1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,
3 @c 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
4 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
7 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
8 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
25 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
26 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
30 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
33 @c !!set GDB manual's revision date
34 @set DATE December 2001
36 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 3.12 OR LATER.
38 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
39 @c manuals to an info tree.
40 @dircategory Programming & development tools.
42 * Gdb: (gdb). The @sc{gnu} debugger.
46 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
49 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, @value{DATE},
50 of @cite{Debugging with @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger}
51 for @value{GDBN} Version @value{GDBVN}.
53 Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,@*
54 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
56 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
57 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
58 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
59 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
60 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
61 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
63 (a) The Free Software Foundation's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have
64 freedom to copy and modify this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies
65 published by the Free Software Foundation raise funds for GNU
70 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
71 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
73 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
74 @subtitle @value{DATE}
75 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
79 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to bug-gdb\@gnu.org.)\par
80 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
81 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
85 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
86 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995,
87 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
89 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
90 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, @*
91 Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA @*
94 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
95 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
96 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
97 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
98 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
99 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
101 (a) The Free Software Foundation's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have
102 freedom to copy and modify this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies
103 published by the Free Software Foundation raise funds for GNU
109 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
111 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
113 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
115 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, @value{DATE}, for @value{GDBN} Version
118 Copyright (C) 1988-2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
121 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
122 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
124 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
125 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
126 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
127 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
128 * Stack:: Examining the stack
129 * Source:: Examining source files
130 * Data:: Examining data
131 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
132 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
134 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
136 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
137 * Altering:: Altering execution
138 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
139 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
140 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
141 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
142 * Sequences:: Canned sequences of commands
143 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
144 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
145 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
146 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
148 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
149 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
151 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
152 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
153 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
154 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
155 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
161 @c the replication sucks, but this avoids a texinfo 3.12 lameness
166 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
168 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
170 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, @value{DATE}, for @value{GDBN} Version
173 Copyright (C) 1988-2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
176 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
177 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
179 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
180 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
181 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
182 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
183 * Stack:: Examining the stack
184 * Source:: Examining source files
185 * Data:: Examining data
186 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
187 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
189 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
191 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
192 * Altering:: Altering execution
193 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
194 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
195 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
196 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
197 * Sequences:: Canned sequences of commands
198 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
199 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
200 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
201 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
203 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
204 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
206 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
207 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
208 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
209 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
210 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
216 @c TeX can handle the contents at the start but makeinfo 3.12 can not
222 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
224 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
225 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
226 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
228 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
229 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
233 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
236 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
239 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
242 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
243 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
246 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C++.
247 For more information, see @ref{Support,,Supported languages}.
248 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
252 Support for Modula-2 and Chill is partial. For information on Modula-2,
253 see @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}. For information on Chill, see @ref{Chill}.
256 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
257 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
258 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
262 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
263 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
267 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
268 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
272 @unnumberedsec Free software
274 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
275 General Public License
276 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
277 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
278 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
279 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
280 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
281 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
283 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
284 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
287 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
289 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
290 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
291 include with the free software. Many of our most important
292 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
293 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
294 when an important free software package does not come with a free
295 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
298 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
299 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
300 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
301 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
302 them from the free software world.
304 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
305 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
306 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
307 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
308 contract to make it non-free.
310 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
311 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
312 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
313 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
314 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
315 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
316 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
318 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
319 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
320 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
321 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
323 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
324 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
325 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
326 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
327 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
328 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
331 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
332 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
333 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
334 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
335 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
336 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
337 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
338 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
341 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
342 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
343 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
344 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
345 manual to replace it.
347 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
348 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
349 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
350 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
351 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
352 the free software community.
354 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
355 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
356 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
357 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
358 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
359 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
360 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
361 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
362 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
364 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
365 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
366 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
367 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
368 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
369 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
370 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
371 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
373 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
374 published by other publishers, at
375 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
378 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
380 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
381 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
382 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
383 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
384 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
385 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
386 blow-by-blow account.
388 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
391 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
392 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
393 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
396 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
397 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
399 Andrew Cagney (releases 5.0 and 5.1);
400 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
401 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
402 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
403 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
404 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
405 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
406 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
407 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
409 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
410 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
412 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
413 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
414 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
415 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
416 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
418 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
419 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
420 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
422 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
423 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
425 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF2 support.
427 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
428 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
430 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
431 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
432 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
433 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
434 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
435 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
436 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
437 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
438 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
439 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
440 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
441 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
442 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
443 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
444 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
446 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K Linux support.
448 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
451 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
452 about several machine instruction sets.
454 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
455 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
456 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
457 and RDI targets, respectively.
459 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
460 command-line editing and command history.
462 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
463 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
465 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
466 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
469 Hitachi America, Ltd. sponsored the support for H8/300, H8/500, and
472 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
474 Mitsubishi sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D processors.
476 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
478 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
480 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
482 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
485 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
487 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
489 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
490 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
492 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
493 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
494 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
495 compiler, and the terminal user interface: Ben Krepp, Richard Title,
496 John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann, Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve
497 Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase provided HP-specific
498 information in this manual.
500 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
501 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
503 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
504 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
505 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
506 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
507 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
508 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
509 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
510 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
511 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
512 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
513 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
514 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
515 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
516 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
517 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
521 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
523 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
524 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
525 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
528 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
529 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
532 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
533 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
535 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
536 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
537 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
538 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
539 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
540 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
541 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
542 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
543 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
552 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
556 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
558 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
561 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
565 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
568 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
569 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
570 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
571 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
572 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
574 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
577 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
582 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
583 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
584 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
585 that examples fit in this manual.
588 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
592 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
593 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
594 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
595 @code{break} command.
598 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
599 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
603 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
604 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
605 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
608 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
609 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
617 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
618 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
619 context where it stops.
622 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
624 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
626 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
630 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
631 the next line of the current function.
635 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
640 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
641 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
642 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
643 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
647 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
649 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
653 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
654 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
655 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
656 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
657 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
658 stack frame for each active subroutine.
661 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
662 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
664 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
666 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
667 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
669 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
670 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
674 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
675 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
676 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
680 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
682 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
683 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
685 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
688 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
692 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
693 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
694 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
695 (@code{print}) to see their values.
698 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
699 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
700 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
701 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
705 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
706 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
707 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
713 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
715 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
718 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
719 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
726 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
727 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
731 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
734 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
736 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
741 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
742 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
743 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
744 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
745 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
749 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
751 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
756 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
757 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
758 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
759 example that caused trouble initially:
765 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
772 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
773 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
774 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
778 Program exited normally.
782 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
783 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
784 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
787 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
791 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
793 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
797 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
799 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{C-d} to exit.
803 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
804 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
805 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
809 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
811 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
812 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
814 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
815 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
817 The command-line options described here are designed
818 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
819 options may effectively be unavailable.
821 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
822 specifying an executable program:
825 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
829 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
833 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
836 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
837 to debug a running process:
840 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
844 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
845 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
847 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
848 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
849 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
850 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
851 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
853 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
854 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
857 gdb --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
859 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
860 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
862 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
863 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
870 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
871 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
881 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
882 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
884 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
885 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
886 @samp{-x} option is used.
890 * File Options:: Choosing files
891 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
895 @subsection Choosing files
897 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
898 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
899 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
900 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p} options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
901 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
902 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
903 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
904 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
905 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
906 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
907 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
908 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
909 prefixing it with @file{./}, eg. @file{./12345}.
911 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
912 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
913 argument and ignore it.
915 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
916 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
917 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
918 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
919 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
921 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
922 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
926 @item -symbols @var{file}
928 @cindex @code{--symbols}
930 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
932 @item -exec @var{file}
934 @cindex @code{--exec}
936 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
937 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
941 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
944 @item -core @var{file}
946 @cindex @code{--core}
948 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
950 @item -c @var{number}
951 @item -pid @var{number}
952 @itemx -p @var{number}
955 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
956 If there is no such process, @value{GDBN} will attempt to open a core
957 file named @var{number}.
959 @item -command @var{file}
961 @cindex @code{--command}
963 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}. @xref{Command
964 Files,, Command files}.
966 @item -directory @var{directory}
967 @itemx -d @var{directory}
968 @cindex @code{--directory}
970 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
974 @cindex @code{--mapped}
976 @emph{Warning: this option depends on operating system facilities that are not
977 supported on all systems.}@*
978 If memory-mapped files are available on your system through the @code{mmap}
979 system call, you can use this option
980 to have @value{GDBN} write the symbols from your
981 program into a reusable file in the current directory. If the program you are debugging is
982 called @file{/tmp/fred}, the mapped symbol file is @file{/tmp/fred.syms}.
983 Future @value{GDBN} debugging sessions notice the presence of this file,
984 and can quickly map in symbol information from it, rather than reading
985 the symbol table from the executable program.
987 The @file{.syms} file is specific to the host machine where @value{GDBN}
988 is run. It holds an exact image of the internal @value{GDBN} symbol
989 table. It cannot be shared across multiple host platforms.
993 @cindex @code{--readnow}
995 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
996 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
997 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1001 You typically combine the @code{-mapped} and @code{-readnow} options in
1002 order to build a @file{.syms} file that contains complete symbol
1003 information. (@xref{Files,,Commands to specify files}, for information
1004 on @file{.syms} files.) A simple @value{GDBN} invocation to do nothing
1005 but build a @file{.syms} file for future use is:
1008 gdb -batch -nx -mapped -readnow programname
1012 @subsection Choosing modes
1014 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1015 batch mode or quiet mode.
1022 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1023 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1024 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1030 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1031 @cindex @code{--silent}
1033 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1034 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1037 @cindex @code{--batch}
1038 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1039 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1040 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1041 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1042 in the command files.
1044 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1045 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1046 make this more useful, the message
1049 Program exited normally.
1053 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1054 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1059 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1061 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1062 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1063 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1067 @cindex @code{--windows}
1069 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1072 @item -cd @var{directory}
1074 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1075 instead of the current directory.
1079 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1081 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1082 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1083 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1084 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1085 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1086 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1087 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1088 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1092 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1093 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1094 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1095 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1098 @item -annotate @var{level}
1099 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1100 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1101 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1102 (@pxref{Annotations}).
1103 Annotation level controls how much information does @value{GDBN} print
1104 together with its prompt, values of expressions, source lines, and other
1105 types of output. Level 0 is the normal, level 1 is for use when
1106 @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 2 is the
1107 maximum annotation suitable for programs that control @value{GDBN}.
1110 @cindex @code{--async}
1111 Use the asynchronous event loop for the command-line interface.
1112 @value{GDBN} processes all events, such as user keyboard input, via a
1113 special event loop. This allows @value{GDBN} to accept and process user
1114 commands in parallel with the debugged process being
1115 run@footnote{@value{GDBN} built with @sc{djgpp} tools for
1116 MS-DOS/MS-Windows supports this mode of operation, but the event loop is
1117 suspended when the debuggee runs.}, so you don't need to wait for
1118 control to return to @value{GDBN} before you type the next command.
1119 (@emph{Note:} as of version 5.1, the target side of the asynchronous
1120 operation is not yet in place, so @samp{-async} does not work fully
1122 @c FIXME: when the target side of the event loop is done, the above NOTE
1123 @c should be removed.
1125 When the standard input is connected to a terminal device, @value{GDBN}
1126 uses the asynchronous event loop by default, unless disabled by the
1127 @samp{-noasync} option.
1130 @cindex @code{--noasync}
1131 Disable the asynchronous event loop for the command-line interface.
1134 @cindex @code{--args}
1135 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1136 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1137 This option stops option processing.
1139 @item -baud @var{bps}
1141 @cindex @code{--baud}
1143 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1144 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1146 @item -tty @var{device}
1147 @itemx -t @var{device}
1148 @cindex @code{--tty}
1150 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1151 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1153 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1155 @cindex @code{--tui}
1156 Activate the Terminal User Interface when starting.
1157 The Terminal User Interface manages several text windows on the terminal,
1158 showing source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1159 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}).
1160 Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs
1161 (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1164 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1165 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1166 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1167 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1170 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1171 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1172 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1173 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1174 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1176 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi1}) causes
1177 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{gdb/mi interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, , The
1178 @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}). The older @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in
1179 @value{GDBN} version 5.0 can be selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi0}.
1182 @cindex @code{--write}
1183 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1184 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1188 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1189 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1190 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1193 @cindex @code{--version}
1194 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1195 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1200 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1201 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1202 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1205 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1206 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1207 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1209 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1210 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{C-d}). If you
1211 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1212 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1217 An interrupt (often @kbd{C-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1218 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1219 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1220 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1221 until a time when it is safe.
1223 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1224 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1225 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an already-running process}).
1227 @node Shell Commands
1228 @section Shell commands
1230 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1231 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1232 just use the @code{shell} command.
1236 @cindex shell escape
1237 @item shell @var{command string}
1238 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1239 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1240 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1241 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1244 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1245 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1250 @cindex calling make
1251 @item make @var{make-args}
1252 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1253 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1257 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1259 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1260 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1261 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1262 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1263 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1266 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1267 * Completion:: Command completion
1268 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1271 @node Command Syntax
1272 @section Command syntax
1274 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1275 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1276 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1277 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1278 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1279 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1281 @cindex abbreviation
1282 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1283 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1284 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1285 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1286 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1287 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1288 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1290 @cindex repeating commands
1291 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1292 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1293 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1294 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1295 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1298 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1299 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1300 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1302 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1303 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1304 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen size}). Since it is easy to press one
1305 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1306 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1308 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1310 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1311 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1312 Files,,Command files}).
1314 @cindex repeating command sequences
1315 @kindex C-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1316 The @kbd{C-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1317 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @kbd{RET}, and
1318 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1322 @section Command completion
1325 @cindex word completion
1326 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1327 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1328 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1329 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1331 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1332 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1333 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1334 enter it). For example, if you type
1336 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1337 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1338 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1339 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1341 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1345 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1346 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1349 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1353 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1354 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1355 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1356 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1357 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1358 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1360 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1361 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1362 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1363 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1364 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1365 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1366 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1367 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1371 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1372 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1373 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1374 make_abs_section make_function_type
1375 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1376 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1377 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1378 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1382 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1383 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1386 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1387 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1388 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1389 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1390 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1392 @cindex quotes in commands
1393 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1394 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1395 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1396 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1397 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1398 @value{GDBN} commands.
1400 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1401 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1402 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1403 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1404 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1405 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1406 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1407 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1408 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1409 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1410 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1413 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1414 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1415 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1418 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1419 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1420 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1424 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1425 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1426 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1430 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1431 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1432 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1434 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C plus plus
1435 expressions, ,C@t{++} expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1436 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1437 see @ref{Debugging C plus plus, ,@value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}}.
1441 @section Getting help
1442 @cindex online documentation
1445 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1446 using the command @code{help}.
1449 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1452 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1453 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1457 List of classes of commands:
1459 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1460 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1461 data -- Examining data
1462 files -- Specifying and examining files
1463 internals -- Maintenance commands
1464 obscure -- Obscure features
1465 running -- Running the program
1466 stack -- Examining the stack
1467 status -- Status inquiries
1468 support -- Support facilities
1469 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without@*
1470 stopping the program
1471 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1473 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1474 commands in that class.
1475 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1477 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1480 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1482 @item help @var{class}
1483 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1484 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1485 help display for the class @code{status}:
1488 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1493 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1494 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1495 info -- Generic command for showing things
1496 about the program being debugged
1497 show -- Generic command for showing things
1500 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1502 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1506 @item help @var{command}
1507 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1508 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1511 @item apropos @var{args}
1512 The @code{apropos @var{args}} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1513 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1514 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1525 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1526 multiple times in one run
1527 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1528 multiple times in one run
1533 @item complete @var{args}
1534 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1535 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1536 command you want completed. For example:
1542 @noindent results in:
1553 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1556 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1557 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1558 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1559 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1560 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1561 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1566 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1568 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1569 program. For example, you can list the arguments given to your program
1570 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1571 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1572 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1573 @w{@code{help info}}.
1577 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1578 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1579 @code{set prompt $}.
1583 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1584 @value{GDBN} itself.
1585 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1586 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1587 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1588 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1591 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1592 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1593 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1594 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1595 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1596 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1600 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1601 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1604 @kindex show version
1605 @cindex version number
1607 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1608 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1609 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1610 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1611 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1612 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1613 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1614 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1617 @kindex show copying
1619 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1621 @kindex show warranty
1623 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1624 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1629 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1631 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1632 debugging information when you compile it.
1634 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1635 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1636 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1637 kill a child process.
1640 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1641 * Starting:: Starting your program
1642 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1643 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1645 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1646 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1647 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1648 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1650 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1651 * Processes:: Debugging programs with multiple processes
1655 @section Compiling for debugging
1657 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1658 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1659 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1660 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1661 and addresses in the executable code.
1663 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1666 Many C compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O}
1667 options together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1668 executables containing debugging information.
1670 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1671 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1672 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1673 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1674 in pushing your luck.
1676 @cindex optimized code, debugging
1677 @cindex debugging optimized code
1678 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
1679 optimizer is rearranging your code; the debugger shows you what is
1680 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
1681 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
1682 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
1683 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
1685 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
1686 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
1687 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
1688 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
1690 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1691 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1692 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1696 @section Starting your program
1702 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1705 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1706 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1707 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1708 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1709 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
1713 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1714 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1715 that process run your program. (In environments without processes,
1716 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program.)
1718 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1719 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1720 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1721 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1722 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1723 divided into four categories:
1726 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1727 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1728 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1729 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1730 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1732 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1733 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1734 @xref{Arguments, ,Your program's arguments}.
1736 @item The @emph{environment.}
1737 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1738 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1739 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1740 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}.
1742 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1743 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1744 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1745 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your program's working directory}.
1747 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1748 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1749 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1750 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1751 set a different device for your program.
1752 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your program's input and output}.
1755 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1756 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1757 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1761 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1762 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and continuing}, for discussion
1763 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1764 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1765 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1767 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1768 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1769 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1770 your current breakpoints.
1773 @section Your program's arguments
1775 @cindex arguments (to your program)
1776 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
1778 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
1779 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
1780 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
1781 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
1782 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
1784 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
1785 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
1786 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
1787 the program, not by the shell.
1789 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
1790 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
1795 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
1796 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
1797 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
1798 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
1799 it again without arguments.
1803 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
1807 @section Your program's environment
1809 @cindex environment (of your program)
1810 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
1811 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
1812 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
1813 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
1814 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
1815 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
1816 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
1820 @item path @var{directory}
1821 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
1822 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
1823 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
1824 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
1825 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
1826 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
1827 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
1829 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
1830 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
1831 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
1832 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
1833 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
1834 @var{directory} to the search path.
1835 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
1836 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
1840 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
1841 environment variable).
1843 @kindex show environment
1844 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
1845 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
1846 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
1847 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
1848 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
1850 @kindex set environment
1851 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
1852 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
1853 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
1854 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
1855 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
1856 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
1858 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
1859 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
1861 For example, this command:
1868 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
1869 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
1870 are not actually required.)
1872 @kindex unset environment
1873 @item unset environment @var{varname}
1874 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
1875 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
1876 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
1877 rather than assigning it an empty value.
1880 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
1882 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
1883 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
1884 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
1885 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
1886 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
1887 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
1890 @node Working Directory
1891 @section Your program's working directory
1893 @cindex working directory (of your program)
1894 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
1895 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
1896 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
1897 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
1898 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
1900 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
1901 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
1906 @item cd @var{directory}
1907 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
1911 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
1915 @section Your program's input and output
1920 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
1921 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
1922 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
1923 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
1924 running your program.
1927 @kindex info terminal
1929 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
1933 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
1934 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
1941 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
1944 @cindex controlling terminal
1945 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
1946 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
1947 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
1948 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
1949 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
1956 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
1957 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
1958 that as their controlling terminal.
1960 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
1961 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
1964 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
1965 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
1966 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal.
1969 @section Debugging an already-running process
1974 @item attach @var{process-id}
1975 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
1976 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
1977 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
1978 find out the process-id of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
1979 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
1981 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
1982 executing the command.
1985 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
1986 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
1987 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
1988 also have permission to send the process a signal.
1990 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
1991 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
1992 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
1993 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying source directories}). You can also use
1994 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
1997 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
1998 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
1999 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2000 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2001 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2002 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2003 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2008 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2009 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2010 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2011 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2012 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2013 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2014 executing the command.
2017 If you exit @value{GDBN} or use the @code{run} command while you have an
2018 attached process, you kill that process. By default, @value{GDBN} asks
2019 for confirmation if you try to do either of these things; you can
2020 control whether or not you need to confirm by using the @code{set
2021 confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
2025 @section Killing the child process
2030 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2033 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2034 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2037 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2038 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2039 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2040 outside the debugger.
2042 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2043 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2044 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2045 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2046 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2047 breakpoint settings).
2050 @section Debugging programs with multiple threads
2052 @cindex threads of execution
2053 @cindex multiple threads
2054 @cindex switching threads
2055 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2056 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2057 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2058 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2059 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2060 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2061 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2063 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2067 @item automatic notification of new threads
2068 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2069 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2070 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2071 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2072 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2076 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2077 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2078 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2079 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2080 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2084 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2085 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2086 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2087 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2089 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2090 @c doesn't support threads"?
2093 @cindex focus of debugging
2094 @cindex current thread
2095 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2096 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2097 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2098 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2099 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2101 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2102 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2103 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2104 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2105 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2106 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2107 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2108 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2109 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2110 LynxOS, you might see
2113 [New process 35 thread 27]
2117 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2118 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2121 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2122 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2123 @c second---i.e., when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2125 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2126 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2127 @c threads ab initio?
2129 @cindex thread number
2130 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2131 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2132 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2135 @kindex info threads
2137 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2138 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2141 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2143 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2145 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2149 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2150 indicates the current thread.
2154 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2157 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2158 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2159 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2160 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2166 @cindex thread number
2167 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2168 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2169 number---a small integer assigned in thread-creation order---with each
2170 thread in your program.
2172 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message, on HP-UX
2173 @cindex thread identifier (system), on HP-UX
2174 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2175 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2176 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2177 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2178 both @value{GDBN}'s thread number and the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2179 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2180 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2184 [New thread 2 (system thread 26594)]
2188 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread.
2191 @kindex info threads
2193 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2194 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2197 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2199 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2201 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2205 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2206 indicates the current thread.
2210 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2213 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2214 * 3 system thread 26607 worker (wptr=0x7b09c318 "@@") \@*
2216 2 system thread 26606 0x7b0030d8 in __ksleep () \@*
2217 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2218 1 system thread 27905 0x7b003498 in _brk () \@*
2219 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2223 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2224 @item thread @var{threadno}
2225 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2226 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2227 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2228 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2229 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2232 @c FIXME!! This example made up; find a @value{GDBN} w/threads and get real one
2233 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2234 [Switching to process 35 thread 23]
2235 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2239 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2240 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2243 @kindex thread apply
2244 @item thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}
2245 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply a command to one or
2246 more threads. Specify the numbers of the threads that you want affected
2247 with the command argument @var{threadno}. @var{threadno} is the internal
2248 @value{GDBN} thread number, as shown in the first field of the @samp{info
2249 threads} display. To apply a command to all threads, use
2250 @code{thread apply all} @var{args}.
2253 @cindex automatic thread selection
2254 @cindex switching threads automatically
2255 @cindex threads, automatic switching
2256 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
2257 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
2258 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
2259 message of the form @samp{[Switching to @var{systag}]} to identify the
2262 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and starting multi-thread programs}, for
2263 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2264 programs with multiple threads.
2266 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting watchpoints}, for information about
2267 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2270 @section Debugging programs with multiple processes
2272 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2273 @cindex multiple processes
2274 @cindex processes, multiple
2275 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2276 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2277 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2278 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2279 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2280 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2281 will cause it to terminate.
2283 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2284 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2285 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2286 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2287 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2288 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2289 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2290 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2291 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2292 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2294 On HP-UX (11.x and later only?), @value{GDBN} provides support for
2295 debugging programs that create additional processes using the
2296 @code{fork} or @code{vfork} function.
2298 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2299 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2301 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2302 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2305 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2306 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2307 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2308 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2309 process. The @var{mode} can be:
2313 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2314 unimpeded. This is the default.
2317 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2321 The debugger will ask for one of the above choices.
2324 @item show follow-fork-mode
2325 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2328 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2329 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2330 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2331 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2332 the child process's @code{main}.
2334 When a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you cannot debug the
2335 child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
2337 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
2338 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent process,
2339 use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name as its
2342 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
2343 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
2344 Catchpoints, ,Setting catchpoints}.
2347 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
2349 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
2350 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
2351 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
2353 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
2354 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
2355 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
2356 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
2357 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
2358 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
2359 explicitly request this information at any time.
2362 @kindex info program
2364 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
2365 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
2369 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
2370 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
2372 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
2376 @section Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
2379 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
2380 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
2381 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
2382 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
2383 Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
2384 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
2387 In HP-UX, SunOS 4.x, SVR4, and Alpha OSF/1 configurations, you can set
2388 breakpoints in shared libraries before the executable is run. There is
2389 a minor limitation on HP-UX systems: you must wait until the executable
2390 is run in order to set breakpoints in shared library routines that are
2391 not called directly by the program (for example, routines that are
2392 arguments in a @code{pthread_create} call).
2395 @cindex memory tracing
2396 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
2397 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
2398 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
2399 when the value of an expression changes. You must use a different
2400 command to set watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting
2401 watchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a watchpoint like
2402 any other breakpoint: you enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints
2403 and watchpoints using the same commands.
2405 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
2406 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
2410 @cindex breakpoint on events
2411 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
2412 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
2413 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
2414 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
2415 catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
2416 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
2417 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
2419 @cindex breakpoint numbers
2420 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
2421 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
2422 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
2423 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
2424 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
2425 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
2426 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
2429 @cindex breakpoint ranges
2430 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
2431 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
2432 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
2433 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
2434 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
2435 all breakpoint in that range are operated on.
2438 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
2439 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
2440 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
2441 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
2442 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
2443 * Conditions:: Break conditions
2444 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
2445 * Breakpoint Menus:: Breakpoint menus
2446 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
2450 @subsection Setting breakpoints
2452 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
2453 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
2455 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
2458 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
2459 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
2460 @cindex latest breakpoint
2461 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
2462 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
2463 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
2464 Vars,, Convenience variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
2465 convenience variables.
2467 You have several ways to say where the breakpoint should go.
2470 @item break @var{function}
2471 Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function}.
2472 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
2473 C@t{++}, @var{function} may refer to more than one possible place to break.
2474 @xref{Breakpoint Menus,,Breakpoint menus}, for a discussion of that situation.
2476 @item break +@var{offset}
2477 @itemx break -@var{offset}
2478 Set a breakpoint some number of lines forward or back from the position
2479 at which execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}.
2480 (@xref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.)
2482 @item break @var{linenum}
2483 Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in the current source file.
2484 The current source file is the last file whose source text was printed.
2485 The breakpoint will stop your program just before it executes any of the
2488 @item break @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
2489 Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in source file @var{filename}.
2491 @item break @var{filename}:@var{function}
2492 Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function} found in file
2493 @var{filename}. Specifying a file name as well as a function name is
2494 superfluous except when multiple files contain similarly named
2497 @item break *@var{address}
2498 Set a breakpoint at address @var{address}. You can use this to set
2499 breakpoints in parts of your program which do not have debugging
2500 information or source files.
2503 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
2504 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
2505 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
2506 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
2507 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
2508 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
2509 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
2510 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
2511 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
2514 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
2515 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
2516 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
2517 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
2518 existed when your program stopped.
2520 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
2521 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
2522 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
2523 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
2524 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
2525 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
2526 ,Break conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
2529 @item tbreak @var{args}
2530 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
2531 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
2532 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
2533 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling breakpoints}.
