp-abi
21198 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
21199 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
21200 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
21201 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
21202 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
21203 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
21204 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
21205 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
21206 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
21207 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
21212 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
21215 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
21217 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
21218 @itemx set cp-abi auto
21219 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
21223 @section Automatically loading associated files
21224 @cindex auto-loading
21226 @value{GDBN} sometimes reads files with commands and settings automatically,
21227 without being explicitly told so by the user. We call this feature
21228 @dfn{auto-loading}. While auto-loading is useful for automatically adapting
21229 @value{GDBN} to the needs of your project, it can sometimes produce unexpected
21230 results or introduce security risks (e.g., if the file comes from untrusted
21233 Note that loading of these associated files (including the local @file{.gdbinit}
21234 file) requires accordingly configured @code{auto-load safe-path}
21235 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21237 For these reasons, @value{GDBN} includes commands and options to let you
21238 control when to auto-load files and which files should be auto-loaded.
21241 @anchor{set auto-load off}
21242 @kindex set auto-load off
21243 @item set auto-load off
21244 Globally disable loading of all auto-loaded files.
21245 You may want to use this command with the @samp{-iex} option
21246 (@pxref{Option -init-eval-command}) such as:
21248 $ @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load off" untrusted-executable corefile}
21251 Be aware that system init file (@pxref{System-wide configuration})
21252 and init files from your home directory (@pxref{Home Directory Init File})
21253 still get read (as they come from generally trusted directories).
21254 To prevent @value{GDBN} from auto-loading even those init files, use the
21255 @option{-nx} option (@pxref{Mode Options}), in addition to
21256 @code{set auto-load no}.
21258 @anchor{show auto-load}
21259 @kindex show auto-load
21260 @item show auto-load
21261 Show whether auto-loading of each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) is enabled
21265 (gdb) show auto-load
21266 gdb-scripts: Auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is on.
21267 libthread-db: Auto-loading of inferior specific libthread_db is on.
21268 local-gdbinit: Auto-loading of .gdbinit script from current directory
21270 python-scripts: Auto-loading of Python scripts is on.
21271 safe-path: List of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
21272 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
21273 scripts-directory: List of directories from which to load auto-loaded scripts
21274 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
21277 @anchor{info auto-load}
21278 @kindex info auto-load
21279 @item info auto-load
21280 Print whether each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) have been auto-loaded or
21284 (gdb) info auto-load
21287 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb
21288 libthread-db: No auto-loaded libthread-db.
21289 local-gdbinit: Local .gdbinit file "/home/user/gdb/.gdbinit" has been
21293 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py
21297 These are various kinds of files @value{GDBN} can automatically load:
21301 @xref{objfile-gdb.py file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21303 @xref{objfile-gdb.gdb file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21305 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section},
21306 controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21308 @xref{Init File in the Current Directory},
21309 controlled by @ref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21311 @xref{libthread_db.so.1 file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
21314 These are @value{GDBN} control commands for the auto-loading:
21316 @multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
21317 @item @xref{set auto-load off}.
21318 @tab Disable auto-loading globally.
21319 @item @xref{show auto-load}.
21320 @tab Show setting of all kinds of files.
21321 @item @xref{info auto-load}.
21322 @tab Show state of all kinds of files.
21323 @item @xref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21324 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21325 @item @xref{show auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21326 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21327 @item @xref{info auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21328 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21329 @item @xref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21330 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21331 @item @xref{show auto-load python-scripts}.
21332 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21333 @item @xref{info auto-load python-scripts}.
21334 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21335 @item @xref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
21336 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
21337 @item @xref{show auto-load scripts-directory}.
21338 @tab Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
21339 @item @xref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21340 @tab Control for init file in the current directory.
21341 @item @xref{show auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21342 @tab Show setting of init file in the current directory.
21343 @item @xref{info auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21344 @tab Show state of init file in the current directory.
21345 @item @xref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
21346 @tab Control for thread debugging library.
21347 @item @xref{show auto-load libthread-db}.
21348 @tab Show setting of thread debugging library.
21349 @item @xref{info auto-load libthread-db}.
21350 @tab Show state of thread debugging library.
21351 @item @xref{set auto-load safe-path}.
21352 @tab Control directories trusted for automatic loading.
21353 @item @xref{show auto-load safe-path}.
21354 @tab Show directories trusted for automatic loading.
21355 @item @xref{add-auto-load-safe-path}.
21356 @tab Add directory trusted for automatic loading.
21360 * Init File in the Current Directory:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load local-gdbinit}
21361 * libthread_db.so.1 file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load libthread-db}
21362 * objfile-gdb.gdb file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load gdb-script}
21363 * Auto-loading safe path:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load safe-path}
21364 * Auto-loading verbose mode:: @samp{set/show debug auto-load}
21365 @xref{Python Auto-loading}.
21368 @node Init File in the Current Directory
21369 @subsection Automatically loading init file in the current directory
21370 @cindex auto-loading init file in the current directory
21372 By default, @value{GDBN} reads and executes the canned sequences of commands
21373 from init file (if any) in the current working directory,
21374 see @ref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}.
21376 Note that loading of this local @file{.gdbinit} file also requires accordingly
21377 configured @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21380 @anchor{set auto-load local-gdbinit}
21381 @kindex set auto-load local-gdbinit
21382 @item set auto-load local-gdbinit [on|off]
21383 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands
21384 (@pxref{Sequences}) found in init file in the current directory.
21386 @anchor{show auto-load local-gdbinit}
21387 @kindex show auto-load local-gdbinit
21388 @item show auto-load local-gdbinit
21389 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands from init file in the
21390 current directory is enabled or disabled.
21392 @anchor{info auto-load local-gdbinit}
21393 @kindex info auto-load local-gdbinit
21394 @item info auto-load local-gdbinit
21395 Print whether canned sequences of commands from init file in the
21396 current directory have been auto-loaded.
21399 @node libthread_db.so.1 file
21400 @subsection Automatically loading thread debugging library
21401 @cindex auto-loading libthread_db.so.1
21403 This feature is currently present only on @sc{gnu}/Linux native hosts.
21405 @value{GDBN} reads in some cases thread debugging library from places specific
21406 to the inferior (@pxref{set libthread-db-search-path}).
21408 The special @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entry @samp{$sdir} is processed
21409 without checking this @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} switch as system
21410 libraries have to be trusted in general. In all other cases of
21411 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entries @value{GDBN} checks first if @samp{set
21412 auto-load libthread-db} is enabled before trying to open such thread debugging
21415 Note that loading of this debugging library also requires accordingly configured
21416 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21419 @anchor{set auto-load libthread-db}
21420 @kindex set auto-load libthread-db
21421 @item set auto-load libthread-db [on|off]
21422 Enable or disable the auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library.
21424 @anchor{show auto-load libthread-db}
21425 @kindex show auto-load libthread-db
21426 @item show auto-load libthread-db
21427 Show whether auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library is
21428 enabled or disabled.
21430 @anchor{info auto-load libthread-db}
21431 @kindex info auto-load libthread-db
21432 @item info auto-load libthread-db
21433 Print the list of all loaded inferior specific thread debugging libraries and
21434 for each such library print list of inferior @var{pid}s using it.
21437 @node objfile-gdb.gdb file
21438 @subsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file
21439 @cindex auto-loading @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
21441 @value{GDBN} tries to load an @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file containing
21442 canned sequences of commands (@pxref{Sequences}), as long as @samp{set
21443 auto-load gdb-scripts} is set to @samp{on}.
21445 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
21446 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21448 For more background refer to the similar Python scripts auto-loading
21449 description (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file}).
21452 @anchor{set auto-load gdb-scripts}
21453 @kindex set auto-load gdb-scripts
21454 @item set auto-load gdb-scripts [on|off]
21455 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts.
21457 @anchor{show auto-load gdb-scripts}
21458 @kindex show auto-load gdb-scripts
21459 @item show auto-load gdb-scripts
21460 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is enabled or
21463 @anchor{info auto-load gdb-scripts}
21464 @kindex info auto-load gdb-scripts
21465 @cindex print list of auto-loaded canned sequences of commands scripts
21466 @item info auto-load gdb-scripts [@var{regexp}]
21467 Print the list of all canned sequences of commands scripts that @value{GDBN}
21471 If @var{regexp} is supplied only canned sequences of commands scripts with
21472 matching names are printed.
21474 @node Auto-loading safe path
21475 @subsection Security restriction for auto-loading
21476 @cindex auto-loading safe-path
21478 As the files of inferior can come from untrusted source (such as submitted by
21479 an application user) @value{GDBN} does not always load any files automatically.
21480 @value{GDBN} provides the @samp{set auto-load safe-path} setting to list
21481 directories trusted for loading files not explicitly requested by user.
21482 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern.
21484 If the path is not set properly you will see a warning and the file will not
21489 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/gdb...done.
21490 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been
21491 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
21492 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
21493 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py" auto-loading has been
21494 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
21495 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
21498 The list of trusted directories is controlled by the following commands:
21501 @anchor{set auto-load safe-path}
21502 @kindex set auto-load safe-path
21503 @item set auto-load safe-path @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
21504 Set the list of directories (and their subdirectories) trusted for automatic
21505 loading and execution of scripts. You can also enter a specific trusted file.
21506 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern; wildcards do not match
21507 directory separator - see @code{FNM_PATHNAME} for system function @code{fnmatch}
21508 (@pxref{Wildcard Matching, fnmatch, , libc, GNU C Library Reference Manual}).
21509 If you omit @var{directories}, @samp{auto-load safe-path} will be reset to
21510 its default value as specified during @value{GDBN} compilation.
21512 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
21513 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
21514 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
21516 @anchor{show auto-load safe-path}
21517 @kindex show auto-load safe-path
21518 @item show auto-load safe-path
21519 Show the list of directories trusted for automatic loading and execution of
21522 @anchor{add-auto-load-safe-path}
21523 @kindex add-auto-load-safe-path
21524 @item add-auto-load-safe-path
21525 Add an entry (or list of entries) the list of directories trusted for automatic
21526 loading and execution of scripts. Multiple entries may be delimited by the
21527 host platform path separator in use.
21530 This variable defaults to what @code{--with-auto-load-dir} has been configured
21531 to (@pxref{with-auto-load-dir}). @file{$debugdir} and @file{$datadir}
21532 substitution applies the same as for @ref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
21533 The default @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by
21534 @value{GDBN} configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-safe-path}.
21536 Setting this variable to @file{/} disables this security protection,
21537 corresponding @value{GDBN} configuration option is
21538 @option{--without-auto-load-safe-path}.
21539 This variable is supposed to be set to the system directories writable by the
21540 system superuser only. Users can add their source directories in init files in
21541 their home directories (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). See also deprecated
21542 init file in the current directory
21543 (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}).
21545 To force @value{GDBN} to load the files it declined to load in the previous
21546 example, you could use one of the following ways:
21549 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{add-auto-load-safe-path ~/src/gdb}
21550 Specify this trusted directory (or a file) as additional component of the list.
21551 You have to specify also any existing directories displayed by
21552 by @samp{show auto-load safe-path} (such as @samp{/usr:/bin} in this example).
21554 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /usr:/bin:~/src/gdb" @dots{}}
21555 Specify this directory as in the previous case but just for a single
21556 @value{GDBN} session.
21558 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /" @dots{}}
21559 Disable auto-loading safety for a single @value{GDBN} session.
21560 This assumes all the files you debug during this @value{GDBN} session will come
21561 from trusted sources.
21563 @item @kbd{./configure --without-auto-load-safe-path}
21564 During compilation of @value{GDBN} you may disable any auto-loading safety.
21565 This assumes all the files you will ever debug with this @value{GDBN} come from
21569 On the other hand you can also explicitly forbid automatic files loading which
21570 also suppresses any such warning messages:
21573 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load no" @dots{}}
21574 You can use @value{GDBN} command-line option for a single @value{GDBN} session.
21576 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{set auto-load no}
21577 Disable auto-loading globally for the user
21578 (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). While it is improbable, you could also
21579 use system init file instead (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
21582 This setting applies to the file names as entered by user. If no entry matches
21583 @value{GDBN} tries as a last resort to also resolve all the file names into
21584 their canonical form (typically resolving symbolic links) and compare the
21585 entries again. @value{GDBN} already canonicalizes most of the filenames on its
21586 own before starting the comparison so a canonical form of directories is
21587 recommended to be entered.
21589 @node Auto-loading verbose mode
21590 @subsection Displaying files tried for auto-load
21591 @cindex auto-loading verbose mode
21593 For better visibility of all the file locations where you can place scripts to
21594 be auto-loaded with inferior --- or to protect yourself against accidental
21595 execution of untrusted scripts --- @value{GDBN} provides a feature for printing
21596 all the files attempted to be loaded. Both existing and non-existing files may
21599 For example the list of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
21600 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}) applies also to canonicalized filenames which
21601 may not be too obvious while setting it up.
21604 (gdb) set debug auto-load on
21605 (gdb) file ~/src/t/true
21606 auto-load: Loading canned sequences of commands script "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb"
21607 for objfile "/tmp/true".
21608 auto-load: Updating directories of "/usr:/opt".
21609 auto-load: Using directory "/usr".
21610 auto-load: Using directory "/opt".
21611 warning: File "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been declined
21612 by your `auto-load safe-path' set to "/usr:/opt".
21616 @anchor{set debug auto-load}
21617 @kindex set debug auto-load
21618 @item set debug auto-load [on|off]
21619 Set whether to print the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded.
21621 @anchor{show debug auto-load}
21622 @kindex show debug auto-load
21623 @item show debug auto-load
21624 Show whether printing of the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded is turned
21628 @node Messages/Warnings
21629 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
21631 @cindex verbose operation
21632 @cindex optional warnings
21633 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
21634 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
21635 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
21636 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
21638 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
21639 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
21640 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
21643 @kindex set verbose
21644 @item set verbose on
21645 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
21647 @item set verbose off
21648 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
21650 @kindex show verbose
21652 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
21655 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
21656 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
21657 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
21662 @kindex set complaints
21663 @item set complaints @var{limit}
21664 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
21665 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
21666 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
21667 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
21669 @kindex show complaints
21670 @item show complaints
21671 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
21675 @anchor{confirmation requests}
21676 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
21677 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
21678 you try to run a program which is already running:
21682 The program being debugged has been started already.
21683 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
21686 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
21687 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
21691 @kindex set confirm
21693 @cindex confirmation
21694 @cindex stupid questions
21695 @item set confirm off
21696 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
21697 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
21698 automatically disables confirmation requests.
21700 @item set confirm on
21701 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
21703 @kindex show confirm
21705 Displays state of confirmation requests.
21709 @cindex command tracing
21710 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
21711 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
21712 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
21713 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
21716 @kindex set trace-commands
21717 @cindex command scripts, debugging
21718 @item set trace-commands on
21719 Enable command tracing.
21720 @item set trace-commands off
21721 Disable command tracing.
21722 @item show trace-commands
21723 Display the current state of command tracing.
21726 @node Debugging Output
21727 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
21728 @cindex optional debugging messages
21730 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
21731 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
21732 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
21733 section documents those commands.
21736 @kindex set exec-done-display
21737 @item set exec-done-display
21738 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
21739 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
21740 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
21741 @kindex show exec-done-display
21742 @item show exec-done-display
21743 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
21746 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
21747 @cindex architecture debugging info
21748 @item set debug arch
21749 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
21751 @item show debug arch
21752 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
21753 @item set debug aix-thread
21754 @cindex AIX threads
21755 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
21757 @item show debug aix-thread
21758 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
21759 @item set debug check-physname
21761 Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
21762 debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
21763 each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
21764 different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
21765 When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
21766 both ways and display any discrepancies.
21767 @item show debug check-physname
21768 Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
21769 @item set debug dwarf2-die
21770 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
21771 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
21772 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
21773 A value of zero turns off the display.
21774 @item show debug dwarf2-die
21775 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
21776 @item set debug dwarf2-read
21777 @cindex DWARF2 Reading
21778 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
21779 DWARF debug info. The default is off.
21780 @item show debug dwarf2-read
21781 Show the current state of DWARF2 reader debugging.
21782 @item set debug displaced
21783 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
21784 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
21785 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
21786 @item show debug displaced
21787 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
21788 related to displaced stepping.
21789 @item set debug event
21790 @cindex event debugging info
21791 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
21793 @item show debug event
21794 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
21796 @item set debug expression
21797 @cindex expression debugging info
21798 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
21799 expression parsing. The default is off.
21800 @item show debug expression
21801 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
21802 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
21803 @item set debug frame
21804 @cindex frame debugging info
21805 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
21807 @item show debug frame
21808 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
21810 @item set debug gnu-nat
21811 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
21812 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
21813 @item show debug gnu-nat
21814 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
21815 @item set debug infrun
21816 @cindex inferior debugging info
21817 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
21818 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
21819 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
21820 @item show debug infrun
21821 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
21822 @item set debug jit
21823 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
21824 Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
21825 @item show debug jit
21826 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
21827 @item set debug lin-lwp
21828 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
21829 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
21830 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
21831 @item show debug lin-lwp
21832 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
21833 @item set debug observer
21834 @cindex observer debugging info
21835 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
21836 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
21837 @item show debug observer
21838 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
21839 @item set debug overload
21840 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
21841 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
21842 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
21844 @item show debug overload
21845 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
21847 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
21848 @cindex debug expression parser
21849 @item set debug parser
21850 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
21851 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
21852 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
21853 details. The default is off.
21854 @item show debug parser
21855 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
21856 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
21857 @cindex serial connections, debugging
21858 @cindex debug remote protocol
21859 @cindex remote protocol debugging
21860 @cindex display remote packets
21861 @item set debug remote
21862 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
21863 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
21864 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
21865 @item show debug remote
21866 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
21867 @item set debug serial
21868 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
21870 @item show debug serial
21871 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
21873 @item set debug solib-frv
21874 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
21875 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
21876 @item show debug solib-frv
21877 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
21879 @item set debug symtab-create
21880 @cindex symbol table creation
21881 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol table creation.
21882 The default is off.
21883 @item show debug symtab-create
21884 Show the current state of symbol table creation debugging.
21885 @item set debug target
21886 @cindex target debugging info
21887 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
21888 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
21889 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
21890 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
21891 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
21892 @item show debug target
21893 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
21895 @item set debug timestamp
21896 @cindex timestampping debugging info
21897 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
21898 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
21900 @item show debug timestamp
21901 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
21903 @item set debugvarobj
21904 @cindex variable object debugging info
21905 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
21906 info. The default is off.
21907 @item show debugvarobj
21908 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
21910 @item set debug xml
21911 @cindex XML parser debugging
21912 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
21913 @item show debug xml
21914 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
21917 @node Other Misc Settings
21918 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
21919 @cindex miscellaneous settings
21922 @kindex set interactive-mode
21923 @item set interactive-mode
21924 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
21925 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
21926 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
21927 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
21928 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
21929 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
21930 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
21931 is, non-interactively otherwise.
21933 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
21934 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
21935 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
21936 inside a cygwin window.
21938 @kindex show interactive-mode
21939 @item show interactive-mode
21940 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
21943 @node Extending GDB
21944 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
21945 @cindex extending GDB
21947 @value{GDBN} provides three mechanisms for extension. The first is based
21948 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, the second is based on the
21949 Python scripting language, and the third is for defining new aliases of
21952 To facilitate the use of the first two extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
21953 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
21954 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
21955 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
21956 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
21957 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
21959 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
21963 @kindex set script-extension
21964 @kindex show script-extension
21965 @item set script-extension off
21966 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
21968 @item set script-extension soft
21969 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
21970 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
21971 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
21972 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
21974 @item set script-extension strict
21975 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
21976 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
21977 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
21979 @item show script-extension
21980 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
21985 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
21986 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
21987 * Aliases:: Creating new spellings of existing commands
21991 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
21993 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
21994 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
21995 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
21999 * Define:: How to define your own commands
22000 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
22001 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
22002 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
22006 @subsection User-defined Commands
22008 @cindex user-defined command
22009 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
22010 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
22011 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
22012 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
22013 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
22014 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
22018 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22023 To execute the command use:
22030 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
22031 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
22032 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
22035 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
22036 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
22037 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
22038 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
22043 print $arg0 + $arg1
22046 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22054 @item define @var{commandname}
22055 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
22056 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
22057 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
22058 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
22059 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
22060 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
22062 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
22063 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
22064 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
22067 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
22068 @item document @var{commandname}
22069 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
22070 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
22071 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
22072 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
22073 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
22074 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
22076 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
22077 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
22078 does not change the documentation.
22080 @kindex dont-repeat
22081 @cindex don't repeat command
22083 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
22084 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
22085 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
22087 @kindex help user-defined
22088 @item help user-defined
22089 List all user-defined commands and all python commands defined in class
22090 COMAND_USER. The first line of the documentation or docstring is
22095 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
22096 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
22097 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
22098 definitions for all user-defined commands.
22099 This does not work for user-defined python commands.
22101 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
22102 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
22103 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
22104 @item show max-user-call-depth
22105 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
22106 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
22107 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
22108 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
22109 This does not apply to user-defined python commands.
22112 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
22113 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
22115 When user-defined commands are executed, the
22116 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
22117 stops execution of the user-defined command.
22119 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
22120 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
22121 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
22122 messages when used in a user-defined command.
22125 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
22126 @cindex command hooks
22127 @cindex hooks, for commands
22128 @cindex hooks, pre-command
22131 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
22132 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
22133 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
22134 before that command.
22136 @cindex hooks, post-command
22138 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
22139 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
22140 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
22141 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
22142 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
22144 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
22145 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
22147 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
22148 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
22150 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
22151 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
22152 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
22153 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
22154 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
22156 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
22157 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
22162 handle SIGALRM nopass
22166 handle SIGALRM pass
22169 define hook-continue
22170 handle SIGALRM pass
22174 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
22175 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
22183 define hookpost-echo
22187 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
22188 <<<---Hello World--->>>
22193 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
22194 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
22195 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
22196 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
22198 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
22199 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
22200 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
22202 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
22203 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
22204 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
22206 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
22207 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
22209 @node Command Files
22210 @subsection Command Files
22212 @cindex command files
22213 @cindex scripting commands
22214 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
22215 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
22216 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
22217 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
22220 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
22221 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
22222 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
22223 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
22224 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
22228 @cindex execute commands from a file
22229 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
22230 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
22233 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
22234 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
22235 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
22236 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
22237 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
22239 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
22240 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
22241 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
22242 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
22243 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
22244 is not relevant to scripts.
22246 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
22247 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
22248 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
22249 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
22250 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
22251 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
22252 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
22253 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
22254 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
22255 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
22256 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
22257 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
22258 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
22259 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
22261 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
22262 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
22263 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
22265 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
22266 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
22267 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
22268 when called from command files.
22270 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
22271 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
22272 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
22273 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
22277 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
22280 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
22281 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
22282 would be directed to @file{log}.
22284 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
22285 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
22286 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
22287 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
22288 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
22289 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
22290 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
22291 conditionally, etc.
22298 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
22299 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
22300 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
22301 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
22302 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
22303 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
22304 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
22308 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
22309 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
22310 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
22311 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
22312 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
22313 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
22317 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
22318 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
22321 @kindex loop_continue
22322 @item loop_continue
22323 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
22324 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
22325 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
22326 the controlling expression.
22328 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
22330 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
22331 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
22336 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
22338 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
22339 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
22340 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
22341 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
22346 @item echo @var{text}
22347 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
22348 @c because it is not in ANSI.
22349 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
22350 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
22351 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
22352 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
22353 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
22354 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
22355 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
22356 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
22357 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
22359 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
22360 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
22363 echo This is some text\n\
22364 which is continued\n\
22365 onto several lines.\n
22368 produces the same output as
22371 echo This is some text\n
22372 echo which is continued\n
22373 echo onto several lines.\n
22377 @item output @var{expression}
22378 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
22379 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
22380 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
22383 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
22384 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
22385 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
22386 Formats}, for more information.
22389 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
22390 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
22391 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
22392 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
22393 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
22394 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
22395 executing the code below:
22398 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
22401 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
22402 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
22403 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
22404 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
22405 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
22408 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
22411 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
22414 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
22415 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
22416 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
22420 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
22423 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
22427 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
22428 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
22431 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
22435 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
22438 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
22442 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
22443 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
22444 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
22445 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
22447 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
22448 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
22449 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
22450 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
22453 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
22454 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
22455 together with a floating point specifier.
22460 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
22463 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
22466 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
22469 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
22470 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
22471 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
22473 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
22474 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
22476 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
22478 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
22482 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
22483 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
22484 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
22489 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
22490 @cindex python scripting
22491 @cindex scripting with python
22493 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
22494 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
22495 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
22497 @cindex python directory
22498 Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
22499 @file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
22500 the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}).
22501 This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
22502 is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
22503 the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
22505 Additionally, @value{GDBN} commands and convenience functions which
22506 are written in Python and are located in the
22507 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/command} or
22508 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/function} directories are
22509 automatically imported when @value{GDBN} starts.
22512 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
22513 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
22514 * Python Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
22515 * Python modules:: Python modules provided by @value{GDBN}.
22518 @node Python Commands
22519 @subsection Python Commands
22520 @cindex python commands
22521 @cindex commands to access python
22523 @value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
22524 and one related setting:
22528 @item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
22529 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
22531 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
22532 argument as a Python command. For example:
22535 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
22539 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
22540 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
22541 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
22542 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
22543 containing @code{end}. For example:
22546 (@value{GDBP}) python
22548 End with a line saying just "end".
22554 @kindex set python print-stack
22555 @item set python print-stack
22556 By default, @value{GDBN} will print only the message component of a
22557 Python exception when an error occurs in a Python script. This can be
22558 controlled using @code{set python print-stack}: if @code{full}, then
22559 full Python stack printing is enabled; if @code{none}, then Python stack
22560 and message printing is disabled; if @code{message}, the default, only
22561 the message component of the error is printed.
22564 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
22568 @item source @file{script-name}
22569 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
22570 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
22571 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
22573 @item python execfile ("script-name")
22574 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
22575 and thus is always available.
22579 @subsection Python API
22581 @cindex programming in python
22583 @cindex python stdout
22584 @cindex python pagination
22585 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
22586 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
22587 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
22588 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
22589 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
22592 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
22593 * Exception Handling:: How Python exceptions are translated.
22594 * Values From Inferior:: Python representation of values.
22595 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
22596 * Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
22597 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
22598 * Writing a Pretty-Printer:: Writing a Pretty-Printer.
22599 * Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
22600 * Events In Python:: Listening for events from @value{GDBN}.
22601 * Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
22602 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
22603 * Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
22604 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
22605 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
22606 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
22607 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
22608 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing frame blocks from Python.
22609 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
22610 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
22611 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
22612 * Finish Breakpoints in Python:: Setting Breakpoints on function return
22614 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
22618 @subsubsection Basic Python
22620 @cindex python functions
22621 @cindex python module
22623 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
22624 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
22625 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
22626 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
22628 @findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
22629 @defvar gdb.PYTHONDIR
22630 A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
22633 @findex gdb.execute
22634 @defun gdb.execute (command @r{[}, from_tty @r{[}, to_string@r{]]})
22635 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
22636 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
22637 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
22639 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
22640 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
22641 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
22643 By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
22644 @value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
22645 @code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
22646 returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
22647 return value is @code{None}. If @var{to_string} is @code{True}, the
22648 @value{GDBN} virtual terminal will be temporarily set to unlimited width
22649 and height, and its pagination will be disabled; @pxref{Screen Size}.
22652 @findex gdb.breakpoints
22653 @defun gdb.breakpoints ()
22654 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
22655 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
22658 @findex gdb.parameter
22659 @defun gdb.parameter (parameter)
22660 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
22661 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
22662 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
22663 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
22665 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
22666 @code{gdb.error} (@pxref{Exception Handling}). Otherwise, the
22667 parameter's value is converted to a Python value of the appropriate
22668 type, and returned.
22671 @findex gdb.history
22672 @defun gdb.history (number)
22673 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
22674 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
22675 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
22676 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
22677 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
22678 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
22679 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{gdb.error} exception will be
22682 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
22683 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
22686 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
22687 @defun gdb.parse_and_eval (expression)
22688 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
22689 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
22690 @var{expression} must be a string.
22692 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
22693 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
22694 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
22695 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
22696 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
22699 @findex gdb.find_pc_line
22700 @defun gdb.find_pc_line (pc)
22701 Return the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object corresponding to the
22702 @var{pc} value. @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}. If an invalid
22703 value of @var{pc} is passed as an argument, then the @code{symtab} and
22704 @code{line} attributes of the returned @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object
22705 will be @code{None} and 0 respectively.
22708 @findex gdb.post_event
22709 @defun gdb.post_event (event)
22710 Put @var{event}, a callable object taking no arguments, into
22711 @value{GDBN}'s internal event queue. This callable will be invoked at
22712 some later point, during @value{GDBN}'s event processing. Events
22713 posted using @code{post_event} will be run in the order in which they
22714 were posted; however, there is no way to know when they will be
22715 processed relative to other events inside @value{GDBN}.
22717 @value{GDBN} is not thread-safe. If your Python program uses multiple
22718 threads, you must be careful to only call @value{GDBN}-specific
22719 functions in the main @value{GDBN} thread. @code{post_event} ensures
22723 (@value{GDBP}) python
22727 > def __init__(self, message):
22728 > self.message = message;
22729 > def __call__(self):
22730 > gdb.write(self.message)
22732 >class MyThread1 (threading.Thread):
22734 > gdb.post_event(Writer("Hello "))
22736 >class MyThread2 (threading.Thread):
22738 > gdb.post_event(Writer("World\n"))
22740 >MyThread1().start()
22741 >MyThread2().start()
22743 (@value{GDBP}) Hello World
22748 @defun gdb.write (string @r{[}, stream{]})
22749 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated output stream. The
22750 optional @var{stream} determines the stream to print to. The default
22751 stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible stream
22758 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
22763 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
22768 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
22771 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
22772 call this function and will automatically direct the output to the
22777 @defun gdb.flush ()
22778 Flush the buffer of a @value{GDBN} paginated stream so that the
22779 contents are displayed immediately. @value{GDBN} will flush the
22780 contents of a stream automatically when it encounters a newline in the
22781 buffer. The optional @var{stream} determines the stream to flush. The
22782 default stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible
22789 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
22794 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
22799 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
22803 Flushing @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
22804 call this function for the relevant stream.
22807 @findex gdb.target_charset
22808 @defun gdb.target_charset ()
22809 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
22810 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
22811 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
22814 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
22815 @defun gdb.target_wide_charset ()
22816 Return the name of the current target wide character set
22817 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
22818 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
22822 @findex gdb.solib_name
22823 @defun gdb.solib_name (address)
22824 Return the name of the shared library holding the given @var{address}
22825 as a string, or @code{None}.
22828 @findex gdb.decode_line
22829 @defun gdb.decode_line @r{[}expression@r{]}
22830 Return locations of the line specified by @var{expression}, or of the
22831 current line if no argument was given. This function returns a Python
22832 tuple containing two elements. The first element contains a string
22833 holding any unparsed section of @var{expression} (or @code{None} if
22834 the expression has been fully parsed). The second element contains
22835 either @code{None} or another tuple that contains all the locations
22836 that match the expression represented as @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line}
22837 objects (@pxref{Symbol Tables In Python}). If @var{expression} is
22838 provided, it is decoded the way that @value{GDBN}'s inbuilt
22839 @code{break} or @code{edit} commands do (@pxref{Specify Location}).
