1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,
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) 1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,1998,1999,2000,2001, 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
55 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
56 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
57 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
58 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
59 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
60 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
62 (a) The Free Software Foundation's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have
63 freedom to copy and modify this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies
64 published by the Free Software Foundation raise funds for GNU
69 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
70 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
72 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
73 @subtitle @value{DATE}
74 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
78 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to bug-gdb\@gnu.org.)\par
79 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
80 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
84 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
85 Copyright @copyright{} 1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,@*
86 1998,1999,2000,2001,2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
88 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
89 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, @*
90 Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA @*
93 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
94 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
95 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
96 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
97 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
98 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
100 (a) The Free Software Foundation's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have
101 freedom to copy and modify this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies
102 published by the Free Software Foundation raise funds for GNU
108 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
110 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
112 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
114 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, @value{DATE}, for @value{GDBN} Version
117 Copyright (C) 1988-2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
120 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
121 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
123 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
124 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
125 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
126 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
127 * Stack:: Examining the stack
128 * Source:: Examining source files
129 * Data:: Examining data
130 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
131 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
133 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
135 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
136 * Altering:: Altering execution
137 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
138 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
139 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
140 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
141 * Sequences:: Canned sequences of commands
142 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
143 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
144 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
145 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
147 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
148 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
150 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
151 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
152 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
153 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
154 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
160 @c the replication sucks, but this avoids a texinfo 3.12 lameness
165 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
167 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
169 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, @value{DATE}, for @value{GDBN} Version
172 Copyright (C) 1988-2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
175 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
176 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
178 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
179 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
180 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
181 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
182 * Stack:: Examining the stack
183 * Source:: Examining source files
184 * Data:: Examining data
185 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
186 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
188 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
190 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
191 * Altering:: Altering execution
192 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
193 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
194 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
195 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
196 * Sequences:: Canned sequences of commands
197 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
198 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
199 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
200 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
202 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
203 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
205 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
206 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
207 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
208 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
209 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
215 @c TeX can handle the contents at the start but makeinfo 3.12 can not
221 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
223 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
224 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
225 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
227 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
228 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
232 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
235 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
238 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
241 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
242 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
245 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C++.
246 For more information, see @ref{Support,,Supported languages}.
247 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
251 Support for Modula-2 and Chill is partial. For information on Modula-2,
252 see @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}. For information on Chill, see @ref{Chill}.
255 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
256 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
257 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
261 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
262 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
266 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
267 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
271 @unnumberedsec Free software
273 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
274 General Public License
275 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
276 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
277 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
278 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
279 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
280 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
282 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
283 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
286 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
288 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
289 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
290 include with the free software. Many of our most important
291 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
292 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
293 when an important free software package does not come with a free
294 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
297 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
298 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
299 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
300 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
301 them from the free software world.
303 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
304 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
305 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
306 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
307 contract to make it non-free.
309 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
310 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
311 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
312 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
313 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
314 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
315 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
317 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
318 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
319 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
320 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
322 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
323 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
324 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
325 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
326 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
327 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
330 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
331 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
332 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
333 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
334 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
335 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
336 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
337 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
340 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
341 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
342 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
343 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
344 manual to replace it.
346 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
347 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
348 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
349 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
350 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
351 the free software community.
353 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
354 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
355 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
356 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
357 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
358 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
359 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
360 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
361 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
363 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
364 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
365 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
366 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
367 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
368 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
369 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
370 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
372 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
373 published by other publishers, at
374 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
377 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
379 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
380 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
381 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
382 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
383 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
384 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
385 blow-by-blow account.
387 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
390 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
391 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
392 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
395 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
396 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
398 Andrew Cagney (releases 5.0 and 5.1);
399 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
400 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
401 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
402 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
403 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
404 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
405 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
406 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
408 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
409 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
411 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
412 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
413 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
414 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
415 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
417 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
418 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
419 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
421 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
422 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
424 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF2 support.
426 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
427 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
429 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
430 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
431 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
432 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
433 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
434 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
435 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
436 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
437 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
438 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
439 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
440 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
441 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
442 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
443 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
445 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K Linux support.