2536 @item hbreak @var{args}
2537 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
2538 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
2539 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
2540 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
2541 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
2542 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
2543 provided by SPARClite DSU and some x86-based targets. These targets
2544 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
2545 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
2546 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
2547 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
2548 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
2549 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
2550 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling}). @xref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}.
2553 @item thbreak @var{args}
2554 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
2555 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
2556 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
2557 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
2558 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
2559 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
2560 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling breakpoints}.
2561 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}.
2564 @cindex regular expression
2565 @item rbreak @var{regex}
2566 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
2567 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
2568 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
2569 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
2570 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
2571 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
2573 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
2574 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
2575 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
2576 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
2577 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
2578 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
2580 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
2581 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
2584 @kindex info breakpoints
2585 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
2586 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2587 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2588 @itemx info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2589 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
2590 not deleted, with the following columns for each breakpoint:
2593 @item Breakpoint Numbers
2595 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
2597 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
2598 @item Enabled or Disabled
2599 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
2600 that are not enabled.
2602 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address.
2604 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
2609 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
2610 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
2611 are listed after that.
2614 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
2615 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
2616 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
2617 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
2618 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining memory}).
2621 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
2622 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
2623 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
2624 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
2625 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
2626 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
2629 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
2630 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
2631 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
2632 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}).
2634 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
2635 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
2636 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
2637 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
2638 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
2639 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
2640 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
2641 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
2644 @node Set Watchpoints
2645 @subsection Setting watchpoints
2647 @cindex setting watchpoints
2648 @cindex software watchpoints
2649 @cindex hardware watchpoints
2650 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
2651 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
2654 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
2655 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
2656 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
2657 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
2658 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
2661 On some systems, such as HP-UX, Linux and some other x86-based targets,
2662 @value{GDBN} includes support for
2663 hardware watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your
2668 @item watch @var{expr}
2669 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when @var{expr}
2670 is written into by the program and its value changes.
2673 @item rwatch @var{expr}
2674 Set a watchpoint that will break when watch @var{expr} is read by the program.
2677 @item awatch @var{expr}
2678 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read or written into
2681 @kindex info watchpoints
2682 @item info watchpoints
2683 This command prints a list of watchpoints, breakpoints, and catchpoints;
2684 it is the same as @code{info break}.
2687 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
2688 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
2689 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
2690 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
2691 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
2692 statement, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
2694 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
2697 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
2701 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
2703 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
2704 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
2705 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
2706 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
2707 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
2708 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
2709 will print a message like this:
2712 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
2715 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
2716 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
2717 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
2718 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
2719 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
2720 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
2721 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
2722 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
2724 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
2725 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
2726 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
2727 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
2728 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
2729 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
2732 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
2736 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
2738 The SPARClite DSU will generate traps when a program accesses some data
2739 or instruction address that is assigned to the debug registers. For the
2740 data addresses, DSU facilitates the @code{watch} command. However the
2741 hardware breakpoint registers can only take two data watchpoints, and
2742 both watchpoints must be the same kind. For example, you can set two
2743 watchpoints with @code{watch} commands, two with @code{rwatch} commands,
2744 @strong{or} two with @code{awatch} commands, but you cannot set one
2745 watchpoint with one command and the other with a different command.
2746 @value{GDBN} will reject the command if you try to mix watchpoints.
2747 Delete or disable unused watchpoint commands before setting new ones.
2749 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
2750 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
2751 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
2753 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
2754 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
2755 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
2756 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
2757 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
2758 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
2759 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
2760 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
2761 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
2764 @cindex watchpoints and threads
2765 @cindex threads and watchpoints
2766 @emph{Warning:} In multi-thread programs, watchpoints have only limited
2767 usefulness. With the current watchpoint implementation, @value{GDBN}
2768 can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a single thread}. If
2769 you are confident that the expression can only change due to the current
2770 thread's activity (and if you are also confident that no other thread
2771 can become current), then you can use watchpoints as usual. However,
2772 @value{GDBN} may not notice when a non-current thread's activity changes
2775 @c FIXME: this is almost identical to the previous paragraph.
2776 @emph{HP-UX Warning:} In multi-thread programs, software watchpoints
2777 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
2778 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
2779 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
2780 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
2781 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
2782 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
2783 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
2784 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
2787 @node Set Catchpoints
2788 @subsection Setting catchpoints
2789 @cindex catchpoints, setting
2790 @cindex exception handlers
2791 @cindex event handling
2793 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
2794 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
2795 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
2799 @item catch @var{event}
2800 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
2804 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
2808 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
2812 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
2816 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
2820 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
2823 @itemx load @var{libname}
2825 The dynamic loading of any shared library, or the loading of the library
2826 @var{libname}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
2829 @itemx unload @var{libname}
2830 @kindex catch unload
2831 The unloading of any dynamically loaded shared library, or the unloading
2832 of the library @var{libname}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
2835 @item tcatch @var{event}
2836 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
2837 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
2841 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
2843 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
2844 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
2848 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
2849 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
2850 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
2851 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
2852 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
2853 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
2854 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
2855 disabled within interactive calls.
2858 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
2861 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
2864 @cindex raise exceptions
2865 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
2866 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
2867 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
2868 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
2869 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
2870 out where the exception was raised.
2872 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
2873 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
2874 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
2875 which has the following ANSI C interface:
2878 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
2879 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
2880 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
2884 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
2885 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
2886 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; watchpoints; and exceptions}).
2888 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions})
2889 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
2890 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
2891 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
2896 @subsection Deleting breakpoints
2898 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
2899 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
2900 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
2901 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
2902 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
2903 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
2905 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
2906 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
2907 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
2908 their breakpoint numbers.
2910 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
2911 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
2912 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
2917 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
2918 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}). When
2919 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
2920 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
2922 @item clear @var{function}
2923 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
2924 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the function @var{function}.
2926 @item clear @var{linenum}
2927 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
2928 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified line.
2930 @cindex delete breakpoints
2932 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
2933 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
2934 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
2935 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
2936 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
2937 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
2941 @subsection Disabling breakpoints
2943 @kindex disable breakpoints
2944 @kindex enable breakpoints
2945 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
2946 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
2947 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
2948 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
2950 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
2951 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying one
2952 or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} or
2953 @code{info watch} to print a list of breakpoints, watchpoints, and
2954 catchpoints if you do not know which numbers to use.
2956 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
2957 states of enablement:
2961 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
2962 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
2964 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
2966 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
2969 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
2970 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
2971 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
2974 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
2975 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
2978 @kindex disable breakpoints
2980 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
2981 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
2982 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
2983 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
2984 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
2985 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
2986 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
2988 @kindex enable breakpoints
2990 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
2991 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
2992 become effective once again in stopping your program.
2994 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
2995 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
2996 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
2998 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
2999 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
3000 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
3003 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
3004 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
3005 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
3006 ,Setting breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
3007 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
3008 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
3009 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
3010 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
3014 @subsection Break conditions
3015 @cindex conditional breakpoints
3016 @cindex breakpoint conditions
3018 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
3019 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
3020 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
3021 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
3022 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
3023 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
3024 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
3025 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
3027 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
3028 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
3029 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
3030 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
3031 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
3033 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
3034 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
3035 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
3036 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
3039 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
3040 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
3041 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
3042 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
3043 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
3044 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
3045 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
3046 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
3048 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
3049 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint command lists}).
3051 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
3052 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
3053 Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
3054 with the @code{condition} command.
3056 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
3057 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
3058 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
3063 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
3064 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
3065 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
3066 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
3067 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
3068 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
3069 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
3070 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
3071 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
3072 prints an error message:
3075 No symbol "foo" in current context.
3080 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
3081 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
3082 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
3084 @item condition @var{bnum}
3085 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
3086 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
3089 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
3090 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
3091 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
3092 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
3093 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
3094 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
3095 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
3096 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
3097 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
3098 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
3099 your program reaches it.
3103 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
3104 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
3105 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
3106 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
3109 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
3112 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
3113 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
3114 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
3115 Stepping,,Continuing and stepping}.
3117 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
3118 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
3119 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
3121 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
3122 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
3123 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
3127 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
3130 @node Break Commands
3131 @subsection Breakpoint command lists
3133 @cindex breakpoint commands
3134 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
3135 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
3136 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
3137 enable other breakpoints.
3142 @item commands @r{[}@var{bnum}@r{]}
3143 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
3145 Specify a list of commands for breakpoint number @var{bnum}. The commands
3146 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
3147 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
3149 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
3150 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
3152 With no @var{bnum} argument, @code{commands} refers to the last
3153 breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most
3154 recently encountered).
3157 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
3158 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
3160 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
3161 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
3162 that resumes execution.
3164 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
3165 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
3166 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
3167 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
3168 ambiguities about which list to execute.
3171 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
3172 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
3173 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
3174 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
3175 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
3176 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
3178 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
3179 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
3180 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for controlled output}.
3182 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
3183 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
3189 printf "x is %d\n",x
3194 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
3195 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
3196 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
3197 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
3198 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
3199 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
3200 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
3211 @node Breakpoint Menus
3212 @subsection Breakpoint menus
3214 @cindex symbol overloading
3216 Some programming languages (notably C@t{++}) permit a single function name
3217 to be defined several times, for application in different contexts.
3218 This is called @dfn{overloading}. When a function name is overloaded,
3219 @samp{break @var{function}} is not enough to tell @value{GDBN} where you want
3220 a breakpoint. If you realize this is a problem, you can use
3221 something like @samp{break @var{function}(@var{types})} to specify which
3222 particular version of the function you want. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} offers
3223 you a menu of numbered choices for different possible breakpoints, and
3224 waits for your selection with the prompt @samp{>}. The first two
3225 options are always @samp{[0] cancel} and @samp{[1] all}. Typing @kbd{1}
3226 sets a breakpoint at each definition of @var{function}, and typing
3227 @kbd{0} aborts the @code{break} command without setting any new
3230 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
3231 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
3232 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
3234 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
3237 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
3240 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
3241 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
3242 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
3243 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
3244 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
3245 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
3247 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
3248 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
3249 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
3250 Multiple breakpoints were set.
3251 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
3257 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
3258 @node Error in Breakpoints
3259 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3261 @c FIXME!! 14/6/95 Is there a real example of this? Let's use it.
3263 Under some operating systems, breakpoints cannot be used in a program if
3264 any other process is running that program. In this situation,
3265 attempting to run or continue a program with a breakpoint causes
3266 @value{GDBN} to print an error message:
3269 Cannot insert breakpoints.
3270 The same program may be running in another process.
3273 When this happens, you have three ways to proceed:
3277 Remove or disable the breakpoints, then continue.
3280 Suspend @value{GDBN}, and copy the file containing your program to a new
3281 name. Resume @value{GDBN} and use the @code{exec-file} command to specify
3282 that @value{GDBN} should run your program under that name.
3283 Then start your program again.
3286 Relink your program so that the text segment is nonsharable, using the
3287 linker option @samp{-N}. The operating system limitation may not apply
3288 to nonsharable executables.
3292 A similar message can be printed if you request too many active
3293 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints:
3295 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
3296 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
3298 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
3299 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
3303 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
3304 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
3305 watchpoints it needs to insert.
3307 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
3308 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
3311 @node Continuing and Stepping
3312 @section Continuing and stepping
3316 @cindex resuming execution
3317 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
3318 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
3319 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
3320 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
3321 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
3322 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
3323 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
3324 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3328 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
3329 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
3330 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3331 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3332 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3333 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
3334 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
3335 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
3336 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
3337 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}).
3339 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
3340 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
3341 @code{continue} is ignored.
3343 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
3344 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
3345 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
3349 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
3350 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a function}) to go back to the
3351 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
3352 different address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
3354 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
3355 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; watchpoints; and catchpoints}) at the
3356 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
3357 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
3358 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
3359 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
3363 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
3365 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
3366 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
3367 abbreviated @code{s}.
3370 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
3371 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
3372 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
3373 @c distinction here.
3374 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
3375 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
3376 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
3377 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
3378 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
3379 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
3383 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
3384 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
3385 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
3386 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
3387 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
3388 called within the line.
3390 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
3391 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
3392 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
3393 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
3394 was any debugging information about the routine.
3396 @item step @var{count}
3397 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
3398 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
3399 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
3402 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
3403 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
3404 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
3405 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
3406 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
3407 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
3408 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
3409 is abbreviated @code{n}.
3411 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
3414 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
3415 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
3417 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
3418 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
3419 @c function are executed without stopping.
3421 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
3422 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
3423 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
3425 @kindex set step-mode
3427 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
3428 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
3429 @itemx set step-mode on
3430 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
3431 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
3432 information rather than stepping over it.
3434 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
3435 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
3436 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
3438 @item set step-mode off
3439 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
3440 debug information. This is the default.
3444 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
3445 returns. Print the returned value (if any).
3447 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
3448 ,Returning from a function}).
3451 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
3454 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
3455 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
3456 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
3457 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
3458 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
3459 than the address of the jump.
3461 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
3462 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
3463 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
3464 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
3465 through the next iteration.
3467 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
3470 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
3471 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
3472 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
3473 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
3474 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
3478 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
3480 (@value{GDBP}) until
3481 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
3484 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
3485 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
3486 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
3487 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
3488 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
3489 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
3490 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
3492 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
3493 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
3496 @item until @var{location}
3497 @itemx u @var{location}
3498 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
3499 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
3500 the forms of argument acceptable to @code{break} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
3501 ,Setting breakpoints}). This form of the command uses breakpoints,
3502 and hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument.
3505 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
3507 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
3509 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
3511 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
3512 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
3513 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
3514 Display,, Automatic display}.
3516 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
3520 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
3522 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
3524 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
3525 proceed until the function returns.
3527 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
3534 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
3535 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
3536 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
3537 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{C-c});
3538 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
3539 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
3540 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
3541 requested an alarm).
3543 @cindex fatal signals
3544 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
3545 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
3546 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
3547 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
3548 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
3549 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
3551 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
3552 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
3555 @cindex handling signals
3556 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
3557 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
3558 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
3559 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
3560 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
3563 @kindex info signals
3566 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
3567 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
3568 the defined types of signals.
3570 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
3573 @item handle @var{signal} @var{keywords}@dots{}
3574 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
3575 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
3576 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
3577 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
3578 known signals. The @var{keywords} say what change to make.
3582 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
3583 Their full names are:
3587 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
3588 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
3591 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
3592 the @code{print} keyword as well.
3595 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
3598 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
3599 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
3603 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
3604 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
3605 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
3609 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
3610 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
3614 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
3616 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
3617 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
3618 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
3619 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
3620 program sees that signal when you continue.
3622 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
3623 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
3624 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
3627 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
3628 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
3629 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
3630 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
3631 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
3632 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
3633 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
3634 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
3638 @section Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3640 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
3641 programs with multiple threads}), you can choose whether to set
3642 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
3645 @cindex breakpoints and threads
3646 @cindex thread breakpoints
3647 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
3648 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
3649 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
3650 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
3651 writing them, but the effect is always to specify some source line.
3653 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
3654 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
3655 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
3656 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
3657 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
3659 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
3660 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
3663 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
3664 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before the
3665 breakpoint condition, like this:
3668 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
3673 @cindex stopped threads
3674 @cindex threads, stopped
3675 Whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
3676 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
3677 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
3678 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
3681 @cindex continuing threads
3682 @cindex threads, continuing
3683 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
3684 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
3685 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
3687 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
3688 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
3689 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
3690 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
3691 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
3692 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
3695 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
3696 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
3697 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
3698 first thread completes whatever you requested.
3700 On some OSes, you can lock the OS scheduler and thus allow only a single
3704 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
3705 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
3706 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
3707 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
3708 mode optimizes for single-stepping. It stops other threads from
3709 ``seizing the prompt'' by preempting the current thread while you are
3710 stepping. Other threads will only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
3711 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
3712 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
3713 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
3714 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, they will never steal the
3715 @value{GDBN} prompt away from the thread that you are debugging.
3717 @item show scheduler-locking
3718 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
3723 @chapter Examining the Stack
3725 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
3726 stopped and how it got there.
3729 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
3731 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
3732 the arguments of the call,
3733 and the local variables of the function being called.
3734 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
3735 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
3738 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
3739 stack allow you to see all of this information.
3741 @cindex selected frame
3742 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
3743 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
3744 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
3745 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
3746 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
3747 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
3749 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
3750 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
3751 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a frame}).
3754 * Frames:: Stack frames
3755 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
3756 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
3757 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
3762 @section Stack frames
3764 @cindex frame, definition
3766 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
3767 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
3768 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
3769 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
3770 which the function is executing.
3772 @cindex initial frame
3773 @cindex outermost frame
3774 @cindex innermost frame
3775 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
3776 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
3777 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
3778 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
3779 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
3780 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
3781 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
3782 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
3784 @cindex frame pointer
3785 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
3786 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
3787 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
3788 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
3789 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register} while execution is
3790 going on in that frame.
3792 @cindex frame number
3793 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
3794 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
3795 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
3796 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
3797 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
3799 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
3800 @c underflow problems.
3801 @cindex frameless execution
3802 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
3803 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{GCC} option
3805 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
3807 generates functions without a frame.)
3808 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
3809 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
3810 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
3811 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
3812 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
3813 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
3814 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
3817 @kindex frame@r{, command}
3818 @cindex current stack frame
3819 @item frame @var{args}
3820 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
3821 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
3822 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
3823 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
3825 @kindex select-frame
3826 @cindex selecting frame silently
3828 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
3829 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
3838 @cindex stack traces
3839 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
3840 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
3841 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
3846 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
3849 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
3850 frames in the stack.
3852 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
3853 character, normally @kbd{C-c}.
3855 @item backtrace @var{n}
3857 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
3859 @item backtrace -@var{n}
3861 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
3866 @kindex info s @r{(@code{info stack})}
3867 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
3868 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
3870 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
3871 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
3872 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
3873 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
3874 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
3877 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
3878 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
3882 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
3884 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600) at macro.c:242
3885 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
3887 (More stack frames follow...)
3892 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
3893 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
3894 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
3897 @section Selecting a frame
3899 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
3900 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
3901 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
3902 of the stack frame just selected.
3905 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
3906 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
3909 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
3910 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
3911 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
3914 @item frame @var{addr}
3916 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
3917 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
3918 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
3919 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
3920 switches between them.
3922 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
3923 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
3925 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
3926 pointer and a program counter.
3928 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
3929 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
3930 @c note to future updaters: this is conditioned on a flag
3931 @c SETUP_ARBITRARY_FRAME in the tm-*.h files. The above is up to date
3932 @c as of 27 Jan 1994.
3936 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
3937 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
3938 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
3941 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
3943 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
3944 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
3945 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
3946 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
3949 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
3950 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
3951 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
3952 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
3960 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
3962 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
3966 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
3967 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
3968 @xref{List, ,Printing source lines}.
3971 @kindex down-silently
3973 @item up-silently @var{n}
3974 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
3975 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
3976 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
3977 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
3978 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
3983 @section Information about a frame
3985 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
3991 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
3992 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
3993 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
3994 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
3995 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
3998 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
4001 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
4006 the address of the frame
4008 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
4010 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
4012 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
4014 the address of the frame's arguments
4016 the address of the frame's local variables
4018 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
4020 which registers were saved in the frame
4023 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
4024 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
4025 the usual conventions.
4027 @item info frame @var{addr}
4028 @itemx info f @var{addr}
4029 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
4030 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
4031 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
4032 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
4033 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
4037 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
4041 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
4042 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
4043 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
4046 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
4047 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
4049 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
4050 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
4051 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
4052 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
4053 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting catchpoints}.
4059 @chapter Examining Source Files
4061 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
4062 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
4063 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
4064 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
4065 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
4066 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
4067 source files by explicit command.
4069 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
4070 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
4071 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
4074 * List:: Printing source lines
4075 * Search:: Searching source files
4076 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
4077 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
4081 @section Printing source lines
4084 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
4085 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
4086 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
4087 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to print.
4089 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
4092 @item list @var{linenum}
4093 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
4094 current source file.
4096 @item list @var{function}
4097 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
4101 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
4102 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
4103 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
4104 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
4105 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
4108 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
4111 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
4112 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
4115 @kindex set listsize
4116 @item set listsize @var{count}
4117 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
4118 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
4120 @kindex show listsize
4122 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
4125 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
4126 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
4127 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
4128 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
4129 each repetition moves up in the source file.
4132 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
4133 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
4134 of writing them, but the effect is always to specify some source line.
4135 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
4138 @item list @var{linespec}
4139 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
4141 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
4142 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
4145 @item list ,@var{last}
4146 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
4148 @item list @var{first},
4149 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
4152 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
4155 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
4158 As described in the preceding table.
4161 Here are the ways of specifying a single source line---all the
4166 Specifies line @var{number} of the current source file.
4167 When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, this refers to
4168 the same source file as the first linespec.
4171 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines after the last line printed.
4172 When used as the second linespec in a @code{list} command that has
4173 two, this specifies the line @var{offset} lines down from the
4177 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before the last line printed.
4179 @item @var{filename}:@var{number}
4180 Specifies line @var{number} in the source file @var{filename}.
4182 @item @var{function}
4183 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
4184 For example: in C, this is the line with the open brace.
4186 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
4187 Specifies the line of the open-brace that begins the body of the
4188 function @var{function} in the file @var{filename}. You only need the
4189 file name with a function name to avoid ambiguity when there are
4190 identically named functions in different source files.
4192 @item *@var{address}
4193 Specifies the line containing the program address @var{address}.
4194 @var{address} may be any expression.
4198 @section Searching source files
4200 @kindex reverse-search
4202 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
4207 @kindex forward-search
4208 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
4209 @itemx search @var{regexp}
4210 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
4211 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
4212 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
4213 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
4216 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
4217 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
4218 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
4219 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
4220 this command as @code{rev}.
4224 @section Specifying source directories
4227 @cindex directories for source files
4228 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
4229 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
4230 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
4231 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
4232 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
4233 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
4234 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name. Note that
4235 the executable search path is @emph{not} used for this purpose. Neither is
4236 the current working directory, unless it happens to be in the source
4239 If @value{GDBN} cannot find a source file in the source path, and the
4240 object program records a directory, @value{GDBN} tries that directory
4241 too. If the source path is empty, and there is no record of the
4242 compilation directory, @value{GDBN} looks in the current directory as a
4245 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
4246 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
4247 each line is in the file.
4251 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
4252 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
4253 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
4256 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
4257 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
4258 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
4259 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
4260 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
4261 part of absolute file names) or
4262 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
4263 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
4267 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
4268 @vindex $cwdr@r{, convenience variable}
4269 @cindex compilation directory
4270 @cindex current directory
4271 @cindex working directory
4272 @cindex directory, current
4273 @cindex directory, compilation
4274 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
4275 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
4276 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
4277 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
4278 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
4279 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
4282 Reset the source path to empty again. This requires confirmation.
4284 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
4285 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
4287 @item show directories
4288 @kindex show directories
4289 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
4292 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
4293 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
4294 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
4298 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to empty.
4301 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
4302 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
4303 directories in one command.
4307 @section Source and machine code
4309 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
4310 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
4311 a range of addresses as machine instructions. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
4312 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
4313 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
4318 @item info line @var{linespec}
4319 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
4320 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
4321 the ways understood by the @code{list} command (@pxref{List, ,Printing
4325 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
4326 the object code for the first line of function
4327 @code{m4_changequote}:
4329 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
4330 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
4332 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
4333 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
4337 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
4338 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
4340 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
4341 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
4344 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
4345 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
4346 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
4347 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
4348 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
4349 ,Examining memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
4350 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4355 @cindex assembly instructions
4356 @cindex instructions, assembly
4357 @cindex machine instructions
4358 @cindex listing machine instructions
4360 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
4361 instructions. The default memory range is the function surrounding the
4362 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
4363 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
4364 surrounding this value. Two arguments specify a range of addresses
4365 (first inclusive, second exclusive) to dump.
4368 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
4369 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
4372 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4 0x32e4
4373 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
4374 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
4375 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
4376 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
4377 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
4378 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
4379 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
4380 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
4381 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
4382 End of assembler dump.
4385 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
4386 mnemonics or other syntax.
4389 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
4390 @cindex assembly instructions
4391 @cindex instructions, assembly
4392 @cindex machine instructions
4393 @cindex listing machine instructions
4394 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
4395 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
4396 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
4397 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
4398 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
4400 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
4401 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
4402 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
4403 assemblers for x86-based targets.
4408 @chapter Examining Data
4410 @cindex printing data
4411 @cindex examining data
4414 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
4415 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
4416 @c different window or something like that.
4417 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
4418 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
4419 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
4420 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
4421 Different Languages}).
4424 @item print @var{expr}
4425 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
4426 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
4427 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
4428 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
4429 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
4433 @itemx print /@var{f}
4434 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
4435 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value history}). This allows you to
4436 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
4439 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
4440 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
4441 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining memory}.
4443 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
4444 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
4445 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
4449 * Expressions:: Expressions
4450 * Variables:: Program variables
4451 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
4452 * Output Formats:: Output formats
4453 * Memory:: Examining memory
4454 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
4455 * Print Settings:: Print settings
4456 * Value History:: Value history
4457 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
4458 * Registers:: Registers
4459 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
4460 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
4464 @section Expressions
4467 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
4468 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
4469 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
4470 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls, casts
4471 and string constants. It unfortunately does not include symbols defined
4472 by preprocessor @code{#define} commands.
4474 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
4475 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
4476 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to build up an array in
4477 memory that is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
4479 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
4480 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
4481 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
4484 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
4485 expressions regardless of your programming language.
4487 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
4488 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
4489 at that address in memory.
4490 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
4492 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
4493 to programming languages:
4497 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
4498 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial arrays}, for more information.
4501 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
4502 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program variables}.
4504 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
4505 @cindex type casting memory
4506 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
4507 @cindex casts, to view memory
4508 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
4509 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
4510 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
4511 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
4512 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
4513 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
4517 @section Program variables
4519 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
4522 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
4523 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}); they must be either:
4527 global (or file-static)
4534 visible according to the scope rules of the
4535 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
4538 @noindent This means that in the function
4553 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
4554 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
4555 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
4556 the block where @code{b} is declared.
4558 @cindex variable name conflict
4559 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
4560 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
4561 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
4562 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
4563 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
4564 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
4565 using the colon-colon notation:
4567 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
4569 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
4570 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
4573 @var{file}::@var{variable}
4574 @var{function}::@var{variable}
4578 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
4579 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
4580 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
4581 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
4584 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
4587 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
4588 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
4589 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
4590 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
4591 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
4594 @cindex wrong values
4595 @cindex variable values, wrong
4597 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
4598 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
4599 scope, and just before exit.
4601 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
4602 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
4603 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
4604 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
4605 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
4606 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
4607 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
4608 variable definitions may be gone.
4610 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
4611 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
4614 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
4615 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
4616 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
4617 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
4618 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
4619 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
4620 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
4623 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4626 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
4627 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
4628 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler usually
4629 supports the @samp{-gstabs} option. @samp{-gstabs} produces debug info
4630 in a format that is superior to formats such as COFF. You may be able
4631 to use DWARF2 (@samp{-gdwarf-2}), which is also an effective form for
4632 debug info. See @ref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your
4633 Program or @sc{gnu} CC, gcc.info, Using @sc{gnu} CC}, for more
4638 @section Artificial arrays
4640 @cindex artificial array
4641 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
4642 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
4643 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
4644 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
4647 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
4648 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
4649 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
4650 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
4651 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
4652 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
4653 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
4654 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
4655 example. If a program says
4658 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
4662 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
4668 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
4669 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
4670 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
4671 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
4672 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value history}), after printing one out.