22842 @defun gdb.prompt_hook (current_prompt)
22843 @anchor{prompt_hook}
22845 If @var{prompt_hook} is callable, @value{GDBN} will call the method
22846 assigned to this operation before a prompt is displayed by
22849 The parameter @code{current_prompt} contains the current @value{GDBN}
22850 prompt. This method must return a Python string, or @code{None}. If
22851 a string is returned, the @value{GDBN} prompt will be set to that
22852 string. If @code{None} is returned, @value{GDBN} will continue to use
22853 the current prompt.
22855 Some prompts cannot be substituted in @value{GDBN}. Secondary prompts
22856 such as those used by readline for command input, and annotation
22857 related prompts are prohibited from being changed.
22860 @node Exception Handling
22861 @subsubsection Exception Handling
22862 @cindex python exceptions
22863 @cindex exceptions, python
22865 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
22866 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
22867 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
22868 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
22869 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
22870 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
22871 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
22874 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
22875 Traceback (most recent call last):
22876 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
22877 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
22880 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by
22881 Python code are converted to Python exceptions. The type of the
22882 Python exception depends on the error.
22886 This is the base class for most exceptions generated by @value{GDBN}.
22887 It is derived from @code{RuntimeError}, for compatibility with earlier
22888 versions of @value{GDBN}.
22890 If an error occurring in @value{GDBN} does not fit into some more
22891 specific category, then the generated exception will have this type.
22893 @item gdb.MemoryError
22894 This is a subclass of @code{gdb.error} which is thrown when an
22895 operation tried to access invalid memory in the inferior.
22897 @item KeyboardInterrupt
22898 User interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
22899 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception.
22902 In all cases, your exception handler will see the @value{GDBN} error
22903 message as its value and the Python call stack backtrace at the Python
22904 statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
22907 @findex gdb.GdbError
22908 When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
22909 it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
22910 traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
22911 command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
22912 to handle this case. Example:
22916 >class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
22917 > """Greet the whole world."""
22918 > def __init__ (self):
22919 > super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
22920 > def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
22921 > argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
22922 > if len (argv) != 0:
22923 > raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
22924 > print "Hello, World!"
22927 (gdb) hello-world 42
22928 hello-world takes no arguments
22931 @node Values From Inferior
22932 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
22933 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
22934 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
22936 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
22937 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
22938 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
22939 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
22940 fetching values when necessary.
22942 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
22943 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
22944 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
22951 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
22952 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
22954 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
22955 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
22956 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
22957 can access its @code{foo} element with:
22960 bar = some_val['foo']
22963 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
22965 A @code{gdb.Value} that represents a function can be executed via
22966 inferior function call. Any arguments provided to the call must match
22967 the function's prototype, and must be provided in the order specified
22970 For example, @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance
22971 representing a function that takes two integers as arguments. To
22972 execute this function, call it like so:
22975 result = some_val (10,20)
22978 Any values returned from a function call will be stored as a
22981 The following attributes are provided:
22984 @defvar Value.address
22985 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
22986 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
22987 this attribute holds @code{None}.
22990 @cindex optimized out value in Python
22991 @defvar Value.is_optimized_out
22992 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
22993 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
22997 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
22998 @code{gdb.Type} object (@pxref{Types In Python}).
23001 @defvar Value.dynamic_type
23002 The dynamic type of this @code{gdb.Value}. This uses C@t{++} run-time
23003 type information (@acronym{RTTI}) to determine the dynamic type of the
23004 value. If this value is of class type, it will return the class in
23005 which the value is embedded, if any. If this value is of pointer or
23006 reference to a class type, it will compute the dynamic type of the
23007 referenced object, and return a pointer or reference to that type,
23008 respectively. In all other cases, it will return the value's static
23011 Note that this feature will only work when debugging a C@t{++} program
23012 that includes @acronym{RTTI} for the object in question. Otherwise,
23013 it will just return the static type of the value as in @kbd{ptype foo}
23014 (@pxref{Symbols, ptype}).
23017 @defvar Value.is_lazy
23018 The value of this read-only boolean attribute is @code{True} if this
23019 @code{gdb.Value} has not yet been fetched from the inferior.
23020 @value{GDBN} does not fetch values until necessary, for efficiency.
23024 myval = gdb.parse_and_eval ('somevar')
23027 The value of @code{somevar} is not fetched at this time. It will be
23028 fetched when the value is needed, or when the @code{fetch_lazy}
23033 The following methods are provided:
23036 @defun Value.__init__ (@var{val})
23037 Many Python values can be converted directly to a @code{gdb.Value} via
23038 this object initializer. Specifically:
23041 @item Python boolean
23042 A Python boolean is converted to the boolean type from the current
23045 @item Python integer
23046 A Python integer is converted to the C @code{long} type for the
23047 current architecture.
23050 A Python long is converted to the C @code{long long} type for the
23051 current architecture.
23054 A Python float is converted to the C @code{double} type for the
23055 current architecture.
23057 @item Python string
23058 A Python string is converted to a target string, using the current
23061 @item @code{gdb.Value}
23062 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.Value}, then a copy of the value is made.
23064 @item @code{gdb.LazyString}
23065 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings In
23066 Python}), then the lazy string's @code{value} method is called, and
23067 its result is used.
23071 @defun Value.cast (type)
23072 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
23073 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
23074 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
23075 reason, this method throws an exception.
23078 @defun Value.dereference ()
23079 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
23080 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
23081 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
23088 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
23089 @code{foo} points to like this:
23092 bar = foo.dereference ()
23095 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
23096 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
23098 A similar function @code{Value.referenced_value} exists which also
23099 returns @code{gdb.Value} objects corresonding to the values pointed to
23100 by pointer values (and additionally, values referenced by reference
23101 values). However, the behavior of @code{Value.dereference}
23102 differs from @code{Value.referenced_value} by the fact that the
23103 behavior of @code{Value.dereference} is identical to applying the C
23104 unary operator @code{*} on a given value. For example, consider a
23105 reference to a pointer @code{ptrref}, declared in your C@t{++} program
23109 typedef int *intptr;
23113 intptr &ptrref = ptr;
23116 Though @code{ptrref} is a reference value, one can apply the method
23117 @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding
23118 to it and obtain a @code{gdb.Value} which is identical to that
23119 corresponding to @code{val}. However, if you apply the method
23120 @code{Value.referenced_value}, the result would be a @code{gdb.Value}
23121 object identical to that corresponding to @code{ptr}.
23124 py_ptrref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ptrref")
23125 py_val = py_ptrref.dereference ()
23126 py_ptr = py_ptrref.referenced_value ()
23129 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
23130 corresponding to @code{val}, and @code{py_ptr} is identical to that
23131 corresponding to @code{ptr}. In general, @code{Value.dereference} can
23132 be applied whenever the C unary operator @code{*} can be applied
23133 to the corresponding C value. For those cases where applying both
23134 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} is allowed,
23135 the results obtained need not be identical (as we have seen in the above
23136 example). The results are however identical when applied on
23137 @code{gdb.Value} objects corresponding to pointers (@code{gdb.Value}
23138 objects with type code @code{TYPE_CODE_PTR}) in a C/C@t{++} program.
23141 @defun Value.referenced_value ()
23142 For pointer or reference data types, this method returns a new
23143 @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the value referenced by the
23144 pointer/reference value. For pointer data types,
23145 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} produce
23146 identical results. The difference between these methods is that
23147 @code{Value.dereference} cannot get the values referenced by reference
23148 values. For example, consider a reference to an @code{int}, declared
23149 in your C@t{++} program as
23157 then applying @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object
23158 corresponding to @code{ref} will result in an error, while applying
23159 @code{Value.referenced_value} will result in a @code{gdb.Value} object
23160 identical to that corresponding to @code{val}.
23163 py_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ref")
23164 er_ref = py_ref.dereference () # Results in error
23165 py_val = py_ref.referenced_value () # Returns the referenced value
23168 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
23169 corresponding to @code{val}.
23172 @defun Value.dynamic_cast (type)
23173 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{dynamic_cast}
23174 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
23177 @defun Value.reinterpret_cast (type)
23178 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{reinterpret_cast}
23179 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
23182 @defun Value.string (@r{[}encoding@r{[}, errors@r{[}, length@r{]]]})
23183 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
23184 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
23185 throw an exception.
23187 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
23188 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
23191 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
23192 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
23193 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
23194 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
23195 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
23197 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
23198 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
23199 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
23200 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
23201 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
23202 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
23203 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
23204 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
23205 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
23207 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
23208 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
23210 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
23211 fetched and converted to the given length.
23214 @defun Value.lazy_string (@r{[}encoding @r{[}, length@r{]]})
23215 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
23216 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
23217 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
23219 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
23220 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
23221 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
23222 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
23223 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
23225 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
23226 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
23227 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
23228 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
23229 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
23230 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
23232 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
23233 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
23234 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
23235 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
23238 @defun Value.fetch_lazy ()
23239 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is currently a lazy value
23240 (@code{gdb.Value.is_lazy} is @code{True}), then the value is
23241 fetched from the inferior. Any errors that occur in the process
23242 will produce a Python exception.
23244 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is not a lazy value, this method
23247 This method does not return a value.
23252 @node Types In Python
23253 @subsubsection Types In Python
23254 @cindex types in Python
23255 @cindex Python, working with types
23258 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
23261 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23264 @findex gdb.lookup_type
23265 @defun gdb.lookup_type (name @r{[}, block@r{]})
23266 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
23267 type to look up. It must be a string.
23269 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
23270 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
23272 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
23273 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
23276 If the type is a structure or class type, or an enum type, the fields
23277 of that type can be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}.
23278 For example, if @code{some_type} is a @code{gdb.Type} instance holding
23279 a structure type, you can access its @code{foo} field with:
23282 bar = some_type['foo']
23285 @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Field} object; see below under the
23286 description of the @code{Type.fields} method for a description of the
23287 @code{gdb.Field} class.
23289 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
23293 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
23294 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
23297 @defvar Type.sizeof
23298 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
23299 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
23300 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
23304 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
23305 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
23306 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
23307 @code{None} is returned.
23311 The following methods are provided:
23314 @defun Type.fields ()
23315 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
23316 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
23317 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
23318 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
23319 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
23320 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
23322 Each field is a @code{gdb.Field} object, with some pre-defined attributes:
23325 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
23326 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
23327 position of the field. For @code{enum} fields, the value is the
23328 enumeration member's integer representation.
23331 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
23334 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
23335 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
23336 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
23338 @item is_base_class
23339 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
23340 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
23341 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
23342 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
23345 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
23346 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
23347 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
23350 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
23351 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
23355 @defun Type.array (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
23356 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an array of this
23357 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
23358 the array; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
23359 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the array, and the
23360 second argument is the upper bound of the array. An array's length
23361 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
23364 @defun Type.const ()
23365 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
23366 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
23369 @defun Type.volatile ()
23370 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
23371 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
23374 @defun Type.unqualified ()
23375 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
23376 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
23380 @defun Type.range ()
23381 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
23382 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
23383 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
23384 @code{gdb.error} exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
23387 @defun Type.reference ()
23388 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
23392 @defun Type.pointer ()
23393 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
23397 @defun Type.strip_typedefs ()
23398 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
23399 after removing all layers of typedefs.
23402 @defun Type.target ()
23403 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
23406 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
23407 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
23408 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
23409 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
23410 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
23411 target type is the aliased type.
23413 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
23417 @defun Type.template_argument (n @r{[}, block@r{]})
23418 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
23419 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
23420 @var{n}th template argument.
23422 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
23423 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
23425 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
23426 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
23431 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
23432 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
23433 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
23436 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
23437 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
23438 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
23439 The type is a pointer.
23441 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23442 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23443 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23444 The type is an array.
23446 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23447 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23448 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23449 The type is a structure.
23451 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
23452 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
23453 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
23454 The type is a union.
23456 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23457 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23458 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23459 The type is an enum.
23461 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23462 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23463 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23464 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
23466 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23467 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23468 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23469 The type is a function.
23471 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
23472 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
23473 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
23474 The type is an integer type.
23476 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
23477 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
23478 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
23479 A floating point type.
23481 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
23482 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
23483 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
23484 The special type @code{void}.
23486 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
23487 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
23488 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
23491 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23492 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23493 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23494 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
23496 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
23497 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
23498 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
23499 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
23500 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
23502 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23503 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23504 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23507 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23508 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23509 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23510 An unknown or erroneous type.
23512 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23513 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23514 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23515 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
23517 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23518 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23519 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23520 A pointer-to-member-function.
23522 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23523 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23524 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23525 A pointer-to-member.
23527 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
23528 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
23529 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
23532 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
23533 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
23534 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
23537 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
23538 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
23539 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
23542 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
23543 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
23544 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
23545 A complex float type.
23547 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
23548 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
23549 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
23550 A typedef to some other type.
23552 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
23553 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
23554 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
23555 A C@t{++} namespace.
23557 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
23558 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
23559 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
23560 A decimal floating point type.
23562 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
23563 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
23564 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
23565 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
23566 convenience functions.
23569 Further support for types is provided in the @code{gdb.types}
23570 Python module (@pxref{gdb.types}).
23572 @node Pretty Printing API
23573 @subsubsection Pretty Printing API
23575 An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
23577 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
23578 specific interface, defined here.
23580 @defun pretty_printer.children (self)
23581 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
23582 children of the pretty-printer's value.
23584 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
23585 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
23586 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
23587 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
23588 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
23590 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
23591 as though the value has no children.
23594 @defun pretty_printer.display_hint (self)
23595 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
23596 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
23597 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
23600 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
23603 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
23607 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
23608 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
23609 @code{set print array}.
23612 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
23613 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
23617 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
23618 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
23619 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
23620 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
23621 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
23622 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
23626 @defun pretty_printer.to_string (self)
23627 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
23628 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
23630 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
23631 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
23632 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
23633 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
23634 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
23635 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
23636 the result of @code{children}.
23638 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
23640 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
23641 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
23642 another pretty-printer.
23644 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
23645 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
23646 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
23647 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
23648 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
23650 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
23651 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
23653 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
23656 @value{GDBN} provides a function which can be used to look up the
23657 default pretty-printer for a @code{gdb.Value}:
23659 @findex gdb.default_visualizer
23660 @defun gdb.default_visualizer (value)
23661 This function takes a @code{gdb.Value} object as an argument. If a
23662 pretty-printer for this value exists, then it is returned. If no such
23663 printer exists, then this returns @code{None}.
23666 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
23667 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
23669 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
23670 functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
23671 as a pretty-printer. Printers in this list are called @code{global}
23672 printers, they're available when debugging all inferiors.
23673 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
23674 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
23677 Each function on these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
23678 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
23679 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
23680 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
23683 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
23684 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
23685 each enabled lookup routine in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile}
23686 until it receives a pretty-printer object.
23687 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
23688 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
23689 calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
23690 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
23691 @code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
23692 object is returned.
23694 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
23695 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
23696 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
23697 object is returned.
23699 For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
23700 For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
23701 the pretty-printer is out of date.
23703 The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
23704 @value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
23705 printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
23706 a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
23707 with a broken printer.
23709 Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
23710 attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
23711 is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
23712 the printer is enabled.
23714 @node Writing a Pretty-Printer
23715 @subsubsection Writing a Pretty-Printer
23716 @cindex writing a pretty-printer
23718 A pretty-printer consists of two parts: a lookup function to detect
23719 if the type is supported, and the printer itself.
23721 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
23722 written. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for details on the API this class
23726 class StdStringPrinter(object):
23727 "Print a std::string"
23729 def __init__(self, val):
23732 def to_string(self):
23733 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
23735 def display_hint(self):
23739 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
23740 example above might be written.
23743 def str_lookup_function(val):
23744 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
23745 if lookup_tag == None:
23747 regex = re.compile("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
23748 if regex.match(lookup_tag):
23749 return StdStringPrinter(val)
23753 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
23754 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
23755 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
23756 returns @code{None}.
23758 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
23759 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
23760 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
23761 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
23762 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
23765 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}) such that it
23766 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
23767 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
23768 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
23769 the current objfile.
23771 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
23772 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
23773 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
23774 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
23775 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
23776 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
23777 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
23778 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
23781 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
23782 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
23785 def register_printers(objfile):
23786 objfile.pretty_printers.append(str_lookup_function)
23790 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
23793 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
23794 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers(gdb.current_objfile())
23797 The previous example illustrates a basic pretty-printer.
23798 There are a few things that can be improved on.
23799 The printer doesn't have a name, making it hard to identify in a
23800 list of installed printers. The lookup function has a name, but
23801 lookup functions can have arbitrary, even identical, names.
23803 Second, the printer only handles one type, whereas a library typically has
23804 several types. One could install a lookup function for each desired type
23805 in the library, but one could also have a single lookup function recognize
23806 several types. The latter is the conventional way this is handled.
23807 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
23808 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
23810 The @code{gdb.printing} module provides a formal way of solving these
23811 problems (@pxref{gdb.printing}).
23812 Here is another example that handles multiple types.
23814 These are the types we are going to pretty-print:
23817 struct foo @{ int a, b; @};
23818 struct bar @{ struct foo x, y; @};
23821 Here are the printers:
23825 """Print a foo object."""
23827 def __init__(self, val):
23830 def to_string(self):
23831 return ("a=<" + str(self.val["a"]) +
23832 "> b=<" + str(self.val["b"]) + ">")
23835 """Print a bar object."""
23837 def __init__(self, val):
23840 def to_string(self):
23841 return ("x=<" + str(self.val["x"]) +
23842 "> y=<" + str(self.val["y"]) + ">")
23845 This example doesn't need a lookup function, that is handled by the
23846 @code{gdb.printing} module. Instead a function is provided to build up
23847 the object that handles the lookup.
23850 import gdb.printing
23852 def build_pretty_printer():
23853 pp = gdb.printing.RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter(
23855 pp.add_printer('foo', '^foo$', fooPrinter)
23856 pp.add_printer('bar', '^bar$', barPrinter)
23860 And here is the autoload support:
23863 import gdb.printing
23865 gdb.printing.register_pretty_printer(
23866 gdb.current_objfile(),
23867 my_library.build_pretty_printer())
23870 Finally, when this printer is loaded into @value{GDBN}, here is the
23871 corresponding output of @samp{info pretty-printer}:
23874 (gdb) info pretty-printer
23881 @node Inferiors In Python
23882 @subsubsection Inferiors In Python
23883 @cindex inferiors in Python
23885 @findex gdb.Inferior
23886 Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
23887 (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
23888 information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
23889 via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
23891 The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23894 @defun gdb.inferiors ()
23895 Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
23898 @defun gdb.selected_inferior ()
23899 Return an object representing the current inferior.
23902 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
23905 @defvar Inferior.num
23906 ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
23909 @defvar Inferior.pid
23910 Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
23914 @defvar Inferior.was_attached
23915 Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
23916 started by @value{GDBN} itself.
23920 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
23923 @defun Inferior.is_valid ()
23924 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Inferior} object is valid,
23925 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Inferior} object will become invalid
23926 if the inferior no longer exists within @value{GDBN}. All other
23927 @code{gdb.Inferior} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid
23928 at the time the method is called.
23931 @defun Inferior.threads ()
23932 This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
23933 when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
23934 return an empty tuple.
23937 @findex Inferior.read_memory
23938 @defun Inferior.read_memory (address, length)
23939 Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
23940 @var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
23941 or a string. It can be modified and given to the
23942 @code{Inferior.write_memory} function.
23945 @findex Inferior.write_memory
23946 @defun Inferior.write_memory (address, buffer @r{[}, length@r{]})
23947 Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
23948 @var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
23949 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
23950 object returned from @code{Inferior.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
23951 determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
23954 @findex gdb.search_memory
23955 @defun Inferior.search_memory (address, length, pattern)
23956 Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
23957 the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
23958 @var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
23959 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
23960 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
23961 containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
23962 the pattern could not be found.
23966 @node Events In Python
23967 @subsubsection Events In Python
23968 @cindex inferior events in Python
23970 @value{GDBN} provides a general event facility so that Python code can be
23971 notified of various state changes, particularly changes that occur in
23974 An @dfn{event} is just an object that describes some state change. The
23975 type of the object and its attributes will vary depending on the details
23976 of the change. All the existing events are described below.
23978 In order to be notified of an event, you must register an event handler
23979 with an @dfn{event registry}. An event registry is an object in the
23980 @code{gdb.events} module which dispatches particular events. A registry
23981 provides methods to register and unregister event handlers:
23984 @defun EventRegistry.connect (object)
23985 Add the given callable @var{object} to the registry. This object will be
23986 called when an event corresponding to this registry occurs.
23989 @defun EventRegistry.disconnect (object)
23990 Remove the given @var{object} from the registry. Once removed, the object
23991 will no longer receive notifications of events.
23995 Here is an example:
23998 def exit_handler (event):
23999 print "event type: exit"
24000 print "exit code: %d" % (event.exit_code)
24002 gdb.events.exited.connect (exit_handler)
24005 In the above example we connect our handler @code{exit_handler} to the
24006 registry @code{events.exited}. Once connected, @code{exit_handler} gets
24007 called when the inferior exits. The argument @dfn{event} in this example is
24008 of type @code{gdb.ExitedEvent}. As you can see in the example the
24009 @code{ExitedEvent} object has an attribute which indicates the exit code of
24012 The following is a listing of the event registries that are available and
24013 details of the events they emit:
24018 Emits @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24020 Some events can be thread specific when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
24021 mode. When represented in Python, these events all extend
24022 @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}. Note, this event is not emitted directly; instead,
24023 events which are emitted by this or other modules might extend this event.
24024 Examples of these events are @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} and
24025 @code{gdb.ContinueEvent}.
24028 @defvar ThreadEvent.inferior_thread
24029 In non-stop mode this attribute will be set to the specific thread which was
24030 involved in the emitted event. Otherwise, it will be set to @code{None}.
24034 Emits @code{gdb.ContinueEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24036 This event indicates that the inferior has been continued after a stop. For
24037 inherited attribute refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above.
24039 @item events.exited
24040 Emits @code{events.ExitedEvent} which indicates that the inferior has exited.
24041 @code{events.ExitedEvent} has two attributes:
24043 @defvar ExitedEvent.exit_code
24044 An integer representing the exit code, if available, which the inferior
24045 has returned. (The exit code could be unavailable if, for example,
24046 @value{GDBN} detaches from the inferior.) If the exit code is unavailable,
24047 the attribute does not exist.
24049 @defvar ExitedEvent inferior
24050 A reference to the inferior which triggered the @code{exited} event.
24055 Emits @code{gdb.StopEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24057 Indicates that the inferior has stopped. All events emitted by this registry
24058 extend StopEvent. As a child of @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}, @code{gdb.StopEvent}
24059 will indicate the stopped thread when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
24060 mode. Refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above for more details.
24062 Emits @code{gdb.SignalEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
24064 This event indicates that the inferior or one of its threads has received as
24065 signal. @code{gdb.SignalEvent} has the following attributes:
24068 @defvar SignalEvent.stop_signal
24069 A string representing the signal received by the inferior. A list of possible
24070 signal values can be obtained by running the command @code{info signals} in
24071 the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
24075 Also emits @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
24077 @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} event indicates that one or more breakpoints have
24078 been hit, and has the following attributes:
24081 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoints
24082 A sequence containing references to all the breakpoints (type
24083 @code{gdb.Breakpoint}) that were hit.
24084 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Breakpoint} object.
24086 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoint
24087 A reference to the first breakpoint that was hit.
24088 This function is maintained for backward compatibility and is now deprecated
24089 in favor of the @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent.breakpoints} attribute.
24093 @item events.new_objfile
24094 Emits @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} which indicates that a new object file has
24095 been loaded by @value{GDBN}. @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} has one attribute:
24098 @defvar NewObjFileEvent.new_objfile
24099 A reference to the object file (@code{gdb.Objfile}) which has been loaded.
24100 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Objfile} object.
24106 @node Threads In Python
24107 @subsubsection Threads In Python
24108 @cindex threads in python
24110 @findex gdb.InferiorThread
24111 Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
24112 controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
24114 The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
24117 @findex gdb.selected_thread
24118 @defun gdb.selected_thread ()
24119 This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
24120 is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
24123 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
24126 @defvar InferiorThread.name
24127 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using
24128 @code{thread name}, then this returns that name. Otherwise, if an
24129 OS-supplied name is available, then it is returned. Otherwise, this
24130 returns @code{None}.
24132 This attribute can be assigned to. The new value must be a string
24133 object, which sets the new name, or @code{None}, which removes any
24134 user-specified thread name.
24137 @defvar InferiorThread.num
24138 ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
24141 @defvar InferiorThread.ptid
24142 ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
24143 tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
24144 is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
24145 Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
24146 does not use that identifier.
24150 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
24153 @defun InferiorThread.is_valid ()
24154 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object is valid,
24155 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object will become
24156 invalid if the thread exits, or the inferior that the thread belongs
24157 is deleted. All other @code{gdb.InferiorThread} methods will throw an
24158 exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
24161 @defun InferiorThread.switch ()
24162 This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
24166 @defun InferiorThread.is_stopped ()
24167 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
24170 @defun InferiorThread.is_running ()
24171 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
24174 @defun InferiorThread.is_exited ()
24175 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
24179 @node Commands In Python
24180 @subsubsection Commands In Python
24182 @cindex commands in python
24183 @cindex python commands
24184 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
24185 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
24186 class, most commonly using a subclass.
24188 @defun Command.__init__ (name, @var{command_class} @r{[}, @var{completer_class} @r{[}, @var{prefix}@r{]]})
24189 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
24190 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
24191 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
24193 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
24194 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
24195 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
24196 an exception is raised.
24198 There is no support for multi-line commands.
24200 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
24201 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
24202 new command in the help system.
24204 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
24205 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
24206 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
24207 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
24208 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
24209 error will occur when completion is attempted.
24211 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
24212 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
24215 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
24216 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
24217 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
24218 not documented.'' is used.
24221 @cindex don't repeat Python command
24222 @defun Command.dont_repeat ()
24223 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
24224 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
24225 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
24226 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
24229 @defun Command.invoke (argument, from_tty)
24230 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
24232 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
24233 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
24235 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
24236 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
24237 that the command came from elsewhere.
24239 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
24240 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
24242 @findex gdb.string_to_argv
24243 To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
24244 @code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
24245 @value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
24246 It is recommended to use this for consistency.
24247 Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
24251 print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
24252 ['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
24257 @cindex completion of Python commands
24258 @defun Command.complete (text, word)
24259 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
24260 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
24261 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
24262 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
24265 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
24266 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
24267 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
24268 using a word-breaking heuristic.
24270 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
24273 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
24274 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
24275 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
24276 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
24277 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
24278 sequence are ignored.
24281 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
24282 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
24283 function is invoked, and its result is used.
24286 All other results are treated as though there were no available
24291 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
24292 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
24293 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
24294 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
24295 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
24296 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
24299 @findex COMMAND_NONE
24300 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
24301 @item gdb.COMMAND_NONE
24302 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
24303 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
24305 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
24306 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
24307 @item gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
24308 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
24309 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
24310 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24311 commands in this category.
24313 @findex COMMAND_DATA
24314 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
24315 @item gdb.COMMAND_DATA
24316 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
24317 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
24318 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
24321 @findex COMMAND_STACK
24322 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
24323 @item gdb.COMMAND_STACK
24324 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
24325 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
24326 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
24327 list of commands in this category.
24329 @findex COMMAND_FILES
24330 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
24331 @item gdb.COMMAND_FILES
24332 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
24333 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
24334 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24335 commands in this category.
24337 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
24338 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
24339 @item gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
24340 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
24341 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
24342 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
24343 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
24344 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24345 commands in this category.
24347 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
24348 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
24349 @item gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
24350 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
24351 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
24352 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
24353 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
24355 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24356 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24357 @item gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24358 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
24359 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
24360 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
24363 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24364 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24365 @item gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24366 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
24367 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
24368 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24369 commands in this category.
24371 @findex COMMAND_USER
24372 @findex gdb.COMMAND_USER
24373 @item gdb.COMMAND_USER
24374 The command is a general purpose command for the user, and typically
24375 does not fit in one of the other categories.
24376 Type @kbd{help user-defined} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see
24377 a list of commands in this category, as well as the list of gdb macros
24378 (@pxref{Sequences}).
24380 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
24381 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
24382 @item gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
24383 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
24384 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
24385 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
24386 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
24389 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24390 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24391 @item gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24392 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
24393 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
24394 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24395 commands in this category.
24398 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
24399 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
24400 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
24401 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
24404 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
24405 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
24406 @item gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
24407 This constant means that no completion should be done.
24409 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
24410 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
24411 @item gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
24412 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
24414 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
24415 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
24416 @item gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
24417 This constant means that location completion should be done.
24418 @xref{Specify Location}.
24420 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
24421 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
24422 @item gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
24423 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
24426 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24427 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24428 @item gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24429 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
24433 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
24434 implemented in Python:
24437 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
24438 """Greet the whole world."""
24440 def __init__ (self):
24441 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
24443 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
24444 print "Hello, World!"
24449 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
24450 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
24451 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
24452 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
24454 @node Parameters In Python
24455 @subsubsection Parameters In Python
24457 @cindex parameters in python
24458 @cindex python parameters
24459 @tindex gdb.Parameter
24461 You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
24462 parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
24465 Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
24466 @code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
24468 There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
24469 @value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
24470 @code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
24471 behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
24472 can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
24474 @defun Parameter.__init__ (name, @var{command-class}, @var{parameter-class} @r{[}, @var{enum-sequence}@r{]})
24475 The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
24476 parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
24477 from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
24479 @var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
24480 of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
24481 parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
24482 @code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
24483 @code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
24484 parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
24485 @value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
24487 If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
24488 can be found, an exception is raised.
24490 @var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
24491 (@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
24492 categorize the new parameter in the help system.
24494 @var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
24495 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
24496 parameter; this information is used for input validation and
24499 If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
24500 @var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
24501 represent the possible values for the parameter.
24503 If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
24504 of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
24506 The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
24507 documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
24508 there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
24511 @defvar Parameter.set_doc
24512 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
24513 the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
24514 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
24518 @defvar Parameter.show_doc
24519 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
24520 the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
24521 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
24525 @defvar Parameter.value
24526 The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
24527 parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
24528 attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
24531 There are two methods that should be implemented in any
24532 @code{Parameter} class. These are:
24534 @defun Parameter.get_set_string (self)
24535 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s value has
24536 been changed via the @code{set} API (for example, @kbd{set foo off}).
24537 The @code{value} attribute has already been populated with the new
24538 value and may be used in output. This method must return a string.
24541 @defun Parameter.get_show_string (self, svalue)
24542 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s
24543 @code{show} API has been invoked (for example, @kbd{show foo}). The
24544 argument @code{svalue} receives the string representation of the
24545 current value. This method must return a string.