4674 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
4675 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
4676 The value need not be in memory:
4678 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
4679 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
4682 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
4683 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
4684 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
4686 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
4687 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
4690 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
4691 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
4692 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
4693 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
4694 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4695 variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
4696 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
4697 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
4698 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
4699 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
4709 @node Output Formats
4710 @section Output formats
4712 @cindex formatted output
4713 @cindex output formats
4714 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
4715 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
4716 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
4717 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
4718 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
4720 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
4721 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
4722 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
4723 letters supported are:
4727 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
4731 Print as integer in signed decimal.
4734 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
4737 Print as integer in octal.
4740 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
4741 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
4742 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
4743 see @ref{Memory,,Examining memory}.}
4746 @cindex unknown address, locating
4747 @cindex locate address
4748 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
4749 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
4750 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
4753 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
4754 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
4758 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
4759 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
4762 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant.
4765 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
4766 using typical floating point syntax.
4769 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
4776 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
4777 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
4779 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
4780 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
4781 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
4784 @section Examining memory
4786 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
4787 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
4789 @cindex examining memory
4791 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
4792 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
4795 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
4798 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
4799 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
4800 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
4801 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
4802 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
4805 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
4806 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
4807 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
4808 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
4811 @item @var{f}, the display format
4812 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print},
4813 @samp{s} (null-terminated string), or @samp{i} (machine instruction).
4814 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially.
4815 The default changes each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
4817 @item @var{u}, the unit size
4818 The unit size is any of
4824 Halfwords (two bytes).
4826 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
4828 Giant words (eight bytes).
4831 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
4832 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. (For the @samp{s} and
4833 @samp{i} formats, the unit size is ignored and is normally not written.)
4835 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
4836 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
4837 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
4838 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
4839 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
4840 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
4841 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
4842 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
4843 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
4844 a value from memory).
4847 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
4848 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
4849 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
4850 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
4851 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
4853 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
4854 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
4855 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
4856 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
4857 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
4859 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
4860 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
4861 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
4862 including any operands. The command @code{disassemble} gives an
4863 alternative way of inspecting machine instructions; see @ref{Machine
4864 Code,,Source and machine code}.
4866 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
4867 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
4868 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
4869 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
4870 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
4871 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
4872 for successive uses of @code{x}.
4874 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
4875 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
4876 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
4877 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
4878 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
4879 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
4880 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
4881 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
4882 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
4884 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
4885 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
4886 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
4889 @section Automatic display
4890 @cindex automatic display
4891 @cindex display of expressions
4893 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
4894 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
4895 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
4896 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
4897 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
4898 The automatic display looks like this:
4902 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
4906 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
4907 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
4908 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
4909 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending on how elaborate your
4910 format specification is---it uses @code{x} if you specify a unit size,
4911 or one of the two formats (@samp{i} and @samp{s}) that are only
4912 supported by @code{x}; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
4916 @item display @var{expr}
4917 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
4918 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4920 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
4922 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
4923 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
4924 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
4925 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
4926 @xref{Output Formats,,Output formats}.
4928 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
4929 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
4930 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
4931 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
4932 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining memory}.
4935 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
4936 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
4937 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
4940 @kindex delete display
4942 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
4943 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
4944 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
4946 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
4947 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
4949 @kindex disable display
4950 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
4951 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
4952 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
4953 enabled again later.
4955 @kindex enable display
4956 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
4957 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
4958 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
4961 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
4962 done when your program stops.
4964 @kindex info display
4966 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
4967 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
4968 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
4969 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
4970 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
4973 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
4974 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
4975 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
4976 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
4977 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
4978 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
4979 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
4980 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
4981 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
4982 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
4984 @node Print Settings
4985 @section Print settings
4987 @cindex format options
4988 @cindex print settings
4989 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
4990 and symbols are printed.
4993 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
4996 @kindex set print address
4997 @item set print address
4998 @itemx set print address on
4999 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
5000 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
5001 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
5002 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
5003 @code{set print address on}:
5008 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
5010 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
5014 @item set print address off
5015 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
5016 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
5020 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
5022 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
5023 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
5027 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
5028 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
5029 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
5030 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
5032 @kindex show print address
5033 @item show print address
5034 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
5037 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
5038 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
5039 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
5040 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
5041 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
5042 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
5043 it prints a symbolic address:
5046 @kindex set print symbol-filename
5047 @item set print symbol-filename on
5048 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
5049 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
5051 @item set print symbol-filename off
5052 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
5055 @kindex show print symbol-filename
5056 @item show print symbol-filename
5057 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
5058 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
5061 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
5062 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
5063 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
5065 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
5066 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
5069 @kindex set print max-symbolic-offset
5070 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
5071 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
5072 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
5073 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
5074 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
5076 @kindex show print max-symbolic-offset
5077 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
5078 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
5082 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
5083 @cindex pointer, finding referent
5084 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
5085 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
5086 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
5087 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
5088 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
5089 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
5092 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
5093 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
5094 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
5098 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
5099 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
5100 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
5103 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
5106 @kindex set print array
5107 @item set print array
5108 @itemx set print array on
5109 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
5110 but uses more space. The default is off.
5112 @item set print array off
5113 Return to compressed format for arrays.
5115 @kindex show print array
5116 @item show print array
5117 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
5120 @kindex set print elements
5121 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
5122 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
5123 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
5124 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
5125 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
5126 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
5127 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
5129 @kindex show print elements
5130 @item show print elements
5131 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
5132 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
5134 @kindex set print null-stop
5135 @item set print null-stop
5136 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
5137 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
5138 contain only short strings.
5141 @kindex set print pretty
5142 @item set print pretty on
5143 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
5144 per line, like this:
5159 @item set print pretty off
5160 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
5164 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
5165 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
5170 This is the default format.
5172 @kindex show print pretty
5173 @item show print pretty
5174 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
5176 @kindex set print sevenbit-strings
5177 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
5178 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
5179 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
5180 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
5181 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
5182 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
5184 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
5185 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
5186 international character sets, and is the default.
5188 @kindex show print sevenbit-strings
5189 @item show print sevenbit-strings
5190 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
5192 @kindex set print union
5193 @item set print union on
5194 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures. This
5195 is the default setting.
5197 @item set print union off
5198 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in structures.
5200 @kindex show print union
5201 @item show print union
5202 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
5205 For example, given the declarations
5208 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
5209 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
5210 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
5221 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
5225 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
5228 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
5232 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
5235 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
5241 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
5245 @kindex set print demangle
5246 @item set print demangle
5247 @itemx set print demangle on
5248 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
5249 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
5250 linkage. The default is on.
5252 @kindex show print demangle
5253 @item show print demangle
5254 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
5256 @kindex set print asm-demangle
5257 @item set print asm-demangle
5258 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
5259 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
5260 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
5263 @kindex show print asm-demangle
5264 @item show print asm-demangle
5265 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
5268 @kindex set demangle-style
5269 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
5270 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
5271 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
5272 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
5273 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
5277 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
5280 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
5281 This is the default.
5284 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
5287 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
5290 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
5291 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
5292 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
5293 require further enhancement to permit that.
5296 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
5298 @kindex show demangle-style
5299 @item show demangle-style
5300 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
5302 @kindex set print object
5303 @item set print object
5304 @itemx set print object on
5305 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
5306 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
5307 the virtual function table.
5309 @item set print object off
5310 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
5311 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
5313 @kindex show print object
5314 @item show print object
5315 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
5317 @kindex set print static-members
5318 @item set print static-members
5319 @itemx set print static-members on
5320 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
5322 @item set print static-members off
5323 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
5325 @kindex show print static-members
5326 @item show print static-members
5327 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed, or not.
5329 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
5330 @kindex set print vtbl
5331 @item set print vtbl
5332 @itemx set print vtbl on
5333 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
5334 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
5335 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
5337 @item set print vtbl off
5338 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
5340 @kindex show print vtbl
5341 @item show print vtbl
5342 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
5346 @section Value history
5348 @cindex value history
5349 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
5350 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
5351 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
5352 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
5353 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
5354 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
5359 @cindex history number
5360 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
5361 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
5362 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
5363 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
5366 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
5367 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
5368 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
5369 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
5370 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
5371 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
5372 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
5374 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
5375 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
5381 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
5382 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
5389 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
5390 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
5392 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
5393 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
5401 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
5402 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
5407 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
5408 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
5409 values} does not change the history.
5411 @item show values @var{n}
5412 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
5415 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
5416 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
5419 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
5420 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
5422 @node Convenience Vars
5423 @section Convenience variables
5425 @cindex convenience variables
5426 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
5427 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
5428 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
5429 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
5430 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
5432 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
5433 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
5434 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
5435 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
5436 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value history}.)
5438 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
5439 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
5443 set $foo = *object_ptr
5447 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
5450 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
5451 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
5452 value with another assignment at any time.
5454 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
5455 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
5456 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
5457 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
5460 @kindex show convenience
5461 @item show convenience
5462 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
5463 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
5466 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
5467 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
5468 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
5472 print bar[$i++]->contents
5476 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
5478 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
5479 values likely to be useful.
5482 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
5484 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
5485 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining memory}). Other
5486 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
5487 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
5488 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
5489 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
5490 to the type of @code{$__}.
5492 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
5494 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
5495 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
5496 to match the format in which the data was printed.
5499 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
5500 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
5501 the program being debugged terminates.
5504 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
5505 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
5506 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
5512 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
5513 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
5514 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
5518 @kindex info registers
5519 @item info registers
5520 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
5521 registers (in the selected stack frame).
5523 @kindex info all-registers
5524 @cindex floating point registers
5525 @item info all-registers
5526 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
5529 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
5530 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
5531 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
5532 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
5533 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
5536 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
5537 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
5538 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
5539 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
5540 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
5541 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
5542 register that contains the processor status. For example,
5543 you could print the program counter in hex with
5550 or print the instruction to be executed next with
5557 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
5558 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
5559 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
5560 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
5561 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
5562 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
5563 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a function}.} with
5569 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
5570 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
5571 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
5572 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
5573 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
5574 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
5575 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
5577 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
5578 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
5579 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
5580 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
5581 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
5582 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
5583 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
5585 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
5586 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
5587 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
5588 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
5589 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
5590 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
5591 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
5592 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
5593 prints the data in both formats.
5595 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
5596 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}). This means that you get the
5597 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
5598 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
5599 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
5600 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
5602 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
5603 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
5604 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
5605 frame makes no difference.
5607 @node Floating Point Hardware
5608 @section Floating point hardware
5609 @cindex floating point
5611 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
5612 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
5617 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
5618 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
5619 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
5620 the ARM and x86 machines.
5623 @node Memory Region Attributes
5624 @section Memory Region Attributes
5625 @cindex memory region attributes
5627 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
5628 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses attributes
5629 to determine whether to allow certain types of memory accesses; whether to
5630 use specific width accesses; and whether to cache target memory.
5632 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
5633 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
5634 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
5635 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
5638 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
5639 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
5643 @item mem @var{address1} @var{address1} @var{attributes}@dots{}
5644 Define memory region bounded by @var{address1} and @var{address2}
5645 with attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}.
5648 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
5649 Remove memory region numbers @var{nums}.
5652 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
5653 Disable memory region numbers @var{nums}.
5654 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
5655 It may be enabled again later.
5658 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
5659 Enable memory region numbers @var{nums}.
5663 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
5667 @item Memory Region Number
5668 @item Enabled or Disabled.
5669 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
5670 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
5673 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
5676 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
5679 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
5684 @subsection Attributes
5686 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
5687 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
5688 write accesses to a memory region.
5690 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
5691 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
5692 etc. from accessing memory.
5696 Memory is read only.
5698 Memory is write only.
5700 Memory is read/write (default).
5703 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
5704 The acccess size attributes tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
5705 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
5706 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
5707 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
5711 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
5713 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
5715 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
5717 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
5720 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
5721 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
5722 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
5723 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
5727 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
5728 @c @item swbreak (default)
5731 @subsubsection Data Cache
5732 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
5733 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
5734 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
5735 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
5740 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
5741 @item nocache (default)
5742 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory.
5745 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
5746 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
5747 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
5751 @c @item noverify (default)
5755 @chapter Tracepoints
5756 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
5757 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
5760 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
5761 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
5762 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
5763 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
5764 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
5765 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
5766 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
5768 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
5769 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
5770 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
5771 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
5772 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
5773 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
5774 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
5775 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
5776 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
5777 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
5778 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
5780 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
5781 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know how
5782 to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the remote
5783 stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN} support
5784 tracepoints as of this writing.
5786 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
5790 * Analyze Collected Data::
5791 * Tracepoint Variables::
5794 @node Set Tracepoints
5795 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
5797 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
5798 tracepoints can be set. Like a breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), a
5799 tracepoint has a number assigned to it by @value{GDBN}. Like with
5800 breakpoints, tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from
5801 one. Many of the commands associated with tracepoints take the
5802 tracepoint number as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to
5805 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
5806 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
5807 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
5808 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
5809 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
5812 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
5813 conditions and actions.
5816 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
5817 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
5818 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
5819 * Tracepoint Actions::
5820 * Listing Tracepoints::
5821 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiment::
5824 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
5825 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
5828 @cindex set tracepoint
5831 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
5832 Its argument can be a source line, a function name, or an address in
5833 the target program. @xref{Set Breaks}. The @code{trace} command
5834 defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the target program where the
5835 debugger will briefly stop, collect some data, and then allow the
5836 program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or changing its commands
5837 doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart} command; thus, you
5838 cannot change the tracepoint attributes once a trace experiment is
5841 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
5844 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
5846 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
5848 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
5850 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
5852 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
5856 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
5859 @cindex last tracepoint number
5860 @cindex recent tracepoint number
5861 @cindex tracepoint number
5862 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
5863 of the most recently set tracepoint.
5865 @kindex delete tracepoint
5866 @cindex tracepoint deletion
5867 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
5868 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
5869 default is to delete all tracepoints.
5874 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
5876 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
5880 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
5883 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
5884 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
5887 @kindex disable tracepoint
5888 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
5889 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
5890 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
5891 the next trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
5892 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
5894 @kindex enable tracepoint
5895 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
5896 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. The enabled
5897 tracepoints will become effective the next time a trace experiment is
5901 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
5902 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
5906 @cindex tracepoint pass count
5907 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
5908 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
5909 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
5910 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
5911 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
5912 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
5913 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
5914 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
5920 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
5921 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
5923 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
5924 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
5925 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
5926 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
5927 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
5928 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
5929 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
5930 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
5931 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
5932 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
5933 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
5937 @node Tracepoint Actions
5938 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
5942 @cindex tracepoint actions
5943 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
5944 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
5945 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
5946 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
5947 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
5948 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
5949 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
5950 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
5951 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect} and
5952 @code{while-stepping}.
5954 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
5955 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
5956 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
5959 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
5961 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
5963 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
5966 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
5967 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
5968 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
5969 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
5970 followed by the list of things to be collected while stepping. The
5971 @code{while-stepping} command is terminated by its own separate
5972 @code{end} command. Lastly, the action list is terminated by an
5976 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
5977 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
5978 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
5987 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
5988 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
5989 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
5990 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
5991 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
5992 special arguments are supported:
5996 collect all registers
5999 collect all function arguments
6002 collect all local variables.
6005 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
6006 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
6007 arguments separated by commas: the effect is the same.
6009 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
6010 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
6012 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
6013 @item while-stepping @var{n}
6014 Perform @var{n} single-step traces after the tracepoint, collecting
6015 new data at each step. The @code{while-stepping} command is
6016 followed by the list of what to collect while stepping (followed by
6017 its own @code{end} command):
6021 > collect $regs, myglobal
6027 You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
6031 @node Listing Tracepoints
6032 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
6035 @kindex info tracepoints
6036 @cindex information about tracepoints
6037 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
6038 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't specify
6039 a tracepoint number displays information about all the tracepoints
6040 defined so far. For each tracepoint, the following information is
6047 whether it is enabled or disabled
6051 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
6053 its step count as given by the @code{while-stepping @var{n}} command
6055 where in the source files is the tracepoint set
6057 its action list as given by the @code{actions} command
6061 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
6062 Num Enb Address PassC StepC What
6063 1 y 0x002117c4 0 0 <gdb_asm>
6064 2 y 0x0020dc64 0 0 in g_test at g_test.c:1375
6065 3 y 0x0020b1f4 0 0 in get_data at ../foo.c:41
6070 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
6073 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiment
6074 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiment
6078 @cindex start a new trace experiment
6079 @cindex collected data discarded
6081 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
6082 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
6083 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
6087 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
6089 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
6090 stops collecting data.
6092 @strong{Note:} a trace experiment and data collection may stop
6093 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
6094 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
6097 @cindex status of trace data collection
6098 @cindex trace experiment, status of
6100 This command displays the status of the current trace data
6104 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
6107 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
6108 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
6109 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
6110 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
6115 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
6116 [time passes @dots{}]
6117 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
6121 @node Analyze Collected Data
6122 @section Using the collected data
6124 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
6125 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
6126 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
6127 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
6128 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
6129 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
6130 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
6131 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
6132 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
6133 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
6134 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
6135 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
6136 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
6137 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
6138 the buffer will fail.
6141 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
6142 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
6143 * save-tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
6147 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
6150 @cindex select trace snapshot
6151 @cindex find trace snapshot
6152 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
6153 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
6154 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
6155 snapshot is selected.
6157 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
6161 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
6162 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
6165 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
6168 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
6171 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
6174 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
6175 retracing earlier steps.
6177 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
6178 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
6179 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
6180 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
6181 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
6183 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
6184 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
6185 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
6186 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
6187 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
6189 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
6190 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
6193 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
6194 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
6195 @var{addr2}. @c FIXME: Is the range inclusive or exclusive?
6197 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
6198 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
6199 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
6200 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
6201 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
6202 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
6203 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
6204 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
6207 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
6208 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
6209 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
6210 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
6211 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
6212 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
6213 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
6214 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
6215 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
6216 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
6217 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
6218 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
6219 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
6220 tracepoint as the current one.
6222 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
6223 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
6224 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
6225 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
6226 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
6229 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
6230 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
6231 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
6232 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
6236 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
6237 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
6238 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
6239 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
6240 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
6241 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
6242 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
6243 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
6244 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
6245 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
6246 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
6249 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
6253 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
6254 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
6255 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
6265 @subsection @code{tdump}
6267 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
6268 @cindex tracepoint data, display
6270 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
6271 the current trace snapshot.
6274 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
6275 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
6276 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
6277 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
6280 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
6282 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
6283 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
6285 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
6287 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
6288 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
6289 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
6293 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
6298 a1 0x3000668 50333288
6301 a4 0x3000698 50333336
6303 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
6304 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
6306 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
6310 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
6317 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
6322 @node save-tracepoints
6323 @subsection @code{save-tracepoints @var{filename}}
6324 @kindex save-tracepoints
6325 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
6327 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
6328 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
6329 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
6330 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
6333 @node Tracepoint Variables
6334 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
6335 @cindex tracepoint variables
6336 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
6339 @vindex $trace_frame
6340 @item (int) $trace_frame
6341 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
6342 snapshot is selected.
6345 @item (int) $tracepoint
6346 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
6349 @item (int) $trace_line
6350 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
6353 @item (char []) $trace_file
6354 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
6357 @item (char []) $trace_func
6358 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
6361 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
6362 use @code{output} instead.
6364 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
6365 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
6369 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
6371 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
6372 > output $trace_file
6373 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
6379 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
6382 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
6383 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
6384 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
6388 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
6389 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
6390 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
6391 mapped by asking the inferior.
6392 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
6395 @node How Overlays Work
6396 @section How Overlays Work
6397 @cindex mapped overlays
6398 @cindex unmapped overlays
6399 @cindex load address, overlay's
6400 @cindex mapped address
6401 @cindex overlay area
6403 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
6404 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
6405 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
6406 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
6407 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
6409 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
6410 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
6411 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
6412 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
6413 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
6414 largest overlay as well.
6416 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
6417 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
6418 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
6423 Data Instruction Larger
6424 Address Space Address Space Address Space
6425 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
6427 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
6428 | program | | main | | | load address
6429 | variables | | program | | overlay 1 |
6430 | and heap | | | ,---| |
6431 +-----------+ | | | | |
6432 | | +-----------+ | +-----------+
6433 +-----------+ | | | | |
6434 mapped --->+-----------+ / +-----------+<-- overlay 2
6435 address | overlay | <-' | overlay 2 | load address
6437 | | <---. +-----------+
6440 | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 3
6441 +-----------+ `--| | load address
6448 To map an overlay, copy its code from the larger address space
6449 to the instruction address space. Since the overlays shown here
6450 all use the same mapped address, only one may be mapped at a time.
6454 This diagram shows a system with separate data and instruction address
6455 spaces. For a system with a single address space for data and
6456 instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the program
6457 variables and heap would share an address space with the main program
6458 and the overlay area.
6460 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
6461 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
6462 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
6463 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
6464 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
6465 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
6466 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
6468 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
6469 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
6470 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
6475 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
6476 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
6477 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
6478 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
6481 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
6482 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
6483 your program's performance.
6486 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
6487 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
6488 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
6489 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
6490 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
6491 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
6492 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
6495 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
6496 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
6497 instruction and data spaces.
6501 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
6502 improved in many ways:
6507 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
6508 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
6509 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
6510 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
6511 area in the usual way.
6514 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
6515 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
6518 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
6519 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
6520 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
6521 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
6522 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
6523 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
6524 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
6529 @node Overlay Commands
6530 @section Overlay Commands
6532 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
6533 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
6534 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
6535 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
6536 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
6537 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
6539 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
6540 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
6545 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
6546 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
6547 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
6548 overlay support is disabled.
6550 @item overlay manual
6551 @kindex overlay manual
6552 @cindex manual overlay debugging
6553 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
6554 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
6555 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
6556 commands described below.
6558 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
6559 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
6560 @kindex overlay map-overlay
6561 @cindex map an overlay
6562 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
6563 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
6564 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
6565 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
6566 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
6567 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
6569 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
6570 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
6571 @kindex overlay unmap-overlay
6572 @cindex unmap an overlay
6573 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
6574 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
6575 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
6576 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
6579 @kindex overlay auto
6580 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
6581 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
6582 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
6585 @item overlay load-target
6587 @kindex overlay load-target
6588 @cindex reloading the overlay table
6589 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
6590 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
6591 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
6592 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
6593 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
6595 @item overlay list-overlays
6597 @cindex listing mapped overlays
6598 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
6599 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
6603 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
6604 of the function the address falls in:
6608 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
6611 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
6612 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
6613 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
6614 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
6618 No sections are mapped.
6620 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
6623 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
6628 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
6629 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
6631 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
6634 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
6635 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
6636 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
6637 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
6638 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
6642 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
6643 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
6644 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
6645 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
6647 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
6648 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
6649 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
6650 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
6651 breakpoints properly.
6655 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
6656 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
6657 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
6659 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
6660 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
6661 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
6662 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
6663 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
6664 current state of the overlays.
6666 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
6667 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
6671 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
6672 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
6677 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
6680 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
6683 /* The overlay's load address. */
6686 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
6688 unsigned long mapped;
6692 @item @code{_novlys}:
6693 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
6694 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
6698 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
6699 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
6700 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
6701 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
6702 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
6706 @node Overlay Sample Program
6707 @section Overlay Sample Program
6708 @cindex overlay example program
6710 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
6711 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
6712 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
6713 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
6714 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
6715 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
6716 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
6718 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
6719 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
6720 suite. The program consists of the following files from
6721 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
6725 The main program file.
6727 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
6732 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
6735 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
6736 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
6739 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
6740 cross-compiler like this:
6743 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
6744 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
6745 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
6746 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
6747 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
6748 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
6749 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
6750 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
6753 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
6754 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
6755 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
6759 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
6762 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
6763 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
6764 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
6765 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
6766 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
6767 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
6769 @cindex working language
6770 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
6771 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
6772 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
6773 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
6774 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
6778 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
6779 * Show:: Displaying the language
6780 * Checks:: Type and range checks
6781 * Support:: Supported languages
6785 @section Switching between source languages
6787 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
6788 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
6789 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
6790 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
6791 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
6794 In addition to the working language, every source file that
6795 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
6796 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
6797 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
6798 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
6799 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
6800 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
6801 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
6802 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
6803 Displaying the language}.
6805 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
6806 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
6807 another language. In that case, make the
6808 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
6809 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
6810 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
6813 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
6814 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
6815 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
6819 @subsection List of filename extensions and languages
6821 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
6822 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
6847 Modula-2 source file
6851 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
6852 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
6855 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
6856 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the language}.
6859 @subsection Setting the working language
6861 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
6862 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
6865 @kindex set language
6866 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
6867 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
6869 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
6870 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
6872 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
6873 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
6874 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
6875 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
6876 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
6877 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
6885 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
6886 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
6887 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
6888 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
6891 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
6893 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
6894 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
6895 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
6896 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
6897 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
6898 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
6899 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
6900 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
6901 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
6903 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
6904 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
6905 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
6906 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
6907 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
6910 @section Displaying the language
6912 The following commands help you find out which language is the
6913 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
6915 @kindex show language
6916 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
6917 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
6920 Display the current working language. This is the
6921 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
6922 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
6925 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
6926 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
6927 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a frame}, to identify the other
6928 information listed here.
6931 Display the source language of this source file.
6932 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
6933 information listed here.
6936 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
6937 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
6938 with a language explicitly:
6940 @kindex set extension-language
6941 @kindex info extensions
6943 @item set extension-language @var{.ext} @var{language}
6944 Set source files with extension @var{.ext} to be assumed to be in
6945 the source language @var{language}.
6947 @item info extensions
6948 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
6952 @section Type and range checking
6955 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
6956 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
6957 section documents the intended facilities.
6959 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
6961 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
6962 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
6963 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
6964 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
6965 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
6966 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
6967 errors when your program is running.
6969 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
6970 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program, it
6971 can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via
6972 the @code{print} command, for example. As with the working language,
6973 @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check automatically based on
6974 your program's source language. @xref{Support, ,Supported languages},
6975 for the default settings of supported languages.
6978 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
6979 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
6982 @cindex type checking
6983 @cindex checks, type
6985 @subsection An overview of type checking
6987 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
6988 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
6989 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
6990 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
6998 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
6999 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
7001 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
7002 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
7003 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
7004 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
7005 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
7006 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
7007 also issues a warning.
7009 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
7010 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
7011 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
7012 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
7013 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
7014 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
7016 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
7017 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
7018 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
7019 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
7020 operators. @xref{Support, ,Supported languages}, for further
7021 details on specific languages.
7023 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
7025 @kindex set check@r{, type}
7026 @kindex set check type
7027 @kindex show check type
7029 @item set check type auto
7030 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
7031 @xref{Support, ,Supported languages}, for the default settings for
7034 @item set check type on
7035 @itemx set check type off
7036 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
7037 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
7038 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
7039 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
7040 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
7042 @item set check type warn
7043 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
7044 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
7045 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
7046 numbers and structures.
7049 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
7050 is setting it automatically.
7053 @cindex range checking
7054 @cindex checks, range
7055 @node Range Checking
7056 @subsection An overview of range checking
7058 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
7059 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
7060 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
7061 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
7062 not exceed the bounds of the array.
7064 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
7065 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
7066 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
7067 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
7069 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
7070 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
7071 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
7072 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
7073 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
7074 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
7077 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
7080 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
7081 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Support, ,
7082 Supported languages}, for further details on specific languages.
7084 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
7086 @kindex set check@r{, range}
7087 @kindex set check range
7088 @kindex show check range
7090 @item set check range auto
7091 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
7092 @xref{Support, ,Supported languages}, for the default settings for
7095 @item set check range on
7096 @itemx set check range off
7097 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
7098 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
7099 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
7100 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
7102 @item set check range warn
7103 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
7104 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
7105 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
7106 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
7110 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
7111 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
7115 @section Supported languages
7117 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, Fortran, Java, Chill, assembly, and Modula-2.
7118 @c This is false ...
7119 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
7120 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
7121 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
7122 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
7125 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
7126 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
7127 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
7128 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
7129 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
7130 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
7131 language reference or tutorial.
7135 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
7140 @subsection C and C@t{++}
7142 @cindex C and C@t{++}
7143 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
7145 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
7146 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
7150 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
7151 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
7152 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
7153 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
7154 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
7155 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
7156 compiler (@code{aCC}).
7158 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the stabs debugging
7159 format. You can select that format explicitly with the @code{g++}
7160 command-line options @samp{-gstabs} or @samp{-gstabs+}. See
7161 @ref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or @sc{gnu}
7162 CC, gcc.info, Using @sc{gnu} CC}, for more information.
7165 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
7166 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
7167 * C plus plus expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
7168 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
7169 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
7170 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
7171 * Debugging C plus plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
7175 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} operators
7177 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
7179 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
7180 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
7181 often defined on groups of types.
7183 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
7188 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
7189 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
7192 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
7193 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
7196 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
7199 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
7204 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
7205 in order of increasing precedence:
7209 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
7210 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
7211 expression being the last expression evaluated.
7214 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
7215 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
7218 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
7219 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
7220 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
7221 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
7222 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
7225 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
7226 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
7230 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
7233 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
7236 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
7239 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
7242 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
7245 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
7246 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
7248 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
7249 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
7250 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
7251 and non-zero for true.
7254 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
7257 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
7260 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
7263 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
7264 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
7265 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
7269 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
7270 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
7271 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
7272 operation takes place.
7275 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
7279 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
7281 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
7282 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
7283 (or, if you prefer, simply @samp{&&@var{ref}}) to examine the address
7284 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
7288 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
7289 precedence as @code{++}.
7292 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
7296 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
7301 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
7302 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
7303 pointer based on the stored type information.
7304 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
7307 Dereferences of pointers to members.
7310 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
7311 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
7314 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
7317 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
7318 and @code{class} types.
7321 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
7322 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
7326 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
7327 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
7335 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} constants
7337 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
7339 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
7344 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
7345 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e. zero), and hexadecimal constants by
7346 a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
7347 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
7351 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
7352 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
7353 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
7354 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
7355 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
7356 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
7357 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
7358 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
7359 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
7363 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
7364 integral equivalents.
7367 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
7368 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
7369 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
7370 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
7371 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
7372 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
7373 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
7374 @samp{\n} for newline.
7377 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
7378 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
7379 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
7380 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
7384 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
7385 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
7388 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
7389 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
7390 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
7391 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
7395 * C plus plus expressions::
7402 @node C plus plus expressions
7403 @subsubsection C@t{++} expressions
7405 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
7406 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
7408 @cindex C@t{++} support, not in @sc{coff}
7409 @cindex @sc{coff} versus C@t{++}
7410 @cindex C@t{++} and object formats
7411 @cindex object formats and C@t{++}
7412 @cindex a.out and C@t{++}
7413 @cindex @sc{ecoff} and C@t{++}
7414 @cindex @sc{xcoff} and C@t{++}
7415 @cindex @sc{elf}/stabs and C@t{++}
7416 @cindex @sc{elf}/@sc{dwarf} and C@t{++}
7417 @c FIXME!! GDB may eventually be able to debug C++ using DWARF; check
7418 @c periodically whether this has happened...
7420 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
7421 proper compiler. Typically, C@t{++} debugging depends on the use of
7422 additional debugging information in the symbol table, and thus requires
7423 special support. In particular, if your compiler generates a.out, MIPS
7424 @sc{ecoff}, RS/6000 @sc{xcoff}, or @sc{elf} with stabs extensions to the
7425 symbol table, these facilities are all available. (With @sc{gnu} CC,
7426 you can use the @samp{-gstabs} option to request stabs debugging
7427 extensions explicitly.) Where the object code format is standard
7428 @sc{coff} or @sc{dwarf} in @sc{elf}, on the other hand, most of the C@t{++}
7429 support in @value{GDBN} does @emph{not} work.
7434 @cindex member functions
7436 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
7439 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
7442 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
7443 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
7445 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
7446 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
7447 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
7448 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
7450 @cindex call overloaded functions
7451 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
7452 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
7454 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
7455 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
7456 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
7457 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
7458 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
7461 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
7462 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
7463 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
7464 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
7465 number of function arguments.
7467 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
7468 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C plus plus,
7469 ,@value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}}.
7471 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
7472 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
7474 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
7477 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
7478 see @ref{Completion, ,Command completion}.
7480 @cindex reference declarations
7482 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
7483 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
7486 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
7487 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
7488 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
7489 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
7490 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
7493 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
7494 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
7495 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
7496 necessary, for example in an expression like
7497 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
7498 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
7499 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program variables}).
7502 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
7503 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
7504 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
7505 invoking user-defined operators.
7508 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} defaults
7510 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
7512 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
7513 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
7514 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
7515 selects the working language.
7517 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
7518 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
7519 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
7520 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
7521 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language},
7522 for further details.
7524 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
7525 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
7526 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
7529 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} type and range checks
7531 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
7533 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
7534 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
7535 considers two variables type equivalent if:
7539 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
7543 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
7544 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
7547 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
7550 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
7551 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
7556 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
7557 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
7558 that is not itself an array.
7561 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
7563 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
7564 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
7565 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
7566 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
7568 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
7569 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
7573 * Debugging C plus plus::
7576 @node Debugging C plus plus
7577 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
7579 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
7581 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
7582 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
7585 @cindex break in overloaded functions
7586 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
7587 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
7588 @value{GDBN} breakpoint menus help you specify which function definition
7589 you want. @xref{Breakpoint Menus,,Breakpoint menus}.
7591 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
7592 @item rbreak @var{regex}
7593 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
7594 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
7596 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}.
7598 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
7601 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
7602 Catchpoints, , Setting catchpoints}.
7605 @item ptype @var{typename}
7606 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
7608 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
7610 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
7611 @item set print demangle
7612 @itemx show print demangle
7613 @itemx set print asm-demangle
7614 @itemx show print asm-demangle
7615 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
7616 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
7617 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
7619 @item set print object
7620 @itemx show print object
7621 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
7622 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
7624 @item set print vtbl
7625 @itemx show print vtbl
7626 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
7627 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
7628 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
7629 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
7631 @kindex set overload-resolution
7632 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
7633 @item set overload-resolution on
7634 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
7635 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
7636 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
7637 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C plus plus expressions, ,C@t{++}
7638 expressions}, for details). If it cannot find a match, it emits a
7641 @item set overload-resolution off
7642 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
7643 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
7644 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
7645 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
7646 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
7647 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
7650 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
7651 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
7652 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
7653 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
7654 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
7655 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
7656 @xref{Completion,, Command completion}, for details on how to do this.
7660 @subsection Modula-2
7662 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
7664 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
7665 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
7666 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
7667 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
7668 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
7671 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
7673 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
7674 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
7675 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
7676 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
7677 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
7678 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
7679 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
7680 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
7684 @subsubsection Operators
7685 @cindex Modula-2 operators
7687 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
7688 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
7689 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
7690 following definitions hold:
7695 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
7699 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
7702 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
7705 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
7709 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
7712 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
7715 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
7719 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
7720 increasing precedence:
7724 Function argument or array index separator.
7727 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
7731 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
7735 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
7736 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
7737 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
7739 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
7740 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
7741 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
7742 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
7746 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
7747 Same precedence as @code{<}.
7750 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
7753 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
7756 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
7759 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
7760 and difference on set types.
7763 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
7767 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
7768 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
7771 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
7772 precedence as @code{*}.
7775 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
7778 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
7781 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
7785 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
7786 precedence as @code{^}.
7789 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
7792 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
7796 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
7800 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
7801 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
7802 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
7803 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
7807 @node Built-In Func/Proc
7808 @subsubsection Built-in functions and procedures
7809 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
7811 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
7812 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
7817 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
7820 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
7823 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
7826 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
7827 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
7828 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
7831 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
7834 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
7840 represents a variable.
7843 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
7844 explanation of the function for details.
7847 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
7851 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
7854 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
7855 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
7858 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
7861 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
7863 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
7864 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
7867 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
7868 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
7871 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
7872 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
7875 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
7878 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
7880 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
7881 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
7884 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
7885 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
7886 there. Returns the new set.
7889 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
7892 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
7895 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
7898 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
7899 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
7900 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
7901 integral, character and enumerated types.
7904 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
7906 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
7907 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
7909 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
7910 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
7914 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
7915 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
7919 @cindex Modula-2 constants
7921 @subsubsection Constants
7923 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
7929 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
7930 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
7931 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
7932 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
7935 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
7936 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
7937 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
7938 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
7939 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
7943 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
7944 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
7945 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
7946 followed by a @samp{C}.
7949 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
7950 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
7951 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
7952 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
7956 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
7959 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
7963 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
7966 Set constants are not yet supported.
7970 @subsubsection Modula-2 defaults
7971 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
7973 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
7974 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
7975 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
7976 selected the working language.
7978 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
7979 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
7980 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} set
7981 the language automatically}, for further details.
7984 @subsubsection Deviations from standard Modula-2
7985 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
7987 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
7988 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
7992 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
7993 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
7994 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
7995 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
7996 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
7997 returned a pointer.)
8000 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
8001 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
8002 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
8003 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
8006 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
8010 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
8014 @subsubsection Modula-2 type and range checks
8015 @cindex Modula-2 checks
8018 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
8021 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
8023 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
8027 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
8028 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
8031 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
8032 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
8035 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
8036 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
8038 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
8039 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
8042 @subsubsection The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
8044 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
8045 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
8047 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
8048 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
8051 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
8054 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
8055 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
8060 @var{module} . @var{id}
8061 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
8065 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
8066 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
8067 identifier within your program, except another module.
8069 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
8070 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
8071 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
8072 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
8074 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
8075 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
8076 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
8077 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
8078 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
8082 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
8084 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
8085 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
8086 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
8087 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
8088 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
8089 analogue in Modula-2.
8091 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
8092 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
8093 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
8094 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
8095 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
8096 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
8098 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
8099 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
8100 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
8105 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Chill only support output
8106 from the @sc{gnu} Chill compiler. Other Chill compilers are not currently
8107 supported, and attempting to debug executables produced by them is most
8108 likely to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
8111 @c This used to say "... following Chill related topics ...", but since
8112 @c menus are not shown in the printed manual, it would look awkward.
8113 This section covers the Chill related topics and the features
8114 of @value{GDBN} which support these topics.
8117 * How modes are displayed:: How modes are displayed
8118 * Locations:: Locations and their accesses
8119 * Values and their Operations:: Values and their Operations
8120 * Chill type and range checks::
8124 @node How modes are displayed
8125 @subsubsection How modes are displayed
8127 The Chill Datatype- (Mode) support of @value{GDBN} is directly related
8128 with the functionality of the @sc{gnu} Chill compiler, and therefore deviates
8129 slightly from the standard specification of the Chill language. The
8132 @c FIXME: this @table's contents effectively disable @code by using @r
8133 @c on every @item. So why does it need @code?
8135 @item @r{@emph{Discrete modes:}}
8138 @emph{Integer Modes} which are predefined by @code{BYTE, UBYTE, INT,
8141 @emph{Boolean Mode} which is predefined by @code{BOOL},
8143 @emph{Character Mode} which is predefined by @code{CHAR},
8145 @emph{Set Mode} which is displayed by the keyword @code{SET}.
8147 (@value{GDBP}) ptype x
8148 type = SET (karli = 10, susi = 20, fritzi = 100)
8150 If the type is an unnumbered set the set element values are omitted.
8152 @emph{Range Mode} which is displayed by
8154 @code{type = <basemode>(<lower bound> : <upper bound>)}
8156 where @code{<lower bound>, <upper bound>} can be of any discrete literal
8157 expression (e.g. set element names).
8160 @item @r{@emph{Powerset Mode:}}
8161 A Powerset Mode is displayed by the keyword @code{POWERSET} followed by
8162 the member mode of the powerset. The member mode can be any discrete mode.
8164 (@value{GDBP}) ptype x
8165 type = POWERSET SET (egon, hugo, otto)
8168 @item @r{@emph{Reference Modes:}}
8171 @emph{Bound Reference Mode} which is displayed by the keyword @code{REF}
8172 followed by the mode name to which the reference is bound.
8174 @emph{Free Reference Mode} which is displayed by the keyword @code{PTR}.
8177 @item @r{@emph{Procedure mode}}
8178 The procedure mode is displayed by @code{type = PROC(<parameter list>)
8179 <return mode> EXCEPTIONS (<exception list>)}. The @code{<parameter
8180 list>} is a list of the parameter modes. @code{<return mode>} indicates
8181 the mode of the result of the procedure if any. The exceptionlist lists
8182 all possible exceptions which can be raised by the procedure.
8185 @item @r{@emph{Instance mode}}
8186 The instance mode is represented by a structure, which has a static
8187 type, and is therefore not really of interest.
8190 @item @r{@emph{Synchronization Modes:}}
8193 @emph{Event Mode} which is displayed by
8195 @code{EVENT (<event length>)}
8197 where @code{(<event length>)} is optional.
8199 @emph{Buffer Mode} which is displayed by
8201 @code{BUFFER (<buffer length>)<buffer element mode>}
8203 where @code{(<buffer length>)} is optional.
8206 @item @r{@emph{Timing Modes:}}
8209 @emph{Duration Mode} which is predefined by @code{DURATION}
8211 @emph{Absolute Time Mode} which is predefined by @code{TIME}
8214 @item @r{@emph{Real Modes:}}
8215 Real Modes are predefined with @code{REAL} and @code{LONG_REAL}.
8217 @item @r{@emph{String Modes:}}
8220 @emph{Character String Mode} which is displayed by
8222 @code{CHARS(<string length>)}
8224 followed by the keyword @code{VARYING} if the String Mode is a varying
8227 @emph{Bit String Mode} which is displayed by
8234 @item @r{@emph{Array Mode:}}
8235 The Array Mode is displayed by the keyword @code{ARRAY(<range>)}
8236 followed by the element mode (which may in turn be an array mode).
8238 (@value{GDBP}) ptype x
8241 SET (karli = 10, susi = 20, fritzi = 100)
8244 @item @r{@emph{Structure Mode}}
8245 The Structure mode is displayed by the keyword @code{STRUCT(<field
8246 list>)}. The @code{<field list>} consists of names and modes of fields
8247 of the structure. Variant structures have the keyword @code{CASE <field>
8248 OF <variant fields> ESAC} in their field list. Since the current version
8249 of the GNU Chill compiler doesn't implement tag processing (no runtime
8250 checks of variant fields, and therefore no debugging info), the output
8251 always displays all variant fields.
8253 (@value{GDBP}) ptype str
8268 @subsubsection Locations and their accesses
8270 A location in Chill is an object which can contain values.
8272 A value of a location is generally accessed by the (declared) name of
8273 the location. The output conforms to the specification of values in
8274 Chill programs. How values are specified
8275 is the topic of the next section, @ref{Values and their Operations}.
8277 The pseudo-location @code{RESULT} (or @code{result}) can be used to
8278 display or change the result of a currently-active procedure:
8285 This does the same as the Chill action @code{RESULT EXPR} (which
8286 is not available in @value{GDBN}).
8288 Values of reference mode locations are printed by @code{PTR(<hex
8289 value>)} in case of a free reference mode, and by @code{(REF <reference
8290 mode>) (<hex-value>)} in case of a bound reference. @code{<hex value>}
8291 represents the address where the reference points to. To access the
8292 value of the location referenced by the pointer, use the dereference
8295 Values of procedure mode locations are displayed by
8298 (<argument modes> ) <return mode> @} <address> <name of procedure
8301 @code{<argument modes>} is a list of modes according to the parameter
8302 specification of the procedure and @code{<address>} shows the address of
8306 Locations of instance modes are displayed just like a structure with two
8307 fields specifying the @emph{process type} and the @emph{copy number} of
8308 the investigated instance location@footnote{This comes from the current
8309 implementation of instances. They are implemented as a structure (no
8310 na). The output should be something like @code{[<name of the process>;
8311 <instance number>]}.}. The field names are @code{__proc_type} and
8314 Locations of synchronization modes are displayed like a structure with
8315 the field name @code{__event_data} in case of a event mode location, and
8316 like a structure with the field @code{__buffer_data} in case of a buffer
8317 mode location (refer to previous paragraph).
8319 Structure Mode locations are printed by @code{[.<field name>: <value>,
8320 ...]}. The @code{<field name>} corresponds to the structure mode
8321 definition and the layout of @code{<value>} varies depending of the mode
8322 of the field. If the investigated structure mode location is of variant
8323 structure mode, the variant parts of the structure are enclosed in curled
8324 braces (@samp{@{@}}). Fields enclosed by @samp{@{,@}} are residing
8325 on the same memory location and represent the current values of the
8326 memory location in their specific modes. Since no tag processing is done
8327 all variants are displayed. A variant field is printed by
8328 @code{(<variant name>) = .<field name>: <value>}. (who implements the
8331 (@value{GDBP}) print str1 $4 = [.as: 0, .bs: karli, .<TAG>: { (karli) =
8332 [.cs: []], (susi) = [.ds: susi]}]
8336 Substructures of string mode-, array mode- or structure mode-values
8337 (e.g. array slices, fields of structure locations) are accessed using
8338 certain operations which are described in the next section, @ref{Values
8339 and their Operations}.
8341 A location value may be interpreted as having a different mode using the
8342 location conversion. This mode conversion is written as @code{<mode
8343 name>(<location>)}. The user has to consider that the sizes of the modes
8344 have to be equal otherwise an error occurs. Furthermore, no range
8345 checking of the location against the destination mode is performed, and
8346 therefore the result can be quite confusing.
8349 (@value{GDBP}) print int (s(3 up 4)) XXX TO be filled in !! XXX
8352 @node Values and their Operations
8353 @subsubsection Values and their Operations
8355 Values are used to alter locations, to investigate complex structures in
8356 more detail or to filter relevant information out of a large amount of
8357 data. There are several (mode dependent) operations defined which enable
8358 such investigations. These operations are not only applicable to
8359 constant values but also to locations, which can become quite useful
8360 when debugging complex structures. During parsing the command line
8361 (e.g. evaluating an expression) @value{GDBN} treats location names as
8362 the values behind these locations.
8364 This section describes how values have to be specified and which
8365 operations are legal to be used with such values.
8368 @item Literal Values
8369 Literal values are specified in the same manner as in @sc{gnu} Chill programs.
8370 For detailed specification refer to the @sc{gnu} Chill implementation Manual
8372 @c FIXME: if the Chill Manual is a Texinfo documents, the above should
8373 @c be converted to a @ref.
8378 @emph{Integer Literals} are specified in the same manner as in Chill
8379 programs (refer to the Chill Standard z200/88 chpt 5.2.4.2)
8381 @emph{Boolean Literals} are defined by @code{TRUE} and @code{FALSE}.
8383 @emph{Character Literals} are defined by @code{'<character>'}. (e.g.
8386 @emph{Set Literals} are defined by a name which was specified in a set
8387 mode. The value delivered by a Set Literal is the set value. This is
8388 comparable to an enumeration in C/C@t{++} language.
8390 @emph{Emptiness Literal} is predefined by @code{NULL}. The value of the
8391 emptiness literal delivers either the empty reference value, the empty
8392 procedure value or the empty instance value.
8395 @emph{Character String Literals} are defined by a sequence of characters
8396 enclosed in single- or double quotes. If a single- or double quote has
8397 to be part of the string literal it has to be stuffed (specified twice).
8399 @emph{Bitstring Literals} are specified in the same manner as in Chill
8400 programs (refer z200/88 chpt 5.2.4.8).
8402 @emph{Floating point literals} are specified in the same manner as in
8403 (gnu-)Chill programs (refer @sc{gnu} Chill implementation Manual chapter 1.5).
8408 A tuple is specified by @code{<mode name>[<tuple>]}, where @code{<mode
8409 name>} can be omitted if the mode of the tuple is unambiguous. This
8410 unambiguity is derived from the context of a evaluated expression.
8411 @code{<tuple>} can be one of the following:
8414 @item @emph{Powerset Tuple}
8415 @item @emph{Array Tuple}
8416 @item @emph{Structure Tuple}
8417 Powerset tuples, array tuples and structure tuples are specified in the
8418 same manner as in Chill programs refer to z200/88 chpt 5.2.5.
8421 @item String Element Value
8422 A string element value is specified by
8424 @code{<string value>(<index>)}
8426 where @code{<index>} is a integer expression. It delivers a character
8427 value which is equivalent to the character indexed by @code{<index>} in
8430 @item String Slice Value
8431 A string slice value is specified by @code{<string value>(<slice
8432 spec>)}, where @code{<slice spec>} can be either a range of integer
8433 expressions or specified by @code{<start expr> up <size>}.
8434 @code{<size>} denotes the number of elements which the slice contains.
8435 The delivered value is a string value, which is part of the specified
8438 @item Array Element Values
8439 An array element value is specified by @code{<array value>(<expr>)} and
8440 delivers a array element value of the mode of the specified array.
8442 @item Array Slice Values
8443 An array slice is specified by @code{<array value>(<slice spec>)}, where
8444 @code{<slice spec>} can be either a range specified by expressions or by
8445 @code{<start expr> up <size>}. @code{<size>} denotes the number of
8446 arrayelements the slice contains. The delivered value is an array value
8447 which is part of the specified array.
8449 @item Structure Field Values
8450 A structure field value is derived by @code{<structure value>.<field
8451 name>}, where @code{<field name>} indicates the name of a field specified
8452 in the mode definition of the structure. The mode of the delivered value
8453 corresponds to this mode definition in the structure definition.
8455 @item Procedure Call Value
8456 The procedure call value is derived from the return value of the
8457 procedure@footnote{If a procedure call is used for instance in an
8458 expression, then this procedure is called with all its side
8459 effects. This can lead to confusing results if used carelessly.}.
8461 Values of duration mode locations are represented by @code{ULONG} literals.
8463 Values of time mode locations appear as
8465 @code{TIME(<secs>:<nsecs>)}
8470 This is not implemented yet:
8471 @item Built-in Value
8473 The following built in functions are provided:
8485 @item @code{UPPER()}
8486 @item @code{LOWER()}
8487 @item @code{LENGTH()}
8491 @item @code{ARCSIN()}
8492 @item @code{ARCCOS()}
8493 @item @code{ARCTAN()}
8500 For a detailed description refer to the GNU Chill implementation manual
8504 @item Zero-adic Operator Value
8505 The zero-adic operator value is derived from the instance value for the
8506 current active process.
8508 @item Expression Values
8509 The value delivered by an expression is the result of the evaluation of
8510 the specified expression. If there are error conditions (mode
8511 incompatibility, etc.) the evaluation of expressions is aborted with a
8512 corresponding error message. Expressions may be parenthesised which
8513 causes the evaluation of this expression before any other expression
8514 which uses the result of the parenthesised expression. The following
8515 operators are supported by @value{GDBN}:
8518 @item @code{OR, ORIF, XOR}
8519 @itemx @code{AND, ANDIF}
8521 Logical operators defined over operands of boolean mode.
8524 Equality and inequality operators defined over all modes.
8528 Relational operators defined over predefined modes.
8531 @itemx @code{*, /, MOD, REM}
8532 Arithmetic operators defined over predefined modes.
8535 Change sign operator.
8538 String concatenation operator.
8541 String repetition operator.
8544 Referenced location operator which can be used either to take the
8545 address of a location (@code{->loc}), or to dereference a reference
8546 location (@code{loc->}).
8548 @item @code{OR, XOR}
8551 Powerset and bitstring operators.
8555 Powerset inclusion operators.
8558 Membership operator.
8562 @node Chill type and range checks
8563 @subsubsection Chill type and range checks
8565 @value{GDBN} considers two Chill variables mode equivalent if the sizes
8566 of the two modes are equal. This rule applies recursively to more
8567 complex datatypes which means that complex modes are treated
8568 equivalent if all element modes (which also can be complex modes like
8569 structures, arrays, etc.) have the same size.
8571 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
8572 index bounds and all built in procedures.
8574 Strong type checks are forced using the @value{GDBN} command @code{set
8575 check strong}. This enforces strong type and range checks on all
8576 operations where Chill constructs are used (expressions, built in
8577 functions, etc.) in respect to the semantics as defined in the z.200
8578 language specification.
8580 All checks can be disabled by the @value{GDBN} command @code{set check
8584 @c Deviations from the Chill Standard Z200/88
8585 see last paragraph ?
8588 @node Chill defaults
8589 @subsubsection Chill defaults
8591 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
8592 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
8593 Chill. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
8594 selected the working language.
8596 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
8597 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.ch} sets the
8598 working language to Chill. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} set
8599 the language automatically}, for further details.
8602 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
8604 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
8605 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
8606 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
8607 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
8608 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
8609 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing files}), or by one of the
8610 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
8612 @cindex symbol names
8613 @cindex names of symbols
8614 @cindex quoting names
8615 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
8616 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
8617 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
8618 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program variables}). File names
8619 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
8620 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
8621 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
8622 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
8629 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
8632 @kindex info address
8633 @cindex address of a symbol
8634 @item info address @var{symbol}
8635 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
8636 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
8637 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
8640 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
8641 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
8642 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
8645 @cindex symbol from address
8646 @item info symbol @var{addr}
8647 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
8648 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
8649 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
8652 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
8653 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
8657 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
8658 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
8661 @item whatis @var{expr}
8662 Print the data type of expression @var{expr}. @var{expr} is not
8663 actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
8664 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
8665 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
8668 Print the data type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
8671 @item ptype @var{typename}
8672 Print a description of data type @var{typename}. @var{typename} may be
8673 the name of a type, or for C code it may have the form @samp{class
8674 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
8675 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
8677 @item ptype @var{expr}
8679 Print a description of the type of expression @var{expr}. @code{ptype}
8680 differs from @code{whatis} by printing a detailed description, instead
8681 of just the name of the type.
8683 For example, for this variable declaration:
8686 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
8690 the two commands give this output:
8694 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
8695 type = struct complex
8696 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
8697 type = struct complex @{
8705 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
8706 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
8709 @item info types @var{regexp}
8711 Print a brief description of all types whose names match @var{regexp}
8712 (or all types in your program, if you supply no argument). Each
8713 complete typename is matched as though it were a complete line; thus,
8714 @samp{i type value} gives information on all types in your program whose
8715 names include the string @code{value}, but @samp{i type ^value$} gives
8716 information only on types whose complete name is @code{value}.
8718 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
8719 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
8720 lists all source files where a type is defined.
8723 @cindex local variables
8724 @item info scope @var{addr}
8725 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
8726 accepts a location---a function name, a source line, or an address
8727 preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local to the
8728 scope defined by that location. For example:
8731 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
8732 Scope for command_line_handler:
8733 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
8734 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
8735 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
8736 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
8737 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
8738 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
8739 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
8743 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
8744 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
8749 Show the name of the current source file---that is, the source file for
8750 the function containing the current point of execution---and the language
8753 @kindex info sources
8755 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
8756 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
8757 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
8759 @kindex info functions
8760 @item info functions
8761 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
8763 @item info functions @var{regexp}
8764 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
8765 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
8766 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
8767 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
8768 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
8769 that conflict with the regular expression language (eg.
8770 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
8772 @kindex info variables
8773 @item info variables
8774 Print the names and data types of all variables that are declared
8775 outside of functions (i.e., excluding local variables).