24548 When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
24549 available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
24553 @findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
24554 @findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
24555 @item gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
24556 The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
24557 and @code{False} are the only valid values.
24559 @findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
24560 @findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
24561 @item gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
24562 The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
24563 Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
24564 @samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
24566 @findex PARAM_UINTEGER
24567 @findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
24568 @item gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
24569 The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
24570 interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
24572 @findex PARAM_INTEGER
24573 @findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
24574 @item gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
24575 The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
24576 to mean ``unlimited''.
24578 @findex PARAM_STRING
24579 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
24580 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING
24581 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
24582 sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
24583 translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
24586 @findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
24587 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
24588 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
24589 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
24590 passed through untranslated.
24592 @findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
24593 @findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
24594 @item gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
24595 The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
24597 @findex PARAM_FILENAME
24598 @findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
24599 @item gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
24600 The value is a filename. This is just like
24601 @code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
24603 @findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
24604 @findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
24605 @item gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
24606 The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
24607 is interpreted as itself.
24610 @findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
24611 @item gdb.PARAM_ENUM
24612 The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
24613 constants provided when the parameter is created.
24616 @node Functions In Python
24617 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
24619 @cindex writing convenience functions
24620 @cindex convenience functions in python
24621 @cindex python convenience functions
24622 @tindex gdb.Function
24624 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
24625 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
24626 class @code{gdb.Function}.
24628 @defun Function.__init__ (name)
24629 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
24630 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
24631 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
24632 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
24633 the given @var{name}.
24635 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
24636 string for the new class.
24639 @defun Function.invoke (@var{*args})
24640 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
24641 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
24642 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
24643 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
24644 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
24645 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
24646 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
24648 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
24649 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
24650 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
24653 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
24654 be implemented in Python:
24657 class Greet (gdb.Function):
24658 """Return string to greet someone.
24659 Takes a name as argument."""
24661 def __init__ (self):
24662 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
24664 def invoke (self, name):
24665 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
24670 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
24671 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
24672 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
24673 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
24675 @node Progspaces In Python
24676 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
24678 @cindex progspaces in python
24679 @tindex gdb.Progspace
24681 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
24682 of an address space.
24683 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
24684 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
24685 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
24686 about program spaces.
24688 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
24691 @findex gdb.current_progspace
24692 @defun gdb.current_progspace ()
24693 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
24694 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
24697 @findex gdb.progspaces
24698 @defun gdb.progspaces ()
24699 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
24702 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
24705 @defvar Progspace.filename
24706 The file name of the progspace as a string.
24709 @defvar Progspace.pretty_printers
24710 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
24711 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
24712 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
24713 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
24714 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
24718 @node Objfiles In Python
24719 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
24721 @cindex objfiles in python
24722 @tindex gdb.Objfile
24724 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
24725 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
24726 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
24727 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
24728 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
24730 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
24733 @findex gdb.current_objfile
24734 @defun gdb.current_objfile ()
24735 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
24736 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
24737 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
24738 this function returns @code{None}.
24741 @findex gdb.objfiles
24742 @defun gdb.objfiles ()
24743 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
24744 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
24747 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
24750 @defvar Objfile.filename
24751 The file name of the objfile as a string.
24754 @defvar Objfile.pretty_printers
24755 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
24756 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
24757 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
24758 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
24759 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
24763 A @code{gdb.Objfile} object has the following methods:
24765 @defun Objfile.is_valid ()
24766 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Objfile} object is valid,
24767 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Objfile} object can become invalid
24768 if the object file it refers to is not loaded in @value{GDBN} any
24769 longer. All other @code{gdb.Objfile} methods will throw an exception
24770 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
24773 @node Frames In Python
24774 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
24776 @cindex frames in python
24777 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
24778 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
24779 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
24780 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
24781 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{gdb.error}
24782 exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
24784 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
24788 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
24792 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
24794 @findex gdb.selected_frame
24795 @defun gdb.selected_frame ()
24796 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
24799 @findex gdb.newest_frame
24800 @defun gdb.newest_frame ()
24801 Return the newest frame object for the selected thread.
24804 @defun gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
24805 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
24806 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
24807 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
24810 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
24813 @defun Frame.is_valid ()
24814 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
24815 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
24816 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
24817 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
24820 @defun Frame.name ()
24821 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
24825 @defun Frame.type ()
24826 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of:
24828 @item gdb.NORMAL_FRAME
24829 An ordinary stack frame.
24831 @item gdb.DUMMY_FRAME
24832 A fake stack frame that was created by @value{GDBN} when performing an
24833 inferior function call.
24835 @item gdb.INLINE_FRAME
24836 A frame representing an inlined function. The function was inlined
24837 into a @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME} that is older than this one.
24839 @item gdb.TAILCALL_FRAME
24840 A frame representing a tail call. @xref{Tail Call Frames}.
24842 @item gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME
24843 A signal trampoline frame. This is the frame created by the OS when
24844 it calls into a signal handler.
24846 @item gdb.ARCH_FRAME
24847 A fake stack frame representing a cross-architecture call.
24849 @item gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME
24850 This is like @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, but it is only used for the
24855 @defun Frame.unwind_stop_reason ()
24856 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
24857 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
24858 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
24859 function to a string. The value can be one of:
24862 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_REASON
24863 No particular reason (older frames should be available).
24865 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NULL_ID
24866 The previous frame's analyzer returns an invalid result.
24868 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_OUTERMOST
24869 This frame is the outermost.
24871 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_UNAVAILABLE
24872 Cannot unwind further, because that would require knowing the
24873 values of registers or memory that have not been collected.
24875 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_INNER_ID
24876 This frame ID looks like it ought to belong to a NEXT frame,
24877 but we got it for a PREV frame. Normally, this is a sign of
24878 unwinder failure. It could also indicate stack corruption.
24880 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_SAME_ID
24881 This frame has the same ID as the previous one. That means
24882 that unwinding further would almost certainly give us another
24883 frame with exactly the same ID, so break the chain. Normally,
24884 this is a sign of unwinder failure. It could also indicate
24887 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_SAVED_PC
24888 The frame unwinder did not find any saved PC, but we needed
24889 one to unwind further.
24891 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR
24892 Any stop reason greater or equal to this value indicates some kind
24893 of error. This special value facilitates writing code that tests
24894 for errors in unwinding in a way that will work correctly even if
24895 the list of the other values is modified in future @value{GDBN}
24896 versions. Using it, you could write:
24898 reason = gdb.selected_frame().unwind_stop_reason ()
24899 reason_str = gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
24900 if reason >= gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR:
24901 print "An error occured: %s" % reason_str
24908 Returns the frame's resume address.
24911 @defun Frame.block ()
24912 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
24915 @defun Frame.function ()
24916 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
24917 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
24920 @defun Frame.older ()
24921 Return the frame that called this frame.
24924 @defun Frame.newer ()
24925 Return the frame called by this frame.
24928 @defun Frame.find_sal ()
24929 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
24930 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
24933 @defun Frame.read_var (variable @r{[}, block@r{]})
24934 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
24935 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
24936 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
24937 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
24938 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
24939 @code{gdb.Block} object.
24942 @defun Frame.select ()
24943 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
24948 @node Blocks In Python
24949 @subsubsection Accessing frame blocks from Python.
24951 @cindex blocks in python
24954 Within each frame, @value{GDBN} maintains information on each block
24955 stored in that frame. These blocks are organized hierarchically, and
24956 are represented individually in Python as a @code{gdb.Block}.
24957 Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more in-depth discussion on
24958 frames. Furthermore, see @ref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}, for more
24959 detailed technical information on @value{GDBN}'s book-keeping of the
24962 A @code{gdb.Block} is iterable. The iterator returns the symbols
24963 (@pxref{Symbols In Python}) local to the block. Python programs
24964 should not assume that a specific block object will always contain a
24965 given symbol, since changes in @value{GDBN} features and
24966 infrastructure may cause symbols move across blocks in a symbol
24969 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
24972 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
24973 @defun gdb.block_for_pc (pc)
24974 Return the @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc} value. If the
24975 block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified, the function
24976 will return @code{None}.
24979 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following methods:
24982 @defun Block.is_valid ()
24983 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is valid,
24984 @code{False} if not. A block object can become invalid if the block it
24985 refers to doesn't exist anymore in the inferior. All other
24986 @code{gdb.Block} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid at
24987 the time the method is called. The block's validity is also checked
24988 during iteration over symbols of the block.
24992 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
24995 @defvar Block.start
24996 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
25000 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
25003 @defvar Block.function
25004 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
25005 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
25006 attribute is not writable.
25009 @defvar Block.superblock
25010 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
25011 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
25014 @defvar Block.global_block
25015 The global block associated with this block. This attribute is not
25019 @defvar Block.static_block
25020 The static block associated with this block. This attribute is not
25024 @defvar Block.is_global
25025 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a global block,
25026 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not
25030 @defvar Block.is_static
25031 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a static block,
25032 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not writable.
25036 @node Symbols In Python
25037 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
25039 @cindex symbols in python
25042 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
25043 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
25044 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
25045 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
25047 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
25050 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
25051 @defun gdb.lookup_symbol (name @r{[}, block @r{[}, domain@r{]]})
25052 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
25053 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
25056 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
25057 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
25058 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
25059 @code{gdb.Block} object. If omitted, the block for the current frame
25060 is used. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
25061 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
25062 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
25065 The result is a tuple of two elements.
25066 The first element is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
25068 If the symbol is found, the second element is @code{True} if the symbol
25069 is a field of a method's object (e.g., @code{this} in C@t{++}),
25070 otherwise it is @code{False}.
25071 If the symbol is not found, the second element is @code{False}.
25074 @findex gdb.lookup_global_symbol
25075 @defun gdb.lookup_global_symbol (name @r{[}, domain@r{]})
25076 This function searches for a global symbol by name.
25077 The search scope can be restricted to by the domain argument.
25079 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string.
25080 The optional @var{domain} argument restricts the search to the domain type.
25081 The @var{domain} argument must be a domain constant defined in the @code{gdb}
25082 module and described later in this chapter.
25084 The result is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
25088 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
25091 @defvar Symbol.type
25092 The type of the symbol or @code{None} if no type is recorded.
25093 This attribute is represented as a @code{gdb.Type} object.
25094 @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not writable.
25097 @defvar Symbol.symtab
25098 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
25099 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
25100 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
25103 @defvar Symbol.line
25104 The line number in the source code at which the symbol was defined.
25105 This is an integer.
25108 @defvar Symbol.name
25109 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
25112 @defvar Symbol.linkage_name
25113 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
25114 This attribute is not writable.
25117 @defvar Symbol.print_name
25118 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
25119 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
25120 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
25123 @defvar Symbol.addr_class
25124 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
25125 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
25126 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
25129 @defvar Symbol.needs_frame
25130 This is @code{True} if evaluating this symbol's value requires a frame
25131 (@pxref{Frames In Python}) and @code{False} otherwise. Typically,
25132 local variables will require a frame, but other symbols will not.
25135 @defvar Symbol.is_argument
25136 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
25139 @defvar Symbol.is_constant
25140 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
25143 @defvar Symbol.is_function
25144 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
25147 @defvar Symbol.is_variable
25148 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
25152 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following methods:
25155 @defun Symbol.is_valid ()
25156 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symbol} object is valid,
25157 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symbol} object can become invalid if
25158 the symbol it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any longer.
25159 All other @code{gdb.Symbol} methods will throw an exception if it is
25160 invalid at the time the method is called.
25163 @defun Symbol.value (@r{[}frame@r{]})
25164 Compute the value of the symbol, as a @code{gdb.Value}. For
25165 functions, this computes the address of the function, cast to the
25166 appropriate type. If the symbol requires a frame in order to compute
25167 its value, then @var{frame} must be given. If @var{frame} is not
25168 given, or if @var{frame} is invalid, then this method will throw an
25173 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
25174 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
25177 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25178 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25179 @item gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25180 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
25181 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
25182 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
25183 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25184 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25185 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25186 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
25188 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25189 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25190 @item gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25191 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
25192 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25193 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25194 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25195 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
25196 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25197 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25198 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25199 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
25200 contains everything minus functions and types.
25201 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
25202 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
25203 @item gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
25204 This domain contains all functions.
25205 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25206 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25207 @item gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25208 This domain contains all types.
25211 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
25212 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
25215 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25216 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25217 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25218 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
25219 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
25220 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25221 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25222 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25223 Value is constant int.
25224 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25225 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25226 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25227 Value is at a fixed address.
25228 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25229 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25230 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25231 Value is in a register.
25232 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25233 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25234 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25235 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
25236 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
25237 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25238 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25239 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25240 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
25241 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
25242 offset, not the value itself.
25243 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25244 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25245 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25246 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
25247 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
25249 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25250 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25251 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25252 Value is a local variable.
25253 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25254 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25255 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25256 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
25258 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25259 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25260 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25262 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25263 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25264 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25265 Value is a byte-sequence.
25266 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25267 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25268 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25269 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
25270 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
25272 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25273 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25274 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25275 The value does not actually exist in the program.
25276 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25277 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25278 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25279 The value's address is a computed location.
25282 @node Symbol Tables In Python
25283 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
25285 @cindex symbol tables in python
25287 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
25289 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
25290 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
25291 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
25292 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
25293 @xref{Frames In Python}.
25295 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
25296 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
25298 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
25301 @defvar Symtab_and_line.symtab
25302 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
25303 This attribute is not writable.
25306 @defvar Symtab_and_line.pc
25307 Indicates the start of the address range occupied by code for the
25308 current source line. This attribute is not writable.
25311 @defvar Symtab_and_line.last
25312 Indicates the end of the address range occupied by code for the current
25313 source line. This attribute is not writable.
25316 @defvar Symtab_and_line.line
25317 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
25318 attribute is not writable.
25322 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following methods:
25325 @defun Symtab_and_line.is_valid ()
25326 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object is valid,
25327 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object can become
25328 invalid if the Symbol table and line object it refers to does not
25329 exist in @value{GDBN} any longer. All other
25330 @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} methods will throw an exception if it is
25331 invalid at the time the method is called.
25335 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
25338 @defvar Symtab.filename
25339 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
25342 @defvar Symtab.objfile
25343 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
25344 This attribute is not writable.
25348 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following methods:
25351 @defun Symtab.is_valid ()
25352 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab} object is valid,
25353 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab} object can become invalid if
25354 the symbol table it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any
25355 longer. All other @code{gdb.Symtab} methods will throw an exception
25356 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
25359 @defun Symtab.fullname ()
25360 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
25363 @defun Symtab.global_block ()
25364 Return the global block of the underlying symbol table.
25365 @xref{Blocks In Python}.
25368 @defun Symtab.static_block ()
25369 Return the static block of the underlying symbol table.
25370 @xref{Blocks In Python}.
25374 @node Breakpoints In Python
25375 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
25377 @cindex breakpoints in python
25378 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
25380 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
25383 @defun Breakpoint.__init__ (spec @r{[}, type @r{[}, wp_class @r{[},internal@r{]]]})
25384 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
25385 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
25386 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
25387 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
25388 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
25389 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
25390 either: @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
25391 defaults to @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{internal} argument
25392 allows the breakpoint to become invisible to the user. The breakpoint
25393 will neither be reported when created, nor will it be listed in the
25394 output from @code{info breakpoints} (but will be listed with the
25395 @code{maint info breakpoints} command). The optional @var{wp_class}
25396 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
25397 @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not provided, it is
25398 assumed to be a @code{gdb.WP_WRITE} class.
25401 @defun Breakpoint.stop (self)
25402 The @code{gdb.Breakpoint} class can be sub-classed and, in
25403 particular, you may choose to implement the @code{stop} method.
25404 If this method is defined as a sub-class of @code{gdb.Breakpoint},
25405 it will be called when the inferior reaches any location of a
25406 breakpoint which instantiates that sub-class. If the method returns
25407 @code{True}, the inferior will be stopped at the location of the
25408 breakpoint, otherwise the inferior will continue.
25410 If there are multiple breakpoints at the same location with a
25411 @code{stop} method, each one will be called regardless of the
25412 return status of the previous. This ensures that all @code{stop}
25413 methods have a chance to execute at that location. In this scenario
25414 if one of the methods returns @code{True} but the others return
25415 @code{False}, the inferior will still be stopped.
25417 You should not alter the execution state of the inferior (i.e.@:, step,
25418 next, etc.), alter the current frame context (i.e.@:, change the current
25419 active frame), or alter, add or delete any breakpoint. As a general
25420 rule, you should not alter any data within @value{GDBN} or the inferior
25423 Example @code{stop} implementation:
25426 class MyBreakpoint (gdb.Breakpoint):
25428 inf_val = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo")
25435 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
25440 @findex gdb.WP_READ
25442 Read only watchpoint.
25445 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
25447 Write only watchpoint.
25450 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
25451 @item gdb.WP_ACCESS
25452 Read/Write watchpoint.
25455 @defun Breakpoint.is_valid ()
25456 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
25457 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
25458 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
25459 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
25460 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
25461 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
25464 @defun Breakpoint.delete
25465 Permanently deletes the @value{GDBN} breakpoint. This also
25466 invalidates the Python @code{Breakpoint} object. Any further access
25467 to this object's attributes or methods will raise an error.
25470 @defvar Breakpoint.enabled
25471 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
25472 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
25475 @defvar Breakpoint.silent
25476 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
25477 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
25479 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
25480 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
25481 @code{silent} attribute.
25484 @defvar Breakpoint.thread
25485 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
25486 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
25487 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
25490 @defvar Breakpoint.task
25491 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
25492 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
25493 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
25497 @defvar Breakpoint.ignore_count
25498 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
25499 This attribute is writable.
25502 @defvar Breakpoint.number
25503 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
25504 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
25507 @defvar Breakpoint.type
25508 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
25509 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
25513 @defvar Breakpoint.visible
25514 This attribute tells whether the breakpoint is visible to the user
25515 when set, or when the @samp{info breakpoints} command is run. This
25516 attribute is not writable.
25519 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
25523 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
25524 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
25525 @item gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
25526 Normal code breakpoint.
25528 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
25529 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
25530 @item gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
25531 Watchpoint breakpoint.
25533 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
25534 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
25535 @item gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
25536 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
25538 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
25539 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
25540 @item gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
25541 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
25543 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
25544 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
25545 @item gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
25546 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
25549 @defvar Breakpoint.hit_count
25550 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
25551 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
25554 @defvar Breakpoint.location
25555 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
25556 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
25557 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
25558 attribute is not writable.
25561 @defvar Breakpoint.expression
25562 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
25563 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
25564 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
25565 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
25568 @defvar Breakpoint.condition
25569 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
25570 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
25571 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
25574 @defvar Breakpoint.commands
25575 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
25576 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
25577 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
25578 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
25581 @node Finish Breakpoints in Python
25582 @subsubsection Finish Breakpoints
25584 @cindex python finish breakpoints
25585 @tindex gdb.FinishBreakpoint
25587 A finish breakpoint is a temporary breakpoint set at the return address of
25588 a frame, based on the @code{finish} command. @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint}
25589 extends @code{gdb.Breakpoint}. The underlying breakpoint will be disabled
25590 and deleted when the execution will run out of the breakpoint scope (i.e.@:
25591 @code{Breakpoint.stop} or @code{FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope} triggered).
25592 Finish breakpoints are thread specific and must be create with the right
25595 @defun FinishBreakpoint.__init__ (@r{[}frame@r{]} @r{[}, internal@r{]})
25596 Create a finish breakpoint at the return address of the @code{gdb.Frame}
25597 object @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is not provided, this defaults to the
25598 newest frame. The optional @var{internal} argument allows the breakpoint to
25599 become invisible to the user. @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for further
25600 details about this argument.
25603 @defun FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope (self)
25604 In some circumstances (e.g.@: @code{longjmp}, C@t{++} exceptions, @value{GDBN}
25605 @code{return} command, @dots{}), a function may not properly terminate, and
25606 thus never hit the finish breakpoint. When @value{GDBN} notices such a
25607 situation, the @code{out_of_scope} callback will be triggered.
25609 You may want to sub-class @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} and override this
25613 class MyFinishBreakpoint (gdb.FinishBreakpoint)
25615 print "normal finish"
25618 def out_of_scope ():
25619 print "abnormal finish"
25623 @defvar FinishBreakpoint.return_value
25624 When @value{GDBN} is stopped at a finish breakpoint and the frame
25625 used to build the @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} object had debug symbols, this
25626 attribute will contain a @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the return
25627 value of the function. The value will be @code{None} if the function return
25628 type is @code{void} or if the return value was not computable. This attribute
25632 @node Lazy Strings In Python
25633 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
25635 @cindex lazy strings in python
25636 @tindex gdb.LazyString
25638 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
25639 encoded until it is needed.
25641 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
25642 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
25643 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
25644 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
25645 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
25646 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
25647 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
25648 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
25649 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
25651 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
25653 @defun LazyString.value ()
25654 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
25655 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
25656 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
25657 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
25660 @defvar LazyString.address
25661 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
25665 @defvar LazyString.length
25666 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
25667 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
25668 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
25671 @defvar LazyString.encoding
25672 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
25673 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
25674 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
25675 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
25679 @defvar LazyString.type
25680 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
25681 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
25682 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
25683 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
25687 @node Python Auto-loading
25688 @subsection Python Auto-loading
25689 @cindex Python auto-loading
25691 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
25692 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
25693 @value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
25694 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file})
25695 and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
25696 (@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
25698 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
25699 debugging commands and scripts.
25701 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
25702 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
25705 @anchor{set auto-load python-scripts}
25706 @kindex set auto-load python-scripts
25707 @item set auto-load python-scripts [on|off]
25708 Enable or disable the auto-loading of Python scripts.
25710 @anchor{show auto-load python-scripts}
25711 @kindex show auto-load python-scripts
25712 @item show auto-load python-scripts
25713 Show whether auto-loading of Python scripts is enabled or disabled.
25715 @anchor{info auto-load python-scripts}
25716 @kindex info auto-load python-scripts
25717 @cindex print list of auto-loaded Python scripts
25718 @item info auto-load python-scripts [@var{regexp}]
25719 Print the list of all Python scripts that @value{GDBN} auto-loaded.
25721 Also printed is the list of Python scripts that were mentioned in
25722 the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section and were not found
25723 (@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
25724 This is useful because their names are not printed when @value{GDBN}
25725 tries to load them and fails. There may be many of them, and printing
25726 an error message for each one is problematic.
25728 If @var{regexp} is supplied only Python scripts with matching names are printed.
25733 (gdb) info auto-load python-scripts
25735 Yes py-section-script.py
25736 full name: /tmp/py-section-script.py
25737 No my-foo-pretty-printers.py
25741 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
25742 @dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
25743 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
25744 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
25747 * objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
25748 * dotdebug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
25749 * Which flavor to choose?::
25752 @node objfile-gdb.py file
25753 @subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
25754 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
25756 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
25757 a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (we call it @var{script-name} below),
25758 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
25759 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
25760 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
25761 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
25763 If this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
25764 @var{script-name} file in all of the directories as specified below.
25766 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
25767 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
25770 @anchor{set auto-load scripts-directory}
25771 @kindex set auto-load scripts-directory
25772 @item set auto-load scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
25773 Control @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location. Multiple directory entries
25774 may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use
25775 (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS).
25777 Each entry here needs to be covered also by the security setting
25778 @code{set auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{set auto-load safe-path}).
25780 @anchor{with-auto-load-dir}
25781 This variable defaults to @file{$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load}. The default
25782 @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by @value{GDBN}
25783 configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-dir}.
25785 Any reference to @file{$debugdir} will get replaced by
25786 @var{debug-file-directory} value (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}) and any
25787 reference to @file{$datadir} will get replaced by @var{data-directory} which is
25788 determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}). @file{$debugdir} and
25789 @file{$datadir} must be placed as a directory component --- either alone or
25790 delimited by @file{/} or @file{\} directory separators, depending on the host
25793 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
25794 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
25795 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
25797 @anchor{show auto-load scripts-directory}
25798 @kindex show auto-load scripts-directory
25799 @item show auto-load scripts-directory
25800 Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
25803 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
25804 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
25805 @var{objfile} is opened.
25806 So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
25807 is evaluated more than once.
25809 @node dotdebug_gdb_scripts section
25810 @subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
25811 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
25813 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
25814 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
25815 it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
25816 If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
25818 @value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
25819 current directory and then along the source search path
25820 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
25821 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
25822 directory is not relevant to scripts.
25824 Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
25825 for example, this GCC macro:
25828 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
25829 #define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
25831 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
25833 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
25839 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
25842 DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
25845 The script name may include directories if desired.
25847 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
25848 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
25850 If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
25851 using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
25853 @node Which flavor to choose?
25854 @subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
25856 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
25857 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
25859 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
25863 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
25866 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
25868 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
25869 in the source search path.
25870 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
25871 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
25874 Doesn't require source code additions.
25877 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
25881 Works with static linking.
25883 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
25884 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
25885 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
25886 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
25889 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
25891 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
25892 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
25895 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
25897 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
25898 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
25899 @file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
25900 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
25901 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
25902 top of the source tree to the source search path.
25905 @node Python modules
25906 @subsection Python modules
25907 @cindex python modules
25909 @value{GDBN} comes with several modules to assist writing Python code.
25912 * gdb.printing:: Building and registering pretty-printers.
25913 * gdb.types:: Utilities for working with types.
25914 * gdb.prompt:: Utilities for prompt value substitution.
25918 @subsubsection gdb.printing
25919 @cindex gdb.printing
25921 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
25925 @item PrettyPrinter (@var{name}, @var{subprinters}=None)
25926 This class specifies the API that makes @samp{info pretty-printer},
25927 @samp{enable pretty-printer} and @samp{disable pretty-printer} work.
25928 Pretty-printers should generally inherit from this class.
25930 @item SubPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
25931 For printers that handle multiple types, this class specifies the
25932 corresponding API for the subprinters.
25934 @item RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
25935 Utility class for handling multiple printers, all recognized via
25936 regular expressions.
25937 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for an example.
25939 @item FlagEnumerationPrinter (@var{name})
25940 A pretty-printer which handles printing of @code{enum} values. Unlike
25941 @value{GDBN}'s built-in @code{enum} printing, this printer attempts to
25942 work properly when there is some overlap between the enumeration
25943 constants. @var{name} is the name of the printer and also the name of
25944 the @code{enum} type to look up.
25946 @item register_pretty_printer (@var{obj}, @var{printer}, @var{replace}=False)
25947 Register @var{printer} with the pretty-printer list of @var{obj}.
25948 If @var{replace} is @code{True} then any existing copy of the printer
25949 is replaced. Otherwise a @code{RuntimeError} exception is raised
25950 if a printer with the same name already exists.
25954 @subsubsection gdb.types
25957 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
25958 @code{gdb.Types} objects.
25961 @item get_basic_type (@var{type})
25962 Return @var{type} with const and volatile qualifiers stripped,
25963 and with typedefs and C@t{++} references converted to the underlying type.
25968 typedef const int const_int;
25970 const_int& foo_ref (foo);
25971 int main () @{ return 0; @}
25978 (gdb) python import gdb.types
25979 (gdb) python foo_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo_ref")
25980 (gdb) python print gdb.types.get_basic_type(foo_ref.type)
25984 @item has_field (@var{type}, @var{field})
25985 Return @code{True} if @var{type}, assumed to be a type with fields
25986 (e.g., a structure or union), has field @var{field}.
25988 @item make_enum_dict (@var{enum_type})
25989 Return a Python @code{dictionary} type produced from @var{enum_type}.
25991 @item deep_items (@var{type})
25992 Returns a Python iterator similar to the standard
25993 @code{gdb.Type.iteritems} method, except that the iterator returned
25994 by @code{deep_items} will recursively traverse anonymous struct or
25995 union fields. For example:
26009 Then in @value{GDBN}:
26011 (@value{GDBP}) python import gdb.types
26012 (@value{GDBP}) python struct_a = gdb.lookup_type("struct A")
26013 (@value{GDBP}) python print struct_a.keys ()
26015 (@value{GDBP}) python print [k for k,v in gdb.types.deep_items(struct_a)]
26016 @{['a', 'b0', 'b1']@}
26022 @subsubsection gdb.prompt
26025 This module provides a method for prompt value-substitution.
26028 @item substitute_prompt (@var{string})
26029 Return @var{string} with escape sequences substituted by values. Some
26030 escape sequences take arguments. You can specify arguments inside
26031 ``@{@}'' immediately following the escape sequence.
26033 The escape sequences you can pass to this function are:
26037 Substitute a backslash.
26039 Substitute an ESC character.
26041 Substitute the selected frame; an argument names a frame parameter.
26043 Substitute a newline.
26045 Substitute a parameter's value; the argument names the parameter.
26047 Substitute a carriage return.
26049 Substitute the selected thread; an argument names a thread parameter.
26051 Substitute the version of GDB.
26053 Substitute the current working directory.
26055 Begin a sequence of non-printing characters. These sequences are
26056 typically used with the ESC character, and are not counted in the string
26057 length. Example: ``\[\e[0;34m\](gdb)\[\e[0m\]'' will return a
26058 blue-colored ``(gdb)'' prompt where the length is five.
26060 End a sequence of non-printing characters.
26066 substitute_prompt (``frame: \f,
26067 print arguments: \p@{print frame-arguments@}'')
26070 @exdent will return the string:
26073 "frame: main, print arguments: scalars"
26078 @section Creating new spellings of existing commands
26079 @cindex aliases for commands
26081 It is often useful to define alternate spellings of existing commands.
26082 For example, if a new @value{GDBN} command defined in Python has
26083 a long name to type, it is handy to have an abbreviated version of it
26084 that involves less typing.
26086 @value{GDBN} itself uses aliases. For example @samp{s} is an alias
26087 of the @samp{step} command even though it is otherwise an ambiguous
26088 abbreviation of other commands like @samp{set} and @samp{show}.
26090 Aliases are also used to provide shortened or more common versions
26091 of multi-word commands. For example, @value{GDBN} provides the
26092 @samp{tty} alias of the @samp{set inferior-tty} command.
26094 You can define a new alias with the @samp{alias} command.
26099 @item alias [-a] [--] @var{ALIAS} = @var{COMMAND}
26103 @var{ALIAS} specifies the name of the new alias.
26104 Each word of @var{ALIAS} must consist of letters, numbers, dashes and
26107 @var{COMMAND} specifies the name of an existing command
26108 that is being aliased.
26110 The @samp{-a} option specifies that the new alias is an abbreviation
26111 of the command. Abbreviations are not shown in command
26112 lists displayed by the @samp{help} command.
26114 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
26115 and is useful when @var{ALIAS} begins with a dash.
26117 Here is a simple example showing how to make an abbreviation
26118 of a command so that there is less to type.
26119 Suppose you were tired of typing @samp{disas}, the current
26120 shortest unambiguous abbreviation of the @samp{disassemble} command
26121 and you wanted an even shorter version named @samp{di}.
26122 The following will accomplish this.
26125 (gdb) alias -a di = disas
26128 Note that aliases are different from user-defined commands.
26129 With a user-defined command, you also need to write documentation
26130 for it with the @samp{document} command.