8777 @item info variables @var{regexp}
8778 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
8779 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
8783 This was never implemented.
8784 @kindex info methods
8786 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
8787 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
8788 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
8789 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
8790 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
8791 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
8792 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
8793 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
8796 @cindex reloading symbols
8797 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
8798 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
8799 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
8800 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
8801 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
8804 @kindex set symbol-reloading
8805 @item set symbol-reloading on
8806 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
8807 object file with a particular name is seen again.
8809 @item set symbol-reloading off
8810 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
8811 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
8812 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
8813 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
8814 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
8815 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
8818 @kindex show symbol-reloading
8819 @item show symbol-reloading
8820 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
8823 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
8824 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
8825 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
8826 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
8827 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
8828 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
8829 another source file. The default is on.
8831 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
8832 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
8834 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
8835 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
8836 is printed as follows:
8838 @{<no data fields>@}
8841 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
8842 @item show opaque-type-resolution
8843 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
8845 @kindex maint print symbols
8847 @kindex maint print psymbols
8848 @cindex partial symbol dump
8849 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
8850 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
8851 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
8852 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
8853 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
8854 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
8855 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
8856 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
8857 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
8858 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
8859 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
8860 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
8861 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
8862 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
8863 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
8864 @xref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}, for a discussion of how
8865 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
8869 @chapter Altering Execution
8871 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
8872 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
8873 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
8874 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
8877 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
8878 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
8879 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
8882 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
8883 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
8884 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
8885 * Returning:: Returning from a function
8886 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
8887 * Patching:: Patching your program
8891 @section Assignment to variables
8894 @cindex setting variables
8895 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
8896 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
8903 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
8904 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
8905 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
8906 information on operators in supported languages.
8908 @kindex set variable
8909 @cindex variables, setting
8910 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
8911 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
8912 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
8913 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
8914 ,Value history}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
8916 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
8917 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
8918 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
8919 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
8920 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
8921 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
8922 command @code{set width}:
8925 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
8927 (@value{GDBP}) p width
8929 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
8930 Invalid syntax in expression.
8934 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
8935 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
8938 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
8941 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
8942 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
8943 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
8944 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
8945 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
8946 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
8950 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
8954 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
8958 The program being debugged has been started already.
8959 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
8960 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
8961 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
8963 (@value{GDBP}) show g
8964 The current BFD target is "=4".
8969 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
8970 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
8974 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
8977 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
8978 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
8979 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
8980 same length or shorter.
8981 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
8984 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
8985 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
8986 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
8987 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
8988 and representation in memory), and
8991 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
8995 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
8998 @section Continuing at a different address
9000 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
9001 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
9002 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
9006 @item jump @var{linespec}
9007 Resume execution at line @var{linespec}. Execution stops again
9008 immediately if there is a breakpoint there. @xref{List, ,Printing
9009 source lines}, for a description of the different forms of
9010 @var{linespec}. It is common practice to use the @code{tbreak} command
9011 in conjunction with @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
9014 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
9015 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
9016 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
9017 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
9018 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
9019 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
9020 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
9021 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
9022 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
9024 @item jump *@var{address}
9025 Resume execution at the instruction at address @var{address}.
9028 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
9029 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
9030 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
9031 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
9032 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
9040 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
9041 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
9042 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and stepping}.
9044 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
9045 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
9046 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
9051 @section Giving your program a signal
9055 @item signal @var{signal}
9056 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
9057 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
9058 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
9059 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
9061 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
9062 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
9063 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
9064 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
9067 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
9068 after executing the command.
9072 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
9073 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
9074 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
9075 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
9076 passes the signal directly to your program.
9080 @section Returning from a function
9083 @cindex returning from a function
9086 @itemx return @var{expression}
9087 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
9088 command. If you give an
9089 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
9093 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
9094 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
9095 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
9096 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
9098 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
9099 frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
9100 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
9101 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
9104 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
9105 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
9106 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
9107 and Stepping, ,Continuing and stepping}) resumes execution until the
9108 selected stack frame returns naturally.
9111 @section Calling program functions
9113 @cindex calling functions
9116 @item call @var{expr}
9117 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
9121 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
9122 execute a function from your program, but without cluttering the output
9123 with @code{void} returned values. If the result is not void, it
9124 is printed and saved in the value history.
9126 @c OBSOLETE For the A29K, a user-controlled variable @code{call_scratch_address},
9127 @c OBSOLETE specifies the location of a scratch area to be used when @value{GDBN}
9128 @c OBSOLETE calls a function in the target. This is necessary because the usual
9129 @c OBSOLETE method of putting the scratch area on the stack does not work in systems
9130 @c OBSOLETE that have separate instruction and data spaces.
9133 @section Patching programs
9135 @cindex patching binaries
9136 @cindex writing into executables
9137 @cindex writing into corefiles
9139 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
9140 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
9141 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
9142 patching your program's binary.
9144 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
9145 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
9146 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
9152 @itemx set write off
9153 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
9154 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @samp{set write
9155 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
9157 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
9158 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
9159 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
9163 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
9168 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
9170 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
9171 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
9172 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
9173 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
9176 * Files:: Commands to specify files
9177 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
9181 @section Commands to specify files
9183 @cindex symbol table
9184 @cindex core dump file
9186 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
9187 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
9188 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
9189 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
9191 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
9192 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to specify
9193 a file you want to use. In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands
9194 to specify new files are useful.
9197 @cindex executable file
9199 @item file @var{filename}
9200 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
9201 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
9202 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
9203 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
9204 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
9205 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
9206 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
9207 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
9209 On systems with memory-mapped files, an auxiliary file named
9210 @file{@var{filename}.syms} may hold symbol table information for
9211 @var{filename}. If so, @value{GDBN} maps in the symbol table from
9212 @file{@var{filename}.syms}, starting up more quickly. See the
9213 descriptions of the file options @samp{-mapped} and @samp{-readnow}
9214 (available on the command line, and with the commands @code{file},
9215 @code{symbol-file}, or @code{add-symbol-file}, described below),
9216 for more information.
9219 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
9220 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
9223 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
9224 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
9225 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
9226 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
9227 discard information on the executable file.
9230 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
9231 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
9232 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
9233 table and program to run from the same file.
9235 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
9236 program's symbol table.
9238 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents
9239 of its convenience variables, the value history, and all breakpoints and
9240 auto-display expressions. This is because they may contain pointers to
9241 the internal data recording symbols and data types, which are part of
9242 the old symbol table data being discarded inside @value{GDBN}.
9244 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
9247 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
9248 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
9249 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
9250 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
9251 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
9252 using @code{@value{GCC}} you can generate debugging information for
9255 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
9256 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
9257 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
9258 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
9259 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
9261 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
9262 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
9263 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
9264 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
9265 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
9266 warnings and messages}.)
9268 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
9269 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
9270 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
9271 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
9275 @cindex reading symbols immediately
9276 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
9278 @cindex memory-mapped symbol file
9279 @cindex saving symbol table
9280 @item symbol-file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @r{[} -mapped @r{]}
9281 @itemx file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @r{[} -mapped @r{]}
9282 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
9283 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
9284 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
9285 entire symbol table available.
9287 If memory-mapped files are available on your system through the
9288 @code{mmap} system call, you can use another option, @samp{-mapped}, to
9289 cause @value{GDBN} to write the symbols for your program into a reusable
9290 file. Future @value{GDBN} debugging sessions map in symbol information
9291 from this auxiliary symbol file (if the program has not changed), rather
9292 than spending time reading the symbol table from the executable
9293 program. Using the @samp{-mapped} option has the same effect as
9294 starting @value{GDBN} with the @samp{-mapped} command-line option.
9296 You can use both options together, to make sure the auxiliary symbol
9297 file has all the symbol information for your program.
9299 The auxiliary symbol file for a program called @var{myprog} is called
9300 @samp{@var{myprog}.syms}. Once this file exists (so long as it is newer
9301 than the corresponding executable), @value{GDBN} always attempts to use
9302 it when you debug @var{myprog}; no special options or commands are
9305 The @file{.syms} file is specific to the host machine where you run
9306 @value{GDBN}. It holds an exact image of the internal @value{GDBN}
9307 symbol table. It cannot be shared across multiple host platforms.
9309 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
9310 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
9311 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
9312 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
9313 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
9314 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
9319 @item core-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
9320 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
9321 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
9322 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
9323 executable file itself for other parts.
9325 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
9328 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
9329 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
9330 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
9331 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
9332 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the child process}).
9334 @kindex add-symbol-file
9335 @cindex dynamic linking
9336 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
9337 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @r{[} -mapped @r{]}
9338 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
9339 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
9340 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
9341 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
9342 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
9343 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
9344 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
9345 of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
9346 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
9347 @var{address} as an expression.
9349 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
9350 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
9351 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
9352 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
9353 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
9355 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
9356 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
9357 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
9358 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
9359 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
9360 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
9361 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
9362 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
9363 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
9367 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
9368 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
9370 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
9371 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
9373 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
9374 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
9378 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
9379 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
9380 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
9381 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
9382 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C++ constructor table
9383 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
9384 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
9385 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
9386 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
9389 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
9391 You can use the @samp{-mapped} and @samp{-readnow} options just as with
9392 the @code{symbol-file} command, to change how @value{GDBN} manages the symbol
9393 table information for @var{filename}.
9395 @kindex add-shared-symbol-file
9396 @item add-shared-symbol-file
9397 The @code{add-shared-symbol-file} command can be used only under Harris' CXUX
9398 operating system for the Motorola 88k. @value{GDBN} automatically looks for
9399 shared libraries, however if @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can run
9400 @code{add-shared-symbol-file}. It takes no arguments.
9404 The @code{section} command changes the base address of section SECTION of
9405 the exec file to ADDR. This can be used if the exec file does not contain
9406 section addresses, (such as in the a.out format), or when the addresses
9407 specified in the file itself are wrong. Each section must be changed
9408 separately. The @code{info files} command, described below, lists all
9409 the sections and their addresses.
9415 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
9416 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
9417 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
9418 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
9419 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
9422 @kindex maint info sections
9423 @item maint info sections
9424 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
9425 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
9426 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
9427 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
9428 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
9429 may be arbitrarily combined):
9433 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
9434 @item @var{sections}
9435 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
9436 @item @var{section-flags}
9437 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
9438 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
9441 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
9442 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
9444 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
9445 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
9447 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
9449 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
9451 Section contains executable code only.
9453 Section contains data only (no executable code).
9455 Section will reside in ROM.
9457 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
9459 Section is not empty.
9461 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
9462 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
9463 A notification to the linker that the section contains
9464 COFF shared library information.
9466 Section contains common symbols.
9471 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
9472 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
9473 name and remembers it that way.
9475 @cindex shared libraries
9476 @value{GDBN} supports HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix 5, and IBM RS/6000 shared
9479 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
9480 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
9481 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
9482 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
9483 debugging a core file).
9485 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
9486 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
9488 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
9489 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
9490 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
9492 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
9493 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
9494 particularly large or there are many of them.
9496 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
9500 @kindex set auto-solib-add
9501 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
9502 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
9503 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
9504 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
9505 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
9506 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
9507 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
9509 @kindex show auto-solib-add
9510 @item show auto-solib-add
9511 Display the current autoloading mode.
9514 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
9518 @kindex info sharedlibrary
9521 @itemx info sharedlibrary
9522 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded.
9524 @kindex sharedlibrary
9526 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
9527 @itemx share @var{regex}
9528 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
9529 Unix regular expression.
9530 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
9531 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
9532 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
9536 On some systems, such as HP-UX systems, @value{GDBN} supports
9537 autoloading shared library symbols until a limiting threshold size is
9538 reached. This provides the benefit of allowing autoloading to remain on
9539 by default, but avoids autoloading excessively large shared libraries,
9540 up to a threshold that is initially set, but which you can modify if you
9543 Beyond that threshold, symbols from shared libraries must be explicitly
9544 loaded. To load these symbols, use the command @code{sharedlibrary
9545 @var{filename}}. The base address of the shared library is determined
9546 automatically by @value{GDBN} and need not be specified.
9548 To display or set the threshold, use the commands:
9551 @kindex set auto-solib-limit
9552 @item set auto-solib-limit @var{threshold}
9553 Set the autoloading size threshold, in an integral number of megabytes.
9554 If @var{threshold} is nonzero and shared library autoloading is enabled,
9555 symbols from all shared object libraries will be loaded until the total
9556 size of the loaded shared library symbols exceeds this threshold.
9557 Otherwise, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
9558 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default threshold is 100 (i.e. 100
9561 @kindex show auto-solib-limit
9562 @item show auto-solib-limit
9563 Display the current autoloading size threshold, in megabytes.
9567 @section Errors reading symbol files
9569 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
9570 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
9571 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
9572 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
9573 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
9574 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
9575 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
9576 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
9577 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
9578 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
9581 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
9584 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
9586 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
9587 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
9588 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
9589 in its outer scope blocks.
9591 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
9592 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
9593 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
9596 @item block at @var{address} out of order
9598 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
9599 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
9602 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
9603 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
9604 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
9605 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
9608 @item bad block start address patched
9610 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
9611 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
9612 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
9614 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
9615 starting on the previous source line.
9617 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
9620 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
9621 larger than the size of the string table.
9623 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
9624 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
9627 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
9629 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
9630 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
9631 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
9633 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
9634 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
9635 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
9636 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
9637 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
9638 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
9640 @item stub type has NULL name
9642 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
9644 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
9645 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
9646 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
9649 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
9651 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
9656 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
9658 @cindex debugging target
9661 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
9663 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
9664 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
9665 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
9666 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
9667 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
9668 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
9669 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
9670 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for managing targets}).
9673 * Active Targets:: Active targets
9674 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
9675 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
9676 * Remote:: Remote debugging
9677 * KOD:: Kernel Object Display
9681 @node Active Targets
9682 @section Active targets
9684 @cindex stacking targets
9685 @cindex active targets
9686 @cindex multiple targets
9688 There are three classes of targets: processes, core files, and
9689 executable files. @value{GDBN} can work concurrently on up to three
9690 active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for example)
9691 start a process and inspect its activity without abandoning your work on
9694 For example, if you execute @samp{gdb a.out}, then the executable file
9695 @code{a.out} is the only active target. If you designate a core file as
9696 well---presumably from a prior run that crashed and coredumped---then
9697 @value{GDBN} has two active targets and uses them in tandem, looking
9698 first in the corefile target, then in the executable file, to satisfy
9699 requests for memory addresses. (Typically, these two classes of target
9700 are complementary, since core files contain only a program's
9701 read-write memory---variables and so on---plus machine status, while
9702 executable files contain only the program text and initialized data.)
9704 When you type @code{run}, your executable file becomes an active process
9705 target as well. When a process target is active, all @value{GDBN}
9706 commands requesting memory addresses refer to that target; addresses in
9707 an active core file or executable file target are obscured while the
9708 process target is active.
9710 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new
9711 core file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify
9712 files}). To specify as a target a process that is already running, use
9713 the @code{attach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an already-running
9716 @node Target Commands
9717 @section Commands for managing targets
9720 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
9721 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
9722 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
9723 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
9724 protocol of the target machine.
9726 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
9727 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
9728 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
9730 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
9731 after executing the command.
9735 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
9736 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
9737 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
9739 @item help target @var{name}
9740 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
9743 @kindex set gnutarget
9744 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
9745 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
9746 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
9747 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
9748 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
9749 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
9752 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
9753 you must know the actual BFD name.
9757 @xref{Files, , Commands to specify files}.
9759 @kindex show gnutarget
9760 @item show gnutarget
9761 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
9762 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
9763 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
9764 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
9767 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
9772 @item target exec @var{program}
9773 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
9774 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
9777 @item target core @var{filename}
9778 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
9779 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
9781 @kindex target remote
9782 @item target remote @var{dev}
9783 Remote serial target in GDB-specific protocol. The argument @var{dev}
9784 specifies what serial device to use for the connection (e.g.
9785 @file{/dev/ttya}). @xref{Remote, ,Remote debugging}. @code{target remote}
9786 supports the @code{load} command. This is only useful if you have
9787 some other way of getting the stub to the target system, and you can put
9788 it somewhere in memory where it won't get clobbered by the download.
9792 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
9800 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
9801 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
9802 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
9803 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
9808 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
9813 @item target nrom @var{dev}
9814 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
9818 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
9819 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
9821 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code
9822 once you've successfully established a connection.
9826 @kindex load @var{filename}
9827 @item load @var{filename}
9828 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
9829 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
9830 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
9831 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
9832 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
9833 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
9835 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
9836 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
9837 target is @dots{}}''
9839 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
9840 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
9841 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
9842 specifies a fixed address.
9843 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
9845 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
9849 @section Choosing target byte order
9851 @cindex choosing target byte order
9852 @cindex target byte order
9854 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Hitachi SH,
9855 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
9856 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
9857 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
9858 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
9859 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
9862 @kindex set endian big
9863 @item set endian big
9864 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
9866 @kindex set endian little
9867 @item set endian little
9868 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
9870 @kindex set endian auto
9871 @item set endian auto
9872 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
9876 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
9880 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
9881 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
9885 @section Remote debugging
9886 @cindex remote debugging
9888 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
9889 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
9890 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
9891 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
9892 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
9894 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
9895 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
9896 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
9897 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
9898 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
9899 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
9901 Other remote targets may be available in your
9902 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
9905 * Remote Serial:: @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol
9909 @subsection The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol
9911 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
9912 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
9913 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
9914 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
9919 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
9920 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
9921 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
9924 A C subroutine library to support your program's
9925 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
9928 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
9929 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
9930 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
9934 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
9935 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
9936 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
9940 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
9941 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
9942 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
9944 @item On the target,
9945 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
9946 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
9947 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
9949 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
9950 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
9951 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} program}, for details.
9954 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
9955 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
9958 @cindex remote serial stub list
9959 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
9964 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
9967 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
9970 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
9971 @cindex Motorola 680x0
9973 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
9976 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
9979 For Hitachi SH architectures.
9982 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
9984 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
9987 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
9990 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
9994 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
9995 recently added stubs.
9998 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
9999 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
10000 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
10001 * Protocol:: Definition of the communication protocol
10002 * Server:: Using the `gdbserver' program
10003 * NetWare:: Using the `gdbserve.nlm' program
10006 @node Stub Contents
10007 @subsubsection What the stub can do for you
10009 @cindex remote serial stub
10010 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
10014 @item set_debug_traps
10015 @kindex set_debug_traps
10016 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
10017 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
10018 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
10019 beginning of your program.
10021 @item handle_exception
10022 @kindex handle_exception
10023 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
10024 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
10025 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
10026 run when a trap is triggered.
10028 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
10029 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
10030 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
10031 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
10032 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
10033 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
10034 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
10035 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
10036 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
10040 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
10041 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
10042 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
10043 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
10044 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
10045 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
10046 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
10047 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
10048 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
10049 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
10050 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
10052 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
10053 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
10054 start of your debugging session.
10057 @node Bootstrapping
10058 @subsubsection What you must do for the stub
10060 @cindex remote stub, support routines
10061 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
10062 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
10063 debugging target machine.
10065 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
10069 @item int getDebugChar()
10070 @kindex getDebugChar
10071 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
10072 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
10073 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
10075 @item void putDebugChar(int)
10076 @kindex putDebugChar
10077 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
10078 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
10079 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
10082 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
10083 @cindex interrupting remote targets
10084 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
10085 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
10086 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
10087 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
10088 remote system to stop.
10090 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
10091 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
10092 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
10093 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
10095 Other routines you need to supply are:
10098 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
10099 @kindex exceptionHandler
10100 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
10101 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
10102 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
10103 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
10104 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
10105 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
10106 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
10107 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
10108 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
10109 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
10110 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
10111 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
10112 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
10114 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
10115 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
10116 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
10117 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
10118 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
10120 @item void flush_i_cache()
10121 @kindex flush_i_cache
10122 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
10123 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
10124 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
10126 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
10127 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
10131 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
10134 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
10136 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
10137 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
10138 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
10139 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
10142 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
10143 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
10144 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
10145 subroutines which @code{@value{GCC}} generates as inline code.
10148 @node Debug Session
10149 @subsubsection Putting it all together
10151 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
10152 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
10157 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
10158 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What you must do for the stub}):
10160 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
10161 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
10165 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
10173 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
10174 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
10177 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
10181 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
10182 function in your program, that function is called when
10183 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
10184 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
10185 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
10188 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
10189 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
10192 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
10193 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
10196 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
10197 @c document that. FIXME.
10198 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
10199 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
10202 To start remote debugging, run @value{GDBN} on the host machine, and specify
10203 as an executable file the program that is running in the remote machine.
10204 This tells @value{GDBN} how to find your program's symbols and the contents
10208 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
10209 Establish communication using the @code{target remote} command.
10210 Its argument specifies how to communicate with the target
10211 machine---either via a devicename attached to a direct serial line, or a
10212 TCP port (usually to a terminal server which in turn has a serial line
10213 to the target). For example, to use a serial line connected to the
10214 device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
10217 target remote /dev/ttyb
10220 @cindex TCP port, @code{target remote}
10221 To use a TCP connection, use an argument of the form
10222 @code{@var{host}:port}. For example, to connect to port 2828 on a
10223 terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
10226 target remote manyfarms:2828
10229 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as
10230 your debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator of your target running on
10231 the same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect
10232 to port 1234 on your local machine:
10235 target remote :1234
10239 Note that the colon is still required here.
10242 Now you can use all the usual commands to examine and change data and to
10243 step and continue the remote program.
10245 To resume the remote program and stop debugging it, use the @code{detach}
10248 @cindex interrupting remote programs
10249 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
10250 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
10251 interrupt character (often @key{C-C}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
10252 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
10253 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
10254 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
10257 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
10258 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
10261 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
10262 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
10263 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
10264 goes back to waiting.
10267 @subsubsection Communication protocol
10269 @cindex debugging stub, example
10270 @cindex remote stub, example
10271 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
10272 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
10273 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
10274 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
10275 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
10276 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
10277 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
10278 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
10280 However, there may be occasions when you need to know something about
10281 the protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your
10282 target machine, you might want your program to do something special if
10283 it recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
10285 In the examples below, @samp{<-} and @samp{->} are used to indicate
10286 transmitted and received data respectfully.
10288 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
10289 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
10290 @cindex remote serial protocol
10291 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments) are
10292 sent as a @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
10293 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
10294 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
10297 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
10301 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
10303 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
10304 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
10305 eight bit unsigned checksum).
10307 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
10308 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
10311 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
10314 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
10316 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
10317 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
10318 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
10320 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
10321 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
10322 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
10323 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
10327 <- @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
10332 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
10333 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
10334 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
10335 when the operation has completed (the target has again stopped).
10337 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
10338 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
10341 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
10342 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
10343 HEX with leading zeros suppressed.
10345 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
10346 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
10347 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
10349 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space. A @samp{*}
10350 means that the next character is an @sc{ascii} encoding giving a repeat count
10351 which stands for that many repetitions of the character preceding the
10352 @samp{*}. The encoding is @code{n+29}, yielding a printable character
10353 where @code{n >=3} (which is where rle starts to win). The printable
10354 characters @samp{$}, @samp{#}, @samp{+} and @samp{-} or with a numeric
10355 value greater than 126 should not be used.
10357 Some remote systems have used a different run-length encoding mechanism
10358 loosely refered to as the cisco encoding. Following the @samp{*}
10359 character are two hex digits that indicate the size of the packet.
10366 means the same as "0000".
10368 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
10369 error number. That number is not well defined.
10371 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
10372 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
10373 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
10376 A stub is required to support the @samp{g}, @samp{G}, @samp{m}, @samp{M},
10377 @samp{c}, and @samp{s} @var{command}s. All other @var{command}s are
10380 Below is a complete list of all currently defined @var{command}s and
10381 their corresponding response @var{data}:
10383 @multitable @columnfractions .30 .30 .40
10388 @item extended mode
10391 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
10392 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
10395 @tab reply @samp{OK}
10397 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
10402 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for step
10411 @tab Reserved for future use
10413 @item set program arguments @strong{(reserved)}
10414 @tab @code{A}@var{arglen}@code{,}@var{argnum}@code{,}@var{arg}@code{,...}
10419 Initialized @samp{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
10420 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream @var{arg}.
10421 See @file{gdbserver} for more details.
10423 @tab reply @code{OK}
10425 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
10427 @item set baud @strong{(deprecated)}
10428 @tab @code{b}@var{baud}
10430 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}. JTC: @emph{When does the
10431 transport layer state change? When it's received, or after the ACK is
10432 transmitted. In either case, there are problems if the command or the
10433 acknowledgment packet is dropped.} Stan: @emph{If people really wanted
10434 to add something like this, and get it working for the first time, they
10435 ought to modify ser-unix.c to send some kind of out-of-band message to a
10436 specially-setup stub and have the switch happen "in between" packets, so
10437 that from remote protocol's point of view, nothing actually
10440 @item set breakpoint @strong{(deprecated)}
10441 @tab @code{B}@var{addr},@var{mode}
10443 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
10444 breakpoint at @var{addr}. @emph{This has been replaced by the @samp{Z} and
10448 @tab @code{c}@var{addr}
10450 @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted, resume at
10456 @item continue with signal
10457 @tab @code{C}@var{sig}@code{;}@var{addr}
10459 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
10460 @code{;}@var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
10465 @item toggle debug @strong{(deprecated)}
10473 Detach @value{GDBN} from the remote system. Sent to the remote target before
10474 @value{GDBN} disconnects.
10476 @tab reply @emph{no response}
10478 @value{GDBN} does not check for any response after sending this packet.
10482 @tab Reserved for future use
10486 @tab Reserved for future use
10490 @tab Reserved for future use
10494 @tab Reserved for future use
10496 @item read registers
10498 @tab Read general registers.
10500 @tab reply @var{XX...}
10502 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
10503 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
10504 each register and their position within the @samp{g} @var{packet} are
10505 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal macros @var{REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and
10506 @var{REGISTER_NAME} macros. The specification of several standard
10507 @code{g} packets is specified below.
10509 @tab @code{E}@var{NN}
10513 @tab @code{G}@var{XX...}
10515 See @samp{g} for a description of the @var{XX...} data.
10517 @tab reply @code{OK}
10520 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
10525 @tab Reserved for future use
10528 @tab @code{H}@var{c}@var{t...}
10530 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
10531 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} = @samp{c} for thread used in step and
10532 continue; @var{t...} can be -1 for all threads. @var{c} = @samp{g} for
10533 thread used in other operations. If zero, pick a thread, any thread.
10535 @tab reply @code{OK}
10538 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
10542 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
10543 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
10544 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
10545 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
10546 @c described. For example:
10548 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
10549 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
10550 @c otherwise returns current registers.
10552 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
10553 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
10554 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
10556 @item cycle step @strong{(draft)}
10557 @tab @code{i}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{nnn}
10559 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @code{,}@var{nnn} is
10560 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
10561 step starting at that address.
10563 @item signal then cycle step @strong{(reserved)}
10566 See @samp{i} and @samp{S} for likely syntax and semantics.
10570 @tab Reserved for future use
10574 @tab Reserved for future use
10579 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how operate when a specific
10580 thread context has been selected (ie. does 'k' kill only that thread?)}.
10584 @tab Reserved for future use
10588 @tab Reserved for future use
10591 @tab @code{m}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length}
10593 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
10594 Neither @value{GDBN} nor the stub assume that sized memory transfers are assumed
10595 using word alligned accesses. FIXME: @emph{A word aligned memory
10596 transfer mechanism is needed.}
10598 @tab reply @var{XX...}
10600 @var{XX...} is mem contents. Can be fewer bytes than requested if able
10601 to read only part of the data. Neither @value{GDBN} nor the stub assume that
10602 sized memory transfers are assumed using word alligned accesses. FIXME:
10603 @emph{A word aligned memory transfer mechanism is needed.}
10605 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
10606 @tab @var{NN} is errno
10609 @tab @code{M}@var{addr},@var{length}@code{:}@var{XX...}
10611 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
10612 @var{XX...} is the data.
10614 @tab reply @code{OK}
10617 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
10619 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
10624 @tab Reserved for future use
10628 @tab Reserved for future use
10632 @tab Reserved for future use
10636 @tab Reserved for future use
10638 @item read reg @strong{(reserved)}
10639 @tab @code{p}@var{n...}
10641 See write register.
10643 @tab return @var{r....}
10644 @tab The hex encoded value of the register in target byte order.
10647 @tab @code{P}@var{n...}@code{=}@var{r...}
10649 Write register @var{n...} with value @var{r...}, which contains two hex
10650 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
10652 @tab reply @code{OK}
10655 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
10658 @item general query
10659 @tab @code{q}@var{query}
10661 Request info about @var{query}. In general @value{GDBN} queries
10662 have a leading upper case letter. Custom vendor queries should use a
10663 company prefix (in lower case) ex: @samp{qfsf.var}. @var{query} may
10664 optionally be followed by a @samp{,} or @samp{;} separated list. Stubs
10665 must ensure that they match the full @var{query} name.
10667 @tab reply @code{XX...}
10668 @tab Hex encoded data from query. The reply can not be empty.
10670 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
10674 @tab Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
10677 @tab @code{Q}@var{var}@code{=}@var{val}
10679 Set value of @var{var} to @var{val}. See @samp{q} for a discussing of
10680 naming conventions.
10682 @item reset @strong{(deprecated)}
10685 Reset the entire system.
10687 @item remote restart
10688 @tab @code{R}@var{XX}
10690 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
10691 This packet is only available in extended mode.
10696 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
10699 @tab @code{s}@var{addr}
10701 @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted, resume at
10707 @item step with signal
10708 @tab @code{S}@var{sig}@code{;}@var{addr}
10710 Like @samp{C} but step not continue.
10716 @tab @code{t}@var{addr}@code{:}@var{PP}@code{,}@var{MM}
10718 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
10719 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4
10720 bytes. @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
10723 @tab @code{T}@var{XX}
10724 @tab Find out if the thread XX is alive.
10726 @tab reply @code{OK}
10727 @tab thread is still alive
10729 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
10730 @tab thread is dead
10734 @tab Reserved for future use
10738 @tab Reserved for future use
10742 @tab Reserved for future use
10746 @tab Reserved for future use
10750 @tab Reserved for future use
10754 @tab Reserved for future use
10758 @tab Reserved for future use
10760 @item write mem (binary)
10761 @tab @code{X}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length}@var{:}@var{XX...}
10763 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes, @var{XX...} is
10764 binary data. The characters @code{$}, @code{#}, and @code{0x7d} are
10765 escaped using @code{0x7d}.
10767 @tab reply @code{OK}
10770 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
10775 @tab Reserved for future use
10779 @tab Reserved for future use
10781 @item remove break or watchpoint @strong{(draft)}
10782 @tab @code{z}@var{t}@code{,}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length}
10786 @item insert break or watchpoint @strong{(draft)}
10787 @tab @code{Z}@var{t}@code{,}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length}
10789 @var{t} is type: @samp{0} - software breakpoint, @samp{1} - hardware
10790 breakpoint, @samp{2} - write watchpoint, @samp{3} - read watchpoint,
10791 @samp{4} - access watchpoint; @var{addr} is address; @var{length} is in
10792 bytes. For a software breakpoint, @var{length} specifies the size of
10793 the instruction to be patched. For hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
10794 @var{length} specifies the memory region to be monitored. To avoid
10795 potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should be
10796 implemented in an idempotent way.
10798 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
10801 @tab reply @code{OK}
10805 @tab If not supported.
10809 @tab Reserved for future use
10813 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s} and @samp{?} packets can
10814 receive any of the below as a reply. In the case of the @samp{C},
10815 @samp{c}, @samp{S} and @samp{s} packets, that reply is only returned
10816 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @samp{signal
10817 number} is poorly defined. In general one of the UNIX signal numbering
10818 conventions is used.
10820 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
10822 @item @code{S}@var{AA}
10823 @tab @var{AA} is the signal number
10825 @item @code{T}@var{AA}@var{n...}@code{:}@var{r...}@code{;}@var{n...}@code{:}@var{r...}@code{;}@var{n...}@code{:}@var{r...}@code{;}
10827 @var{AA} = two hex digit signal number; @var{n...} = register number
10828 (hex), @var{r...} = target byte ordered register contents, size defined
10829 by @code{REGISTER_RAW_SIZE}; @var{n...} = @samp{thread}, @var{r...} =
10830 thread process ID, this is a hex integer; @var{n...} = other string not
10831 starting with valid hex digit. @value{GDBN} should ignore this
10832 @var{n...}, @var{r...} pair and go on to the next. This way we can
10833 extend the protocol.
10835 @item @code{W}@var{AA}
10837 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
10838 applicable for certains sorts of targets.
10840 @item @code{X}@var{AA}
10842 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
10844 @item @code{N}@var{AA}@code{;}@var{t...}@code{;}@var{d...}@code{;}@var{b...} @strong{(obsolete)}
10846 @var{AA} = signal number; @var{t...} = address of symbol "_start";
10847 @var{d...} = base of data section; @var{b...} = base of bss section.
10848 @emph{Note: only used by Cisco Systems targets. The difference between
10849 this reply and the "qOffsets" query is that the 'N' packet may arrive
10850 spontaneously whereas the 'qOffsets' is a query initiated by the host
10853 @item @code{O}@var{XX...}
10855 @var{XX...} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data. This can happen at any time
10856 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
10861 The following set and query packets have already been defined.
10863 @multitable @columnfractions .2 .2 .6
10865 @item current thread
10866 @tab @code{q}@code{C}
10867 @tab Return the current thread id.
10869 @tab reply @code{QC}@var{pid}
10871 Where @var{pid} is a HEX encoded 16 bit process id.
10874 @tab Any other reply implies the old pid.
10876 @item all thread ids
10877 @tab @code{q}@code{fThreadInfo}
10879 @tab @code{q}@code{sThreadInfo}
10881 Obtain a list of active thread ids from the target (OS). Since there
10882 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
10883 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
10884 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
10885 be the @code{qf}@code{ThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
10886 sequence will be the @code{qs}@code{ThreadInfo} query.
10889 @tab NOTE: replaces the @code{qL} query (see below).
10891 @tab reply @code{m}@var{<id>}
10892 @tab A single thread id
10894 @tab reply @code{m}@var{<id>},@var{<id>...}
10895 @tab a comma-separated list of thread ids
10897 @tab reply @code{l}
10898 @tab (lower case 'el') denotes end of list.
10902 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one
10903 or more thread ids, in big-endian hex, separated by commas. GDB will
10904 respond to each reply with a request for more thread ids (using the
10905 @code{qs} form of the query), until the target responds with @code{l}
10906 (lower-case el, for @code{'last'}).
10908 @item extra thread info
10909 @tab @code{q}@code{ThreadExtraInfo}@code{,}@var{id}
10914 Where @var{<id>} is a thread-id in big-endian hex.
10915 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
10916 the target OS. This string may contain anything that the target OS
10917 thinks is interesting for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread.
10918 The string is displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @samp{info threads} display.
10919 Some examples of possible thread extra info strings are "Runnable", or
10920 "Blocked on Mutex".
10922 @tab reply @var{XX...}
10924 Where @var{XX...} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, comprising the
10925 printable string containing the extra information about the thread's
10928 @item query @var{LIST} or @var{threadLIST} @strong{(deprecated)}
10929 @tab @code{q}@code{L}@var{startflag}@var{threadcount}@var{nextthread}
10934 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
10935 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
10936 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
10937 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
10938 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
10939 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
10942 @tab NOTE: this query is replaced by the @code{q}@code{fThreadInfo}
10945 @tab reply @code{q}@code{M}@var{count}@var{done}@var{argthread}@var{thread...}
10950 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
10951 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
10952 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
10953 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread...} is
10954 a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
10955 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
10957 @item compute CRC of memory block
10958 @tab @code{q}@code{CRC:}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length}
10961 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
10962 @tab An error (such as memory fault)
10964 @tab reply @code{C}@var{CRC32}
10965 @tab A 32 bit cyclic redundancy check of the specified memory region.
10967 @item query sect offs
10968 @tab @code{q}@code{Offsets}
10970 Get section offsets that the target used when re-locating the downloaded
10971 image. @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset is included in the
10972 response, @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data}
10973 offset to the @code{Bss} section.}
10975 @tab reply @code{Text=}@var{xxx}@code{;Data=}@var{yyy}@code{;Bss=}@var{zzz}
10977 @item thread info request
10978 @tab @code{q}@code{P}@var{mode}@var{threadid}
10983 Returns information on @var{threadid}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
10984 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{threadid} is a hex encoded 64 bit thread ID.
10988 See @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
10990 @item remote command
10991 @tab @code{q}@code{Rcmd,}@var{COMMAND}
10996 @var{COMMAND} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
10997 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output string.
10998 Before the final result packet, the target may also respond with a
10999 number of intermediate @code{O}@var{OUTPUT} console output
11000 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
11001 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
11003 @tab reply @code{OK}
11005 A command response with no output.
11007 @tab reply @var{OUTPUT}
11009 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
11011 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
11013 Indicate a badly formed request.
11018 When @samp{q}@samp{Rcmd} is not recognized.
11020 @item symbol lookup
11021 @tab @code{qSymbol::}
11023 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
11024 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
11029 @tab reply @code{OK}
11031 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
11033 @tab reply @code{qSymbol:}@var{sym_name}
11037 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
11038 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
11039 @code{qSymbol:}@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
11040 message, described below.
11043 @tab @code{qSymbol:}@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
11047 Set the value of SYM_NAME to SYM_VALUE.
11051 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value
11052 the target has previously requested.
11056 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}.
11057 If @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this
11058 field will be empty.
11060 @tab reply @code{OK}
11062 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
11064 @tab reply @code{qSymbol:}@var{sym_name}
11068 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
11069 @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols (if available),
11070 until the target ceases to request them.
11074 The following @samp{g}/@samp{G} packets have previously been defined.
11075 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as sixty-four
11076 bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?) to fill the
11077 space allocated. Register bytes are transfered in target byte order.
11078 The two nibbles within a register byte are transfered most-significant -
11081 @multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
11085 All registers are transfered as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
11086 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
11087 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
11091 All registers are transfered as sixty-four bit quantities (including
11092 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
11097 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
11098 does not get any direct output:
11103 @emph{target restarts}
11106 -> @code{T001:1234123412341234}
11110 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
11118 -> @code{T001:1234123412341234}
11127 @subsubsection Using the @code{gdbserver} program
11130 @cindex remote connection without stubs
11131 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
11132 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
11133 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
11135 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
11136 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
11137 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
11138 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
11139 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
11140 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
11141 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
11142 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
11143 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
11144 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
11145 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
11146 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
11147 choice for debugging.
11149 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
11150 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
11154 @item On the target machine,
11155 you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug.
11156 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
11157 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
11158 system does all the symbol handling.
11160 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
11161 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The
11165 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
11168 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
11169 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
11170 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
11174 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
11177 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
11180 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
11183 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
11186 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
11187 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
11188 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
11189 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
11190 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
11191 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
11192 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
11193 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
11194 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
11195 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
11196 @code{target remote} command.
11198 @item On the @value{GDBN} host machine,
11199 you need an unstripped copy of your program, since @value{GDBN} needs
11200 symbols and debugging information. Start up @value{GDBN} as usual,
11201 using the name of the local copy of your program as the first argument.
11202 (You may also need the @w{@samp{--baud}} option if the serial line is
11203 running at anything other than 9600@dmn{bps}.) After that, use @code{target
11204 remote} to establish communications with @code{gdbserver}. Its argument
11205 is either a device name (usually a serial device, like
11206 @file{/dev/ttyb}), or a TCP port descriptor in the form
11207 @code{@var{host}:@var{PORT}}. For example:
11210 (@value{GDBP}) target remote /dev/ttyb
11214 communicates with the server via serial line @file{/dev/ttyb}, and
11217 (@value{GDBP}) target remote the-target:2345
11221 communicates via a TCP connection to port 2345 on host @w{@file{the-target}}.
11222 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
11223 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
11224 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
11225 @samp{Connection refused}.
11229 @subsubsection Using the @code{gdbserve.nlm} program
11231 @kindex gdbserve.nlm
11232 @code{gdbserve.nlm} is a control program for NetWare systems, which
11233 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
11234 @code{target remote}.
11236 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserve.nlm} communicate via a serial line,
11237 using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol.
11240 @item On the target machine,
11241 you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug.
11242 @code{gdbserve.nlm} does not need your program's symbol table, so you
11243 can strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the
11244 host system does all the symbol handling.
11246 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with
11247 @value{GDBN}; the name of your program; and the arguments for your
11248 program. The syntax is:
11251 load gdbserve [ BOARD=@var{board} ] [ PORT=@var{port} ]
11252 [ BAUD=@var{baud} ] @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
11255 @var{board} and @var{port} specify the serial line; @var{baud} specifies
11256 the baud rate used by the connection. @var{port} and @var{node} default
11257 to 0, @var{baud} defaults to 9600@dmn{bps}.
11259 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument @samp{foo.txt}and
11260 communicate with @value{GDBN} over serial port number 2 or board 1
11261 using a 19200@dmn{bps} connection:
11264 load gdbserve BOARD=1 PORT=2 BAUD=19200 emacs foo.txt
11267 @item On the @value{GDBN} host machine,
11268 you need an unstripped copy of your program, since @value{GDBN} needs
11269 symbols and debugging information. Start up @value{GDBN} as usual,
11270 using the name of the local copy of your program as the first argument.
11271 (You may also need the @w{@samp{--baud}} option if the serial line is
11272 running at anything other than 9600@dmn{bps}. After that, use @code{target
11273 remote} to establish communications with @code{gdbserve.nlm}. Its
11274 argument is a device name (usually a serial device, like
11275 @file{/dev/ttyb}). For example:
11278 (@value{GDBP}) target remote /dev/ttyb
11282 communications with the server via serial line @file{/dev/ttyb}.
11286 @section Kernel Object Display
11288 @cindex kernel object display
11289 @cindex kernel object
11292 Some targets support kernel object display. Using this facility,
11293 @value{GDBN} communicates specially with the underlying operating system
11294 and can display information about operating system-level objects such as
11295 mutexes and other synchronization objects. Exactly which objects can be
11296 displayed is determined on a per-OS basis.
11298 Use the @code{set os} command to set the operating system. This tells
11299 @value{GDBN} which kernel object display module to initialize:
11302 (@value{GDBP}) set os cisco
11305 If @code{set os} succeeds, @value{GDBN} will display some information
11306 about the operating system, and will create a new @code{info} command
11307 which can be used to query the target. The @code{info} command is named
11308 after the operating system:
11311 (@value{GDBP}) info cisco
11312 List of Cisco Kernel Objects
11314 any Any and all objects
11317 Further subcommands can be used to query about particular objects known
11320 There is currently no way to determine whether a given operating system
11321 is supported other than to try it.
11324 @node Configurations
11325 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
11327 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
11328 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
11329 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
11331 There are three major categories of configurations: native
11332 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
11333 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
11334 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
11335 are quite different from each other.
11340 * Embedded Processors::
11347 This section describes details specific to particular native
11352 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
11353 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
11359 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
11360 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
11361 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
11363 @node SVR4 Process Information
11364 @subsection SVR4 process information
11367 @cindex process image
11369 Many versions of SVR4 provide a facility called @samp{/proc} that can be
11370 used to examine the image of a running process using file-system
11371 subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured for an operating system with
11372 this facility, the command @code{info proc} is available to report on
11373 several kinds of information about the process running your program.
11374 @code{info proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the
11375 @code{procfs} code. This includes OSF/1 (Digital Unix), Solaris, Irix,
11376 and Unixware, but not HP-UX or Linux, for example.
11381 Summarize available information about the process.
11383 @kindex info proc mappings
11384 @item info proc mappings
11385 Report on the address ranges accessible in the program, with information
11386 on whether your program may read, write, or execute each range.
11388 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
11389 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
11390 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
11391 @kindex info proc times
11392 @item info proc times
11393 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
11396 @kindex info proc id
11398 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
11399 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
11401 @kindex info proc status
11402 @item info proc status
11403 General information on the state of the process. If the process is
11404 stopped, this report includes the reason for stopping, and any signal
11407 @item info proc all
11408 Show all the above information about the process.
11413 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
11414 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
11415 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
11416 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
11418 @sc{djgpp} is the port of @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
11419 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
11420 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
11421 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
11423 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
11424 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
11425 subsection describes those commands.
11430 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
11431 information about the target system and important OS structures.
11434 @cindex MS-DOS system info
11435 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
11436 @item info dos sysinfo
11437 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
11438 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
11439 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
11444 @cindex segment descriptor tables
11445 @cindex descriptor tables display
11447 @itemx info dos ldt
11448 @itemx info dos idt
11449 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
11450 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
11451 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
11452 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
11453 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
11454 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
11457 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
11458 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
11459 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
11460 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
11461 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
11463 @cindex garbled pointers
11464 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
11465 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
11466 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
11467 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
11468 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
11469 debugged program's data segment:
11472 (@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds
11473 0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)
11477 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
11478 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
11480 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
11482 @itemx info dos pte
11483 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
11484 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
11485 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
11486 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
11487 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
11488 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
11489 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
11490 that is currently in use.
11492 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
11493 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
11494 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
11495 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
11496 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
11497 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
11498 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
11500 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
11501 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
11504 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
11506 @cindex physical address from linear address
11507 @item info dos address-pte
11508 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
11509 address. The argument linear address should already have the
11510 appropriate segment's base address added to it, because this command
11511 accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any} segment. For
11512 example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for the page where
11513 the variable @code{i} is stored:
11516 (@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i
11517 Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:
11518 Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30
11522 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
11523 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and prints all the
11524 attributes of that page.
11526 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
11527 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
11528 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
11529 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
11530 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
11531 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
11533 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
11537 (@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)
11538 Page Table entry for address 0x29110:
11539 Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110
11543 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
11544 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output of
11545 this command clearly shows that addresses in conventional memory are
11546 mapped 1:1, i.e.@: the physical and linear addresses are identical.
11548 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
11552 @section Embedded Operating Systems
11554 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
11555 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
11559 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
11562 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
11563 various real-time operating systems.
11566 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
11572 @kindex target vxworks
11573 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
11574 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
11575 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
11579 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
11580 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
11582 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
11583 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
11584 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
11585 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
11586 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
11587 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
11588 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
11591 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
11592 @kindex vxworks-timeout
11593 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
11594 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
11595 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
11596 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
11597 of a thin network line.
11600 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
11601 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
11604 @kindex INCLUDE_RDB
11605 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
11606 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
11607 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
11608 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
11609 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
11610 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
11611 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
11613 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
11615 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
11616 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
11617 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
11618 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
11620 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
11627 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
11628 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
11629 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
11632 @node VxWorks Connection
11633 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
11635 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
11636 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
11639 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
11643 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
11646 Attaching remote machine across net...
11651 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
11652 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
11653 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
11654 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}); if it fails
11655 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
11658 prog.o: No such file or directory.
11661 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
11662 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
11665 @node VxWorks Download
11666 @subsubsection VxWorks download
11668 @cindex download to VxWorks
11669 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
11670 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
11671 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
11672 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
11673 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
11674 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
11675 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
11676 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
11677 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
11678 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
11679 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
11680 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
11681 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
11682 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
11683 program, type this on VxWorks:
11686 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
11690 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
11693 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
11694 (vxgdb) load prog.o
11697 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
11700 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
11703 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
11704 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
11705 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
11706 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
11707 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
11708 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
11711 @node VxWorks Attach
11712 @subsubsection Running tasks
11714 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
11715 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
11719 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
11723 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
11724 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
11725 the time of attachment.
11727 @node Embedded Processors
11728 @section Embedded Processors
11730 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
11734 @c OBSOLETE * A29K Embedded:: AMD A29K Embedded
11737 * H8/300:: Hitachi H8/300
11738 * H8/500:: Hitachi H8/500
11739 * i960:: Intel i960
11740 * M32R/D:: Mitsubishi M32R/D
11741 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
11742 * M88K:: Motorola M88K
11743 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
11744 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
11747 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
11748 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
11749 * ST2000:: Tandem ST2000
11750 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
11753 @c OBSOLETE @node A29K Embedded
11754 @c OBSOLETE @subsection AMD A29K Embedded
11757 @c OBSOLETE * A29K UDI::
11758 @c OBSOLETE * A29K EB29K::
11759 @c OBSOLETE * Comms (EB29K):: Communications setup
11760 @c OBSOLETE * gdb-EB29K:: EB29K cross-debugging
11761 @c OBSOLETE * Remote Log:: Remote log
11762 @c OBSOLETE @end menu
11764 @c OBSOLETE @table @code
11766 @c OBSOLETE @kindex target adapt
11767 @c OBSOLETE @item target adapt @var{dev}
11768 @c OBSOLETE Adapt monitor for A29K.
11770 @c OBSOLETE @kindex target amd-eb
11771 @c OBSOLETE @item target amd-eb @var{dev} @var{speed} @var{PROG}
11772 @c OBSOLETE @cindex AMD EB29K
11773 @c OBSOLETE Remote PC-resident AMD EB29K board, attached over serial lines.
11774 @c OBSOLETE @var{dev} is the serial device, as for @code{target remote};
11775 @c OBSOLETE @var{speed} allows you to specify the linespeed; and @var{PROG} is the
11776 @c OBSOLETE name of the program to be debugged, as it appears to DOS on the PC.
11777 @c OBSOLETE @xref{A29K EB29K, ,EBMON protocol for AMD29K}.
11779 @c OBSOLETE @end table
11781 @c OBSOLETE @node A29K UDI
11782 @c OBSOLETE @subsubsection A29K UDI
11784 @c OBSOLETE @cindex UDI
11785 @c OBSOLETE @cindex AMD29K via UDI
11787 @c OBSOLETE @value{GDBN} supports AMD's UDI (``Universal Debugger Interface'')
11788 @c OBSOLETE protocol for debugging the a29k processor family. To use this
11789 @c OBSOLETE configuration with AMD targets running the MiniMON monitor, you need the
11790 @c OBSOLETE program @code{MONTIP}, available from AMD at no charge. You can also
11791 @c OBSOLETE use @value{GDBN} with the UDI-conformant a29k simulator program
11792 @c OBSOLETE @code{ISSTIP}, also available from AMD.
11794 @c OBSOLETE @table @code
11795 @c OBSOLETE @item target udi @var{keyword}
11796 @c OBSOLETE @kindex udi
11797 @c OBSOLETE Select the UDI interface to a remote a29k board or simulator, where
11798 @c OBSOLETE @var{keyword} is an entry in the AMD configuration file @file{udi_soc}.
11799 @c OBSOLETE This file contains keyword entries which specify parameters used to
11800 @c OBSOLETE connect to a29k targets. If the @file{udi_soc} file is not in your
11801 @c OBSOLETE working directory, you must set the environment variable @samp{UDICONF}
11802 @c OBSOLETE to its pathname.
11803 @c OBSOLETE @end table
11805 @c OBSOLETE @node A29K EB29K
11806 @c OBSOLETE @subsubsection EBMON protocol for AMD29K
11808 @c OBSOLETE @cindex EB29K board
11809 @c OBSOLETE @cindex running 29K programs
11811 @c OBSOLETE AMD distributes a 29K development board meant to fit in a PC, together
11812 @c OBSOLETE with a DOS-hosted monitor program called @code{EBMON}. As a shorthand
11813 @c OBSOLETE term, this development system is called the ``EB29K''. To use
11814 @c OBSOLETE @value{GDBN} from a Unix system to run programs on the EB29K board, you
11815 @c OBSOLETE must first connect a serial cable between the PC (which hosts the EB29K
11816 @c OBSOLETE board) and a serial port on the Unix system. In the following, we
11817 @c OBSOLETE assume you've hooked the cable between the PC's @file{COM1} port and
11818 @c OBSOLETE @file{/dev/ttya} on the Unix system.
11820 @c OBSOLETE @node Comms (EB29K)
11821 @c OBSOLETE @subsubsection Communications setup
11823 @c OBSOLETE The next step is to set up the PC's port, by doing something like this
11824 @c OBSOLETE in DOS on the PC:
11826 @c OBSOLETE @example
11827 @c OBSOLETE C:\> MODE com1:9600,n,8,1,none
11828 @c OBSOLETE @end example
11830 @c OBSOLETE @noindent
11831 @c OBSOLETE This example---run on an MS DOS 4.0 system---sets the PC port to 9600
11832 @c OBSOLETE bps, no parity, eight data bits, one stop bit, and no ``retry'' action;
11833 @c OBSOLETE you must match the communications parameters when establishing the Unix
11834 @c OBSOLETE end of the connection as well.
11835 @c OBSOLETE @c FIXME: Who knows what this "no retry action" crud from the DOS manual may
11838 @c OBSOLETE @c It's optional, but it's unwise to omit it: who knows what is the
11839 @c OBSOLETE @c default value set when the DOS machines boots? "No retry" means that
11840 @c OBSOLETE @c the DOS serial device driver won't retry the operation if it fails;
11841 @c OBSOLETE @c I understand that this is needed because the GDB serial protocol
11842 @c OBSOLETE @c handles any errors and retransmissions itself. ---Eli Zaretskii, 3sep99
11844 @c OBSOLETE To give control of the PC to the Unix side of the serial line, type
11845 @c OBSOLETE the following at the DOS console:
11847 @c OBSOLETE @example
11848 @c OBSOLETE C:\> CTTY com1
11849 @c OBSOLETE @end example
11851 @c OBSOLETE @noindent
11852 @c OBSOLETE (Later, if you wish to return control to the DOS console, you can use
11853 @c OBSOLETE the command @code{CTTY con}---but you must send it over the device that
11854 @c OBSOLETE had control, in our example over the @file{COM1} serial line.)
11856 @c OBSOLETE From the Unix host, use a communications program such as @code{tip} or
11857 @c OBSOLETE @code{cu} to communicate with the PC; for example,
11859 @c OBSOLETE @example
11860 @c OBSOLETE cu -s 9600 -l /dev/ttya
11861 @c OBSOLETE @end example
11863 @c OBSOLETE @noindent
11864 @c OBSOLETE The @code{cu} options shown specify, respectively, the linespeed and the
11865 @c OBSOLETE serial port to use. If you use @code{tip} instead, your command line
11866 @c OBSOLETE may look something like the following:
11868 @c OBSOLETE @example
11869 @c OBSOLETE tip -9600 /dev/ttya
11870 @c OBSOLETE @end example
11872 @c OBSOLETE @noindent
11873 @c OBSOLETE Your system may require a different name where we show
11874 @c OBSOLETE @file{/dev/ttya} as the argument to @code{tip}. The communications
11875 @c OBSOLETE parameters, including which port to use, are associated with the
11876 @c OBSOLETE @code{tip} argument in the ``remote'' descriptions file---normally the
11877 @c OBSOLETE system table @file{/etc/remote}.