26131 An alias automatically picks up the documentation of the existing command.
26133 Here is an example where we make @samp{elms} an abbreviation of
26134 @samp{elements} in the @samp{set print elements} command.
26135 This is to show that you can make an abbreviation of any part
26139 (gdb) alias -a set print elms = set print elements
26140 (gdb) alias -a show print elms = show print elements
26141 (gdb) set p elms 20
26143 Limit on string chars or array elements to print is 200.
26146 Note that if you are defining an alias of a @samp{set} command,
26147 and you want to have an alias for the corresponding @samp{show}
26148 command, then you need to define the latter separately.
26150 Unambiguously abbreviated commands are allowed in @var{COMMAND} and
26151 @var{ALIAS}, just as they are normally.
26154 (gdb) alias -a set pr elms = set p ele
26157 Finally, here is an example showing the creation of a one word
26158 alias for a more complex command.
26159 This creates alias @samp{spe} of the command @samp{set print elements}.
26162 (gdb) alias spe = set print elements
26167 @chapter Command Interpreters
26168 @cindex command interpreters
26170 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
26171 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
26172 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
26174 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
26175 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
26176 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
26177 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
26179 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
26180 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
26181 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
26182 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
26186 @cindex console interpreter
26187 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
26188 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
26189 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
26192 @cindex mi interpreter
26193 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
26194 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
26195 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
26199 @cindex mi2 interpreter
26200 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
26203 @cindex mi1 interpreter
26204 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
26208 @cindex invoke another interpreter
26209 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
26210 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
26211 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
26212 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
26213 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
26214 the IDE inoperable!
26216 @kindex interpreter-exec
26217 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
26218 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
26219 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
26220 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
26223 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
26226 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
26227 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
26230 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
26232 @cindex Text User Interface
26235 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
26236 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
26237 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
26238 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
26239 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
26242 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
26243 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
26244 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
26245 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
26246 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
26249 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
26250 @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
26251 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
26252 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
26253 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
26256 @section TUI Overview
26258 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
26262 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
26263 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
26264 managed using readline.
26267 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
26268 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
26271 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
26274 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
26275 when their values change.
26278 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
26279 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
26280 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
26281 indicates the breakpoint type:
26285 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
26288 Breakpoint which was never hit.
26291 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
26294 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
26297 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
26301 Breakpoint is enabled.
26304 Breakpoint is disabled.
26307 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
26308 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
26311 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
26312 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
26323 source and assembly,
26326 source and registers, or
26329 assembly and registers.
26332 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
26336 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
26337 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
26340 Gives the current process or thread number.
26341 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
26344 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
26345 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
26346 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
26347 the string @code{??} is displayed.
26350 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
26351 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
26354 Indicates the current program counter address.
26358 @section TUI Key Bindings
26359 @cindex TUI key bindings
26361 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
26362 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
26363 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
26365 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
26366 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
26368 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
26369 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
26378 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
26379 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
26380 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
26381 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
26382 The screen is then refreshed.
26386 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
26387 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
26388 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
26390 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
26394 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
26395 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
26396 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
26397 previous layout and the new one.
26399 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
26403 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
26404 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
26405 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
26407 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
26411 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
26412 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
26415 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
26420 Scroll the active window one page up.
26424 Scroll the active window one page down.
26428 Scroll the active window one line up.
26432 Scroll the active window one line down.
26436 Scroll the active window one column left.
26440 Scroll the active window one column right.
26444 Refresh the screen.
26447 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
26448 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
26449 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
26450 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
26451 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
26453 @node TUI Single Key Mode
26454 @section TUI Single Key Mode
26455 @cindex TUI single key mode
26457 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
26458 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
26459 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
26462 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26466 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26470 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26474 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26478 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26480 exit the SingleKey mode.
26482 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26486 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26490 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26494 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26498 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26503 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
26504 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
26505 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
26506 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
26507 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
26508 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
26512 @section TUI-specific Commands
26513 @cindex TUI commands
26515 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
26516 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
26517 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
26518 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
26520 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
26521 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
26522 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
26523 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
26524 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
26529 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
26533 Display the next layout.
26536 Display the previous layout.
26539 Display the source window only.
26542 Display the assembly window only.
26545 Display the source and assembly window.
26548 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
26552 Make the next window active for scrolling.
26555 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
26558 Make the source window active for scrolling.
26561 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
26564 Make the register window active for scrolling.
26567 Make the command window active for scrolling.
26571 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
26573 @item tui reg float
26575 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
26577 @item tui reg general
26578 Show the general registers in the register window.
26581 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
26582 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
26583 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
26584 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
26586 @item tui reg system
26587 Show the system registers in the register window.
26591 Update the source window and the current execution point.
26593 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
26594 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
26596 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
26597 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
26600 @item tabset @var{nchars}
26602 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
26605 @node TUI Configuration
26606 @section TUI Configuration Variables
26607 @cindex TUI configuration variables
26609 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
26612 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
26613 @kindex set tui border-kind
26614 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
26615 The possible values are the following:
26618 Use a space character to draw the border.
26621 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
26624 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
26625 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
26628 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
26629 @kindex set tui border-mode
26630 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
26631 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
26632 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
26633 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
26636 Use normal attributes to display the border.
26642 Use reverse video mode.
26645 Use half bright mode.
26647 @item half-standout
26648 Use half bright and standout mode.
26651 Use extra bright or bold mode.
26653 @item bold-standout
26654 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
26659 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
26662 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
26663 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
26664 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
26667 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
26668 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
26669 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
26670 created Emacs buffer.
26671 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
26673 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
26678 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
26681 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
26682 and output done by the program you are debugging.
26684 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
26685 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
26688 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
26689 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
26690 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
26694 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
26696 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
26697 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
26698 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
26699 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
26702 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
26703 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
26706 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
26707 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
26708 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
26709 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
26711 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
26712 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
26713 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
26714 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
26715 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
26716 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
26717 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
26718 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
26719 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
26721 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
26722 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
26723 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
26724 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
26726 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
26727 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
26728 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
26729 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
26732 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
26733 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
26737 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
26740 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
26741 update the display window to show the current file and location.
26744 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
26745 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
26746 to show the current file and location.
26749 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
26750 display window accordingly.
26753 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
26754 @code{finish} command.
26757 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
26761 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
26762 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
26763 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
26766 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
26767 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
26770 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
26771 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
26773 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
26774 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
26775 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
26776 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
26777 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
26778 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
26779 speedbar displays watch expressions.
26781 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
26782 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
26783 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
26784 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
26787 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
26788 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
26789 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
26790 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
26791 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
26792 to correspond properly with the code.
26794 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
26795 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
26798 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
26799 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
26801 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
26805 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
26806 called the @code{epoch}
26807 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
26808 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
26809 each value is printed in its own window.
26814 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
26816 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
26818 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
26819 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
26820 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
26821 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
26822 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
26823 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
26825 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
26826 in the form of a reference manual.
26828 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
26829 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
26830 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
26832 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
26834 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
26835 This chapter uses the following notation:
26839 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
26842 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
26843 it may or may not be given.
26846 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
26847 may repeat zero or more times.
26850 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
26851 may repeat one or more times.
26854 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
26858 @heading Dependencies
26862 * GDB/MI General Design::
26863 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
26864 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
26865 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
26866 * GDB/MI Output Records::
26867 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
26868 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
26869 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
26870 * GDB/MI Program Context::
26871 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
26872 * GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands::
26873 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
26874 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
26875 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
26876 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
26877 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
26878 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
26879 * GDB/MI File Commands::
26881 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
26882 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
26883 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
26885 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
26886 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
26887 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
26890 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26891 @node GDB/MI General Design
26892 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
26893 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
26895 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
26896 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
26897 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
26898 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
26899 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
26900 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
26901 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
26902 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
26903 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
26904 a command and reported as part of that command response.
26906 The important examples of notifications are:
26910 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
26911 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
26912 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
26913 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
26914 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
26915 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
26916 command itself was successfully executed.
26919 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
26920 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
26921 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
26922 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
26923 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
26924 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
26927 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
26928 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
26929 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
26930 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
26931 orthogonal frontend design.
26935 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
26936 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
26937 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
26938 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
26939 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
26940 the user interface.
26944 * Context management::
26945 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
26949 @node Context management
26950 @subsection Context management
26952 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
26953 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
26954 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
26955 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
26956 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
26957 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
26958 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
26959 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
26960 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
26962 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
26963 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
26964 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
26965 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
26966 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
26967 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
26968 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
26969 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
26970 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
26971 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
26972 for thread and frame to operate on.
26974 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
26975 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
26976 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
26977 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
26978 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
26979 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
26980 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
26981 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
26982 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
26983 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
26985 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
26986 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
26987 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
26988 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
26989 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
26990 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
26991 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
26992 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
26993 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
26994 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
26995 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
26996 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
26997 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
26998 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
26999 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
27000 @samp{--frame} options.
27002 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
27003 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
27005 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
27006 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
27007 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
27008 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
27009 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
27010 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
27011 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
27012 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
27013 @code{-list-target-features} command.
27015 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
27016 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
27017 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
27018 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
27019 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
27022 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
27023 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
27024 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
27025 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
27026 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
27027 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
27028 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
27029 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
27030 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
27031 @samp{--thread} option).
27033 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
27034 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
27035 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
27036 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
27038 @node Thread groups
27039 @subsection Thread groups
27040 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
27041 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
27042 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
27043 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
27044 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
27046 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
27047 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
27048 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
27049 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
27050 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
27051 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
27052 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
27055 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
27056 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
27057 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
27058 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
27059 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
27060 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
27061 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
27062 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
27063 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
27064 the members of specific thread group.
27066 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
27067 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
27068 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
27069 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
27070 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
27071 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
27072 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
27073 after attaching to that thread group.
27075 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
27076 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
27077 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
27078 such thread groups.
27080 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27081 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
27082 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
27085 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
27086 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
27089 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
27090 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
27092 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
27093 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
27095 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
27096 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
27098 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
27099 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
27100 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
27102 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
27103 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
27104 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
27106 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
27107 "any sequence of digits"
27109 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
27110 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
27112 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
27113 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
27115 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
27116 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
27118 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
27119 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
27120 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
27122 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
27123 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
27125 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
27134 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
27135 output is described below.
27138 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
27142 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
27143 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
27144 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
27145 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
27146 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
27153 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
27156 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
27159 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
27160 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
27162 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
27163 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
27164 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
27165 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
27166 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
27167 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
27169 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
27170 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
27174 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
27175 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
27177 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
27178 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
27180 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
27181 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
27183 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
27184 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
27186 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
27187 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
27189 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
27190 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
27192 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
27193 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
27195 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
27196 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
27198 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
27199 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
27201 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
27202 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
27203 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
27205 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
27206 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
27208 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
27209 @code{ @var{string} }
27211 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
27212 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
27214 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
27215 @code{@var{c-string}}
27217 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
27218 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
27220 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
27221 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
27222 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
27224 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
27225 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
27227 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
27228 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
27230 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
27231 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
27233 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
27234 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
27236 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
27239 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
27240 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
27248 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
27251 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
27252 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
27253 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
27254 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
27255 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
27256 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
27260 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27261 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
27262 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
27263 prefixed by @samp{+}.
27266 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27267 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
27268 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
27272 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27273 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
27274 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
27275 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
27278 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27279 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
27280 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
27281 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
27284 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27285 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
27286 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
27289 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27290 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
27291 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
27292 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
27295 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27296 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
27302 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
27303 details about the various output records.
27305 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27306 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
27307 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
27309 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
27310 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
27312 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
27313 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
27314 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
27315 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
27316 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
27317 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
27319 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
27320 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
27321 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
27323 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27324 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
27325 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
27326 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
27328 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
27329 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
27331 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
27332 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
27333 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
27334 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
27337 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
27338 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
27339 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
27340 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
27344 New MI commands may be added.
27347 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
27350 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
27351 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
27353 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
27354 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
27356 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
27357 @c resolve inconsistencies.
27360 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
27361 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
27362 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
27363 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
27364 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
27366 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
27369 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
27370 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
27371 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
27372 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
27373 @cindex mailing lists
27375 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27376 @node GDB/MI Output Records
27377 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
27380 * GDB/MI Result Records::
27381 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
27382 * GDB/MI Async Records::
27383 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
27384 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
27385 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
27388 @node GDB/MI Result Records
27389 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
27391 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27392 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
27393 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
27394 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
27398 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
27399 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
27404 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
27405 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
27406 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
27407 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
27408 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
27409 which threads are resumed.
27413 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
27415 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
27417 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
27422 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
27426 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
27427 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
27429 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
27430 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27431 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
27432 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
27433 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
27435 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
27436 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
27437 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
27438 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
27439 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
27442 @item "~" @var{string-output}
27443 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
27444 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
27446 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
27447 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
27448 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
27449 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
27451 @item "&" @var{string-output}
27452 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
27456 @node GDB/MI Async Records
27457 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
27459 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27460 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
27461 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
27462 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
27463 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
27464 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
27466 The following is the list of possible async records:
27470 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
27471 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
27472 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
27473 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
27474 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
27475 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
27476 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
27477 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
27478 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
27479 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
27481 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
27482 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
27486 @item breakpoint-hit
27487 A breakpoint was reached.
27488 @item watchpoint-trigger
27489 A watchpoint was triggered.
27490 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
27491 A read watchpoint was triggered.
27492 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
27493 An access watchpoint was triggered.
27494 @item function-finished
27495 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
27496 @item location-reached
27497 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
27498 @item watchpoint-scope
27499 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
27500 @item end-stepping-range
27501 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
27502 similar CLI command was accomplished.
27503 @item exited-signalled
27504 The inferior exited because of a signal.
27506 The inferior exited.
27507 @item exited-normally
27508 The inferior exited normally.
27509 @item signal-received
27510 A signal was received by the inferior.
27512 The inferior has stopped due to a library being loaded or unloaded.
27513 This can happen when @code{stop-on-solib-events} (@pxref{Files}) is
27514 set or when a @code{catch load} or @code{catch unload} catchpoint is
27515 in use (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
27517 The inferior has forked. This is reported when @code{catch fork}
27518 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27520 The inferior has vforked. This is reported in when @code{catch vfork}
27521 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27522 @item syscall-entry
27523 The inferior entered a system call. This is reported when @code{catch
27524 syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27525 @item syscall-entry
27526 The inferior returned from a system call. This is reported when
27527 @code{catch syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27529 The inferior called @code{exec}. This is reported when @code{catch exec}
27530 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27533 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
27534 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
27535 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
27536 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
27537 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
27538 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
27539 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
27540 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
27541 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
27542 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
27543 if such information is not available.
27545 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
27546 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
27547 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
27548 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
27549 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
27550 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
27551 cannot be used in any way.
27553 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
27554 A thread group became associated with a running program,
27555 either because the program was just started or the thread group
27556 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
27557 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
27558 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
27560 @item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
27561 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
27562 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
27563 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
27564 thread group. @var{code} is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
27565 only when the inferior exited with some code.
27567 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
27568 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
27569 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
27570 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
27571 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
27573 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
27574 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
27575 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
27576 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
27577 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
27578 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
27579 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
27581 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
27582 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
27585 @item =library-loaded,...
27586 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
27587 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
27588 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
27589 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
27590 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
27591 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
27592 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
27593 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
27594 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
27595 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
27596 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
27597 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
27600 @item =library-unloaded,...
27601 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
27602 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
27603 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
27604 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
27605 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
27606 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
27609 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
27610 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
27611 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,id=@var{number}
27612 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
27613 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
27616 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
27617 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}. The
27618 @var{number} is the ordinal number of the breakpoint.
27620 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
27621 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
27625 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
27626 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
27628 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
27629 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
27634 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
27635 zero. This field is always present.
27638 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
27639 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
27642 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
27645 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
27646 address. This field may be absent.
27649 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
27653 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
27654 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
27658 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
27659 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
27661 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
27662 uses a tuple with the following fields:
27666 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
27670 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
27673 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
27674 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
27675 frontend. This field is optional.
27678 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
27679 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
27682 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
27683 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
27686 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
27687 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
27689 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
27690 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
27691 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
27692 the @code{exception-name} field.
27694 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27695 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
27696 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
27697 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
27699 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
27700 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
27701 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
27702 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
27704 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
27705 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
27707 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
27709 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
27710 information of the breakpoint.
27713 -> -break-insert main
27714 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
27715 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
27716 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
27720 @subheading Program Execution
27722 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
27723 reason that execution stopped.
27729 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
27730 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
27731 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
27732 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
27737 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
27741 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
27743 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
27751 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
27752 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
27753 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
27754 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
27755 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
27756 fails to exit in reasonable time.
27758 @subheading A Bad Command
27760 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
27764 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
27769 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27770 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
27771 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
27773 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
27774 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
27776 @subheading Motivation
27778 The motivation for this collection of commands.
27780 @subheading Introduction
27782 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
27784 @subheading Commands
27786 For each command in the block, the following is described:
27788 @subsubheading Synopsis
27791 -command @var{args}@dots{}
27794 @subsubheading Result
27796 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27798 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
27800 @subsubheading Example
27802 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
27803 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
27806 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27807 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
27808 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
27810 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
27811 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
27812 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
27815 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
27816 @findex -break-after
27818 @subsubheading Synopsis
27821 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
27824 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
27825 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
27826 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
27827 @samp{-break-list} command below.
27829 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27831 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
27833 @subsubheading Example
27838 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
27839 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
27840 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
27847 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
27848 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27849 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27850 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27851 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27852 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27853 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27854 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27855 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
27856 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
27861 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
27862 @findex -break-catch
27865 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
27866 @findex -break-commands
27868 @subsubheading Synopsis
27871 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
27874 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
27875 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
27876 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
27877 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
27878 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
27879 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
27881 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27883 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
27885 @subsubheading Example
27890 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
27891 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
27892 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
27894 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
27899 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
27900 @findex -break-condition
27902 @subsubheading Synopsis
27905 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
27908 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
27909 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
27910 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
27913 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27915 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
27917 @subsubheading Example
27921 -break-condition 1 1
27925 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
27926 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27927 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27928 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27929 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27930 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27931 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27932 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27933 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
27934 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
27938 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
27939 @findex -break-delete
27941 @subsubheading Synopsis
27944 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
27947 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
27948 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
27950 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27952 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
27954 @subsubheading Example
27962 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
27963 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27964 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27965 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27966 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27967 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27968 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27973 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
27974 @findex -break-disable
27976 @subsubheading Synopsis
27979 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
27982 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
27983 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
27985 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27987 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
27989 @subsubheading Example
27997 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
27998 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27999 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28000 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28001 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28002 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28003 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28004 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
28005 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28006 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
28010 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
28011 @findex -break-enable
28013 @subsubheading Synopsis
28016 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
28019 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
28021 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28023 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
28025 @subsubheading Example
28033 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28034 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28035 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28036 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28037 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28038 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28039 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28040 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28041 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28042 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
28046 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
28047 @findex -break-info
28049 @subsubheading Synopsis
28052 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
28056 Get information about a single breakpoint.
28058 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28060 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
28062 @subsubheading Example
28065 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
28066 @findex -break-insert
28068 @subsubheading Synopsis
28071 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
28072 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
28073 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ]
28077 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
28084 @item filename:linenum
28085 @item filename:function
28089 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
28093 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
28095 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
28097 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
28098 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
28099 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
28100 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
28103 Create a disabled breakpoint.
28105 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
28106 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
28107 @item -c @var{condition}
28108 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
28109 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
28110 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
28111 @item -p @var{thread-id}
28112 Restrict the breakpoint to the specified @var{thread-id}.
28115 @subsubheading Result
28117 The result is in the form:
28120 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
28121 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
28122 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
28123 times="@var{times}"@}
28127 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
28128 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
28129 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
28130 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
28131 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
28132 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
28133 which use the same output).
28135 Note: this format is open to change.
28136 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
28138 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28140 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
28141 @samp{hbreak}, and @samp{thbreak}. @c and @samp{rbreak}.
28143 @subsubheading Example
28148 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
28149 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
28151 -break-insert -t foo
28152 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
28153 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
28156 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28157 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28158 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28159 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28160 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28161 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28162 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28163 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28164 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
28165 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
28166 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
28167 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
28168 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
28170 @c -break-insert -r foo.*
28171 @c ~int foo(int, int);
28172 @c ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
28173 @c "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
28177 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
28178 @findex -break-list
28180 @subsubheading Synopsis
28186 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
28190 number of the breakpoint
28192 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
28194 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
28197 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
28199 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
28201 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
28204 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
28207 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
28208 @code{body} field is an empty list.
28210 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28212 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
28214 @subsubheading Example
28219 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28220 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28221 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28222 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28223 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28224 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28225 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28226 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28227 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
28228 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28229 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28230 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
28234 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
28239 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
28240 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28241 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28242 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28243 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28244 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28245 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28250 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
28251 @findex -break-passcount
28253 @subsubheading Synopsis
28256 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
28259 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
28260 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
28261 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
28262 command @samp{passcount}.
28264 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
28265 @findex -break-watch
28267 @subsubheading Synopsis
28270 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
28273 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
28274 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
28275 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
28276 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
28277 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
28278 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
28279 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
28280 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
28282 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
28283 breakpoints inserted.
28285 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28287 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
28290 @subsubheading Example
28292 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
28297 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
28302 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
28303 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
28304 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
28305 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
28309 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
28310 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
28311 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
28316 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
28321 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
28322 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
28323 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
28324 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28325 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
28330 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
28331 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
28332 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
28333 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28334 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
28338 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
28339 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
28345 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
28348 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28349 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28350 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28351 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28352 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28353 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28354 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28355 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28356 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28357 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28358 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
28359 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
28360 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
28365 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
28366 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
28367 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
28368 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28369 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
28372 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28373 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28374 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28375 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28376 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28377 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28378 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28379 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28380 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28381 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28382 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
28383 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
28384 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
28388 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
28389 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
28390 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
28391 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28392 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
28395 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28396 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28397 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28398 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28399 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28400 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28401 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28402 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28403 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28404 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28405 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
28410 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28411 @node GDB/MI Program Context
28412 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
28414 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
28415 @findex -exec-arguments
28418 @subsubheading Synopsis
28421 -exec-arguments @var{args}
28424 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
28427 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28429 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
28431 @subsubheading Example
28435 -exec-arguments -v word
28442 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
28443 @findex -exec-show-arguments
28445 @subsubheading Synopsis
28448 -exec-show-arguments
28451 Print the arguments of the program.
28453 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28455 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
28457 @subsubheading Example
28462 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
28463 @findex -environment-cd
28465 @subsubheading Synopsis
28468 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
28471 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
28473 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28475 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
28477 @subsubheading Example
28481 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
28487 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
28488 @findex -environment-directory
28490 @subsubheading Synopsis
28493 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
28496 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
28497 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
28498 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
28499 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
28501 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
28502 multiple directories in a single command
28503 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
28504 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
28505 If blanks are needed as
28506 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
28507 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
28508 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
28509 character must not be used
28510 in any directory name.
28511 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
28513 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28515 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
28517 @subsubheading Example
28521 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
28522 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
28524 -environment-directory ""
28525 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
28527 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
28528 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
28530 -environment-directory -r
28531 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
28536 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
28537 @findex -environment-path
28539 @subsubheading Synopsis
28542 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
28545 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
28546 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
28547 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
28548 supplied in addition to the
28549 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
28551 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
28552 multiple directories in a single command
28553 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
28554 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
28555 If blanks are needed as
28556 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
28557 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
28558 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
28559 character must not be used
28560 in any directory name.
28561 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
28564 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28566 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
28568 @subsubheading Example
28573 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
28575 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
28576 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
28578 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
28579 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
28584 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
28585 @findex -environment-pwd
28587 @subsubheading Synopsis
28593 Show the current working directory.
28595 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28597 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
28599 @subsubheading Example
28604 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
28608 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28609 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
28610 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
28613 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
28614 @findex -thread-info
28616 @subsubheading Synopsis
28619 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
28622 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
28623 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
28624 threads. When printing information about all threads,
28625 also reports the current thread.
28627 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28629 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
28632 @subsubheading Result
28634 The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
28635 defined for a given thread:
28639 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
28642 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
28645 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
28648 Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
28652 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
28653 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
28654 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
28655 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
28659 The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
28662 The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
28667 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
28671 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
28677 If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
28678 then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
28682 @subsubheading Example
28687 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
28688 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
28689 args=[]@},state="running"@},
28690 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
28691 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
28692 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
28693 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
28694 state="running"@}],
28695 current-thread-id="1"
28699 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
28700 @findex -thread-list-ids
28702 @subsubheading Synopsis
28708 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
28709 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
28711 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
28712 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
28714 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28716 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
28718 @subsubheading Example
28723 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
28724 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
28729 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
28730 @findex -thread-select
28732 @subsubheading Synopsis
28735 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
28738 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
28739 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
28741 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
28742 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
28744 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28746 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
28748 @subsubheading Example
28755 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
28756 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
28760 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
28761 number-of-threads="3"
28764 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
28765 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
28766 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
28767 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
28771 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28772 @node GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands
28773 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Tasking Commands
28775 @subheading The @code{-ada-task-info} Command
28776 @findex -ada-task-info
28778 @subsubheading Synopsis
28781 -ada-task-info [ @var{task-id} ]
28784 Reports information about either a specific Ada task, if the
28785 @var{task-id} parameter is present, or about all Ada tasks.
28787 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28789 The @samp{info tasks} command prints the same information
28790 about all Ada tasks (@pxref{Ada Tasks}).
28792 @subsubheading Result
28794 The result is a table of Ada tasks. The following columns are
28795 defined for each Ada task:
28799 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
28802 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the Ada task.
28805 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the Ada task.
28808 The identifier of the thread corresponding to the Ada task.
28810 This field should always exist, as Ada tasks are always implemented
28811 on top of a thread. But if @value{GDBN} cannot find this corresponding
28812 thread for any reason, the field is omitted.
28815 This field exists only when the task was created by another task.
28816 In this case, it provides the ID of the parent task.
28819 The base priority of the task.
28822 The current state of the task. For a detailed description of the
28823 possible states, see @ref{Ada Tasks}.
28826 The name of the task.
28830 @subsubheading Example
28834 ^done,tasks=@{nr_rows="3",nr_cols="8",
28835 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr=""@},
28836 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="id",colhdr="ID"@},
28837 @{width="9",alignment="1",col_name="task-id",colhdr="TID"@},
28838 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="thread-id",colhdr=""@},
28839 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="parent-id",colhdr="P-ID"@},
28840 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="priority",colhdr="Pri"@},
28841 @{width="22",alignment="-1",col_name="state",colhdr="State"@},
28842 @{width="1",alignment="2",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@}],
28843 body=[@{current="*",id="1",task-id=" 644010",thread-id="1",priority="48",
28844 state="Child Termination Wait",name="main_task"@}]@}
28848 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28849 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
28850 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
28852 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
28853 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
28854 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
28857 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
28858 @findex -exec-continue
28860 @subsubheading Synopsis
28863 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
28866 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
28867 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
28868 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
28869 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
28872 breakpoints or watchpoints
28874 signals or exceptions
28876 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
28878 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
28880 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
28881 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
28882 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
28883 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
28884 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
28885 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
28887 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28889 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
28891 @subsubheading Example
28898 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
28899 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
28905 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
28906 @findex -exec-finish
28908 @subsubheading Synopsis
28911 -exec-finish [--reverse]
28914 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
28915 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
28916 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
28917 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
28918 function was called.
28920 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28922 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
28924 @subsubheading Example
28926 Function returning @code{void}.
28933 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
28934 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
28938 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
28939 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
28946 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
28947 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
28948 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28949 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
28954 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
28955 @findex -exec-interrupt
28957 @subsubheading Synopsis
28960 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
28963 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
28964 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
28965 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
28966 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
28967 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
28969 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
28970 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
28971 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
28972 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
28974 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
28975 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
28976 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
28977 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
28979 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28981 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
28983 @subsubheading Example
28994 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
28995 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
28996 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
29001 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
29005 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
29008 @subsubheading Synopsis
29011 -exec-jump @var{location}
29014 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
29015 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
29016 different forms of @var{location}.
29018 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29020 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
29022 @subsubheading Example
29025 -exec-jump foo.c:10
29026 *running,thread-id="all"
29031 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
29034 @subsubheading Synopsis
29037 -exec-next [--reverse]
29040 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
29041 of the next source line is reached.
29043 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
29044 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
29045 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
29046 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
29047 source line where the function was called.
29050 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29052 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
29054 @subsubheading Example
29060 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
29065 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
29066 @findex -exec-next-instruction
29068 @subsubheading Synopsis
29071 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
29074 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
29075 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
29076 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
29079 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
29080 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
29081 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
29082 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
29083 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
29085 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29087 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
29089 @subsubheading Example
29093 -exec-next-instruction
29097 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29098 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
29103 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
29104 @findex -exec-return
29106 @subsubheading Synopsis
29112 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
29113 Displays the new current frame.
29115 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29117 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
29119 @subsubheading Example
29123 200-break-insert callee4
29124 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
29125 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
29130 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
29131 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
29132 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29133 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
29139 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
29140 args=[@{name="strarg",
29141 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
29142 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29143 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
29148 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
29151 @subsubheading Synopsis
29154 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
29157 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
29158 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
29159 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
29160 the program has exited exceptionally.
29162 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
29163 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
29164 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
29165 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
29167 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29169 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
29171 @subsubheading Examples
29176 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
29181 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
29182 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
29183 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
29188 Program exited normally:
29196 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
29201 Program exited exceptionally:
29209 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
29213 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
29214 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
29218 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
29219 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
29223 @c @subheading -exec-signal
29226 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
29229 @subsubheading Synopsis
29232 -exec-step [--reverse]
29235 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
29236 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
29237 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
29238 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
29239 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
29240 previously executed source line.
29242 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29244 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
29246 @subsubheading Example
29248 Stepping into a function:
29254 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29255 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
29256 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
29257 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
29267 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
29272 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
29273 @findex -exec-step-instruction
29275 @subsubheading Synopsis
29278 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
29281 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
29282 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
29283 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
29284 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
29285 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
29286 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
29289 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29291 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
29293 @subsubheading Example
29297 -exec-step-instruction
29301 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29302 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
29303 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
29305 -exec-step-instruction
29309 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29310 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
29311 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
29316 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
29317 @findex -exec-until
29319 @subsubheading Synopsis
29322 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
29325 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
29326 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
29327 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
29328 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
29330 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29332 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
29334 @subsubheading Example
29338 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
29342 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
29343 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
29348 @subheading -file-clear
29349 Is this going away????
29352 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29353 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
29354 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
29357 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
29358 @findex -stack-info-frame
29360 @subsubheading Synopsis
29366 Get info on the selected frame.
29368 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29370 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
29371 (without arguments).
29373 @subsubheading Example
29378 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
29379 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29380 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
29384 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
29385 @findex -stack-info-depth
29387 @subsubheading Synopsis
29390 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
29393 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
29394 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
29396 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29398 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
29400 @subsubheading Example
29402 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
29409 -stack-info-depth 4
29412 -stack-info-depth 12
29415 -stack-info-depth 11
29418 -stack-info-depth 13
29423 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
29424 @findex -stack-list-arguments
29426 @subsubheading Synopsis
29429 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
29430 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
29433 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
29434 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
29435 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
29436 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
29437 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
29438 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
29439 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
29440 which case only existing frames will be returned.