11878 @c OBSOLETE @c FIXME: What if anything needs doing to match the "n,8,1,none" part of
11879 @c OBSOLETE @c the DOS side's comms setup? cu can support -o (odd
11880 @c OBSOLETE @c parity), -e (even parity)---apparently no settings for no parity or
11881 @c OBSOLETE @c for character size. Taken from stty maybe...? John points out tip
11882 @c OBSOLETE @c can set these as internal variables, eg ~s parity=none; man stty
11883 @c OBSOLETE @c suggests that it *might* work to stty these options with stdin or
11886 @c OBSOLETE @c There's nothing to be done for the "none" part of the DOS MODE
11887 @c OBSOLETE @c command. The rest of the parameters should be matched by the
11888 @c OBSOLETE @c baudrate, bits, and parity used by the Unix side. ---Eli Zaretskii, 3Sep99
11890 @c OBSOLETE @kindex EBMON
11891 @c OBSOLETE Using the @code{tip} or @code{cu} connection, change the DOS working
11892 @c OBSOLETE directory to the directory containing a copy of your 29K program, then
11893 @c OBSOLETE start the PC program @code{EBMON} (an EB29K control program supplied
11894 @c OBSOLETE with your board by AMD). You should see an initial display from
11895 @c OBSOLETE @code{EBMON} similar to the one that follows, ending with the
11896 @c OBSOLETE @code{EBMON} prompt @samp{#}---
11898 @c OBSOLETE @example
11899 @c OBSOLETE C:\> G:
11901 @c OBSOLETE G:\> CD \usr\joe\work29k
11903 @c OBSOLETE G:\USR\JOE\WORK29K> EBMON
11904 @c OBSOLETE Am29000 PC Coprocessor Board Monitor, version 3.0-18
11905 @c OBSOLETE Copyright 1990 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
11906 @c OBSOLETE Written by Gibbons and Associates, Inc.
11908 @c OBSOLETE Enter '?' or 'H' for help
11910 @c OBSOLETE PC Coprocessor Type = EB29K
11911 @c OBSOLETE I/O Base = 0x208
11912 @c OBSOLETE Memory Base = 0xd0000
11914 @c OBSOLETE Data Memory Size = 2048KB
11915 @c OBSOLETE Available I-RAM Range = 0x8000 to 0x1fffff
11916 @c OBSOLETE Available D-RAM Range = 0x80002000 to 0x801fffff
11918 @c OBSOLETE PageSize = 0x400
11919 @c OBSOLETE Register Stack Size = 0x800
11920 @c OBSOLETE Memory Stack Size = 0x1800
11922 @c OBSOLETE CPU PRL = 0x3
11923 @c OBSOLETE Am29027 Available = No
11924 @c OBSOLETE Byte Write Available = Yes
11927 @c OBSOLETE @end example
11929 @c OBSOLETE Then exit the @code{cu} or @code{tip} program (done in the example by
11930 @c OBSOLETE typing @code{~.} at the @code{EBMON} prompt). @code{EBMON} keeps
11931 @c OBSOLETE running, ready for @value{GDBN} to take over.
11933 @c OBSOLETE For this example, we've assumed what is probably the most convenient
11934 @c OBSOLETE way to make sure the same 29K program is on both the PC and the Unix
11935 @c OBSOLETE system: a PC/NFS connection that establishes ``drive @file{G:}'' on the
11936 @c OBSOLETE PC as a file system on the Unix host. If you do not have PC/NFS or
11937 @c OBSOLETE something similar connecting the two systems, you must arrange some
11938 @c OBSOLETE other way---perhaps floppy-disk transfer---of getting the 29K program
11939 @c OBSOLETE from the Unix system to the PC; @value{GDBN} does @emph{not} download it over the
11940 @c OBSOLETE serial line.
11942 @c OBSOLETE @node gdb-EB29K
11943 @c OBSOLETE @subsubsection EB29K cross-debugging
11945 @c OBSOLETE Finally, @code{cd} to the directory containing an image of your 29K
11946 @c OBSOLETE program on the Unix system, and start @value{GDBN}---specifying as argument the
11947 @c OBSOLETE name of your 29K program:
11949 @c OBSOLETE @example
11950 @c OBSOLETE cd /usr/joe/work29k
11951 @c OBSOLETE @value{GDBP} myfoo
11952 @c OBSOLETE @end example
11954 @c OBSOLETE @need 500
11955 @c OBSOLETE Now you can use the @code{target} command:
11957 @c OBSOLETE @example
11958 @c OBSOLETE target amd-eb /dev/ttya 9600 MYFOO
11959 @c OBSOLETE @c FIXME: test above 'target amd-eb' as spelled, with caps! caps are meant to
11960 @c OBSOLETE @c emphasize that this is the name as seen by DOS (since I think DOS is
11962 @c OBSOLETE @end example
11964 @c OBSOLETE @noindent
11965 @c OBSOLETE In this example, we've assumed your program is in a file called
11966 @c OBSOLETE @file{myfoo}. Note that the filename given as the last argument to
11967 @c OBSOLETE @code{target amd-eb} should be the name of the program as it appears to DOS.
11968 @c OBSOLETE In our example this is simply @code{MYFOO}, but in general it can include
11969 @c OBSOLETE a DOS path, and depending on your transfer mechanism may not resemble
11970 @c OBSOLETE the name on the Unix side.
11972 @c OBSOLETE At this point, you can set any breakpoints you wish; when you are ready
11973 @c OBSOLETE to see your program run on the 29K board, use the @value{GDBN} command
11974 @c OBSOLETE @code{run}.
11976 @c OBSOLETE To stop debugging the remote program, use the @value{GDBN} @code{detach}
11977 @c OBSOLETE command.
11979 @c OBSOLETE To return control of the PC to its console, use @code{tip} or @code{cu}
11980 @c OBSOLETE once again, after your @value{GDBN} session has concluded, to attach to
11981 @c OBSOLETE @code{EBMON}. You can then type the command @code{q} to shut down
11982 @c OBSOLETE @code{EBMON}, returning control to the DOS command-line interpreter.
11983 @c OBSOLETE Type @kbd{CTTY con} to return command input to the main DOS console,
11984 @c OBSOLETE and type @kbd{~.} to leave @code{tip} or @code{cu}.
11986 @c OBSOLETE @node Remote Log
11987 @c OBSOLETE @subsubsection Remote log
11988 @c OBSOLETE @cindex @file{eb.log}, a log file for EB29K
11989 @c OBSOLETE @cindex log file for EB29K
11991 @c OBSOLETE The @code{target amd-eb} command creates a file @file{eb.log} in the
11992 @c OBSOLETE current working directory, to help debug problems with the connection.
11993 @c OBSOLETE @file{eb.log} records all the output from @code{EBMON}, including echoes
11994 @c OBSOLETE of the commands sent to it. Running @samp{tail -f} on this file in
11995 @c OBSOLETE another window often helps to understand trouble with @code{EBMON}, or
11996 @c OBSOLETE unexpected events on the PC side of the connection.
12004 @item target rdi @var{dev}
12005 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
12006 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
12007 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
12010 @item target rdp @var{dev}
12016 @subsection Hitachi H8/300
12020 @kindex target hms@r{, with H8/300}
12021 @item target hms @var{dev}
12022 A Hitachi SH, H8/300, or H8/500 board, attached via serial line to your host.
12023 Use special commands @code{device} and @code{speed} to control the serial
12024 line and the communications speed used.
12026 @kindex target e7000@r{, with H8/300}
12027 @item target e7000 @var{dev}
12028 E7000 emulator for Hitachi H8 and SH.
12030 @kindex target sh3@r{, with H8/300}
12031 @kindex target sh3e@r{, with H8/300}
12032 @item target sh3 @var{dev}
12033 @itemx target sh3e @var{dev}
12034 Hitachi SH-3 and SH-3E target systems.
12038 @cindex download to H8/300 or H8/500
12039 @cindex H8/300 or H8/500 download
12040 @cindex download to Hitachi SH
12041 @cindex Hitachi SH download
12042 When you select remote debugging to a Hitachi SH, H8/300, or H8/500
12043 board, the @code{load} command downloads your program to the Hitachi
12044 board and also opens it as the current executable target for
12045 @value{GDBN} on your host (like the @code{file} command).
12047 @value{GDBN} needs to know these things to talk to your
12048 Hitachi SH, H8/300, or H8/500:
12052 that you want to use @samp{target hms}, the remote debugging interface
12053 for Hitachi microprocessors, or @samp{target e7000}, the in-circuit
12054 emulator for the Hitachi SH and the Hitachi 300H. (@samp{target hms} is
12055 the default when @value{GDBN} is configured specifically for the Hitachi SH,
12056 H8/300, or H8/500.)
12059 what serial device connects your host to your Hitachi board (the first
12060 serial device available on your host is the default).
12063 what speed to use over the serial device.
12067 * Hitachi Boards:: Connecting to Hitachi boards.
12068 * Hitachi ICE:: Using the E7000 In-Circuit Emulator.
12069 * Hitachi Special:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Hitachi micros.
12072 @node Hitachi Boards
12073 @subsubsection Connecting to Hitachi boards
12075 @c only for Unix hosts
12077 @cindex serial device, Hitachi micros
12078 Use the special @code{@value{GDBN}} command @samp{device @var{port}} if you
12079 need to explicitly set the serial device. The default @var{port} is the
12080 first available port on your host. This is only necessary on Unix
12081 hosts, where it is typically something like @file{/dev/ttya}.
12084 @cindex serial line speed, Hitachi micros
12085 @code{@value{GDBN}} has another special command to set the communications
12086 speed: @samp{speed @var{bps}}. This command also is only used from Unix
12087 hosts; on DOS hosts, set the line speed as usual from outside @value{GDBN} with
12088 the DOS @code{mode} command (for instance,
12089 @w{@kbd{mode com2:9600,n,8,1,p}} for a 9600@dmn{bps} connection).
12091 The @samp{device} and @samp{speed} commands are available only when you
12092 use a Unix host to debug your Hitachi microprocessor programs. If you
12094 @value{GDBN} depends on an auxiliary terminate-and-stay-resident program
12095 called @code{asynctsr} to communicate with the development board
12096 through a PC serial port. You must also use the DOS @code{mode} command
12097 to set up the serial port on the DOS side.
12099 The following sample session illustrates the steps needed to start a
12100 program under @value{GDBN} control on an H8/300. The example uses a
12101 sample H8/300 program called @file{t.x}. The procedure is the same for
12102 the Hitachi SH and the H8/500.
12104 First hook up your development board. In this example, we use a
12105 board attached to serial port @code{COM2}; if you use a different serial
12106 port, substitute its name in the argument of the @code{mode} command.
12107 When you call @code{asynctsr}, the auxiliary comms program used by the
12108 debugger, you give it just the numeric part of the serial port's name;
12109 for example, @samp{asyncstr 2} below runs @code{asyncstr} on
12113 C:\H8300\TEST> asynctsr 2
12114 C:\H8300\TEST> mode com2:9600,n,8,1,p
12116 Resident portion of MODE loaded
12118 COM2: 9600, n, 8, 1, p
12123 @emph{Warning:} We have noticed a bug in PC-NFS that conflicts with
12124 @code{asynctsr}. If you also run PC-NFS on your DOS host, you may need to
12125 disable it, or even boot without it, to use @code{asynctsr} to control
12126 your development board.
12129 @kindex target hms@r{, and serial protocol}
12130 Now that serial communications are set up, and the development board is
12131 connected, you can start up @value{GDBN}. Call @code{@value{GDBP}} with
12132 the name of your program as the argument. @code{@value{GDBN}} prompts
12133 you, as usual, with the prompt @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. Use two special
12134 commands to begin your debugging session: @samp{target hms} to specify
12135 cross-debugging to the Hitachi board, and the @code{load} command to
12136 download your program to the board. @code{load} displays the names of
12137 the program's sections, and a @samp{*} for each 2K of data downloaded.
12138 (If you want to refresh @value{GDBN} data on symbols or on the
12139 executable file without downloading, use the @value{GDBN} commands
12140 @code{file} or @code{symbol-file}. These commands, and @code{load}
12141 itself, are described in @ref{Files,,Commands to specify files}.)
12144 (eg-C:\H8300\TEST) @value{GDBP} t.x
12145 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
12146 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
12148 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
12150 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1992 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
12151 (@value{GDBP}) target hms
12152 Connected to remote H8/300 HMS system.
12153 (@value{GDBP}) load t.x
12154 .text : 0x8000 .. 0xabde ***********
12155 .data : 0xabde .. 0xad30 *
12156 .stack : 0xf000 .. 0xf014 *
12159 At this point, you're ready to run or debug your program. From here on,
12160 you can use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands. The @code{break} command
12161 sets breakpoints; the @code{run} command starts your program;
12162 @code{print} or @code{x} display data; the @code{continue} command
12163 resumes execution after stopping at a breakpoint. You can use the
12164 @code{help} command at any time to find out more about @value{GDBN} commands.
12166 Remember, however, that @emph{operating system} facilities aren't
12167 available on your development board; for example, if your program hangs,
12168 you can't send an interrupt---but you can press the @sc{reset} switch!
12170 Use the @sc{reset} button on the development board
12173 to interrupt your program (don't use @kbd{ctl-C} on the DOS host---it has
12174 no way to pass an interrupt signal to the development board); and
12177 to return to the @value{GDBN} command prompt after your program finishes
12178 normally. The communications protocol provides no other way for @value{GDBN}
12179 to detect program completion.
12182 In either case, @value{GDBN} sees the effect of a @sc{reset} on the
12183 development board as a ``normal exit'' of your program.
12186 @subsubsection Using the E7000 in-circuit emulator
12188 @kindex target e7000@r{, with Hitachi ICE}
12189 You can use the E7000 in-circuit emulator to develop code for either the
12190 Hitachi SH or the H8/300H. Use one of these forms of the @samp{target
12191 e7000} command to connect @value{GDBN} to your E7000:
12194 @item target e7000 @var{port} @var{speed}
12195 Use this form if your E7000 is connected to a serial port. The
12196 @var{port} argument identifies what serial port to use (for example,
12197 @samp{com2}). The third argument is the line speed in bits per second
12198 (for example, @samp{9600}).
12200 @item target e7000 @var{hostname}
12201 If your E7000 is installed as a host on a TCP/IP network, you can just
12202 specify its hostname; @value{GDBN} uses @code{telnet} to connect.
12205 @node Hitachi Special
12206 @subsubsection Special @value{GDBN} commands for Hitachi micros
12208 Some @value{GDBN} commands are available only for the H8/300:
12212 @kindex set machine
12213 @kindex show machine
12214 @item set machine h8300
12215 @itemx set machine h8300h
12216 Condition @value{GDBN} for one of the two variants of the H8/300
12217 architecture with @samp{set machine}. You can use @samp{show machine}
12218 to check which variant is currently in effect.
12227 @kindex set memory @var{mod}
12228 @cindex memory models, H8/500
12229 @item set memory @var{mod}
12231 Specify which H8/500 memory model (@var{mod}) you are using with
12232 @samp{set memory}; check which memory model is in effect with @samp{show
12233 memory}. The accepted values for @var{mod} are @code{small},
12234 @code{big}, @code{medium}, and @code{compact}.
12239 @subsection Intel i960
12243 @kindex target mon960
12244 @item target mon960 @var{dev}
12245 MON960 monitor for Intel i960.
12247 @kindex target nindy
12248 @item target nindy @var{devicename}
12249 An Intel 960 board controlled by a Nindy Monitor. @var{devicename} is
12250 the name of the serial device to use for the connection, e.g.
12257 @dfn{Nindy} is a ROM Monitor program for Intel 960 target systems. When
12258 @value{GDBN} is configured to control a remote Intel 960 using Nindy, you can
12259 tell @value{GDBN} how to connect to the 960 in several ways:
12263 Through command line options specifying serial port, version of the
12264 Nindy protocol, and communications speed;
12267 By responding to a prompt on startup;
12270 By using the @code{target} command at any point during your @value{GDBN}
12271 session. @xref{Target Commands, ,Commands for managing targets}.
12275 @cindex download to Nindy-960
12276 With the Nindy interface to an Intel 960 board, @code{load}
12277 downloads @var{filename} to the 960 as well as adding its symbols in
12281 * Nindy Startup:: Startup with Nindy
12282 * Nindy Options:: Options for Nindy
12283 * Nindy Reset:: Nindy reset command
12286 @node Nindy Startup
12287 @subsubsection Startup with Nindy
12289 If you simply start @code{@value{GDBP}} without using any command-line
12290 options, you are prompted for what serial port to use, @emph{before} you
12291 reach the ordinary @value{GDBN} prompt:
12294 Attach /dev/ttyNN -- specify NN, or "quit" to quit:
12298 Respond to the prompt with whatever suffix (after @samp{/dev/tty})
12299 identifies the serial port you want to use. You can, if you choose,
12300 simply start up with no Nindy connection by responding to the prompt
12301 with an empty line. If you do this and later wish to attach to Nindy,
12302 use @code{target} (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for managing targets}).
12304 @node Nindy Options
12305 @subsubsection Options for Nindy
12307 These are the startup options for beginning your @value{GDBN} session with a
12308 Nindy-960 board attached:
12311 @item -r @var{port}
12312 Specify the serial port name of a serial interface to be used to connect
12313 to the target system. This option is only available when @value{GDBN} is
12314 configured for the Intel 960 target architecture. You may specify
12315 @var{port} as any of: a full pathname (e.g. @samp{-r /dev/ttya}), a
12316 device name in @file{/dev} (e.g. @samp{-r ttya}), or simply the unique
12317 suffix for a specific @code{tty} (e.g. @samp{-r a}).
12320 (An uppercase letter ``O'', not a zero.) Specify that @value{GDBN} should use
12321 the ``old'' Nindy monitor protocol to connect to the target system.
12322 This option is only available when @value{GDBN} is configured for the Intel 960
12323 target architecture.
12326 @emph{Warning:} if you specify @samp{-O}, but are actually trying to
12327 connect to a target system that expects the newer protocol, the connection
12328 fails, appearing to be a speed mismatch. @value{GDBN} repeatedly
12329 attempts to reconnect at several different line speeds. You can abort
12330 this process with an interrupt.
12334 Specify that @value{GDBN} should first send a @code{BREAK} signal to the target
12335 system, in an attempt to reset it, before connecting to a Nindy target.
12338 @emph{Warning:} Many target systems do not have the hardware that this
12339 requires; it only works with a few boards.
12343 The standard @samp{-b} option controls the line speed used on the serial
12348 @subsubsection Nindy reset command
12353 For a Nindy target, this command sends a ``break'' to the remote target
12354 system; this is only useful if the target has been equipped with a
12355 circuit to perform a hard reset (or some other interesting action) when
12356 a break is detected.
12361 @subsection Mitsubishi M32R/D
12365 @kindex target m32r
12366 @item target m32r @var{dev}
12367 Mitsubishi M32R/D ROM monitor.
12374 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and
12375 target command for the following ROM monitors.
12379 @kindex target abug
12380 @item target abug @var{dev}
12381 ABug ROM monitor for M68K.
12383 @kindex target cpu32bug
12384 @item target cpu32bug @var{dev}
12385 CPU32BUG monitor, running on a CPU32 (M68K) board.
12387 @kindex target dbug
12388 @item target dbug @var{dev}
12389 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
12392 @item target est @var{dev}
12393 EST-300 ICE monitor, running on a CPU32 (M68K) board.
12395 @kindex target rom68k
12396 @item target rom68k @var{dev}
12397 ROM 68K monitor, running on an M68K IDP board.
12401 If @value{GDBN} is configured with @code{m68*-ericsson-*}, it will
12402 instead have only a single special target command:
12406 @kindex target es1800
12407 @item target es1800 @var{dev}
12408 ES-1800 emulator for M68K.
12416 @kindex target rombug
12417 @item target rombug @var{dev}
12418 ROMBUG ROM monitor for OS/9000.
12428 @item target bug @var{dev}
12429 BUG monitor, running on a MVME187 (m88k) board.
12433 @node MIPS Embedded
12434 @subsection MIPS Embedded
12436 @cindex MIPS boards
12437 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
12438 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
12439 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
12442 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
12445 @item target mips @var{port}
12446 @kindex target mips @var{port}
12447 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
12448 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
12449 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
12450 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
12451 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
12452 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
12454 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
12455 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
12459 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
12460 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
12461 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
12462 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
12466 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
12467 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
12468 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
12469 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
12470 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
12472 @item target pmon @var{port}
12473 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
12476 @item target ddb @var{port}
12477 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
12478 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
12480 @item target lsi @var{port}
12481 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
12482 LSI variant of PMON.
12484 @kindex target r3900
12485 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
12486 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
12488 @kindex target array
12489 @item target array @var{dev}
12490 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
12496 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
12499 @item set processor @var{args}
12500 @itemx show processor
12501 @kindex set processor @var{args}
12502 @kindex show processor
12503 Use the @code{set processor} command to set the type of MIPS
12504 processor when you want to access processor-type-specific registers.
12505 For example, @code{set processor @var{r3041}} tells @value{GDBN}
12506 to use the CPU registers appropriate for the 3041 chip.
12507 Use the @code{show processor} command to see what MIPS processor @value{GDBN}
12508 is using. Use the @code{info reg} command to see what registers
12509 @value{GDBN} is using.
12511 @item set mipsfpu double
12512 @itemx set mipsfpu single
12513 @itemx set mipsfpu none
12514 @itemx show mipsfpu
12515 @kindex set mipsfpu
12516 @kindex show mipsfpu
12517 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
12518 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
12519 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
12520 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
12521 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
12522 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
12523 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
12524 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
12525 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
12526 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
12527 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
12528 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
12529 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
12531 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
12532 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
12533 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
12535 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
12536 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
12538 @item set remotedebug @var{n}
12539 @itemx show remotedebug
12540 @kindex set remotedebug@r{, MIPS protocol}
12541 @kindex show remotedebug@r{, MIPS protocol}
12542 @cindex @code{remotedebug}, MIPS protocol
12543 @cindex MIPS @code{remotedebug} protocol
12544 @c FIXME! For this to be useful, you must know something about the MIPS
12545 @c FIXME...protocol. Where is it described?
12546 You can see some debugging information about communications with the board
12547 by setting the @code{remotedebug} variable. If you set it to @code{1} using
12548 @samp{set remotedebug 1}, every packet is displayed. If you set it
12549 to @code{2}, every character is displayed. You can check the current value
12550 at any time with the command @samp{show remotedebug}.
12552 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
12553 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
12554 @itemx show timeout
12555 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
12556 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
12557 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
12558 @kindex set timeout
12559 @kindex show timeout
12560 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
12561 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
12562 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
12563 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
12564 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
12565 waiting for an acknowledgement of a packet with the @code{set
12566 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
12567 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
12568 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
12569 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
12571 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
12572 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
12573 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
12574 to run before stopping.
12578 @subsection PowerPC
12582 @kindex target dink32
12583 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
12584 DINK32 ROM monitor.
12586 @kindex target ppcbug
12587 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
12588 @kindex target ppcbug1
12589 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
12590 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
12593 @item target sds @var{dev}
12594 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
12599 @subsection HP PA Embedded
12603 @kindex target op50n
12604 @item target op50n @var{dev}
12605 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
12607 @kindex target w89k
12608 @item target w89k @var{dev}
12609 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
12614 @subsection Hitachi SH
12618 @kindex target hms@r{, with Hitachi SH}
12619 @item target hms @var{dev}
12620 A Hitachi SH board attached via serial line to your host. Use special
12621 commands @code{device} and @code{speed} to control the serial line and
12622 the communications speed used.
12624 @kindex target e7000@r{, with Hitachi SH}
12625 @item target e7000 @var{dev}
12626 E7000 emulator for Hitachi SH.
12628 @kindex target sh3@r{, with SH}
12629 @kindex target sh3e@r{, with SH}
12630 @item target sh3 @var{dev}
12631 @item target sh3e @var{dev}
12632 Hitachi SH-3 and SH-3E target systems.
12637 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
12641 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
12642 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
12643 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
12644 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
12645 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
12648 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
12649 @kindex remotetimeout
12650 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
12651 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
12652 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
12655 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
12656 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
12657 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
12658 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
12659 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
12662 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
12665 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
12668 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
12671 @cindex running, on Sparclet
12673 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
12674 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
12675 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
12677 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
12684 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
12685 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
12686 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
12687 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
12690 @node Sparclet File
12691 @subsubsection Setting file to debug
12693 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
12696 (gdbslet) file prog
12700 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
12701 @value{GDBN} locates
12702 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
12704 If the file was compiled with debug information (option "-g"), source
12705 files will be searched as well.
12706 @value{GDBN} locates
12707 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
12708 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}).
12710 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
12713 prog: No such file or directory.
12716 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
12717 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
12718 @code{target} command again.
12720 @node Sparclet Connection
12721 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
12723 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
12724 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
12727 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
12728 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
12729 main () at ../prog.c:3
12733 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
12739 @node Sparclet Download
12740 @subsubsection Sparclet download
12742 @cindex download to Sparclet
12743 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
12744 you can use the @value{GDBN}
12745 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
12746 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
12748 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
12749 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
12750 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
12751 of each of the file's sections.
12752 For instance, if the program
12753 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
12754 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
12757 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
12758 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
12761 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
12762 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
12763 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
12765 @node Sparclet Execution
12766 @subsubsection Running and debugging
12768 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
12769 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
12770 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
12771 manual for the list of commands.
12775 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
12777 Starting program: prog
12778 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
12779 3 char *symarg = 0;
12781 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
12786 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
12790 @kindex target sparclite
12791 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
12792 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
12793 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
12794 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
12800 @subsection Tandem ST2000
12802 @value{GDBN} may be used with a Tandem ST2000 phone switch, running Tandem's
12805 To connect your ST2000 to the host system, see the manufacturer's
12806 manual. Once the ST2000 is physically attached, you can run:
12809 target st2000 @var{dev} @var{speed}
12813 to establish it as your debugging environment. @var{dev} is normally
12814 the name of a serial device, such as @file{/dev/ttya}, connected to the
12815 ST2000 via a serial line. You can instead specify @var{dev} as a TCP
12816 connection (for example, to a serial line attached via a terminal
12817 concentrator) using the syntax @code{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
12819 The @code{load} and @code{attach} commands are @emph{not} defined for
12820 this target; you must load your program into the ST2000 as you normally
12821 would for standalone operation. @value{GDBN} reads debugging information
12822 (such as symbols) from a separate, debugging version of the program
12823 available on your host computer.
12824 @c FIXME!! This is terribly vague; what little content is here is
12825 @c basically hearsay.
12827 @cindex ST2000 auxiliary commands
12828 These auxiliary @value{GDBN} commands are available to help you with the ST2000
12832 @item st2000 @var{command}
12833 @kindex st2000 @var{cmd}
12834 @cindex STDBUG commands (ST2000)
12835 @cindex commands to STDBUG (ST2000)
12836 Send a @var{command} to the STDBUG monitor. See the manufacturer's
12837 manual for available commands.
12840 @cindex connect (to STDBUG)
12841 Connect the controlling terminal to the STDBUG command monitor. When
12842 you are done interacting with STDBUG, typing either of two character
12843 sequences gets you back to the @value{GDBN} command prompt:
12844 @kbd{@key{RET}~.} (Return, followed by tilde and period) or
12845 @kbd{@key{RET}~@key{C-d}} (Return, followed by tilde and control-D).
12849 @subsection Zilog Z8000
12852 @cindex simulator, Z8000
12853 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
12855 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
12858 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
12859 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
12860 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
12861 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
12864 @item target sim @var{args}
12866 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
12867 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
12868 options, specify them via @var{args}.
12872 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
12873 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
12874 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
12875 to run your program, and so on.
12877 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
12878 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
12879 additional items of information as specially named registers:
12884 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
12887 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
12890 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
12894 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
12895 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
12896 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
12897 simulated clock ticks.
12899 @node Architectures
12900 @section Architectures
12902 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
12903 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
12916 @kindex set rstack_high_address
12917 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
12918 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
12919 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
12920 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
12921 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
12922 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
12923 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
12924 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
12925 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
12926 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
12927 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
12930 @kindex show rstack_high_address
12931 @item show rstack_high_address
12932 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
12940 See the following section.
12945 @cindex stack on Alpha
12946 @cindex stack on MIPS
12947 @cindex Alpha stack
12949 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
12950 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
12951 find the beginning of a function.