29442 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
29443 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
29444 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
29445 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
29446 structures and unions.
29448 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
29449 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
29451 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29453 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
29454 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
29455 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
29457 @subsubheading Example
29464 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
29465 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29466 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
29467 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
29468 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29469 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
29470 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
29471 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29472 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
29473 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
29474 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29475 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
29476 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
29477 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29478 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
29480 -stack-list-arguments 0
29483 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
29484 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
29485 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
29486 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
29487 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
29489 -stack-list-arguments 1
29492 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
29494 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
29495 frame=@{level="2",args=[
29496 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
29497 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
29498 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
29499 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
29500 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
29501 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
29502 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
29504 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
29505 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
29507 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
29508 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
29509 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
29510 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
29514 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
29517 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
29518 @findex -stack-list-frames
29520 @subsubheading Synopsis
29523 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
29526 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
29531 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
29533 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
29537 File name of the source file where the function lives.
29538 @item @var{fullname}
29539 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
29541 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
29543 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
29544 if the frame's function is not known.
29547 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
29548 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
29549 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
29550 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
29551 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
29552 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
29553 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
29555 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29557 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
29559 @subsubheading Example
29561 Full stack backtrace:
29567 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
29568 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
29569 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29570 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29571 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29572 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29573 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29574 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29575 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29576 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29577 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29578 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29579 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29580 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29581 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29582 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29583 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29584 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29585 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29586 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29587 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29588 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29589 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
29590 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
29594 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
29598 -stack-list-frames 3 5
29600 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29601 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29602 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29603 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29604 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29605 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
29609 Show a single frame:
29613 -stack-list-frames 3 3
29615 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29616 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
29621 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
29622 @findex -stack-list-locals
29624 @subsubheading Synopsis
29627 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
29630 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
29631 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
29632 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
29633 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
29634 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
29635 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
29636 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
29637 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
29640 This command is deprecated in favor of the
29641 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
29643 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29645 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
29647 @subsubheading Example
29651 -stack-list-locals 0
29652 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
29654 -stack-list-locals --all-values
29655 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
29656 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
29657 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
29658 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
29659 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
29663 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
29664 @findex -stack-list-variables
29666 @subsubheading Synopsis
29669 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
29672 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
29673 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
29674 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
29675 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
29676 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
29677 structures and unions.
29679 @subsubheading Example
29683 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
29684 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
29689 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
29690 @findex -stack-select-frame
29692 @subsubheading Synopsis
29695 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
29698 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
29701 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
29702 option to every command.
29704 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29706 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
29707 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
29709 @subsubheading Example
29713 -stack-select-frame 2
29718 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29719 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
29720 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
29724 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
29726 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
29727 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
29728 used by @code{Insight}.
29730 The two main reasons for that are:
29734 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
29737 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
29741 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
29742 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
29743 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
29744 hints about their use.
29746 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
29747 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
29748 least, the following operations:
29751 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
29752 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
29753 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
29754 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
29759 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
29761 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
29763 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
29764 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
29765 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
29766 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
29767 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
29768 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
29769 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
29770 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
29771 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
29772 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
29773 object, or to change display format.
29775 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
29776 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
29777 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
29778 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
29779 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
29780 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
29781 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
29782 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
29783 child will be created.
29785 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
29786 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
29787 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
29788 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
29789 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
29791 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
29792 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
29793 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
29794 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
29795 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
29796 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
29797 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
29798 variables that frontend has created.
29800 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
29801 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
29802 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
29803 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
29804 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
29805 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
29806 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
29807 implicitly updated.
29809 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
29810 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
29811 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
29812 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
29813 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
29814 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
29815 frame. Consider this example:
29820 struct work_state state;
29827 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
29828 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
29829 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
29830 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
29831 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
29833 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
29834 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
29835 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
29836 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
29837 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
29838 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
29840 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
29841 access this functionality:
29843 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
29844 @item @strong{Operation}
29845 @tab @strong{Description}
29847 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
29848 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
29849 @item @code{-var-create}
29850 @tab create a variable object
29851 @item @code{-var-delete}
29852 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
29853 @item @code{-var-set-format}
29854 @tab set the display format of this variable
29855 @item @code{-var-show-format}
29856 @tab show the display format of this variable
29857 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
29858 @tab tells how many children this object has
29859 @item @code{-var-list-children}
29860 @tab return a list of the object's children
29861 @item @code{-var-info-type}
29862 @tab show the type of this variable object
29863 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
29864 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
29865 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
29866 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
29867 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
29868 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
29869 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
29870 @tab get the value of this variable
29871 @item @code{-var-assign}
29872 @tab set the value of this variable
29873 @item @code{-var-update}
29874 @tab update the variable and its children
29875 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
29876 @tab set frozeness attribute
29877 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
29878 @tab set range of children to display on update
29881 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
29882 how it can be used.
29884 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
29886 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
29887 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
29890 -enable-pretty-printing
29893 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
29894 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
29895 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
29896 request that this functionality be enabled.
29898 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
29900 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
29901 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
29903 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
29904 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
29906 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
29907 @findex -var-create
29909 @subsubheading Synopsis
29912 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
29913 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
29916 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
29917 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
29920 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
29921 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
29922 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
29923 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
29924 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
29926 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
29927 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
29928 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
29929 object must be created.
29931 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
29932 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
29936 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
29939 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
29942 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
29945 @cindex dynamic varobj
29946 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
29947 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
29948 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
29949 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
29950 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
29951 compatibility for existing clients.
29953 @subsubheading Result
29955 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
29960 The name of the varobj.
29963 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
29964 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
29965 @samp{has_more} attribute.
29968 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
29969 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
29970 will not be interesting.
29973 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
29974 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI. If @samp{print object}
29975 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
29976 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
29977 @emph{declared} one.
29980 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
29981 thread's identifier.
29984 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
29985 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
29988 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
29989 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
29990 then this attribute will not be present.
29993 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
29994 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
29995 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
29998 Typical output will look like this:
30001 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
30002 has_more="@var{has_more}"
30006 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
30007 @findex -var-delete
30009 @subsubheading Synopsis
30012 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
30015 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
30016 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
30018 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
30021 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
30022 @findex -var-set-format
30024 @subsubheading Synopsis
30027 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
30030 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
30033 @anchor{-var-set-format}
30034 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
30037 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
30038 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
30041 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
30042 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
30043 for pointers, etc.).
30045 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
30046 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
30048 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
30049 @findex -var-show-format
30051 @subsubheading Synopsis
30054 -var-show-format @var{name}
30057 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
30060 @var{format} @expansion{}
30065 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
30066 @findex -var-info-num-children
30068 @subsubheading Synopsis
30071 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
30074 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
30080 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
30081 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
30085 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
30086 @findex -var-list-children
30088 @subsubheading Synopsis
30091 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
30093 @anchor{-var-list-children}
30095 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
30096 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
30097 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
30098 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
30099 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
30100 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
30101 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
30104 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
30105 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
30106 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
30107 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
30110 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
30111 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
30112 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
30113 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
30114 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
30115 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
30116 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
30117 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
30120 For each child the following results are returned:
30125 Name of the variable object created for this child.
30128 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
30129 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
30131 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
30132 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
30134 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
30135 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
30136 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
30137 type and value are not present.
30139 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
30140 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
30141 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
30144 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
30148 The type of the child. If @samp{print object}
30149 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
30150 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
30151 @emph{declared} one.
30154 If values were requested, this is the value.
30157 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
30158 Otherwise this result is not present.
30161 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
30164 The result may have its own attributes:
30168 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
30169 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
30170 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
30173 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
30174 remaining after the end of the selected range.
30177 @subsubheading Example
30181 -var-list-children n
30182 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
30183 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
30185 -var-list-children --all-values n
30186 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
30187 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
30191 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
30192 @findex -var-info-type
30194 @subsubheading Synopsis
30197 -var-info-type @var{name}
30200 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
30201 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
30205 type=@var{typename}
30209 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
30210 @findex -var-info-expression
30212 @subsubheading Synopsis
30215 -var-info-expression @var{name}
30218 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
30219 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
30220 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
30222 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
30223 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
30226 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
30227 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
30231 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
30233 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
30234 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
30237 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
30238 @findex -var-info-path-expression
30240 @subsubheading Synopsis
30243 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
30246 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
30247 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
30248 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
30249 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
30250 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
30251 watchpoint from a variable object.
30253 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
30254 and will give an error when invoked on one.
30256 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
30257 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
30258 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
30259 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
30260 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
30262 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
30263 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
30266 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
30267 @findex -var-show-attributes
30269 @subsubheading Synopsis
30272 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
30275 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
30278 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
30282 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
30284 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
30285 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
30287 @subsubheading Synopsis
30290 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
30293 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
30294 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
30295 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
30296 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
30297 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
30298 the current display format will be used. The current display format
30299 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
30305 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
30306 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
30308 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
30309 @findex -var-assign
30311 @subsubheading Synopsis
30314 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
30317 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
30318 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
30319 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
30320 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
30322 @subsubheading Example
30330 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
30334 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
30335 @findex -var-update
30337 @subsubheading Synopsis
30340 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
30343 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
30344 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
30345 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
30346 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
30347 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
30348 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
30349 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
30350 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
30351 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
30352 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
30353 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
30354 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
30355 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
30357 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
30358 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
30361 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
30362 only the selected range of children will be reported.
30364 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
30367 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
30371 The name of the varobj.
30374 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
30375 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
30378 @anchor{-var-update}
30379 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
30383 The variable object's current value is valid.
30386 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
30387 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
30391 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
30392 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
30393 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
30394 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
30398 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
30399 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
30402 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
30403 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
30406 When a varobj's type changes, its children are also likely to have
30407 become incorrect. Therefore, the varobj's children are automatically
30408 deleted when this attribute is @samp{true}. Also, the varobj's update
30409 range, when set using the @code{-var-set-update-range} command, is
30413 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
30416 @item new_num_children
30417 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
30418 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
30420 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
30421 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
30422 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
30423 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
30424 children which may be available.
30426 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
30427 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
30428 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
30429 only happen at the end of the update range).
30432 The display hint, if any.
30435 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
30436 available outside the varobj's update range.
30439 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
30440 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
30441 then this attribute will not be present.
30444 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
30445 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
30446 be listed in this attribute.
30449 @subsubheading Example
30456 -var-update --all-values var1
30457 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
30458 type_changed="false"@}]
30462 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
30463 @findex -var-set-frozen
30464 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
30466 @subsubheading Synopsis
30469 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
30472 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
30473 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
30474 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
30475 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
30476 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
30477 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
30478 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
30479 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
30480 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
30481 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
30482 @code{-var-update} does.
30484 @subsubheading Example
30488 -var-set-frozen V 1
30493 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
30494 @findex -var-set-update-range
30495 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
30497 @subsubheading Synopsis
30500 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
30503 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
30504 @code{-var-update}.
30506 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
30507 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
30508 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
30509 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
30511 @subsubheading Example
30515 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
30519 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
30520 @findex -var-set-visualizer
30521 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
30523 @subsubheading Synopsis
30526 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
30529 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
30531 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
30532 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
30534 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
30535 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
30536 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
30537 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
30538 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
30539 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
30540 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
30542 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
30543 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
30544 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
30545 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
30547 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
30548 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
30549 can be used to check this.
30551 @subsubheading Example
30553 Resetting the visualizer:
30557 -var-set-visualizer V None
30561 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
30565 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
30569 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
30570 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
30574 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
30578 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30579 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
30580 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
30582 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
30583 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
30584 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
30585 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
30587 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
30588 @c @subheading -data-assign
30589 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
30590 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
30592 @c @subsubheading Example
30595 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
30596 @findex -data-disassemble
30598 @subsubheading Synopsis
30602 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
30603 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
30611 @item @var{start-addr}
30612 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
30613 @item @var{end-addr}
30615 @item @var{filename}
30616 is the name of the file to disassemble
30617 @item @var{linenum}
30618 is the line number to disassemble around
30620 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
30621 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
30622 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
30623 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
30624 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
30625 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
30626 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
30629 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly), 1 (meaning mixed source and
30630 disassembly), 2 (meaning disassembly with raw opcodes), or 3 (meaning
30631 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes).
30634 @subsubheading Result
30636 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
30645 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
30646 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
30648 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30650 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
30652 @subsubheading Example
30654 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
30658 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
30661 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
30662 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
30663 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
30664 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
30665 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
30666 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
30667 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
30668 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
30669 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
30670 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
30674 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
30678 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
30680 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
30681 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
30682 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
30683 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
30684 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
30685 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
30687 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
30688 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
30692 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
30696 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
30698 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
30699 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
30700 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
30701 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
30702 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
30703 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
30707 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
30711 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
30713 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
30714 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
30715 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
30716 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
30717 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
30718 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
30719 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
30720 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
30721 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
30722 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
30723 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
30724 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
30729 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
30730 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
30732 @subsubheading Synopsis
30735 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
30738 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
30739 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
30740 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
30742 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30744 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
30745 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
30746 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
30748 @subsubheading Example
30750 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
30751 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
30752 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
30756 211-data-evaluate-expression A
30759 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
30760 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
30762 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
30765 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
30771 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
30772 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
30774 @subsubheading Synopsis
30777 -data-list-changed-registers
30780 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
30782 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30784 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
30785 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
30787 @subsubheading Example
30789 On a PPC MBX board:
30797 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
30798 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
30801 -data-list-changed-registers
30802 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
30803 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
30804 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
30809 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
30810 @findex -data-list-register-names
30812 @subsubheading Synopsis
30815 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
30818 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
30819 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
30820 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
30821 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
30822 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
30823 include empty register names.
30825 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30827 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
30828 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
30829 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
30831 @subsubheading Example
30833 For the PPC MBX board:
30836 -data-list-register-names
30837 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
30838 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
30839 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
30840 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
30841 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
30842 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
30843 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
30845 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
30846 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
30850 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
30851 @findex -data-list-register-values
30853 @subsubheading Synopsis
30856 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
30859 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
30860 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
30861 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
30862 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
30864 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
30881 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30883 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
30884 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
30886 @subsubheading Example
30888 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
30889 don't appear in the actual output):
30893 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
30894 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
30895 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
30897 -data-list-register-values x
30898 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
30899 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
30900 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
30901 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
30902 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
30903 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
30904 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
30905 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
30906 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
30907 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
30908 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
30909 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
30910 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
30911 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
30912 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
30913 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
30914 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
30915 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
30916 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
30917 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
30918 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
30919 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
30920 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
30921 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
30922 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
30923 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
30924 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
30925 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
30926 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
30927 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
30928 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
30929 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
30930 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
30931 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
30932 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
30933 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
30938 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
30939 @findex -data-read-memory
30941 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
30943 @subsubheading Synopsis
30946 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
30947 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
30948 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
30955 @item @var{address}
30956 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
30957 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
30958 quoted using the C convention.
30960 @item @var{word-format}
30961 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
30962 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
30965 @item @var{word-size}
30966 The size of each memory word in bytes.
30968 @item @var{nr-rows}
30969 The number of rows in the output table.
30971 @item @var{nr-cols}
30972 The number of columns in the output table.
30975 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
30976 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
30977 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
30978 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
30980 @item @var{byte-offset}
30981 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
30984 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
30985 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
30986 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
30987 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
30988 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
30989 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
30990 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
30993 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
30994 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
30997 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30999 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
31000 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
31002 @subsubheading Example
31004 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
31005 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
31006 word. Display each word in hex.
31010 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
31011 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
31012 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
31013 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
31014 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
31015 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
31016 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
31020 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
31021 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
31025 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
31026 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
31027 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
31028 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
31029 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
31033 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
31034 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
31035 used as the non-printable character.
31039 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
31040 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
31041 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
31042 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
31043 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31044 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31045 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31046 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31047 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
31048 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
31049 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
31050 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
31054 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
31055 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
31057 @subsubheading Synopsis
31060 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
31061 @var{address} @var{count}
31068 @item @var{address}
31069 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
31070 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
31071 quoted using the C convention.
31074 The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
31076 @item @var{byte-offset}
31077 The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
31078 reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
31079 so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
31080 perform address arithmetics itself.
31084 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
31085 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
31086 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
31087 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
31088 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
31089 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
31091 In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
31092 and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
31093 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
31094 attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
31095 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
31096 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
31097 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
31098 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
31100 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
31101 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
31102 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
31103 and has the following fields:
31107 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
31110 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
31113 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
31114 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
31117 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
31123 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31125 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
31127 @subsubheading Example
31131 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
31132 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
31134 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
31139 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
31140 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
31142 @subsubheading Synopsis
31145 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
31152 @item @var{address}
31153 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
31154 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
31155 quoted using the C convention.
31157 @item @var{contents}
31158 The hex-encoded bytes to write.
31162 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31164 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
31166 @subsubheading Example
31170 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
31176 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31177 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
31178 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
31180 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
31181 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
31183 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
31184 @findex -trace-find
31186 @subsubheading Synopsis
31189 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
31192 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
31193 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
31194 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
31199 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
31202 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
31205 @item tracepoint-number
31206 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
31207 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
31210 An address is required as parameter. Finds
31211 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
31214 @item pc-inside-range
31215 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
31216 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
31217 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
31219 @item pc-outside-range
31220 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
31221 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
31222 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
31225 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
31226 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
31227 the specified location.
31231 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
31232 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
31236 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
31237 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
31240 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
31241 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
31244 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
31245 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
31248 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
31249 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
31250 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
31254 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31256 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
31258 @subheading -trace-define-variable
31259 @findex -trace-define-variable
31261 @subsubheading Synopsis
31264 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
31267 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
31268 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
31269 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
31270 with the @samp{$} character.
31272 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31274 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
31276 @subheading -trace-list-variables
31277 @findex -trace-list-variables
31279 @subsubheading Synopsis
31282 -trace-list-variables
31285 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
31286 table has the following fields:
31290 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
31293 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
31294 field is always present.
31297 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
31298 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
31299 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
31304 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31306 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
31308 @subsubheading Example
31312 -trace-list-variables
31313 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
31314 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
31315 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
31316 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
31317 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
31318 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
31322 @subheading -trace-save
31323 @findex -trace-save
31325 @subsubheading Synopsis
31328 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
31331 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
31332 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
31333 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
31334 to perform the save.
31336 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31338 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
31341 @subheading -trace-start
31342 @findex -trace-start
31344 @subsubheading Synopsis
31350 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
31353 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31355 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
31357 @subheading -trace-status
31358 @findex -trace-status
31360 @subsubheading Synopsis
31366 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
31367 the following fields:
31372 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
31373 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
31374 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
31375 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
31376 started. This field is always present.
31379 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
31380 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
31381 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
31384 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
31385 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
31386 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
31387 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
31388 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
31389 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
31390 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
31391 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
31392 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
31394 @item stopping-tracepoint
31395 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
31396 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
31400 @itemx frames-created
31401 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
31402 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
31403 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
31404 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
31408 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
31409 remaining space. These fields are optional.
31412 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
31413 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
31414 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
31418 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
31419 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
31420 that the trace run will stop.
31424 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31426 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
31428 @subheading -trace-stop
31429 @findex -trace-stop
31431 @subsubheading Synopsis
31437 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
31438 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
31439 @samp{running} fields are not output.
31441 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31443 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
31446 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31447 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
31448 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
31452 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
31453 @findex -symbol-info-address
31455 @subsubheading Synopsis
31458 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
31461 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
31463 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31465 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
31467 @subsubheading Example
31471 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
31472 @findex -symbol-info-file
31474 @subsubheading Synopsis
31480 Show the file for the symbol.
31482 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31484 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
31485 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
31487 @subsubheading Example
31491 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
31492 @findex -symbol-info-function
31494 @subsubheading Synopsis
31497 -symbol-info-function
31500 Show which function the symbol lives in.
31502 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31504 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
31506 @subsubheading Example
31510 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
31511 @findex -symbol-info-line
31513 @subsubheading Synopsis
31519 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
31521 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31523 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
31524 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
31526 @subsubheading Example
31530 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
31531 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
31533 @subsubheading Synopsis
31536 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
31539 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
31541 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31543 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
31545 @subsubheading Example
31549 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
31550 @findex -symbol-list-functions
31552 @subsubheading Synopsis
31555 -symbol-list-functions
31558 List the functions in the executable.
31560 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31562 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
31563 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
31565 @subsubheading Example
31570 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
31571 @findex -symbol-list-lines
31573 @subsubheading Synopsis
31576 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
31579 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
31580 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
31581 ascending PC order.
31583 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31585 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
31587 @subsubheading Example
31590 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
31591 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
31597 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
31598 @findex -symbol-list-types
31600 @subsubheading Synopsis
31606 List all the type names.
31608 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31610 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
31611 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
31613 @subsubheading Example
31617 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
31618 @findex -symbol-list-variables
31620 @subsubheading Synopsis
31623 -symbol-list-variables
31626 List all the global and static variable names.
31628 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31630 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
31632 @subsubheading Example
31636 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
31637 @findex -symbol-locate
31639 @subsubheading Synopsis
31645 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31647 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
31649 @subsubheading Example
31653 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
31654 @findex -symbol-type
31656 @subsubheading Synopsis
31659 -symbol-type @var{variable}
31662 Show type of @var{variable}.
31664 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31666 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
31667 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
31669 @subsubheading Example
31674 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31675 @node GDB/MI File Commands
31676 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
31678 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
31679 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
31681 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
31682 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
31684 @subsubheading Synopsis
31687 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
31690 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
31691 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
31692 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
31693 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
31694 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
31697 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31699 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
31701 @subsubheading Example
31705 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
31711 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
31712 @findex -file-exec-file
31714 @subsubheading Synopsis
31717 -file-exec-file @var{file}
31720 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
31721 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
31722 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
31723 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
31726 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31728 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
31730 @subsubheading Example
31734 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
31741 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
31742 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
31744 @subsubheading Synopsis
31747 -file-list-exec-sections
31750 List the sections of the current executable file.
31752 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31754 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
31755 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
31756 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
31758 @subsubheading Example
31763 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
31764 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
31766 @subsubheading Synopsis
31769 -file-list-exec-source-file
31772 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
31773 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
31774 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
31775 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
31777 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31779 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
31781 @subsubheading Example
31785 123-file-list-exec-source-file
31786 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
31791 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
31792 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
31794 @subsubheading Synopsis
31797 -file-list-exec-source-files
31800 List the source files for the current executable.
31802 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
31803 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
31805 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31807 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
31808 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
31810 @subsubheading Example
31813 -file-list-exec-source-files
31815 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
31816 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
31817 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
31822 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
31823 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
31825 @subsubheading Synopsis
31828 -file-list-shared-libraries
31831 List the shared libraries in the program.
31833 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31835 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
31837 @subsubheading Example
31841 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
31842 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
31844 @subsubheading Synopsis
31847 -file-list-symbol-files
31852 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31854 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
31856 @subsubheading Example
31861 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
31862 @findex -file-symbol-file
31864 @subsubheading Synopsis
31867 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
31870 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
31871 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
31872 produced, except for a completion notification.
31874 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31876 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
31878 @subsubheading Example
31882 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
31888 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31889 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
31890 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
31892 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
31894 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
31896 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
31898 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
31900 @c @subheading -overlay-map
31902 @c @subheading -overlay-off
31904 @c @subheading -overlay-on
31906 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
31908 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31909 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
31910 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
31912 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
31914 @c @subheading -signal-handle
31916 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
31918 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
31922 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31923 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
31924 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
31927 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
31928 @findex -target-attach
31930 @subsubheading Synopsis
31933 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
31936 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
31937 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
31938 group, the id previously returned by
31939 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
31941 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31943 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
31945 @subsubheading Example
31949 =thread-created,id="1"
31950 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
31956 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
31957 @findex -target-compare-sections
31959 @subsubheading Synopsis
31962 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
31965 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
31966 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
31968 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31970 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
31972 @subsubheading Example
31977 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
31978 @findex -target-detach
31980 @subsubheading Synopsis
31983 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
31986 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
31987 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
31988 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
31990 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31992 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
31994 @subsubheading Example
32004 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
32005 @findex -target-disconnect
32007 @subsubheading Synopsis
32013 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
32014 generally not resumed.
32016 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32018 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
32020 @subsubheading Example
32030 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
32031 @findex -target-download
32033 @subsubheading Synopsis
32039 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
32040 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
32044 The name of the section.
32046 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
32048 The size of the section.
32050 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
32052 The size of the overall executable to download.
32056 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
32057 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
32059 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
32060 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
32064 The name of the section.
32066 The size of the section.
32068 The size of the overall executable to download.
32072 At the end, a summary is printed.
32074 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32076 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
32078 @subsubheading Example
32080 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
32081 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
32086 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
32087 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
32088 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
32089 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
32090 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
32091 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
32092 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
32093 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
32094 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
32095 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
32096 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
32097 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
32098 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
32099 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
32100 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
32101 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
32102 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
32103 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
32104 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
32105 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
32106 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
32107 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
32108 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
32109 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
32110 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
32111 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
32112 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
32113 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
32114 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
32115 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
32116 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
32117 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
32118 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
32119 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
32120 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
32121 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
32122 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
32123 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
32124 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
32125 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
32126 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
32127 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
32128 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
32135 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
32136 @findex -target-exec-status
32138 @subsubheading Synopsis
32141 -target-exec-status
32144 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
32145 not, for instance).
32147 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32149 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
32151 @subsubheading Example
32155 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
32156 @findex -target-list-available-targets
32158 @subsubheading Synopsis
32161 -target-list-available-targets
32164 List the possible targets to connect to.
32166 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32168 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
32170 @subsubheading Example
32174 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
32175 @findex -target-list-current-targets
32177 @subsubheading Synopsis
32180 -target-list-current-targets
32183 Describe the current target.
32185 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32187 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
32190 @subsubheading Example
32194 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
32195 @findex -target-list-parameters
32197 @subsubheading Synopsis
32200 -target-list-parameters
32206 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32210 @subsubheading Example
32214 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
32215 @findex -target-select
32217 @subsubheading Synopsis
32220 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
32223 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
32227 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
32228 @item @var{parameters}
32229 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
32230 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
32233 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
32234 which the target program is, in the following form:
32237 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
32238 args=[@var{arg list}]
32241 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32243 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
32245 @subsubheading Example
32249 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
32250 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
32254 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32255 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
32256 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
32259 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
32260 @findex -target-file-put
32262 @subsubheading Synopsis
32265 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
32268 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
32269 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
32271 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32273 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
32275 @subsubheading Example
32279 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
32285 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
32286 @findex -target-file-get
32288 @subsubheading Synopsis
32291 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
32294 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
32295 on the host system.
32297 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32299 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
32301 @subsubheading Example
32305 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
32311 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
32312 @findex -target-file-delete
32314 @subsubheading Synopsis
32317 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
32320 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
32322 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32324 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
32326 @subsubheading Example
32330 -target-file-delete remotefile
32336 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32337 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
32338 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
32340 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
32342 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
32345 @subsubheading Synopsis
32351 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
32353 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32355 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
32357 @subsubheading Example
32367 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
32368 @findex -exec-abort
32370 @subsubheading Synopsis
32376 Kill the inferior running program.
32378 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32380 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
32382 @subsubheading Example
32387 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
32390 @subsubheading Synopsis
32396 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
32397 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
32399 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32401 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
32403 @subsubheading Example
32413 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
32416 @subsubheading Synopsis
32422 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
32424 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32426 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
32428 @subsubheading Example
32437 @c @subheading -gdb-source
32440 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
32441 @findex -gdb-version
32443 @subsubheading Synopsis
32449 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
32451 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32453 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
32454 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
32456 @subsubheading Example
32458 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
32464 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
32465 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
32466 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
32467 ~ certain conditions.
32468 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
32469 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
32471 ~This GDB was configured as
32472 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
32477 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
32478 @findex -list-features
32480 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
32481 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
32482 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
32483 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
32484 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
32487 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
32488 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
32489 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
32495 (gdb) -list-features
32496 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
32499 The current list of features is:
32502 @item frozen-varobjs
32503 Indicates support for the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
32504 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
32505 of @code{-varobj-create}.
32506 @item pending-breakpoints
32507 Indicates support for the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert}
32510 Indicates Python scripting support, Python-based
32511 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
32512 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
32514 Indicates support for the @code{-thread-info} command.
32515 @item data-read-memory-bytes
32516 Indicates support for the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
32517 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
32518 @item breakpoint-notifications
32519 Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
32520 CLI will be announced via async records.
32521 @item ada-task-info
32522 Indicates support for the @code{-ada-task-info} command.
32525 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
32526 @findex -list-target-features
32528 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
32529 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
32530 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
32531 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
32532 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
32533 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
32534 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
32538 (gdb) -list-features
32539 ^done,result=["async"]
32542 The current list of features is:
32546 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
32547 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
32548 while the target is running.
32551 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
32552 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
32556 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
32557 @findex -list-thread-groups
32559 @subheading Synopsis
32562 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
32565 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
32566 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
32567 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
32568 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
32569 top-level thread groups.
32571 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
32572 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
32573 available on the target.
32575 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
32576 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
32577 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
32578 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
32579 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
32580 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
32581 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
32582 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
32584 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
32585 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
32586 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
32587 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
32588 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
32589 @samp{threads} field.
32591 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
32592 the following caveats:
32596 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
32597 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
32598 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
32601 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
32602 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
32603 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
32604 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
32605 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
32606 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
32610 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
32611 have the following fields:
32615 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
32616 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
32617 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
32620 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
32624 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
32625 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
32628 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
32629 absent for an available thread group.
32632 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
32633 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
32634 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
32637 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
32638 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
32639 such information is not available.
32642 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
32643 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
32644 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
32648 @subheading Example
32652 -list-thread-groups
32653 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
32654 -list-thread-groups 17
32655 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
32656 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
32657 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
32658 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
32659 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
32660 -list-thread-groups --available
32661 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
32662 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
32663 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
32664 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
32665 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
32666 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
32667 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
32668 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
32669 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
32672 @subheading The @code{-info-os} Command
32675 @subsubheading Synopsis
32678 -info-os [ @var{type} ]
32681 If no argument is supplied, the command returns a table of available
32682 operating-system-specific information types. If one of these types is
32683 supplied as an argument @var{type}, then the command returns a table
32684 of data of that type.
32686 The types of information available depend on the target operating
32689 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32691 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info os}.
32693 @subsubheading Example
32695 When run on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, the output will look something
32701 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="9",nr_cols="3",
32702 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="Type"@},
32703 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="Description"@},
32704 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="Title"@}],
32705 body=[item=@{col0="processes",col1="Listing of all processes",
32706 col2="Processes"@},
32707 item=@{col0="procgroups",col1="Listing of all process groups",
32708 col2="Process groups"@},
32709 item=@{col0="threads",col1="Listing of all threads",
32711 item=@{col0="files",col1="Listing of all file descriptors",
32712 col2="File descriptors"@},
32713 item=@{col0="sockets",col1="Listing of all internet-domain sockets",
32715 item=@{col0="shm",col1="Listing of all shared-memory regions",
32716 col2="Shared-memory regions"@},
32717 item=@{col0="semaphores",col1="Listing of all semaphores",
32718 col2="Semaphores"@},
32719 item=@{col0="msg",col1="Listing of all message queues",
32720 col2="Message queues"@},
32721 item=@{col0="modules",col1="Listing of all loaded kernel modules",
32722 col2="Kernel modules"@}]@}
32725 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="190",nr_cols="4",
32726 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="pid"@},
32727 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="user"@},
32728 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="command"@},
32729 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col3",colhdr="cores"@}],
32730 body=[item=@{col0="1",col1="root",col2="/sbin/init",col3="0"@},
32731 item=@{col0="2",col1="root",col2="[kthreadd]",col3="1"@},
32732 item=@{col0="3",col1="root",col2="[ksoftirqd/0]",col3="0"@},
32734 item=@{col0="26446",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="0"@},
32735 item=@{col0="28152",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="1"@}]@}
32739 (Note that the MI output here includes a @code{"Title"} column that
32740 does not appear in command-line @code{info os}; this column is useful
32741 for MI clients that want to enumerate the types of data, such as in a
32742 popup menu, but is needless clutter on the command line, and
32743 @code{info os} omits it.)
32745 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
32746 @findex -add-inferior
32748 @subheading Synopsis
32754 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
32755 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
32756 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
32757 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
32758 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
32759 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
32761 @subheading Example
32766 ^done,thread-group="i3"
32769 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
32770 @findex -interpreter-exec
32772 @subheading Synopsis
32775 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
32777 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
32779 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
32781 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32783 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
32785 @subheading Example
32789 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
32790 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
32791 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
32792 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
32797 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
32798 @findex -inferior-tty-set
32800 @subheading Synopsis
32803 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
32806 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
32808 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32810 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
32812 @subheading Example
32816 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
32821 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
32822 @findex -inferior-tty-show
32824 @subheading Synopsis
32830 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
32832 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32834 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
32836 @subheading Example
32840 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
32844 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
32848 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
32849 @findex -enable-timings
32851 @subheading Synopsis
32854 -enable-timings [yes | no]
32857 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
32858 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
32859 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
32860 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
32862 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32866 @subheading Example
32874 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
32875 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
32876 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
32877 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
32885 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
32886 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
32887 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
32888 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
32893 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
32895 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
32896 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
32897 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
32898 relatively high level.
32900 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
32904 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
32908 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
32909 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
32910 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
32911 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
32912 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
32913 * Annotations for Running::
32914 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
32915 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
32918 @node Annotations Overview
32919 @section What is an Annotation?
32920 @cindex annotations
32922 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
32923 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
32924 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
32925 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
32926 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
32927 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
32928 cannot contain newline characters.
32930 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
32931 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
32932 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
32933 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
32934 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
32935 means those three characters as output.
32937 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
32938 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
32939 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
32940 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
32941 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
32942 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
32943 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
32944 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
32945 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
32948 @kindex set annotate
32949 @item set annotate @var{level}
32950 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
32951 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
32953 @item show annotate
32954 @kindex show annotate
32955 Show the current annotation level.
32958 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
32960 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
32963 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
32965 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
32966 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
32967 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
32968 under certain conditions.
32969 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
32970 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
32972 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
32983 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
32984 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
32985 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
32986 output from @value{GDBN}.
32988 @node Server Prefix
32989 @section The Server Prefix
32990 @cindex server prefix
32992 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
32993 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
32994 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
32995 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
32996 a transparent manner.
32998 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
32999 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
33000 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
33001 @code{print} command.
33003 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
33004 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
33007 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
33009 @cindex annotations for prompts
33010 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
33011 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
33014 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
33015 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
33016 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
33017 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
33018 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
33019 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
33020 features the following annotations:
33028 The input types are
33031 @findex pre-prompt annotation
33032 @findex prompt annotation
33033 @findex post-prompt annotation
33035 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
33037 @findex pre-commands annotation
33038 @findex commands annotation
33039 @findex post-commands annotation
33041 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
33042 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
33044 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
33045 @findex overload-choice annotation
33046 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
33047 @item overload-choice
33048 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
33050 @findex pre-query annotation
33051 @findex query annotation
33052 @findex post-query annotation
33054 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
33056 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
33057 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
33058 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
33059 @item prompt-for-continue
33060 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
33061 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
33062 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
33063 presence of annotations.
33068 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
33070 @findex quit annotation
33075 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
33077 @findex error annotation
33082 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
33084 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
33085 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
33086 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
33087 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
33088 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
33089 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
33092 @findex error-begin annotation
33093 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
33099 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
33102 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
33103 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
33104 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
33107 @section Invalidation Notices
33109 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
33110 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
33114 @findex frames-invalid annotation
33115 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
33117 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
33120 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
33121 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
33123 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
33124 deleted a breakpoint.
33127 @node Annotations for Running
33128 @section Running the Program
33129 @cindex annotations for running programs
33131 @findex starting annotation
33132 @findex stopping annotation
33133 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
33134 @code{step} or @code{continue},
33140 is output. When the program stops,
33146 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
33147 annotations describe how the program stopped.
33150 @findex exited annotation
33151 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
33152 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
33153 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
33155 @findex signalled annotation
33156 @findex signal-name annotation
33157 @findex signal-name-end annotation
33158 @findex signal-string annotation
33159 @findex signal-string-end annotation
33160 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
33161 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
33162 annotation continues:
33168 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
33172 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
33177 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
33178 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
33179 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
33180 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
33181 user's benefit and have no particular format.
33183 @findex signal annotation
33185 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
33186 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
33187 terminated with it.
33189 @findex breakpoint annotation
33190 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
33191 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
33193 @findex watchpoint annotation
33194 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
33195 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
33198 @node Source Annotations
33199 @section Displaying Source
33200 @cindex annotations for source display
33202 @findex source annotation
33203 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
33206 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
33209 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
33210 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
33211 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
33212 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
33213 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
33214 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
33215 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
33216 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
33217 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
33218 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
33219 depend on the language).
33221 @node JIT Interface
33222 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
33223 @cindex just-in-time compilation
33224 @cindex JIT compilation interface
33226 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
33227 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
33228 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
33229 performance while maintaining platform independence.
33231 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
33232 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
33233 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
33234 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
33235 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
33236 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
33238 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
33239 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
33240 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
33241 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
33244 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
33245 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
33246 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
33247 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
33248 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
33249 out about additional code.
33252 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
33253 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
33254 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
33255 * Custom Debug Info:: Emit debug information in a custom format
33259 @section JIT Declarations
33261 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
33262 implement the interface:
33272 struct jit_code_entry
33274 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
33275 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
33276 const char *symfile_addr;
33277 uint64_t symfile_size;
33280 struct jit_descriptor
33283 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
33284 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
33285 uint32_t action_flag;
33286 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
33287 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
33290 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
33291 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
33293 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
33294 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
33295 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
33298 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
33299 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
33300 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
33302 @node Registering Code
33303 @section Registering Code
33305 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
33309 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
33310 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
33313 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
33317 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
33320 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
33323 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
33324 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
33327 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
33328 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
33329 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
33330 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
33332 @node Unregistering Code
33333 @section Unregistering Code
33335 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
33339 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
33342 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
33345 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
33346 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
33349 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
33350 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
33352 @node Custom Debug Info
33353 @section Custom Debug Info
33354 @cindex custom JIT debug info
33355 @cindex JIT debug info reader
33357 Generating debug information in platform-native file formats (like ELF
33358 or COFF) may be an overkill for JIT compilers; especially if all the
33359 debug info is used for is displaying a meaningful backtrace. The
33360 issue can be resolved by having the JIT writers decide on a debug info
33361 format and also provide a reader that parses the debug info generated
33362 by the JIT compiler. This section gives a brief overview on writing
33363 such a parser. More specific details can be found in the source file
33364 @file{gdb/jit-reader.in}, which is also installed as a header at
33365 @file{@var{includedir}/gdb/jit-reader.h} for easy inclusion.
33367 The reader is implemented as a shared object (so this functionality is
33368 not available on platforms which don't allow loading shared objects at
33369 runtime). Two @value{GDBN} commands, @code{jit-reader-load} and
33370 @code{jit-reader-unload} are provided, to be used to load and unload
33371 the readers from a preconfigured directory. Once loaded, the shared
33372 object is used the parse the debug information emitted by the JIT
33376 * Using JIT Debug Info Readers:: How to use supplied readers correctly
33377 * Writing JIT Debug Info Readers:: Creating a debug-info reader
33380 @node Using JIT Debug Info Readers
33381 @subsection Using JIT Debug Info Readers
33382 @kindex jit-reader-load
33383 @kindex jit-reader-unload
33385 Readers can be loaded and unloaded using the @code{jit-reader-load}
33386 and @code{jit-reader-unload} commands.
33389 @item jit-reader-load @var{reader-name}
33390 Load the JIT reader named @var{reader-name}. On a UNIX system, this
33391 will usually load @file{@var{libdir}/gdb/@var{reader-name}}, where
33392 @var{libdir} is the system library directory, usually
33393 @file{/usr/local/lib}. Only one reader can be active at a time;
33394 trying to load a second reader when one is already loaded will result
33395 in @value{GDBN} reporting an error. A new JIT reader can be loaded by
33396 first unloading the current one using @code{jit-reader-load} and then
33397 invoking @code{jit-reader-load}.
33399 @item jit-reader-unload
33400 Unload the currently loaded JIT reader.
33404 @node Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
33405 @subsection Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
33406 @cindex writing JIT debug info readers
33408 As mentioned, a reader is essentially a shared object conforming to a
33409 certain ABI. This ABI is described in @file{jit-reader.h}.
33411 @file{jit-reader.h} defines the structures, macros and functions
33412 required to write a reader. It is installed (along with
33413 @value{GDBN}), in @file{@var{includedir}/gdb} where @var{includedir} is
33414 the system include directory.
33416 Readers need to be released under a GPL compatible license. A reader
33417 can be declared as released under such a license by placing the macro
33418 @code{GDB_DECLARE_GPL_COMPATIBLE_READER} in a source file.
33420 The entry point for readers is the symbol @code{gdb_init_reader},
33421 which is expected to be a function with the prototype
33423 @findex gdb_init_reader
33425 extern struct gdb_reader_funcs *gdb_init_reader (void);
33428 @cindex @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs}
33430 @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs} contains a set of pointers to callback
33431 functions. These functions are executed to read the debug info
33432 generated by the JIT compiler (@code{read}), to unwind stack frames
33433 (@code{unwind}) and to create canonical frame IDs
33434 (@code{get_Frame_id}). It also has a callback that is called when the
33435 reader is being unloaded (@code{destroy}). The struct looks like this
33438 struct gdb_reader_funcs
33440 /* Must be set to GDB_READER_INTERFACE_VERSION. */
33441 int reader_version;
33443 /* For use by the reader. */
33446 gdb_read_debug_info *read;
33447 gdb_unwind_frame *unwind;
33448 gdb_get_frame_id *get_frame_id;
33449 gdb_destroy_reader *destroy;
33453 @cindex @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks}
33454 @cindex @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}
33456 The callbacks are provided with another set of callbacks by
33457 @value{GDBN} to do their job. For @code{read}, these callbacks are
33458 passed in a @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} and for @code{unwind}
33459 and @code{get_frame_id}, in a @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}.
33460 @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} has callbacks to create new object
33461 files and new symbol tables inside those object files. @code{struct
33462 gdb_unwind_callbacks} has callbacks to read registers off the current
33463 frame and to write out the values of the registers in the previous
33464 frame. Both have a callback (@code{target_read}) to read bytes off the
33465 target's address space.
33467 @node In-Process Agent
33468 @chapter In-Process Agent
33469 @cindex debugging agent
33470 The traditional debugging model is conceptually low-speed, but works fine,
33471 because most bugs can be reproduced in debugging-mode execution. However,
33472 as multi-core or many-core processors are becoming mainstream, and
33473 multi-threaded programs become more and more popular, there should be more
33474 and more bugs that only manifest themselves at normal-mode execution, for
33475 example, thread races, because debugger's interference with the program's
33476 timing may conceal the bugs. On the other hand, in some applications,
33477 it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt the program's execution
33478 long enough for the developer to learn anything helpful about its behavior.
33479 If the program's correctness depends on its real-time behavior, delays
33480 introduced by a debugger might cause the program to fail, even when the
33481 code itself is correct. It is useful to be able to observe the program's
33482 behavior without interrupting it.
33484 Therefore, traditional debugging model is too intrusive to reproduce
33485 some bugs. In order to reduce the interference with the program, we can
33486 reduce the number of operations performed by debugger. The
33487 @dfn{In-Process Agent}, a shared library, is running within the same
33488 process with inferior, and is able to perform some debugging operations
33489 itself. As a result, debugger is only involved when necessary, and
33490 performance of debugging can be improved accordingly. Note that
33491 interference with program can be reduced but can't be removed completely,
33492 because the in-process agent will still stop or slow down the program.
33494 The in-process agent can interpret and execute Agent Expressions
33495 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) during performing debugging operations. The
33496 agent expressions can be used for different purposes, such as collecting
33497 data in tracepoints, and condition evaluation in breakpoints.
33499 @anchor{Control Agent}
33500 You can control whether the in-process agent is used as an aid for
33501 debugging with the following commands:
33504 @kindex set agent on
33506 Causes the in-process agent to perform some operations on behalf of the
33507 debugger. Just which operations requested by the user will be done
33508 by the in-process agent depends on the its capabilities. For example,
33509 if you request to evaluate breakpoint conditions in the in-process agent,
33510 and the in-process agent has such capability as well, then breakpoint
33511 conditions will be evaluated in the in-process agent.
33513 @kindex set agent off
33514 @item set agent off
33515 Disables execution of debugging operations by the in-process agent. All
33516 of the operations will be performed by @value{GDBN}.
33520 Display the current setting of execution of debugging operations by
33521 the in-process agent.
33525 * In-Process Agent Protocol::
33528 @node In-Process Agent Protocol
33529 @section In-Process Agent Protocol
33530 @cindex in-process agent protocol
33532 The in-process agent is able to communicate with both @value{GDBN} and
33533 GDBserver (@pxref{In-Process Agent}). This section documents the protocol
33534 used for communications between @value{GDBN} or GDBserver and the IPA.
33535 In general, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver sends commands
33536 (@pxref{IPA Protocol Commands}) and data to in-process agent, and then
33537 in-process agent replies back with the return result of the command, or
33538 some other information. The data sent to in-process agent is composed
33539 of primitive data types, such as 4-byte or 8-byte type, and composite
33540 types, which are called objects (@pxref{IPA Protocol Objects}).
33543 * IPA Protocol Objects::
33544 * IPA Protocol Commands::
33547 @node IPA Protocol Objects
33548 @subsection IPA Protocol Objects
33549 @cindex ipa protocol objects
33551 The commands sent to and results received from agent may contain some
33552 complex data types called @dfn{objects}.
33554 The in-process agent is running on the same machine with @value{GDBN}
33555 or GDBserver, so it doesn't have to handle as much differences between
33556 two ends as remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}) tries to handle.
33557 However, there are still some differences of two ends in two processes:
33561 word size. On some 64-bit machines, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver can be
33562 compiled as a 64-bit executable, while in-process agent is a 32-bit one.
33564 ABI. Some machines may have multiple types of ABI, @value{GDBN} or
33565 GDBserver is compiled with one, and in-process agent is compiled with
33569 Here are the IPA Protocol Objects:
33573 agent expression object. It represents an agent expression
33574 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
33575 @anchor{agent expression object}
33577 tracepoint action object. It represents a tracepoint action
33578 (@pxref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}) to collect registers,
33579 memory, static trace data and to evaluate expression.
33580 @anchor{tracepoint action object}
33582 tracepoint object. It represents a tracepoint (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
33583 @anchor{tracepoint object}
33587 The following table describes important attributes of each IPA protocol
33590 @multitable @columnfractions .30 .20 .50
33591 @headitem Name @tab Size @tab Description
33592 @item @emph{agent expression object} @tab @tab
33593 @item length @tab 4 @tab length of bytes code
33594 @item byte code @tab @var{length} @tab contents of byte code
33595 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting memory} @tab @tab
33596 @item 'M' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
33597 @item addr @tab 8 @tab if @var{basereg} is @samp{-1}, @var{addr} is the
33598 address of the lowest byte to collect, otherwise @var{addr} is the offset
33599 of @var{basereg} for memory collecting.
33600 @item len @tab 8 @tab length of memory for collecting
33601 @item basereg @tab 4 @tab the register number containing the starting
33602 memory address for collecting.
33603 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting registers} @tab @tab
33604 @item 'R' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
33605 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting static trace data} @tab @tab
33606 @item 'L' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
33607 @item @emph{tracepoint action for expression evaluation} @tab @tab
33608 @item 'X' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
33609 @item agent expression @tab length of @tab @ref{agent expression object}
33610 @item @emph{tracepoint object} @tab @tab
33611 @item number @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint
33612 @item address @tab 8 @tab address of tracepoint inserted on
33613 @item type @tab 4 @tab type of tracepoint
33614 @item enabled @tab 1 @tab enable or disable of tracepoint
33615 @item step_count @tab 8 @tab step
33616 @item pass_count @tab 8 @tab pass
33617 @item numactions @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint actions
33618 @item hit count @tab 8 @tab hit count
33619 @item trace frame usage @tab 8 @tab trace frame usage
33620 @item compiled_cond @tab 8 @tab compiled condition
33621 @item orig_size @tab 8 @tab orig size
33622 @item condition @tab 4 if condition is NULL otherwise length of
33623 @ref{agent expression object}
33624 @tab zero if condition is NULL, otherwise is
33625 @ref{agent expression object}
33626 @item actions @tab variable
33627 @tab numactions number of @ref{tracepoint action object}
33630 @node IPA Protocol Commands
33631 @subsection IPA Protocol Commands
33632 @cindex ipa protocol commands
33634 The spaces in each command are delimiters to ease reading this commands
33635 specification. They don't exist in real commands.
33639 @item FastTrace:@var{tracepoint_object} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}
33640 Installs a new fast tracepoint described by @var{tracepoint_object}
33641 (@pxref{tracepoint object}). @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}, 8-byte long, is the
33642 head of @dfn{jumppad}, which is used to jump to data collection routine
33647 @item OK @var{target_address} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} @var{fjump_size} @var{fjump}
33648 @var{target_address} is address of tracepoint in the inferior.
33649 @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} is updated head of jumppad. Both of
33650 @var{target_address} and @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} are 8-byte long.
33651 @var{fjump} contains a sequence of instructions jump to jumppad entry.
33652 @var{fjump_size}, 4-byte long, is the size of @var{fjump}.
33659 Closes the in-process agent. This command is sent when @value{GDBN} or GDBserver
33660 is about to kill inferiors.
33668 @item probe_marker_at:@var{address}
33669 Asks in-process agent to probe the marker at @var{address}.
33676 @item unprobe_marker_at:@var{address}
33677 Asks in-process agent to unprobe the marker at @var{address}.
33681 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
33682 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
33683 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
33685 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
33687 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
33688 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
33689 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
33690 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
33692 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
33693 information that enables us to fix the bug.
33696 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
33697 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
33701 @section Have You Found a Bug?
33702 @cindex bug criteria
33704 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
33707 @cindex fatal signal
33708 @cindex debugger crash
33709 @cindex crash of debugger
33711 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
33712 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
33714 @cindex error on valid input
33716 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
33717 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
33718 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
33720 @cindex invalid input
33722 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
33723 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
33724 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
33725 for traditional practice''.
33728 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
33729 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
33732 @node Bug Reporting
33733 @section How to Report Bugs
33734 @cindex bug reports
33735 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
33737 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
33738 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
33739 contact that organization first.
33741 You can find contact information for many support companies and
33742 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
33744 @c should add a web page ref...
33747 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
33748 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
33749 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
33750 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
33751 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
33754 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
33755 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
33756 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
33759 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
33760 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
33761 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
33762 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
33763 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
33764 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
33765 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
33766 bug reports to the mailing list.
33768 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
33769 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
33770 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
33774 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
33775 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
33776 fact or leave it out, state it!
33778 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
33779 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
33780 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
33781 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
33782 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
33783 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
33784 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
33785 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
33786 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
33788 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
33789 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
33790 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
33793 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
33794 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
33795 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
33798 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
33802 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
33803 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
33806 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
33807 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
33810 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
33814 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
33815 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
33818 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
33819 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
33820 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
33821 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
33825 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
33826 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
33827 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
33828 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
33830 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
33831 and then we might not encounter the bug.
33834 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
33838 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
33839 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
33841 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
33842 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
33843 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
33844 a chance to make a mistake.
33846 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
33847 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
33848 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
33849 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
33850 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
33851 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
33852 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
33853 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
33856 @cindex recording a session script
33857 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
33858 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
33859 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
33860 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
33862 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
33863 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
33866 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
33867 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
33868 it by context, not by line number.
33870 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
33871 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
33875 Here are some things that are not necessary:
33879 A description of the envelope of the bug.
33881 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
33882 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
33883 changes will not affect it.
33885 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
33886 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
33887 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
33888 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
33890 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
33891 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
33892 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
33893 less time, and so on.
33895 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
33896 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
33899 A patch for the bug.
33901 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
33902 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
33903 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
33904 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
33906 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
33907 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
33908 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
33909 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
33911 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
33912 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
33913 help us to understand.
33916 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
33918 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
33919 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
33922 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
33923 @c and consists of the two following files:
33926 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
33927 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
33928 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
33929 @include rluser.texi
33930 @include hsuser.texi
33934 @appendix In Memoriam
33936 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
33941 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
33942 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
33943 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
33945 @item Michael Snyder
33946 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
33947 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
33948 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
33949 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
33952 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
33953 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
33955 @node Formatting Documentation
33956 @appendix Formatting Documentation
33958 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
33959 @cindex reference card
33960 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
33961 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
33962 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
33963 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
33964 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
33965 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
33967 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
33968 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
33974 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
33975 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
33976 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
33977 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
33978 your @sc{dvi} output program.
33980 @cindex documentation
33982 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
33983 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
33984 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
33985 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
33986 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
33987 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
33989 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
33990 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
33991 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
33992 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
33993 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
33994 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
33995 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
33996 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
33998 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
33999 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
34002 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
34003 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
34004 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
34011 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
34012 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
34013 Texinfo definitions file.
34015 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
34016 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
34017 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
34018 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
34019 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
34020 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
34021 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
34023 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
34024 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
34025 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
34026 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
34027 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
34030 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
34031 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
34032 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
34033 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
34039 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
34041 @node Installing GDB
34042 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
34043 @cindex installation
34046 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
34047 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
34048 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
34049 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
34050 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
34051 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
34055 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
34056 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
34058 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
34059 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
34061 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
34063 @item ISO C90 compiler
34064 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
34065 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
34069 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
34073 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
34074 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
34075 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
34076 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
34077 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
34078 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
34084 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
34086 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
34088 Remote shared library lists (@xref{Library List Format},
34089 or alternatively @pxref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets})
34091 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
34093 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
34097 @cindex compressed debug sections
34098 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
34099 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
34100 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
34101 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
34102 information in such binaries.
34104 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
34105 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
34106 @url{http://zlib.net}.
34109 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
34110 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
34111 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
34112 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
34114 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
34115 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
34116 This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
34117 directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
34119 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
34120 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
34121 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
34123 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
34124 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
34125 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
34126 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
34127 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
34128 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
34129 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
34130 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
34133 @node Running Configure
34134 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
34135 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
34136 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
34137 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
34138 build the @code{gdb} program.
34140 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
34141 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
34142 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
34143 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
34146 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
34147 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
34148 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
34150 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
34151 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
34154 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
34155 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
34157 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
34158 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
34160 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
34161 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
34163 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
34164 @sc{gnu} include files
34166 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
34167 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
34169 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
34170 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
34172 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
34173 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
34175 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
34176 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
34178 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
34179 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
34182 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
34183 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
34184 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
34186 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
34187 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
34188 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
34194 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
34195 ./configure @var{host}
34200 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
34201 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
34202 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
34203 correct value by examining your system.)
34205 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
34206 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
34207 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
34208 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
34211 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
34212 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
34213 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
34216 sh configure @var{host}
34219 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
34220 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
34221 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
34223 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
34224 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
34226 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
34227 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
34228 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
34229 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
34230 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
34231 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
34232 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
34233 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
34234 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
34236 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
34237 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
34238 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
34239 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
34240 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
34242 @node Separate Objdir
34243 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
34245 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
34246 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
34247 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
34248 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
34249 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
34250 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
34251 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
34252 program specified there.
34254 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
34255 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
34256 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
34257 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
34258 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
34259 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
34261 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
34262 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
34266 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
34269 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
34274 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
34275 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
34276 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
34277 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
34278 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
34279 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
34281 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
34282 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
34283 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
34284 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
34285 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
34287 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
34288 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
34289 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
34290 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
34291 You specify a cross-debugging target by
34292 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
34294 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
34295 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
34296 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
34298 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
34299 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
34300 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
34301 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
34302 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
34304 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
34305 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
34306 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
34310 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
34312 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
34313 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
34314 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
34315 of information in the following pattern:
34318 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
34321 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
34322 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
34323 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
34325 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
34326 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
34327 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
34328 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
34329 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
34330 abbreviations---for example:
34333 % sh config.sub i386-linux
34335 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
34336 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
34337 % sh config.sub hp9k700
34339 % sh config.sub sun4
34340 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
34341 % sh config.sub sun3
34342 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
34343 % sh config.sub i986v
34344 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
34348 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
34349 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
34351 @node Configure Options
34352 @section @file{configure} Options
34354 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
34355 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
34356 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
34357 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
34360 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
34361 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
34362 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
34363 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
34364 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
34365 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
34370 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
34371 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
34376 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
34378 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
34379 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
34382 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
34383 Configure the source to install programs under directory
34386 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
34388 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
34389 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
34390 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
34391 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
34392 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
34393 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
34394 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
34395 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
34396 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
34397 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
34400 @item --norecursion
34401 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
34402 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
34404 @item --target=@var{target}
34405 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
34406 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
34407 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
34409 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
34411 @item @var{host} @dots{}
34412 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
34414 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
34417 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
34418 needed for special purposes only.
34420 @node System-wide configuration
34421 @section System-wide configuration and settings
34422 @cindex system-wide init file
34424 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
34425 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
34426 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
34428 Here is the corresponding configure option:
34431 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
34432 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
34436 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
34437 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
34441 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
34442 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
34443 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
34444 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
34445 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
34446 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
34449 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
34450 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
34451 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
34452 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
34453 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
34456 @node Maintenance Commands
34457 @appendix Maintenance Commands
34458 @cindex maintenance commands
34459 @cindex internal commands
34461 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
34462 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
34463 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
34464 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
34465 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
34468 @kindex maint agent
34469 @kindex maint agent-eval
34470 @item maint agent @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
34471 @itemx maint agent-eval @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
34472 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
34473 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
34474 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
34475 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
34476 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
34477 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
34478 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
34479 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
34480 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
34481 addition and return the sum.
34482 If @code{-at} is given, generate remote agent bytecode for @var{location}.
34483 If not, generate remote agent bytecode for current frame PC address.
34485 @kindex maint agent-printf
34486 @item maint agent-printf @var{format},@var{expr},...
34487 Translate the given format string and list of argument expressions
34488 into remote agent bytecodes and display them as a disassembled list.
34489 This command is useful for debugging the agent version of dynamic
34490 printf (@pxref{Dynamic Printf}.
34492 @kindex maint info breakpoints
34493 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
34494 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
34495 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
34496 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
34497 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
34502 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
34505 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
34508 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
34509 @code{longjmp} calls.
34511 @item longjmp resume
34512 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
34515 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
34518 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
34521 Shared library events.
34525 @kindex maint info bfds
34526 @item maint info bfds
34527 This prints information about each @code{bfd} object that is known to
34528 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Top, , BFD, bfd, The Binary File Descriptor Library}.
34530 @kindex set displaced-stepping
34531 @kindex show displaced-stepping
34532 @cindex displaced stepping support
34533 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
34534 @item set displaced-stepping
34535 @itemx show displaced-stepping
34536 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
34537 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
34538 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
34539 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
34540 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
34543 @item set displaced-stepping on
34544 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
34545 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
34547 @item set displaced-stepping off
34548 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
34549 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
34551 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
34552 @item set displaced-stepping auto
34553 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
34554 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
34555 architecture supports displaced stepping.
34558 @kindex maint check-symtabs
34559 @item maint check-symtabs
34560 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
34562 @kindex maint cplus first_component
34563 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
34564 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
34566 @kindex maint cplus namespace
34567 @item maint cplus namespace
34568 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
34570 @kindex maint demangle
34571 @item maint demangle @var{name}
34572 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
34574 @kindex maint deprecate
34575 @kindex maint undeprecate
34576 @cindex deprecated commands
34577 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
34578 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
34579 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
34580 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
34581 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
34582 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
34583 the replacement as part of the warning.
34585 @kindex maint dump-me
34586 @item maint dump-me
34587 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
34588 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
34589 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
34590 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
34592 @kindex maint internal-error
34593 @kindex maint internal-warning
34594 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
34595 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
34596 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
34597 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
34598 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
34599 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
34600 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
34601 @value{GDBN} session.
34603 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
34604 used as the text of the error or warning message.
34606 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
34609 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
34610 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
34611 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
34612 debugging may prove unreliable.
34613 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
34614 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
34618 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
34619 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
34621 @kindex maint set internal-error
34622 @kindex maint show internal-error
34623 @kindex maint set internal-warning
34624 @kindex maint show internal-warning
34625 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
34626 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
34627 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
34628 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
34629 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
34630 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
34631 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
34632 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
34633 described in the table below.
34637 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
34638 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
34641 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
34642 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
34645 @kindex maint packet
34646 @item maint packet @var{text}
34647 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
34648 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
34649 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
34650 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
34653 @kindex maint print architecture
34654 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34655 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
34656 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
34658 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
34659 @item maint print c-tdesc
34660 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
34661 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
34662 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
34664 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
34665 @item maint print dummy-frames
34666 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
34669 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
34671 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
34672 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
34674 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
34676 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
34677 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
34678 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
34679 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
34683 Takes an optional file parameter.
34685 @kindex maint print registers
34686 @kindex maint print raw-registers
34687 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
34688 @kindex maint print register-groups
34689 @kindex maint print remote-registers
34690 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34691 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34692 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34693 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34694 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34695 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
34697 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
34698 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
34699 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
34700 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
34701 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
34702 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
34703 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
34704 and offsets in the `G' packets. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
34705 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
34707 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
34708 write the information.
34710 @kindex maint print reggroups
34711 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34712 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
34713 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
34716 The register groups info looks like this:
34719 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
34732 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
34734 @kindex maint print objfiles
34735 @cindex info for known object files
34736 @item maint print objfiles
34737 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
34738 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
34741 @kindex maint print section-scripts
34742 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
34743 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
34744 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
34745 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
34746 matching @var{regexp}.
34747 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
34748 and the full path if known.
34749 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}.