12953 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
12954 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
12955 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
12956 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
12960 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
12961 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
12962 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
12963 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
12964 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
12965 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
12966 and therefore the longer it takes to run.
12968 @item show heuristic-fence-post
12969 Display the current limit.
12973 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
12974 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
12977 @node Controlling GDB
12978 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
12980 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
12981 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
12982 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}. Other settings are
12987 * Editing:: Command editing
12988 * History:: Command history
12989 * Screen Size:: Screen size
12990 * Numbers:: Numbers
12991 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
12992 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
13000 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
13001 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
13002 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
13003 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
13004 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
13005 which one you are talking to.
13007 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
13008 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
13009 or a prompt that does not.
13013 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
13014 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
13016 @kindex show prompt
13018 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
13022 @section Command editing
13024 @cindex command line editing
13026 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{readline} interface. This
13027 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
13028 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
13029 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
13030 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
13031 debugging sessions.
13033 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
13034 command @code{set}.
13037 @kindex set editing
13040 @itemx set editing on
13041 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
13043 @item set editing off
13044 Disable command line editing.
13046 @kindex show editing
13048 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
13052 @section Command history
13054 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
13055 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
13056 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
13060 @cindex history substitution
13061 @cindex history file
13062 @kindex set history filename
13063 @kindex GDBHISTFILE
13064 @item set history filename @var{fname}
13065 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
13066 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
13067 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
13068 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
13069 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
13070 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
13071 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
13074 @cindex history save
13075 @kindex set history save
13076 @item set history save
13077 @itemx set history save on
13078 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
13079 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
13081 @item set history save off
13082 Stop recording command history in a file.
13084 @cindex history size
13085 @kindex set history size
13086 @item set history size @var{size}
13087 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
13088 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
13089 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
13092 @cindex history expansion
13093 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
13094 @ifset have-readline-appendices
13095 @xref{Event Designators}.
13098 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
13099 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
13100 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
13101 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
13102 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
13103 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
13104 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
13106 The commands to control history expansion are:
13109 @kindex set history expansion
13110 @item set history expansion on
13111 @itemx set history expansion
13112 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
13114 @item set history expansion off
13115 Disable history expansion.
13117 The readline code comes with more complete documentation of
13118 editing and history expansion features. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs
13119 or @code{vi} may wish to read it.
13120 @ifset have-readline-appendices
13121 @xref{Command Line Editing}.
13125 @kindex show history
13127 @itemx show history filename
13128 @itemx show history save
13129 @itemx show history size
13130 @itemx show history expansion
13131 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
13132 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
13138 @item show commands
13139 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
13141 @item show commands @var{n}
13142 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
13144 @item show commands +
13145 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
13149 @section Screen size
13150 @cindex size of screen
13151 @cindex pauses in output
13153 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
13154 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
13155 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
13156 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
13157 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
13158 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
13159 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
13160 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
13162 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
13163 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
13164 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
13165 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
13166 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
13173 @kindex show height
13174 @item set height @var{lpp}
13176 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
13178 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
13179 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
13180 commands display the current settings.
13182 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
13183 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
13184 file or to an editor buffer.
13186 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
13187 from wrapping its output.
13192 @cindex number representation
13193 @cindex entering numbers
13195 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
13196 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
13197 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
13198 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that begin with none of these are, by
13199 default, entered in base 10; likewise, the default display for
13200 numbers---when no particular format is specified---is base 10. You can
13201 change the default base for both input and output with the @code{set
13205 @kindex set input-radix
13206 @item set input-radix @var{base}
13207 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
13208 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
13209 specified either unambiguously or using the current default radix; for
13219 sets the base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set radix 10}
13220 leaves the radix unchanged no matter what it was.
13222 @kindex set output-radix
13223 @item set output-radix @var{base}
13224 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
13225 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
13226 specified either unambiguously or using the current default radix.
13228 @kindex show input-radix
13229 @item show input-radix
13230 Display the current default base for numeric input.
13232 @kindex show output-radix
13233 @item show output-radix
13234 Display the current default base for numeric display.
13237 @node Messages/Warnings
13238 @section Optional warnings and messages
13240 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
13241 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
13242 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
13243 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
13245 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
13246 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
13247 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}.
13250 @kindex set verbose
13251 @item set verbose on
13252 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
13254 @item set verbose off
13255 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
13257 @kindex show verbose
13259 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
13262 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
13263 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
13264 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors reading
13269 @kindex set complaints
13270 @item set complaints @var{limit}
13271 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
13272 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
13273 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
13274 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
13276 @kindex show complaints
13277 @item show complaints
13278 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
13282 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
13283 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
13284 you try to run a program which is already running:
13288 The program being debugged has been started already.
13289 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
13292 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
13293 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
13297 @kindex set confirm
13299 @cindex confirmation
13300 @cindex stupid questions
13301 @item set confirm off
13302 Disables confirmation requests.
13304 @item set confirm on
13305 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
13307 @kindex show confirm
13309 Displays state of confirmation requests.
13313 @node Debugging Output
13314 @section Optional messages about internal happenings
13316 @kindex set debug arch
13317 @item set debug arch
13318 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
13319 @kindex show debug arch
13320 @item show debug arch
13321 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
13322 @kindex set debug event
13323 @item set debug event
13324 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
13326 @kindex show debug event
13327 @item show debug event
13328 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
13330 @kindex set debug expression
13331 @item set debug expression
13332 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} expression debugging info. The
13334 @kindex show debug expression
13335 @item show debug expression
13336 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} expression
13338 @kindex set debug overload
13339 @item set debug overload
13340 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
13341 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
13343 @kindex show debug overload
13344 @item show debug overload
13345 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
13347 @kindex set debug remote
13348 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
13349 @cindex serial connections, debugging
13350 @item set debug remote
13351 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
13352 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
13353 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
13354 @kindex show debug remote
13355 @item show debug remote
13356 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
13357 @kindex set debug serial
13358 @item set debug serial
13359 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
13361 @kindex show debug serial
13362 @item show debug serial
13363 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
13365 @kindex set debug target
13366 @item set debug target
13367 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
13368 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
13370 @kindex show debug target
13371 @item show debug target
13372 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
13374 @kindex set debug varobj
13375 @item set debug varobj
13376 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
13377 info. The default is off.
13378 @kindex show debug varobj
13379 @item show debug varobj
13380 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
13385 @chapter Canned Sequences of Commands
13387 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
13388 command lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
13389 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
13393 * Define:: User-defined commands
13394 * Hooks:: User-defined command hooks
13395 * Command Files:: Command files
13396 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
13400 @section User-defined commands
13402 @cindex user-defined command
13403 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
13404 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
13405 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
13406 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
13407 via @var{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
13411 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
13415 To execute the command use:
13422 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
13423 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
13424 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
13430 @item define @var{commandname}
13431 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
13432 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
13434 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
13435 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
13436 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
13441 Takes a single argument, which is an expression to evaluate.
13442 It is followed by a series of commands that are executed
13443 only if the expression is true (nonzero).
13444 There can then optionally be a line @code{else}, followed
13445 by a series of commands that are only executed if the expression
13446 was false. The end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
13450 The syntax is similar to @code{if}: the command takes a single argument,
13451 which is an expression to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to
13452 execute, one per line, terminated by an @code{end}.
13453 The commands are executed repeatedly as long as the expression
13457 @item document @var{commandname}
13458 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
13459 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
13460 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
13461 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
13462 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
13463 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
13465 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
13466 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
13467 does not change the documentation.
13469 @kindex help user-defined
13470 @item help user-defined
13471 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
13476 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
13477 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
13478 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
13479 definitions for all user-defined commands.
13483 When user-defined commands are executed, the
13484 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
13485 stops execution of the user-defined command.
13487 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
13488 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
13489 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
13490 messages when used in a user-defined command.
13493 @section User-defined command hooks
13494 @cindex command hooks
13495 @cindex hooks, for commands
13496 @cindex hooks, pre-command
13500 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
13501 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
13502 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
13503 before that command.
13505 @cindex hooks, post-command
13508 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
13509 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
13510 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
13511 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
13512 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
13514 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
13515 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinte recursion.
13517 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
13518 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
13520 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
13521 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
13522 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
13523 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
13524 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
13526 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
13527 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
13532 handle SIGALRM nopass
13536 handle SIGALRM pass
13539 define hook-continue
13540 handle SIGLARM pass
13544 As a further example, to hook at the begining and end of the @code{echo}
13545 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
13553 define hookpost-echo
13557 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
13558 <<<---Hello World--->>>
13563 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
13564 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
13565 name, e.g. @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
13566 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
13568 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
13569 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
13570 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
13572 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
13573 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
13575 @node Command Files
13576 @section Command files
13578 @cindex command files
13579 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a file of lines that are @value{GDBN}
13580 commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may also be included.
13581 An empty line in a command file does nothing; it does not mean to repeat
13582 the last command, as it would from the terminal.
13585 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
13586 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
13587 When you start @value{GDBN}, it automatically executes commands from its
13588 @dfn{init files}, normally called @file{.gdbinit}@footnote{The DJGPP
13589 port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini} instead, due to the
13590 limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems.}.
13591 During startup, @value{GDBN} does the following:
13595 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
13596 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
13597 @code{HOME} environment variable.}.
13600 Processes command line options and operands.
13603 Reads the init file (if any) in the current working directory.
13606 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option.
13609 The init file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
13610 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
13611 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
13612 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing modes}).
13614 @cindex init file name
13615 On some configurations of @value{GDBN}, the init file is known by a
13616 different name (these are typically environments where a specialized
13617 form of @value{GDBN} may need to coexist with other forms, hence a
13618 different name for the specialized version's init file). These are the
13619 environments with special init file names:
13621 @cindex @file{.vxgdbinit}
13624 VxWorks (Wind River Systems real-time OS): @file{.vxgdbinit}
13626 @cindex @file{.os68gdbinit}
13628 OS68K (Enea Data Systems real-time OS): @file{.os68gdbinit}
13630 @cindex @file{.esgdbinit}
13632 ES-1800 (Ericsson Telecom AB M68000 emulator): @file{.esgdbinit}
13635 You can also request the execution of a command file with the
13636 @code{source} command:
13640 @item source @var{filename}
13641 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
13644 The lines in a command file are executed sequentially. They are not
13645 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates execution
13646 of the command file.
13648 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
13649 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
13650 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
13651 when called from command files.
13653 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
13654 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
13655 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
13656 not terminate execution of the command file --- execution continues with
13660 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
13663 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
13664 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
13665 would be directed to @file{log}.
13668 @section Commands for controlled output
13670 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
13671 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
13672 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
13673 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
13678 @item echo @var{text}
13679 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
13680 @c because it is not in ANSI.
13681 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
13682 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
13683 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
13684 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
13685 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
13686 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
13687 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
13688 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
13689 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
13691 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
13692 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
13695 echo This is some text\n\
13696 which is continued\n\
13697 onto several lines.\n
13700 produces the same output as
13703 echo This is some text\n
13704 echo which is continued\n
13705 echo onto several lines.\n
13709 @item output @var{expression}
13710 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
13711 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
13712 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
13715 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
13716 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
13717 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
13718 formats}, for more information.
13721 @item printf @var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
13722 Print the values of the @var{expressions} under the control of
13723 @var{string}. The @var{expressions} are separated by commas and may be
13724 either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as specified by
13725 @var{string}, exactly as if your program were to execute the C
13727 @c FIXME: the above implies that at least all ANSI C formats are
13728 @c supported, but it isn't true: %E and %G don't work (or so it seems).
13729 @c Either this is a bug, or the manual should document what formats are
13733 printf (@var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
13736 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
13739 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
13742 The only backslash-escape sequences that you can use in the format
13743 string are the simple ones that consist of backslash followed by a
13748 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
13752 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
13753 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
13754 * TUI Commands:: TUI specific commands
13755 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
13758 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface, TUI in short,
13759 is a terminal interface which uses the @code{curses} library
13760 to show the source file, the assembly output, the program registers
13761 and @value{GDBN} commands in separate text windows.
13762 The TUI is available only when @value{GDBN} is configured
13763 with the @code{--enable-tui} configure option (@pxref{Configure Options}).
13766 @section TUI overview
13768 The TUI has two display modes that can be switched while
13773 A curses (or TUI) mode in which it displays several text
13774 windows on the terminal.
13777 A standard mode which corresponds to the @value{GDBN} configured without
13781 In the TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text window
13786 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
13787 prompt and the @value{GDBN} outputs. The @value{GDBN} input is still
13788 managed using readline but through the TUI. The @emph{command}
13789 window is always visible.
13792 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
13793 line as well as active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
13794 The current program position is shown with the @samp{>} marker and
13795 active breakpoints are shown with @samp{*} markers.
13798 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
13801 This window shows the processor registers. It detects when
13802 a register is changed and when this is the case, registers that have
13803 changed are highlighted.
13807 The source, assembly and register windows are attached to the thread
13808 and the frame position. They are updated when the current thread
13809 changes, when the frame changes or when the program counter changes.
13810 These three windows are arranged by the TUI according to several
13811 layouts. The layout defines which of these three windows are visible.
13812 The following layouts are available:
13822 source and assembly
13825 source and registers
13828 assembly and registers
13833 @section TUI Key Bindings
13834 @cindex TUI key bindings
13836 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
13837 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
13838 They allow to leave or enter in the TUI mode or they operate
13839 directly on the TUI layout and windows. The following key bindings
13840 are installed for both TUI mode and the @value{GDBN} standard mode.
13849 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When the TUI mode is left,
13850 the curses window management is left and @value{GDBN} operates using
13851 its standard mode writing on the terminal directly. When the TUI
13852 mode is entered, the control is given back to the curses windows.
13853 The screen is then refreshed.
13857 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
13858 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
13859 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
13861 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
13865 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
13866 layout shows already two windows, a next layout with two windows is used.
13867 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
13868 previous layout and the new one.
13870 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
13874 The following key bindings are handled only by the TUI mode:
13879 Scroll the active window one page up.
13883 Scroll the active window one page down.
13887 Scroll the active window one line up.
13891 Scroll the active window one line down.
13895 Scroll the active window one column left.
13899 Scroll the active window one column right.
13903 Refresh the screen.
13907 In the TUI mode, the arrow keys are used by the active window
13908 for scrolling. This means they are not available for readline. It is
13909 necessary to use other readline key bindings such as @key{C-p}, @key{C-n},
13910 @key{C-b} and @key{C-f}.
13913 @section TUI specific commands
13914 @cindex TUI commands
13916 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
13917 These commands are always available, that is they do not depend on
13918 the current terminal mode in which @value{GDBN} runs. When @value{GDBN}
13919 is in the standard mode, using these commands will automatically switch
13924 @kindex layout next
13925 Display the next layout.
13928 @kindex layout prev
13929 Display the previous layout.
13933 Display the source window only.
13937 Display the assembly window only.
13940 @kindex layout split
13941 Display the source and assembly window.
13944 @kindex layout regs
13945 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
13947 @item focus next | prev | src | asm | regs | split
13949 Set the focus to the named window.
13950 This command allows to change the active window so that scrolling keys
13951 can be affected to another window.
13955 Refresh the screen. This is similar to using @key{C-L} key.
13959 Update the source window and the current execution point.
13961 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
13962 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
13964 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
13965 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
13970 @node TUI Configuration
13971 @section TUI configuration variables
13972 @cindex TUI configuration variables
13974 The TUI has several configuration variables that control the
13975 appearance of windows on the terminal.
13978 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
13979 @kindex set tui border-kind
13980 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
13981 The possible values are the following:
13984 Use a space character to draw the border.
13987 Use ascii characters + - and | to draw the border.
13990 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
13991 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
13995 @item set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
13996 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
13997 Select the attributes to display the border of the active window.
13998 The possible values are @code{normal}, @code{standout}, @code{reverse},
13999 @code{half}, @code{half-standout}, @code{bold} and @code{bold-standout}.
14001 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
14002 @kindex set tui border-mode
14003 Select the attributes to display the border of other windows.
14004 The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
14007 Use normal attributes to display the border.
14013 Use reverse video mode.
14016 Use half bright mode.
14018 @item half-standout
14019 Use half bright and standout mode.
14022 Use extra bright or bold mode.
14024 @item bold-standout
14025 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
14032 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
14035 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
14036 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
14037 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
14040 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
14041 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
14042 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
14043 created Emacs buffer.
14044 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
14046 Using @value{GDBN} under Emacs is just like using @value{GDBN} normally except for two
14051 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through the Emacs buffer.
14054 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
14055 and output done by the program you are debugging.
14057 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
14058 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
14061 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
14062 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
14063 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
14068 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
14071 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
14072 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
14073 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
14074 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
14077 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
14078 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
14081 @emph{Warning:} If the directory where your program resides is not your
14082 current directory, it can be easy to confuse Emacs about the location of
14083 the source files, in which case the auxiliary display buffer does not
14084 appear to show your source. @value{GDBN} can find programs by searching your
14085 environment's @code{PATH} variable, so the @value{GDBN} input and output
14086 session proceeds normally; but Emacs does not get enough information
14087 back from @value{GDBN} to locate the source files in this situation. To
14088 avoid this problem, either start @value{GDBN} mode from the directory where
14089 your program resides, or specify an absolute file name when prompted for the
14090 @kbd{M-x gdb} argument.
14092 A similar confusion can result if you use the @value{GDBN} @code{file} command to
14093 switch to debugging a program in some other location, from an existing
14094 @value{GDBN} buffer in Emacs.
14097 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If
14098 you need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you keep
14099 several configurations around, with different names) you can set the
14100 Emacs variable @code{gdb-command-name}; for example,
14103 (setq gdb-command-name "mygdb")
14107 (preceded by @kbd{M-:} or @kbd{ESC :}, or typed in the @code{*scratch*} buffer, or
14108 in your @file{.emacs} file) makes Emacs call the program named
14109 ``@code{mygdb}'' instead.
14111 In the @value{GDBN} I/O buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
14112 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
14116 Describe the features of Emacs' @value{GDBN} Mode.
14119 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
14120 update the display window to show the current file and location.
14123 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
14124 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
14125 to show the current file and location.
14128 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
14129 display window accordingly.
14131 @item M-x gdb-nexti
14132 Execute to next instruction, using the @value{GDBN} @code{nexti} command; update
14133 display window accordingly.
14136 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
14137 @code{finish} command.
14140 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
14143 @emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-p}.
14146 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
14147 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
14148 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
14150 @emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-u}.
14153 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
14154 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
14156 @emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-d}.
14159 Read the number where the cursor is positioned, and insert it at the end
14160 of the @value{GDBN} I/O buffer. For example, if you wish to disassemble code
14161 around an address that was displayed earlier, type @kbd{disassemble};
14162 then move the cursor to the address display, and pick up the
14163 argument for @code{disassemble} by typing @kbd{C-x &}.
14165 You can customize this further by defining elements of the list
14166 @code{gdb-print-command}; once it is defined, you can format or
14167 otherwise process numbers picked up by @kbd{C-x &} before they are
14168 inserted. A numeric argument to @kbd{C-x &} indicates that you
14169 wish special formatting, and also acts as an index to pick an element of the
14170 list. If the list element is a string, the number to be inserted is
14171 formatted using the Emacs function @code{format}; otherwise the number
14172 is passed as an argument to the corresponding list element.
14175 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x SPC} (@code{gdb-break})
14176 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
14178 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
14179 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
14180 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
14181 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
14184 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
14185 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
14186 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
14187 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
14188 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
14189 to correspond properly with the code.
14191 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
14194 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
14198 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
14199 called the @code{epoch}
14200 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
14201 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
14202 each value is printed in its own window.
14205 @include annotate.texi
14206 @include gdbmi.texinfo
14209 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
14210 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
14211 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
14213 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
14215 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
14216 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
14217 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
14218 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
14220 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
14221 information that enables us to fix the bug.
14224 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
14225 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
14229 @section Have you found a bug?
14230 @cindex bug criteria
14232 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
14235 @cindex fatal signal
14236 @cindex debugger crash
14237 @cindex crash of debugger
14239 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
14240 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
14242 @cindex error on valid input
14244 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
14245 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
14246 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
14248 @cindex invalid input
14250 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
14251 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
14252 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
14253 for traditional practice''.
14256 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
14257 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
14260 @node Bug Reporting
14261 @section How to report bugs
14262 @cindex bug reports
14263 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
14265 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
14266 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
14267 contact that organization first.
14269 You can find contact information for many support companies and
14270 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
14272 @c should add a web page ref...
14274 In any event, we also recommend that you send bug reports for
14275 @value{GDBN} to this addresses:
14281 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
14282 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
14283 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
14286 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
14287 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
14288 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
14289 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
14290 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
14291 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
14292 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
14293 bug reports to the mailing list.
14295 As a last resort, send bug reports on paper to:
14298 @sc{gnu} Debugger Bugs
14299 Free Software Foundation Inc.
14300 59 Temple Place - Suite 330
14301 Boston, MA 02111-1307
14305 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
14306 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
14307 fact or leave it out, state it!
14309 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
14310 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
14311 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
14312 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
14313 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
14314 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
14315 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
14316 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
14317 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
14319 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
14320 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
14321 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
14324 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
14325 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
14326 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
14329 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
14333 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
14334 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
14337 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
14338 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
14341 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
14345 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.
14346 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
14349 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
14350 debugging---e.g. ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
14351 C Compiler''. For GCC, you can say @code{gcc --version} to get this
14352 information; for other compilers, see the documentation for those
14356 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
14357 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
14358 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
14359 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
14361 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
14362 and then we might not encounter the bug.
14365 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
14369 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
14370 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
14372 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
14373 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
14374 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
14375 a chance to make a mistake.
14377 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
14378 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
14379 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
14380 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
14381 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
14382 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
14383 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
14384 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
14387 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
14388 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
14389 it by context, not by line number.
14391 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
14392 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
14396 Here are some things that are not necessary:
14400 A description of the envelope of the bug.
14402 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
14403 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
14404 changes will not affect it.
14406 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
14407 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
14408 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
14409 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
14411 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
14412 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
14413 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
14414 less time, and so on.
14416 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
14417 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
14420 A patch for the bug.
14422 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
14423 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
14424 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
14425 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
14427 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
14428 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
14429 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
14430 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
14432 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
14433 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
14434 help us to understand.
14437 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
14439 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
14440 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
14443 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
14444 @c and consists of the two following files:
14446 @c inc-hist.texinfo
14447 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
14448 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
14449 @include rluser.texinfo
14450 @include inc-hist.texinfo
14453 @node Formatting Documentation
14454 @appendix Formatting Documentation
14456 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
14457 @cindex reference card
14458 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
14459 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
14460 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
14461 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
14462 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
14463 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
14465 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
14466 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
14472 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
14473 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
14474 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
14475 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
14476 your @sc{dvi} output program.
14478 @cindex documentation
14480 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
14481 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
14482 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
14483 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
14484 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
14485 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
14487 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
14488 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
14489 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
14490 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
14491 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
14492 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
14493 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
14494 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
14496 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
14497 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
14500 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
14501 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
14502 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
14509 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
14510 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
14511 Texinfo definitions file.
14513 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
14514 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
14515 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
14516 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
14517 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
14518 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
14519 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
14521 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
14522 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
14523 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
14524 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
14525 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
14528 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
14529 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the the @file{gdb}
14530 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
14531 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
14537 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
14539 @node Installing GDB
14540 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
14541 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
14542 @cindex installation
14544 @value{GDBN} comes with a @code{configure} script that automates the process
14545 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
14546 build the @code{gdb} program.
14548 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
14549 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
14550 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
14551 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
14554 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
14555 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
14556 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
14558 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
14559 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
14562 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
14563 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
14565 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
14566 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
14568 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
14569 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
14571 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
14572 @sc{gnu} include files
14574 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
14575 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
14577 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
14578 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
14580 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
14581 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
14583 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
14584 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
14586 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
14587 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
14590 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @code{configure}
14591 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
14592 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
14594 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
14595 if you are not already in it; then run @code{configure}. Pass the
14596 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
14602 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
14603 ./configure @var{host}
14608 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
14609 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
14610 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @code{configure} tries to guess the
14611 correct value by examining your system.)
14613 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
14614 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
14615 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
14616 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
14619 @code{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
14620 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
14621 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
14624 sh configure @var{host}
14627 If you run @code{configure} from a directory that contains source
14628 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
14629 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN}, @code{configure}
14630 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
14631 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
14633 You can run the @code{configure} script from any of the
14634 subordinate directories in the @value{GDBN} distribution if you only want to
14635 configure that subdirectory, but be sure to specify a path to it.
14637 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, type the following to configure only
14638 the @code{bfd} subdirectory:
14642 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
14643 ../configure @var{host}
14647 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
14648 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
14649 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
14650 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
14651 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
14654 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
14655 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
14656 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
14659 @node Separate Objdir
14660 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
14662 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
14663 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
14664 host and target. @code{configure} is designed to make this easy by
14665 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
14666 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
14667 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
14668 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
14669 program specified there.
14671 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @code{configure}
14672 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
14673 (You also need to specify a path to find @code{configure}
14674 itself from your working directory. If the path to @code{configure}
14675 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
14676 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
14678 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
14679 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
14683 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
14686 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
14691 When @code{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
14692 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
14693 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
14694 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
14695 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
14696 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
14698 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
14699 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
14700 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
14701 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
14702 You specify a cross-debugging target by
14703 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @code{configure}.
14705 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
14706 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
14707 called @code{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
14709 The @code{Makefile} that @code{configure} generates in each source
14710 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
14711 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
14712 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
14713 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
14715 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
14716 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
14717 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
14721 @section Specifying names for hosts and targets
14723 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @code{configure}
14724 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
14725 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
14726 of information in the following pattern:
14729 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
14732 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
14733 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
14734 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
14736 The @code{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
14737 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
14738 aliases. @code{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
14739 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
14740 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
14741 abbreviations---for example:
14744 % sh config.sub i386-linux
14746 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
14747 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
14748 % sh config.sub hp9k700
14750 % sh config.sub sun4
14751 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
14752 % sh config.sub sun3
14753 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
14754 % sh config.sub i986v
14755 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
14759 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
14760 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
14762 @node Configure Options
14763 @section @code{configure} options
14765 Here is a summary of the @code{configure} options and arguments that
14766 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @code{configure} also has
14767 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
14768 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @code{configure}.
14771 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
14772 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
14773 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
14774 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
14775 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
14776 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
14781 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
14782 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
14787 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @code{configure}.
14789 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
14790 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
14793 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
14794 Configure the source to install programs under directory
14797 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
14799 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
14800 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
14801 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
14802 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
14803 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
14804 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
14805 directories. @code{configure} writes configuration specific files in
14806 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
14807 directory @var{dirname}. @code{configure} creates directories under
14808 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
14811 @item --norecursion
14812 Configure only the directory level where @code{configure} is executed; do not
14813 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
14815 @item --target=@var{target}
14816 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
14817 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
14818 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
14820 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
14822 @item @var{host} @dots{}
14823 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
14825 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
14828 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
14829 needed for special purposes only.
14831 @node Maintenance Commands
14832 @appendix Maintenance Commands
14833 @cindex maintenance commands
14834 @cindex internal commands
14836 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
14837 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers.
14838 These commands are provided here for reference.
14841 @kindex maint info breakpoints
14842 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
14843 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
14844 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
14845 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
14846 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
14851 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
14854 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
14857 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
14858 @code{longjmp} calls.
14860 @item longjmp resume
14861 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
14864 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
14867 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
14870 Shared library events.
14884 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
14886 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
14887 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
14888 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
14889 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
14890 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
14891 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
14892 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
14893 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
14894 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
14899 @c TeX can handle the contents at the start but makeinfo 3.12 can not