34751 @kindex maint print statistics
34752 @cindex bcache statistics
34753 @item maint print statistics
34754 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
34755 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
34756 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
34757 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
34758 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
34759 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
34760 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
34761 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
34762 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
34763 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
34766 @kindex maint print target-stack
34767 @cindex target stack description
34768 @item maint print target-stack
34769 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
34770 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
34771 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
34772 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
34773 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
34776 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
34777 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
34779 @kindex maint print type
34780 @cindex type chain of a data type
34781 @item maint print type @var{expr}
34782 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
34783 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
34784 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
34785 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
34786 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
34788 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
34789 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
34790 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
34791 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
34792 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
34795 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
34796 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
34797 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
34798 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
34799 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
34800 always see the disassembly form.
34802 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
34805 (gdb) info addr argc
34806 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
34810 For more information on these expressions, see
34811 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
34813 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
34814 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
34815 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
34816 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
34817 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
34819 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
34820 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
34821 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
34822 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
34823 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
34824 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
34825 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
34826 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
34827 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
34829 @kindex maint set profile
34830 @kindex maint show profile
34831 @cindex profiling GDB
34832 @item maint set profile
34833 @itemx maint show profile
34834 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
34836 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
34837 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
34838 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
34839 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
34840 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
34841 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
34842 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
34844 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
34845 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
34847 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
34848 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
34849 @cindex hardware debug registers
34850 @item maint set show-debug-regs
34851 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
34852 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
34853 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
34854 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
34855 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
34856 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
34858 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
34859 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
34860 @item maint set show-all-tib
34861 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
34862 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
34863 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
34866 @kindex maint space
34867 @cindex memory used by commands
34869 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
34870 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
34871 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
34872 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
34873 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
34876 @cindex time of command execution
34878 Control whether to display the execution time of @value{GDBN} for each command.
34879 If set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
34880 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
34881 Both CPU time and wallclock time are printed.
34882 Printing both is useful when trying to determine whether the cost is
34883 CPU or, e.g., disk/network, latency.
34884 Note that the CPU time printed is for @value{GDBN} only, it does not include
34885 the execution time of the inferior because there's no mechanism currently
34886 to compute how much time was spent by @value{GDBN} and how much time was
34887 spent by the program been debugged.
34888 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
34889 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
34891 @kindex maint translate-address
34892 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
34893 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
34894 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
34895 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
34896 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
34897 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
34898 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
34900 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
34901 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
34902 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
34906 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
34907 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
34910 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
34911 @kindex set watchdog
34912 @cindex watchdog timer
34913 @cindex timeout for commands
34914 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
34915 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
34916 reports and error and the command is aborted.
34918 @item show watchdog
34919 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
34922 @node Remote Protocol
34923 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
34928 * Stop Reply Packets::
34929 * General Query Packets::
34930 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
34931 * Tracepoint Packets::
34932 * Host I/O Packets::
34934 * Notification Packets::
34935 * Remote Non-Stop::
34936 * Packet Acknowledgment::
34938 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
34939 * Library List Format::
34940 * Library List Format for SVR4 Targets::
34941 * Memory Map Format::
34942 * Thread List Format::
34943 * Traceframe Info Format::
34949 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
34950 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
34951 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
34952 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
34954 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
34955 transmitted and received data, respectively.
34957 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
34958 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
34959 @cindex remote serial protocol
34960 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
34961 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
34962 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
34963 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
34964 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
34967 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
34971 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
34973 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
34974 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
34975 eight bit unsigned checksum).
34977 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
34978 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
34981 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
34984 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
34986 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
34987 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
34988 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
34990 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
34991 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
34992 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
34996 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
35001 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
35002 once a connection is established.
35003 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
35005 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
35006 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
35007 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
35008 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
35009 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
35010 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
35011 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
35013 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
35014 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
35017 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
35018 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
35019 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
35020 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
35022 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
35023 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
35024 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
35026 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
35027 @anchor{Binary Data}
35028 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
35029 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
35030 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
35031 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
35032 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
35035 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
35036 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
35037 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
35038 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
35039 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
35040 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
35041 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
35042 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
35043 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
35046 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
35047 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
35048 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
35049 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
35050 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
35051 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
35052 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
35053 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
35054 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
35055 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
35056 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
35059 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
35060 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
35061 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
35062 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
35065 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
35066 error number. That number is not well defined.
35068 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
35069 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
35070 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
35071 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
35074 At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
35075 commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
35076 for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
35077 can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
35078 (step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
35079 support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
35084 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
35085 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
35086 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
35087 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
35089 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
35090 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
35091 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
35092 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
35093 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
35094 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
35095 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
35096 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
35097 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
35100 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
35101 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
35102 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
35103 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
35104 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
35105 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
35108 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
35109 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
35110 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
35111 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
35112 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
35113 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
35114 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
35115 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
35116 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
35117 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
35118 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
35119 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
35120 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
35122 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
35123 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
35124 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
35127 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
35128 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
35130 Here are the packet descriptions.
35135 @cindex @samp{!} packet
35136 @anchor{extended mode}
35137 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
35138 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
35144 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
35148 @cindex @samp{?} packet
35149 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
35150 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
35151 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
35154 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35156 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
35157 @cindex @samp{A} packet
35158 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
35159 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
35160 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
35165 The arguments were set.
35171 @cindex @samp{b} packet
35172 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
35173 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
35175 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
35176 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
35177 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
35179 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
35180 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
35181 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
35182 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
35183 of view, nothing actually happened.}
35185 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
35186 @cindex @samp{B} packet
35187 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
35188 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
35190 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
35191 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
35193 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
35196 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
35197 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
35200 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35202 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
35205 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
35206 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
35209 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35211 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
35212 @cindex @samp{c} packet
35213 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
35214 resume at current address.
35216 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
35220 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35222 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
35223 @cindex @samp{C} packet
35224 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
35225 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
35227 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
35231 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35234 @cindex @samp{d} packet
35237 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
35238 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
35242 @cindex @samp{D} packet
35243 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
35244 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
35245 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
35247 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
35248 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
35249 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
35250 big-endian hex string.
35260 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
35261 @cindex @samp{F} packet
35262 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
35263 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
35264 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
35267 @anchor{read registers packet}
35268 @cindex @samp{g} packet
35269 Read general registers.
35273 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
35274 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
35275 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
35276 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
35277 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
35278 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
35279 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
35281 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
35282 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
35283 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
35284 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
35285 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
35286 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
35287 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
35288 have been collected, and both have zero value:
35292 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
35299 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
35300 @cindex @samp{G} packet
35301 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
35302 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
35312 @item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
35313 @cindex @samp{H} packet
35314 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
35315 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{op} depends on the operation to be performed:
35316 it should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
35317 is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
35318 option), @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
35319 @var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
35320 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
35331 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
35332 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
35333 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
35334 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
35335 @c described. For example:
35337 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
35338 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
35339 @c otherwise returns current registers.
35341 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
35342 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
35343 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
35345 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
35346 @anchor{cycle step packet}
35347 @cindex @samp{i} packet
35348 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
35349 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
35350 step starting at that address.
35353 @cindex @samp{I} packet
35354 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
35358 @cindex @samp{k} packet
35361 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
35362 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
35365 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
35366 @cindex @samp{m} packet
35367 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
35368 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
35370 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
35371 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
35372 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
35373 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
35374 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
35375 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
35376 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
35377 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
35381 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
35382 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
35383 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
35384 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
35389 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
35390 @cindex @samp{M} packet
35391 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
35392 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
35393 hexadecimal number.
35400 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
35405 @cindex @samp{p} packet
35406 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
35407 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
35408 register value is encoded.
35412 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
35413 the register's value
35417 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
35420 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
35421 @anchor{write register packet}
35422 @cindex @samp{P} packet
35423 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
35424 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
35425 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
35435 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
35436 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
35437 @cindex @samp{q} packet
35438 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
35439 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
35440 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
35443 @cindex @samp{r} packet
35444 Reset the entire system.
35446 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
35449 @cindex @samp{R} packet
35450 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
35451 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
35453 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
35455 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
35456 @cindex @samp{s} packet
35457 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
35458 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
35460 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
35464 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35466 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
35467 @anchor{step with signal packet}
35468 @cindex @samp{S} packet
35469 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
35470 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
35472 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
35476 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35478 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
35479 @cindex @samp{t} packet
35480 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
35481 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
35482 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
35484 @item T @var{thread-id}
35485 @cindex @samp{T} packet
35486 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
35491 thread is still alive
35497 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
35498 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
35500 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
35501 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
35502 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
35503 The process ID is a
35504 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
35505 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
35506 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
35508 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
35509 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
35510 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
35511 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
35512 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
35513 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
35514 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
35515 @c stopping or restarting threads.
35517 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
35523 @item @r{Any stop packet}
35524 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
35526 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
35529 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
35530 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
35531 @anchor{vCont packet}
35532 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
35533 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
35534 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
35535 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
35536 in their current state in non-stop mode.
35537 Specifying multiple
35538 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
35539 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
35541 Currently supported actions are:
35547 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
35551 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
35556 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
35557 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
35558 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
35560 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
35561 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
35562 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
35563 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
35564 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
35565 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
35566 as an implementation detail.
35568 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
35569 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
35570 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
35571 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
35575 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35578 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
35579 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
35583 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
35584 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
35585 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
35587 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
35590 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
35591 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
35592 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
35593 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
35595 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
35596 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
35597 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
35598 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
35599 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
35600 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
35601 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
35602 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
35603 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
35604 packet is received.
35614 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
35615 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
35616 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
35617 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
35618 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
35619 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
35620 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
35621 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
35622 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
35623 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
35624 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
35625 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
35633 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
35639 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
35640 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
35641 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
35642 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
35643 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
35644 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
35645 request is completed.
35647 @item vKill;@var{pid}
35648 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
35649 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
35650 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
35651 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
35652 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
35662 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
35663 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
35664 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
35665 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
35666 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
35667 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
35670 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
35672 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
35678 @item @r{Any stop packet}
35679 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
35683 @anchor{vStopped packet}
35684 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
35686 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
35687 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
35691 @item @r{Any stop packet}
35692 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
35694 if there are no unreported stop events
35697 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
35699 @cindex @samp{X} packet
35700 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
35701 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
35702 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
35712 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
35713 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
35714 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
35715 @cindex @samp{z} packet
35716 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
35717 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
35718 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
35720 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
35723 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
35724 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
35725 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
35726 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
35727 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
35728 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
35730 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35731 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
35732 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
35733 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
35734 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
35735 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
35737 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
35738 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
35739 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
35740 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
35741 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
35742 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
35743 @var{cond_list} is an optional list of conditional expressions in bytecode
35744 form that should be evaluated on the target's side. These are the
35745 conditions that should be taken into consideration when deciding if
35746 the breakpoint trigger should be reported back to @var{GDBN}.
35748 The @var{cond_list} parameter is comprised of a series of expressions,
35749 concatenated without separators. Each expression has the following form:
35753 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
35754 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
35755 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
35759 The optional @var{cmd_list} parameter introduces commands that may be
35760 run on the target, rather than being reported back to @value{GDBN}.
35761 The parameter starts with a numeric flag @var{persist}; if the flag is
35762 nonzero, then the breakpoint may remain active and the commands
35763 continue to be run even when @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target.
35764 Following this flag is a series of expressions concatenated with no
35765 separators. Each expression has the following form:
35769 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
35770 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
35771 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
35775 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
35777 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
35778 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
35779 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
35780 target, is not defined.}
35792 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35793 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}
35794 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
35795 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
35796 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
35797 address @var{addr}.
35799 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
35800 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
35801 and @var{cond_list} have the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
35803 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
35816 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35817 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35818 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
35819 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
35820 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
35821 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
35833 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35834 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35835 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
35836 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
35837 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
35838 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
35850 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35851 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35852 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
35853 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
35854 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
35855 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
35869 @node Stop Reply Packets
35870 @section Stop Reply Packets
35871 @cindex stop reply packets
35873 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
35874 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
35875 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
35876 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
35877 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
35878 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
35879 @value{GDBN} source code.
35881 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
35882 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
35883 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
35889 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
35890 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
35891 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
35893 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
35894 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
35895 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
35896 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
35897 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
35898 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
35899 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
35900 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
35904 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
35905 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
35906 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
35907 two-digit hex number.
35910 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
35911 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
35914 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
35915 the core on which the stop event was detected.
35918 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
35919 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
35920 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
35921 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
35924 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
35925 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
35929 The currently defined stop reasons are:
35935 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
35938 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
35940 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
35941 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
35942 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
35944 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
35946 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
35947 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
35948 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
35949 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
35950 for more information.
35954 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
35955 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
35956 applicable to certain targets.
35958 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
35959 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
35960 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
35961 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
35964 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
35965 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
35967 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
35968 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
35969 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
35970 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
35972 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
35973 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
35974 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
35975 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
35976 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
35978 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
35979 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
35980 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
35981 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
35982 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
35985 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
35986 this very system call.
35988 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
35989 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
35990 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
35991 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
35992 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
35993 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
35997 @node General Query Packets
35998 @section General Query Packets
35999 @cindex remote query requests
36001 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
36002 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
36003 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
36004 sending information to and from the stub.
36006 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
36007 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
36008 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
36009 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
36014 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
36016 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
36019 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
36020 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
36021 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
36022 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
36025 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
36026 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
36027 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
36028 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
36029 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
36030 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
36031 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
36032 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
36033 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
36034 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
36037 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
36038 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
36039 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
36040 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
36041 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
36043 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
36049 Turn on or off the agent as a helper to perform some debugging operations
36050 delegated from @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Control Agent}).
36052 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
36053 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
36054 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
36055 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
36056 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
36057 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
36058 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
36059 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
36060 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
36061 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
36062 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
36065 @cindex current thread, remote request
36066 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
36067 Return the current thread ID.
36071 @item QC @var{thread-id}
36072 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
36073 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
36074 @item @r{(anything else)}
36075 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
36078 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
36079 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
36080 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
36081 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
36082 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
36083 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
36084 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
36086 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
36087 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
36088 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
36089 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
36090 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
36091 detect trailing zeros.
36096 An error (such as memory fault)
36097 @item C @var{crc32}
36098 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
36101 @item QDisableRandomization:@var{value}
36102 @cindex disable address space randomization, remote request
36103 @cindex @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet
36104 Some target operating systems will randomize the virtual address space
36105 of the inferior process as a security feature, but provide a feature
36106 to disable such randomization, e.g.@: to allow for a more deterministic
36107 debugging experience. On such systems, this packet with a @var{value}
36108 of 1 directs the target to disable address space randomization for
36109 processes subsequently started via @samp{vRun} packets, while a packet
36110 with a @var{value} of 0 tells the target to enable address space
36113 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
36118 The request succeeded.
36121 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36124 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QDisableRandomization} is not supported
36128 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36129 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36130 This should only be done on targets that actually support disabling
36131 address space randomization.
36134 @itemx qsThreadInfo
36135 @cindex list active threads, remote request
36136 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
36137 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
36138 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
36139 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
36140 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
36141 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
36142 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
36143 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
36145 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
36149 @item m @var{thread-id}
36151 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
36152 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
36154 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
36157 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
36158 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
36159 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
36160 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
36161 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
36162 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
36165 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
36166 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
36167 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
36168 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
36169 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
36171 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
36172 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
36174 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
36175 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
36176 information associated with the variable.)
36178 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
36179 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
36180 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
36181 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
36182 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
36183 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
36187 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
36188 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
36189 local storage requested.
36192 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36195 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
36198 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
36199 @cindex get thread information block address
36200 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
36201 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
36203 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
36207 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
36208 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
36209 thread information block.
36212 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
36213 address could not be retrieved.
36216 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
36219 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
36220 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
36221 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
36222 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
36223 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
36224 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
36225 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
36227 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
36231 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
36232 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
36233 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
36234 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
36235 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
36236 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
36237 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
36241 @cindex section offsets, remote request
36242 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
36243 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
36248 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
36249 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
36250 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
36251 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
36252 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
36253 segments by the supplied offsets.
36255 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
36256 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
36257 to the @code{Bss} section.}
36259 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
36260 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
36261 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
36262 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
36263 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
36264 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
36265 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
36266 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
36267 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
36270 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
36271 @cindex thread information, remote request
36272 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
36273 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
36274 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
36275 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
36277 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
36280 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
36284 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
36285 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
36287 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
36288 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
36293 The request succeeded.
36296 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36299 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
36303 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36304 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36305 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
36306 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
36308 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
36309 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
36310 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
36311 @anchor{QPassSignals}
36312 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
36313 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
36314 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
36315 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
36316 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
36317 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
36318 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
36319 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
36320 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
36325 The request succeeded.
36328 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36331 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
36335 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
36336 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
36337 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36338 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36340 @item QProgramSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
36341 @cindex signals the inferior may see, remote request
36342 @cindex @samp{QProgramSignals} packet
36343 @anchor{QProgramSignals}
36344 Each listed @var{signal} may be delivered to the inferior process.
36345 Others should be silently discarded.
36347 In some cases, the remote stub may need to decide whether to deliver a
36348 signal to the program or not without @value{GDBN} involvement. One
36349 example of that is while detaching --- the program's threads may have
36350 stopped for signals that haven't yet had a chance of being reported to
36351 @value{GDBN}, and so the remote stub can use the signal list specified
36352 by this packet to know whether to deliver or ignore those pending
36355 This does not influence whether to deliver a signal as requested by a
36356 resumption packet (@pxref{vCont packet}).
36358 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
36359 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
36360 strictly greater than the previous item. Multiple
36361 @samp{QProgramSignals} packets do not combine; any earlier
36362 @samp{QProgramSignals} list is completely replaced by the new list.
36367 The request succeeded.
36370 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36373 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QProgramSignals} is not supported
36377 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote program-signals}
36378 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote program-signals}).
36379 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36380 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36382 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
36383 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
36384 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
36385 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
36386 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
36387 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
36388 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
36389 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
36390 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
36395 A command response with no output.
36397 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
36399 Indicate a badly formed request.
36401 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
36404 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
36405 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
36406 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
36409 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
36410 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
36411 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
36412 @anchor{qSearch memory}
36413 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
36414 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
36415 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
36420 The pattern was not found.
36422 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
36424 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
36426 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
36429 @item QStartNoAckMode
36430 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
36431 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
36432 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
36433 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
36438 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
36439 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
36440 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
36441 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
36443 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
36446 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
36447 @cindex supported packets, remote query
36448 @cindex features of the remote protocol
36449 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
36450 @anchor{qSupported}
36451 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
36452 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
36453 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
36454 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
36455 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
36456 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
36457 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
36458 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
36459 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
36460 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
36461 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
36462 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
36463 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
36464 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
36468 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
36469 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
36470 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
36473 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
36474 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
36477 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
36478 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
36482 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
36483 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
36484 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
36485 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
36487 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
36488 need an associated value.
36490 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
36492 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
36493 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
36494 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
36495 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
36498 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
36499 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
36500 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
36501 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
36502 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
36504 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
36509 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
36510 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
36511 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
36512 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
36513 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
36516 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
36517 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
36518 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
36522 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
36523 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
36524 instruction reply packet}).
36527 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
36528 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
36529 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
36530 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
36531 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
36532 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
36533 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
36534 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
36535 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
36536 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
36537 all the features it supports.
36539 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
36540 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
36542 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
36543 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
36544 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
36547 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
36548 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
36549 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
36550 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
36552 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
36553 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
36554 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
36555 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
36556 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
36558 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
36560 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
36561 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
36562 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
36564 @tab Value Required
36568 @item @samp{PacketSize}
36573 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
36578 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
36583 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
36588 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
36593 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
36598 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
36603 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
36608 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
36613 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
36618 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
36623 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
36628 @item @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
36633 @item @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
36638 @item @samp{QNonStop}
36643 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
36648 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
36653 @item @samp{multiprocess}
36658 @item @samp{ConditionalBreakpoints}
36663 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
36668 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
36673 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
36678 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
36683 @item @samp{QAgent}
36688 @item @samp{QAllow}
36693 @item @samp{QDisableRandomization}
36698 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
36703 @item @samp{tracenz}
36708 @item @samp{BreakpointCommands}
36715 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
36718 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
36719 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
36720 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
36721 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
36722 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
36723 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
36724 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
36725 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
36726 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
36727 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
36729 @item qXfer:auxv:read
36730 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
36731 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
36733 @item qXfer:features:read
36734 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
36735 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
36737 @item qXfer:libraries:read
36738 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
36739 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
36741 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read
36742 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
36743 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
36745 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
36746 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
36747 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
36749 @item qXfer:sdata:read
36750 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
36751 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
36753 @item qXfer:spu:read
36754 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
36755 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
36757 @item qXfer:spu:write
36758 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
36759 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
36761 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
36762 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
36763 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
36765 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
36766 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
36767 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
36769 @item qXfer:threads:read
36770 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
36771 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
36773 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
36774 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
36775 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
36777 @item qXfer:uib:read
36778 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
36779 packet (@pxref{qXfer unwind info block}).
36781 @item qXfer:fdpic:read
36782 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
36783 packet (@pxref{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}).
36786 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
36787 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
36790 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
36791 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
36793 @item QStartNoAckMode
36794 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
36795 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
36798 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
36799 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
36800 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
36801 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
36802 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
36803 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
36804 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
36805 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
36806 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
36807 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
36808 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
36810 @item qXfer:osdata:read
36811 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
36812 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
36814 @item ConditionalBreakpoints
36815 The target accepts and implements evaluation of conditional expressions
36816 defined for breakpoints. The target will only report breakpoint triggers
36817 when such conditions are true (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
36819 @item ConditionalTracepoints
36820 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
36821 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
36823 @item ReverseContinue
36824 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
36828 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
36831 @item TracepointSource
36832 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
36833 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
36836 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAgent} packet.
36839 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
36841 @item QDisableRandomization
36842 The remote stub understands the @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet.
36844 @item StaticTracepoint
36845 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
36846 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
36848 @item InstallInTrace
36849 @anchor{install tracepoint in tracing}
36850 The remote stub supports installing tracepoint in tracing.
36852 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
36853 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
36854 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
36855 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
36858 @cindex string tracing, in remote protocol
36859 The remote stub supports the @samp{tracenz} bytecode for collecting strings.
36860 See @ref{Bytecode Descriptions} for details about the bytecode.
36862 @item BreakpointCommands
36863 @cindex breakpoint commands, in remote protocol
36864 The remote stub supports running a breakpoint's command list itself,
36865 rather than reporting the hit to @value{GDBN}.
36870 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
36871 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
36872 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
36873 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
36878 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
36879 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
36880 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
36881 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
36882 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
36886 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
36887 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
36889 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
36890 target has previously requested.
36892 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
36893 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
36899 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
36900 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
36901 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
36902 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
36903 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
36908 @item QTDisconnected
36915 @itemx qTMinFTPILen
36917 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
36919 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
36920 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
36921 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
36922 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
36923 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
36924 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
36925 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
36926 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
36927 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
36928 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
36929 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
36933 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
36934 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
36935 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
36936 the thread's attributes.
36939 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
36940 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
36941 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
36960 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
36962 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36963 @cindex read special object, remote request
36964 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
36965 @anchor{qXfer read}
36966 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
36967 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
36968 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
36969 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
36970 additional details about what data to access.
36972 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
36973 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
36974 formats, listed below.
36977 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
36978 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
36979 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
36980 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
36982 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36983 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36985 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36986 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
36987 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
36988 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
36989 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
36991 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36992 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36994 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36995 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
36996 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
36997 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
36998 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37000 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
37001 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
37002 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
37004 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37005 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37007 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37008 @anchor{qXfer svr4 library list read}
37009 Access the target's list of loaded libraries when the target is an SVR4
37010 platform. @xref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets}. The annex part
37011 of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37013 This packet is optional for better performance on SVR4 targets.
37014 @value{GDBN} uses memory read packets to read the SVR4 library list otherwise.
37016 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37017 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37019 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37020 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
37021 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
37022 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
37023 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37025 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37026 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37028 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37029 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
37031 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
37032 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
37033 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
37036 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37037 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37038 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37040 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37041 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
37042 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
37043 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
37044 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37046 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37047 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37048 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37050 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37051 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
37052 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
37053 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
37054 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
37055 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
37056 in that context to be accessed.
37058 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37059 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37060 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37062 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37063 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
37064 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
37065 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
37066 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37068 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37069 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37071 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37072 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
37074 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
37075 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
37076 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37078 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37079 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37081 @item qXfer:uib:read:@var{pc}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37082 @anchor{qXfer unwind info block}
37084 Return the unwind information block for @var{pc}. This packet is used
37085 on OpenVMS/ia64 to ask the kernel unwind information.
37087 This packet is not probed by default.
37089 @item qXfer:fdpic:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37090 @anchor{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}
37091 Read contents of @code{loadmap}s on the target system. The
37092 annex, either @samp{exec} or @samp{interp}, specifies which @code{loadmap},
37093 executable @code{loadmap} or interpreter @code{loadmap} to read.
37095 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37096 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37098 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37099 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
37100 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
37101 @xref{Operating System Information}.
37108 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
37109 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
37110 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
37111 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
37112 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
37116 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
37117 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
37118 than the @var{length} in the request.
37121 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
37122 There is no more data to be read.
37125 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
37128 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
37129 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
37132 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
37133 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
37136 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
37137 @cindex write data into object, remote request
37138 @anchor{qXfer write}
37139 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
37140 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
37141 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
37142 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
37143 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
37146 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
37147 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
37148 formats, listed below.
37151 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
37152 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
37153 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
37154 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
37155 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
37157 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37158 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37159 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37161 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
37162 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
37163 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
37164 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
37165 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
37166 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
37167 in that context to be accessed.
37169 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37170 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37176 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
37177 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
37180 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
37183 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
37184 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
37187 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
37188 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
37191 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
37192 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
37193 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
37194 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
37195 must respond with an empty packet.
37197 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
37198 @cindex query attached, remote request
37199 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
37200 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
37201 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
37202 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
37203 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
37204 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
37205 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
37207 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
37208 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
37209 the @code{quit} command.
37214 The remote server attached to an existing process.
37216 The remote server created a new process.
37218 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
37223 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
37224 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
37226 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
37227 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
37228 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
37231 * ARM-Specific Protocol Details::
37232 * MIPS-Specific Protocol Details::
37235 @node ARM-Specific Protocol Details
37236 @subsection @acronym{ARM}-specific Protocol Details
37239 * ARM Breakpoint Kinds::
37242 @node ARM Breakpoint Kinds
37243 @subsubsection @acronym{ARM} Breakpoint Kinds
37244 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{ARM}
37246 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
37251 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
37254 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
37257 32-bit @acronym{ARM} mode breakpoint.
37261 @node MIPS-Specific Protocol Details
37262 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}-specific Protocol Details
37265 * MIPS Register packet Format::
37266 * MIPS Breakpoint Kinds::
37269 @node MIPS Register packet Format
37270 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Register Packet Format
37271 @cindex register packet format, @acronym{MIPS}
37273 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
37274 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
37275 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
37276 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
37277 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
37278 most-significant -- least-significant.
37283 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
37284 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
37285 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
37288 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
37289 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
37294 @node MIPS Breakpoint Kinds
37295 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Breakpoint Kinds
37296 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{MIPS}
37298 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
37303 16-bit @acronym{MIPS16} mode breakpoint.
37306 16-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
37309 32-bit standard @acronym{MIPS} mode breakpoint.
37312 32-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
37316 @node Tracepoint Packets
37317 @section Tracepoint Packets
37318 @cindex tracepoint packets
37319 @cindex packets, tracepoint
37321 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
37322 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
37326 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
37327 @cindex @samp{QTDP} packet
37328 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
37329 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
37330 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
37331 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
37332 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
37333 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
37334 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
37335 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
37336 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
37337 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
37338 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
37344 The packet was understood and carried out.
37346 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
37348 The packet was not recognized.
37351 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
37352 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
37353 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
37354 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
37355 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
37356 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
37357 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
37359 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
37360 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
37361 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
37362 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
37363 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
37364 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
37365 tracepoint actions.
37367 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
37368 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
37374 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
37375 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
37376 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
37377 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
37378 not fit in a 32-bit word.
37380 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
37381 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
37382 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
37383 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
37384 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
37385 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
37386 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
37388 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
37389 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
37390 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
37391 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
37392 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
37393 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
37398 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
37399 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
37400 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
37401 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
37402 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
37403 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
37404 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
37405 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
37410 The packet was understood and carried out.
37412 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
37414 The packet was not recognized.
37417 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
37418 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
37419 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
37420 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
37421 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
37422 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
37423 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
37424 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
37426 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
37427 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
37428 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
37429 fit in a single packet.
37430 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
37431 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
37433 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
37434 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
37435 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
37436 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
37438 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
37439 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
37442 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
37443 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
37444 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
37445 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
37446 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
37447 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
37448 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
37451 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
37452 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
37453 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
37454 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
37455 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
37456 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
37457 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
37458 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
37459 mentioned in expressions.
37461 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
37462 @cindex @samp{QTFrame} packet
37463 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
37464 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
37465 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
37467 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
37468 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
37469 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
37470 one of the following forms:
37474 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
37475 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
37476 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
37479 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
37480 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
37484 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
37485 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
37486 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
37487 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
37489 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
37490 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
37491 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
37492 is a hexadecimal number.
37494 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
37495 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
37496 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
37497 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
37500 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
37501 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
37502 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
37505 @cindex @samp{qTMinFTPILen} packet
37506 This packet requests the minimum length of instruction at which a fast
37507 tracepoint (@pxref{Set Tracepoints}) may be placed. For instance, on
37508 the 32-bit x86 architecture, it is possible to use a 4-byte jump, but
37509 it depends on the target system being able to create trampolines in
37510 the first 64K of memory, which might or might not be possible for that
37511 system. So the reply to this packet will be 4 if it is able to
37518 The minimum instruction length is currently unknown.
37520 The minimum instruction length is @var{length}, where @var{length} is greater
37521 or equal to 1. @var{length} is a hexadecimal number. A reply of 1 means
37522 that a fast tracepoint may be placed on any instruction regardless of size.
37524 An error has occurred.
37526 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the stub.
37530 @cindex @samp{QTStart} packet
37531 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
37532 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
37533 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
37534 instruction reply packet}).
37537 @cindex @samp{QTStop} packet
37538 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
37540 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
37542 @cindex @samp{QTEnable} packet
37543 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
37544 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
37545 of data from it will resume.
37547 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
37549 @cindex @samp{QTDisable} packet
37550 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
37551 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
37552 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
37555 @cindex @samp{QTinit} packet
37556 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
37558 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
37559 @cindex @samp{QTro} packet
37560 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
37561 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
37562 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
37564 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
37565 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
37566 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
37567 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
37569 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
37570 @cindex @samp{QTDisconnected} packet
37571 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
37572 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
37573 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
37574 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
37577 @cindex @samp{qTStatus} packet
37578 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
37580 The reply has the form:
37584 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
37585 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
37586 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
37587 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
37591 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
37592 explanations as one of the optional fields:
37597 No trace has been run yet.
37599 @item tstop[:@var{text}]:0
37600 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command. The optional
37601 @var{text} field is a user-supplied string supplied as part of the
37602 stop command (for instance, an explanation of why the trace was
37603 stopped manually). It is hex-encoded.
37606 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
37608 @item tdisconnected:0
37609 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
37611 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
37612 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
37614 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
37615 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
37616 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
37617 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
37618 @var{text} is hex encoded.
37621 The trace stopped for some other reason.
37625 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
37626 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
37627 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
37628 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
37633 @item tframes:@var{n}
37634 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
37636 @item tcreated:@var{n}
37637 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
37638 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
37640 @item tsize:@var{n}
37641 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
37643 @item tfree:@var{n}
37644 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
37646 @item circular:@var{n}
37647 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
37648 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
37649 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
37652 @item disconn:@var{n}
37653 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
37654 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
37655 that the trace run will stop.
37659 @item qTP:@var{tp}:@var{addr}
37660 @cindex tracepoint status, remote request
37661 @cindex @samp{qTP} packet
37662 Ask the stub for the current state of tracepoint number @var{tp} at
37663 address @var{addr}.
37667 @item V@var{hits}:@var{usage}
37668 The tracepoint has been hit @var{hits} times so far during the trace
37669 run, and accounts for @var{usage} in the trace buffer. Note that
37670 @code{while-stepping} steps are not counted as separate hits, but the
37671 steps' space consumption is added into the usage number.
37675 @item qTV:@var{var}
37676 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
37677 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
37678 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
37683 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
37684 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
37685 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
37686 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
37687 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
37688 program is running.
37691 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
37692 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
37697 @cindex @samp{qTfP} packet
37699 @cindex @samp{qTsP} packet
37700 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
37701 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
37702 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
37703 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
37704 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
37707 @cindex @samp{qTfV} packet
37709 @cindex @samp{qTsV} packet
37710 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
37711 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
37712 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
37713 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
37714 trace state variables.
37720 @cindex @samp{qTfSTM} packet
37721 @cindex @samp{qTsSTM} packet
37722 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
37723 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
37724 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
37725 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
37729 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
37731 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
37732 a comma-separated list of markers
37734 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
37736 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
37738 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
37742 @var{address} is encoded in hex.
37743 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
37745 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
37746 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
37747 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
37748 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
37751 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
37753 @cindex @samp{qTSTMat} packet
37754 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
37755 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
37756 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
37757 tracepoint markers.
37759 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
37760 @cindex @samp{QTSave} packet
37761 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
37762 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
37763 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
37764 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
37766 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
37767 @cindex @samp{qTBuffer} packet
37768 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
37769 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
37770 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
37771 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
37772 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
37773 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
37776 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
37777 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
37778 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
37780 @item QTNotes:@r{[}@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@r{[};@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@dots{}
37781 @cindex @samp{QTNotes} packet
37782 This packet adds optional textual notes to the trace run. Allowable
37783 types include @code{user}, @code{notes}, and @code{tstop}, the
37784 @var{text} fields are arbitrary strings, hex-encoded.
37788 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
37789 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
37790 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
37791 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
37792 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
37793 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
37794 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
37795 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
37796 it had executed in the original location.
37798 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
37799 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
37800 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
37801 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
37802 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
37803 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
37804 format of the request is:
37807 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
37809 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
37810 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
37811 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
37812 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
37813 memory starting at @var{to}.
37818 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
37819 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
37820 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
37822 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
37823 relocating the instruction.
37826 @node Host I/O Packets
37827 @section Host I/O Packets
37828 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
37829 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
37831 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
37832 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
37833 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
37834 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
37835 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
37836 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
37837 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
37838 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
37839 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
37840 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
37842 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
37843 its arguments. They have this format:
37847 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
37848 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
37849 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
37850 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
37851 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
37852 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
37853 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
37854 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
37855 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
37859 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
37863 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
37864 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
37865 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
37866 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
37867 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
37868 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
37869 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
37870 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
37871 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
37875 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
37879 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
37882 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
37883 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
37884 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
37885 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
37886 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
37887 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
37888 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
37890 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
37891 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
37892 -1 if an error occurs.
37894 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
37895 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
37896 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
37897 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
37898 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
37899 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
37900 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
37901 @var{count} was zero.
37903 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
37904 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
37905 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
37906 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
37907 some characters were escaped.
37909 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
37910 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
37911 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
37912 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
37913 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
37914 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
37915 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
37918 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
37919 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
37920 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
37922 @item vFile:readlink: @var{filename}
37923 Read value of symbolic link @var{filename} on the target. Return
37924 the number of bytes read, or -1 if an error occurs.
37926 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
37927 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
37928 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
37929 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
37930 some characters were escaped.
37935 @section Interrupts
37936 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
37938 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
37939 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
37940 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
37941 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
37943 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
37944 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
37945 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
37946 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
37947 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
37949 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
37950 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
37951 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
37952 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
37953 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
37954 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
37955 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
37956 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
37958 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
37959 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
37960 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
37962 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
37963 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
37964 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
37965 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
37966 currently-executing threads and processes.
37967 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
37968 running program, it should send one of the stop
37969 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
37970 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
37971 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
37972 Interrupts received while the
37973 program is stopped are discarded.
37975 @node Notification Packets
37976 @section Notification Packets
37977 @cindex notification packets
37978 @cindex packets, notification
37980 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
37981 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
37982 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
37983 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
37984 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
37985 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
37988 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
37989 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
37990 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
37991 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
37992 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
37993 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
37994 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
37996 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
37997 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
37999 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
38000 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
38001 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
38002 not they understand it.
38004 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
38005 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
38006 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
38007 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
38010 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
38011 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
38012 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
38013 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
38014 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
38016 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
38020 @item Stop: @var{reply}
38021 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
38022 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
38023 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
38024 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
38028 @node Remote Non-Stop
38029 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
38031 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
38032 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
38033 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
38034 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38036 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
38037 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
38038 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
38039 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
38040 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
38041 probe the target state after a mode change.
38043 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
38044 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
38045 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
38046 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
38047 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
38048 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
38049 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
38050 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
38051 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
38052 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
38053 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
38055 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
38056 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
38057 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
38058 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
38059 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
38060 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
38061 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
38062 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
38063 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
38064 sending any queued stop events.
38066 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
38067 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
38068 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
38069 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
38070 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
38071 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
38072 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
38074 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
38075 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
38076 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
38077 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
38078 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
38081 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
38082 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
38083 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
38084 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
38085 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
38086 should process normally.
38088 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
38089 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
38090 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
38091 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
38092 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
38094 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
38095 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
38096 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
38097 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
38098 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
38099 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
38100 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
38101 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
38102 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
38103 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
38104 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
38107 @node Packet Acknowledgment
38108 @section Packet Acknowledgment
38110 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
38111 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
38112 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
38113 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
38114 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
38115 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
38116 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
38118 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
38119 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
38120 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
38121 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
38122 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
38124 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
38125 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
38126 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
38127 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
38129 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
38130 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
38131 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
38132 @pxref{qSupported}.
38133 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
38134 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
38135 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
38136 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
38137 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
38138 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
38139 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
38141 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
38142 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
38143 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
38145 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
38146 new connection is established,
38147 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
38148 for the current connection, once disabled.
38153 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
38154 does not get any direct output:
38159 @emph{target restarts}
38162 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
38166 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
38169 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
38174 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
38178 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
38182 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
38183 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
38184 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
38187 * File-I/O Overview::
38188 * Protocol Basics::
38189 * The F Request Packet::
38190 * The F Reply Packet::
38191 * The Ctrl-C Message::
38193 * List of Supported Calls::
38194 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
38196 * File-I/O Examples::
38199 @node File-I/O Overview
38200 @subsection File-I/O Overview
38201 @cindex file-i/o overview
38203 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
38204 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
38205 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
38206 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
38207 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
38208 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
38210 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
38211 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
38212 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
38213 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
38214 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
38216 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
38217 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
38218 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
38219 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
38220 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
38221 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
38222 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
38224 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
38225 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
38226 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
38227 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
38228 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
38231 (@value{GDBP}) continue
38232 <- target requests 'system call X'
38233 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
38234 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
38235 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
38236 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
38239 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
38240 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
38241 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
38242 system are not supported by this protocol.
38244 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
38246 @node Protocol Basics
38247 @subsection Protocol Basics
38248 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
38250 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
38251 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
38252 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
38253 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
38254 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
38255 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
38256 to call the appropriate host system call:
38260 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
38263 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
38264 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
38265 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
38266 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
38270 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
38274 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
38275 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
38276 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
38277 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
38281 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
38282 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
38285 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
38288 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
38291 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
38292 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
38293 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
38294 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
38299 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
38300 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
38307 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
38314 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
38315 the latest continue or step action.
38317 @node The F Request Packet
38318 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
38319 @cindex file-i/o request packet
38320 @cindex @code{F} request packet
38322 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
38325 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
38327 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
38328 This is just the name of the function.
38330 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
38331 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
38332 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
38333 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
38334 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
38335 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
38336 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
38342 @node The F Reply Packet
38343 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
38344 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
38345 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
38347 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
38351 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
38353 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
38355 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
38357 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
38359 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
38360 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
38361 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
38368 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
38375 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
38380 @node The Ctrl-C Message
38381 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
38382 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
38384 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
38385 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
38386 the target should behave as if it had
38387 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
38388 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
38389 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
38392 It's important for the target to know in which
38393 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
38397 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
38400 The system call on the host has been finished.
38404 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
38405 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
38406 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
38407 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
38408 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
38409 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
38411 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
38412 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
38413 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
38414 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
38415 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
38416 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
38417 or the full action has been completed.
38420 @subsection Console I/O
38421 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
38423 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
38424 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
38425 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
38426 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
38427 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
38428 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
38433 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
38435 system call is treated as finished.
38438 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
38442 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
38443 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
38447 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
38448 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
38449 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
38450 is stopped at the user's request.
38453 @node List of Supported Calls
38454 @subsection List of Supported Calls
38455 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
38472 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
38473 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
38478 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
38479 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
38483 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
38486 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
38490 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
38491 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
38495 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
38496 an error and open() fails.
38499 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
38500 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
38501 truncated to zero length.
38504 The file is opened in append mode.
38507 The file is opened for reading only.
38510 The file is opened for writing only.
38513 The file is opened for reading and writing.
38517 Other bits are silently ignored.
38521 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
38525 User has read permission.
38528 User has write permission.
38531 Group has read permission.
38534 Group has write permission.
38537 Others have read permission.
38540 Others have write permission.
38544 Other bits are silently ignored.
38547 @item Return value:
38548 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
38555 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
38558 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
38561 The requested access is not allowed.
38564 @var{pathname} was too long.
38567 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
38570 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
38573 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
38574 write access was requested.
38577 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
38580 No space on device to create the file.
38583 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
38586 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
38590 The call was interrupted by the user.
38596 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
38597 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
38606 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
38608 @item Return value:
38609 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
38615 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
38618 The call was interrupted by the user.
38624 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
38625 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
38630 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
38634 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
38636 @item Return value:
38637 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
38638 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
38639 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
38645 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
38649 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38652 The call was interrupted by the user.
38658 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
38659 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
38664 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
38668 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
38670 @item Return value:
38671 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
38672 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
38679 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
38683 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38686 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
38687 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
38690 No space on device to write the data.
38693 The call was interrupted by the user.
38699 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
38700 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
38705 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
38709 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
38711 @var{flag} is one of:
38715 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
38718 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
38722 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
38726 @item Return value:
38727 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
38728 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
38729 value of -1 is returned.
38735 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
38738 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
38741 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
38744 The call was interrupted by the user.
38750 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
38751 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
38756 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
38760 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
38762 @item Return value:
38763 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
38769 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
38773 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
38776 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
38780 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
38784 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
38785 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
38786 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
38789 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
38792 No access to the file or the path of the file.
38796 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
38799 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
38802 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
38805 The device containing the file has no room for the new
38809 The call was interrupted by the user.
38815 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
38816 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
38821 int unlink(const char *pathname);
38825 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
38827 @item Return value:
38828 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
38834 No access to the file or the path of the file.
38837 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
38840 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
38841 being used by another process.
38844 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38847 @var{pathname} was too long.
38850 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
38853 A component of the path is not a directory.
38856 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
38859 The call was interrupted by the user.
38865 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
38866 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
38867 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
38872 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
38873 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
38877 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
38878 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
38880 @item Return value:
38881 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
38887 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
38890 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
38891 path is an empty string.
38894 A component of the path is not a directory.
38897 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38900 No access to the file or the path of the file.
38903 @var{pathname} was too long.
38906 The call was interrupted by the user.
38912 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
38913 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
38918 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
38922 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
38924 @item Return value:
38925 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
38931 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
38934 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38940 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
38941 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
38946 int isatty(int fd);
38950 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
38952 @item Return value:
38953 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
38959 The call was interrupted by the user.
38964 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
38965 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
38966 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
38967 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
38972 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
38973 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
38978 int system(const char *command);
38982 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
38984 @item Return value:
38985 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
38986 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
38987 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
38988 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
38989 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
38990 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
38991 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
38997 The call was interrupted by the user.
39002 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
39003 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
39004 the host is simplified before it's returned
39005 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
39006 is discarded, and the return value consists
39007 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
39009 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
39010 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
39011 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
39014 @item set remote system-call-allowed
39015 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
39016 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
39017 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
39019 @item show remote system-call-allowed
39020 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
39021 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
39025 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
39026 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
39027 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
39030 * Integral Datatypes::
39032 * Memory Transfer::
39037 @node Integral Datatypes
39038 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
39039 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
39041 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
39042 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
39043 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
39045 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
39046 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
39048 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
39050 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
39051 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
39053 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
39055 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
39056 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
39059 @node Pointer Values
39060 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
39061 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
39063 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
39064 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
39065 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
39066 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
39073 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
39074 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
39075 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
39076 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
39082 @node Memory Transfer
39083 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
39084 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
39086 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
39087 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
39088 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
39089 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
39090 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
39091 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
39092 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
39096 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
39097 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
39099 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
39100 is defined as follows:
39104 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
39105 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
39106 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
39107 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
39108 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
39109 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
39110 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
39111 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
39112 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
39113 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
39114 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
39115 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
39116 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
39120 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
39121 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
39122 structure is of size 64 bytes.
39124 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
39130 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
39133 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
39136 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
39137 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
39142 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
39147 These values have a host and file system dependent
39148 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
39149 support exact timing values.
39152 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
39153 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
39156 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
39157 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
39158 get truncated on the target.
39160 @node struct timeval
39161 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
39162 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
39164 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
39165 is defined as follows:
39169 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
39170 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
39174 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
39175 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
39176 structure is of size 8 bytes.
39179 @subsection Constants
39180 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
39182 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
39183 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
39184 values before and after the call as needed.
39195 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
39196 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
39198 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
39210 @node mode_t Values
39211 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
39212 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
39214 All values are given in octal representation.
39231 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
39232 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
39234 All values are given in decimal representation.
39259 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
39260 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
39263 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
39264 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
39273 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
39274 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
39276 All values are given in decimal representation.
39279 INT_MIN -2147483648
39281 UINT_MAX 4294967295
39282 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
39283 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
39284 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
39287 @node File-I/O Examples
39288 @subsection File-I/O Examples
39289 @cindex file-i/o examples
39291 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
39292 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
39295 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
39296 @emph{request memory read from target}
39299 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
39303 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
39304 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
39307 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39308 @emph{request memory write to target}
39309 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
39310 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
39314 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
39315 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
39318 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39322 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
39326 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39331 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
39335 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39336 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
39340 @node Library List Format
39341 @section Library List Format
39342 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
39344 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
39345 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
39346 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
39347 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
39348 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
39349 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
39350 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
39351 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
39352 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
39355 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
39356 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
39357 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
39358 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
39360 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
39361 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
39362 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
39363 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
39364 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
39365 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
39367 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39368 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
39370 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
39371 offset, looks like this:
39375 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
39376 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
39381 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
39382 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
39386 <library name="sharedlib.o">
39387 <section address="0x10000000"/>
39388 <section address="0x20000000"/>
39389 <section address="0x30000000"/>
39394 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
39397 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
39398 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
39399 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
39400 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
39401 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
39402 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
39403 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
39404 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
39405 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
39408 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
39409 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
39410 section for each library.
39412 @node Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
39413 @section Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
39414 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
39416 On SVR4 platforms @value{GDBN} can use the symbol table of a dynamic loader
39417 (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) and normal memory operations to maintain a list of
39418 shared libraries. Still a special library list provided by this packet is
39419 more efficient for the @value{GDBN} remote protocol.
39421 The @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet returns an XML document which lists
39422 loaded libraries and their SVR4 linker parameters. For each library on SVR4
39423 target, the following parameters are reported:
39427 @code{name}, the absolute file name from the @code{l_name} field of
39428 @code{struct link_map}.
39430 @code{lm} with address of @code{struct link_map} used for TLS
39431 (Thread Local Storage) access.
39433 @code{l_addr}, the displacement as read from the field @code{l_addr} of
39434 @code{struct link_map}. For prelinked libraries this is not an absolute
39435 memory address. It is a displacement of absolute memory address against
39436 address the file was prelinked to during the library load.
39438 @code{l_ld}, which is memory address of the @code{PT_DYNAMIC} segment
39441 Additionally the single @code{main-lm} attribute specifies address of
39442 @code{struct link_map} used for the main executable. This parameter is used
39443 for TLS access and its presence is optional.
39445 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39446 SVR4 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
39448 A simple memory map, with two loaded libraries (which do not use prelink),
39452 <library-list-svr4 version="1.0" main-lm="0xe4f8f8">
39453 <library name="/lib/ld-linux.so.2" lm="0xe4f51c" l_addr="0xe2d000"
39455 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6" lm="0xe4fbe8" l_addr="0x154000"
39457 </library-list-svr>
39460 The format of an SVR4 library list is described by this DTD:
39463 <!-- library-list-svr4: Root element with versioning -->
39464 <!ELEMENT library-list-svr4 (library)*>
39465 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
39466 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 main-lm CDATA #IMPLIED>
39467 <!ELEMENT library EMPTY>
39468 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
39469 <!ATTLIST library lm CDATA #REQUIRED>
39470 <!ATTLIST library l_addr CDATA #REQUIRED>
39471 <!ATTLIST library l_ld CDATA #REQUIRED>
39474 @node Memory Map Format
39475 @section Memory Map Format
39476 @cindex memory map format
39478 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
39479 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
39482 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
39483 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
39484 lists memory regions.
39486 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39487 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
39489 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
39492 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39493 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
39494 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
39495 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
39501 Each region can be either:
39506 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
39510 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
39515 A region of read-only memory:
39518 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
39523 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
39527 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
39528 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
39534 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
39535 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
39536 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
39538 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
39541 <!-- ................................................... -->
39542 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
39543 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
39544 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
39545 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
39546 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
39547 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
39548 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
39549 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
39550 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
39551 and its type, or device. -->
39552 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
39553 start CDATA #REQUIRED
39554 length CDATA #REQUIRED
39555 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
39556 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
39557 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
39558 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
39561 @node Thread List Format
39562 @section Thread List Format
39563 @cindex thread list format
39565 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
39566 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
39567 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
39568 the following structure:
39571 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39573 <thread id="id" core="0">
39574 ... description ...
39579 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
39580 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
39581 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
39582 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
39583 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
39585 @node Traceframe Info Format
39586 @section Traceframe Info Format
39587 @cindex traceframe info format
39589 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
39590 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
39591 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
39592 collected in a traceframe.
39594 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
39595 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
39597 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39598 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
39600 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
39603 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39604 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
39605 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
39606 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
39612 Each traceframe block can be either:
39617 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
39618 @var{length} bytes from there:
39621 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
39626 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
39629 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory)* >
39630 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
39632 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
39633 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
39634 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
39637 @include agentexpr.texi
39639 @node Target Descriptions
39640 @appendix Target Descriptions
39641 @cindex target descriptions
39643 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
39644 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
39645 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
39646 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or @acronym{MIPS}, for example ---
39647 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
39648 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
39649 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
39653 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
39654 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
39656 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
39657 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
39658 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
39660 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
39661 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
39662 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
39665 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
39666 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
39667 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
39668 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
39669 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
39671 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39672 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
39675 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
39676 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
39677 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
39679 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
39682 @node Retrieving Descriptions
39683 @section Retrieving Descriptions
39685 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
39686 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
39687 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
39688 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
39689 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
39690 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
39691 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
39694 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
39695 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
39696 specify a file are:
39699 @cindex set tdesc filename
39700 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
39701 Read the target description from @var{path}.
39703 @cindex unset tdesc filename
39704 @item unset tdesc filename
39705 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
39706 will use the description supplied by the current target.
39708 @cindex show tdesc filename
39709 @item show tdesc filename
39710 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
39714 @node Target Description Format
39715 @section Target Description Format
39716 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
39718 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
39719 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
39720 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
39721 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
39722 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
39723 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
39724 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
39726 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
39727 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
39728 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
39729 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
39730 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
39732 Here is a simple target description:
39735 <target version="1.0">
39736 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
39741 This minimal description only says that the target uses
39742 the x86-64 architecture.
39744 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
39745 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
39746 are explained further below.
39749 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39750 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
39751 <target version="1.0">
39752 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
39753 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
39754 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
39755 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
39760 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
39761 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
39762 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
39763 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
39764 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
39765 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
39766 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
39767 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
39768 the version mismatch.
39770 @subsection Inclusion
39771 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
39774 @cindex <xi:include>
39777 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
39778 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
39779 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
39780 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
39781 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
39784 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
39788 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
39789 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
39790 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
39791 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
39792 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
39793 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
39794 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
39795 original description.
39797 @subsection Architecture
39798 @cindex <architecture>
39800 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
39803 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
39806 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
39807 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
39810 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
39812 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
39813 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
39815 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
39818 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
39821 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
39822 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
39824 @subsection Compatible Architecture
39825 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
39827 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
39828 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
39830 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
39833 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
39836 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
39837 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
39839 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
39840 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
39841 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
39842 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
39843 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
39844 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
39845 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
39848 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
39849 <compatible>spu</compatible>
39852 @subsection Features
39855 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
39856 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
39857 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
39861 <feature name="@var{name}">
39862 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
39868 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
39869 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
39870 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
39871 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
39875 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
39876 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
39877 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
39878 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
39879 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
39881 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
39882 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
39883 Types must be defined before they are used.
39886 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
39887 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
39888 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
39892 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
39896 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
39897 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
39898 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
39899 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
39902 <union id="@var{id}">
39903 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
39909 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
39910 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
39911 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
39912 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
39913 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
39914 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
39915 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
39916 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
39919 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
39920 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
39925 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
39926 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
39929 <struct id="@var{id}">
39930 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
39936 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
39937 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
39938 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
39939 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
39943 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
39944 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
39949 @subsection Registers
39952 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
39955 <reg name="@var{name}"
39956 bitsize="@var{size}"
39957 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
39958 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
39959 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
39960 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
39964 The components are as follows:
39969 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
39972 The register's size, in bits.
39975 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
39976 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
39977 a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
39978 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
39979 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
39980 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
39981 in order of increasing register number.
39984 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
39985 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
39986 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
39987 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
39991 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
39992 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
39993 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
39994 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
39995 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
39996 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
39999 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
40000 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
40001 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
40002 in @code{info registers}.
40006 @node Predefined Target Types
40007 @section Predefined Target Types
40008 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
40010 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
40011 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
40012 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
40013 types. The currently supported types are:
40022 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
40029 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
40033 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
40034 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
40035 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
40036 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
40037 may be marked as data pointers.
40040 Single precision IEEE floating point.
40043 Double precision IEEE floating point.
40046 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
40049 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
40052 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
40055 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
40059 @node Standard Target Features
40060 @section Standard Target Features
40061 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
40063 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
40064 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
40065 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
40066 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
40067 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
40068 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
40069 can recognize them.
40071 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
40072 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
40073 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
40074 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
40075 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
40076 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
40077 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
40078 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
40080 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
40081 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
40082 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
40084 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
40085 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
40086 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
40087 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
40089 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
40090 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
40091 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
40098 * PowerPC Features::
40104 @subsection ARM Features
40105 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
40107 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
40109 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
40110 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
40112 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
40113 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
40114 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
40117 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
40118 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
40120 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
40121 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
40122 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
40123 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
40125 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
40126 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
40127 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
40128 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
40129 halves of the double-precision registers.
40131 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
40132 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
40133 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
40134 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
40135 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
40136 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
40138 @node i386 Features
40139 @subsection i386 Features
40140 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
40142 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
40143 targets. It should describe the following registers:
40147 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
40149 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
40151 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
40152 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
40154 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
40156 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
40157 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
40160 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
40162 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
40163 describe registers:
40167 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
40169 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
40174 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
40175 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
40176 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
40180 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
40182 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
40185 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
40186 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
40188 @node MIPS Features
40189 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Features
40190 @cindex target descriptions, @acronym{MIPS} features
40192 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for @acronym{MIPS} targets.
40193 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
40194 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
40197 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
40198 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
40199 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40201 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
40202 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
40203 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
40204 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40206 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.dsp} feature is optional. It should
40207 contain registers @samp{hi1} through @samp{hi3}, @samp{lo1} through
40208 @samp{lo3}, and @samp{dspctl}. The @samp{dspctl} register should
40209 be 32-bit and the rest may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40211 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
40212 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
40213 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
40215 @node M68K Features
40216 @subsection M68K Features
40217 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
40220 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
40221 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
40222 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
40223 One of those features must be always present.
40224 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
40225 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
40226 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
40227 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
40229 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
40230 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
40231 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
40235 @node PowerPC Features
40236 @subsection PowerPC Features
40237 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
40239 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
40240 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
40241 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
40242 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40244 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
40245 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
40247 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
40248 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
40251 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
40252 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
40253 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
40254 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
40255 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
40256 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
40258 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
40259 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
40260 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
40261 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
40262 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
40263 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
40266 @node TIC6x Features
40267 @subsection TMS320C6x Features
40268 @cindex target descriptions, TIC6x features
40269 @cindex target descriptions, TMS320C6x features
40270 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.core} feature is required for TMS320C6x
40271 targets. It should contain registers @samp{A0} through @samp{A15},
40272 registers @samp{B0} through @samp{B15}, @samp{CSR} and @samp{PC}.
40274 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.gp} feature is optional. It should
40275 contain registers @samp{A16} through @samp{A31} and @samp{B16}
40276 through @samp{B31}.
40278 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.c6xp} feature is optional. It should
40279 contain registers @samp{TSR}, @samp{ILC} and @samp{RILC}.
40281 @node Operating System Information
40282 @appendix Operating System Information
40283 @cindex operating system information
40289 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
40290 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
40291 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
40292 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
40293 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
40294 on a different aspect of target.
40296 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
40297 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
40298 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
40299 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
40302 @appendixsection Process list
40303 @cindex operating system information, process list
40305 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
40306 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
40307 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
40308 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
40310 An example document is:
40313 <?xml version="1.0"?>
40314 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
40315 <osdata type="processes">
40317 <column name="pid">1</column>
40318 <column name="user">root</column>
40319 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
40320 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
40325 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
40326 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
40327 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
40328 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
40329 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
40330 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
40331 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
40333 @node Trace File Format
40334 @appendix Trace File Format
40335 @cindex trace file format
40337 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
40338 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
40340 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
40341 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
40342 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
40345 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
40346 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
40347 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
40348 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
40349 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
40352 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
40354 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
40355 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
40356 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
40357 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
40358 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
40359 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
40360 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
40363 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
40366 @item R @var{bytes}
40367 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
40368 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
40369 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
40370 hexadecimal encoding.
40372 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
40373 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
40374 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
40375 @var{length} bytes.
40377 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
40378 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
40379 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
40383 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
40386 @node Index Section Format
40387 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
40388 @cindex .gdb_index section format
40389 @cindex index section format
40391 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
40392 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
40393 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
40396 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
40397 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
40398 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
40399 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
40400 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
40401 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
40403 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
40407 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
40408 unless otherwise noted:
40412 The version number, currently 7. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
40413 Version 4 uses a different hashing function from versions 5 and 6.
40414 Version 6 includes symbols for inlined functions, whereas versions 4
40415 and 5 do not. Version 7 adds attributes to the CU indices in the
40416 symbol table. @value{GDBN} will only read version 4, 5, or 6 indices
40417 by specifying @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
40420 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
40423 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
40424 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
40425 to the next offset.
40428 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
40431 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
40434 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
40438 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
40439 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
40440 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
40441 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
40442 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
40443 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
40444 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
40448 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
40449 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
40450 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
40451 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
40454 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
40455 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
40459 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
40462 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
40463 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
40466 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
40470 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
40471 the hash table is always a power of 2.
40473 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
40474 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
40475 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
40478 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
40479 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
40480 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
40482 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
40483 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
40484 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
40485 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
40490 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
40492 @item Versions 5 to 7
40493 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
40496 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
40498 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
40499 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
40500 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
40501 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
40504 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
40505 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
40506 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
40510 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
40511 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
40514 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
40515 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
40516 Each subsequent value is the index and symbol attributes of a CU in
40517 the CU list. This element in the hash table is used to indicate which
40518 CUs define the symbol and how the symbol is used.
40519 See below for the format of each CU index+attributes entry.
40521 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
40524 Attributes were added to CU index values in @code{.gdb_index} version 7.
40525 If a symbol has multiple uses within a CU then there is one
40526 CU index+attributes value for each use.
40528 The format of each CU index+attributes entry is as follows
40534 This is the index of the CU in the CU list.
40536 These bits are reserved for future purposes and must be zero.
40538 The kind of the symbol in the CU.
40542 This value is reserved and should not be used.
40543 By reserving zero the full @code{offset_type} value is backwards compatible
40544 with previous versions of the index.
40546 The symbol is a type.
40548 The symbol is a variable or an enum value.
40550 The symbol is a function.
40552 Any other kind of symbol.
40554 These values are reserved.
40558 This bit is zero if the value is global and one if it is static.
40560 The determination of whether a symbol is global or static is complicated.
40561 The authorative reference is the file @file{dwarf2read.c} in
40562 @value{GDBN} sources.
40566 This pseudo-code describes the computation of a symbol's kind and
40567 global/static attributes in the index.
40570 is_external = get_attribute (die, DW_AT_external);
40571 language = get_attribute (cu_die, DW_AT_language);
40574 case DW_TAG_typedef:
40575 case DW_TAG_base_type:
40576 case DW_TAG_subrange_type:
40580 case DW_TAG_enumerator:
40582 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
40584 case DW_TAG_subprogram:
40586 is_static = ! (is_external || language == ADA);
40588 case DW_TAG_constant:
40590 is_static = ! is_external;
40592 case DW_TAG_variable:
40594 is_static = ! is_external;
40596 case DW_TAG_namespace:
40600 case DW_TAG_class_type:
40601 case DW_TAG_interface_type:
40602 case DW_TAG_structure_type:
40603 case DW_TAG_union_type:
40604 case DW_TAG_enumeration_type:
40606 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
40615 @node GNU Free Documentation License
40616 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
40619 @node Concept Index
40620 @unnumbered Concept Index
40624 @node Command and Variable Index
40625 @unnumbered Command, Variable, and Function Index
40630 % I think something like @@colophon should be in texinfo. In the
40632 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
40633 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
40634 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
40635 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
40636 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
40637 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
40638 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
40639 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
40640 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
40642 % Blame: doc@@cygnus.com, 1991.