447 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
450 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
451 about several machine instruction sets.
453 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
454 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
455 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
456 and RDI targets, respectively.
458 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
459 command-line editing and command history.
461 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
462 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
464 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
465 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
468 Hitachi America, Ltd. sponsored the support for H8/300, H8/500, and
471 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
473 Mitsubishi sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D processors.
475 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
477 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
479 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
481 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
484 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
486 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
488 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
489 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
491 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
492 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
493 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
494 compiler, and the terminal user interface: Ben Krepp, Richard Title,
495 John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann, Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve
496 Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase provided HP-specific
497 information in this manual.
499 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
500 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
502 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
503 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
504 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
505 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
506 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
507 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
508 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
509 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
510 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
511 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
512 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
513 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
514 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
515 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
516 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
520 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
522 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
523 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
524 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
527 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
528 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
531 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
532 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
534 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
535 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
536 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
537 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
538 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
539 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
540 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
541 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
542 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
551 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
555 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
557 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
560 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
564 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
567 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
568 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
569 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
570 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
571 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
573 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
576 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
581 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
582 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
583 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
584 that examples fit in this manual.
587 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
591 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
592 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
593 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
594 @code{break} command.
597 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
598 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
602 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
603 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
604 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
607 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
608 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
616 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
617 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
618 context where it stops.
621 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
623 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
625 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
629 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
630 the next line of the current function.
634 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
639 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
640 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
641 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
642 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
646 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
648 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
652 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
653 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
654 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
655 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
656 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
657 stack frame for each active subroutine.
660 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
661 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
663 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
665 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
666 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
668 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
669 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
673 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
674 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
675 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
679 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
681 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
682 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
684 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
687 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
691 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
692 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
693 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
694 (@code{print}) to see their values.
697 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
698 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
699 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
700 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
704 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
705 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
706 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
712 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
714 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
717 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
718 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
725 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
726 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
730 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
733 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
735 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
740 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
741 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
742 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
743 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
744 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
748 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
750 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
755 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
756 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
757 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
758 example that caused trouble initially:
764 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
771 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
772 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
773 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
777 Program exited normally.
781 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
782 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
783 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
786 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
790 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
792 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
796 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
798 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{C-d} to exit.
802 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
803 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
804 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
808 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
810 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
811 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
813 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
814 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
816 The command-line options described here are designed
817 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
818 options may effectively be unavailable.
820 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
821 specifying an executable program:
824 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
828 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
832 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
835 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
836 to debug a running process:
839 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
843 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
844 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
846 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
847 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
848 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
849 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
850 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
852 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
853 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
856 gdb --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
858 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
859 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
861 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
862 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
869 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
870 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
880 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
881 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
883 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
884 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
885 @samp{-x} option is used.
889 * File Options:: Choosing files
890 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
894 @subsection Choosing files
896 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
897 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
898 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
899 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p} options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
900 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
901 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
902 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
903 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
904 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
905 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
906 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
907 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
908 prefixing it with @file{./}, eg. @file{./12345}.
910 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
911 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
912 argument and ignore it.
914 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
915 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
916 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
917 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
918 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
920 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
921 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
925 @item -symbols @var{file}
927 @cindex @code{--symbols}
929 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
931 @item -exec @var{file}
933 @cindex @code{--exec}
935 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
936 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
940 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
943 @item -core @var{file}
945 @cindex @code{--core}
947 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
949 @item -c @var{number}
950 @item -pid @var{number}
951 @itemx -p @var{number}
954 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
955 If there is no such process, @value{GDBN} will attempt to open a core
956 file named @var{number}.
958 @item -command @var{file}
960 @cindex @code{--command}
962 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}. @xref{Command
963 Files,, Command files}.
965 @item -directory @var{directory}
966 @itemx -d @var{directory}
967 @cindex @code{--directory}
969 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
973 @cindex @code{--mapped}
975 @emph{Warning: this option depends on operating system facilities that are not
976 supported on all systems.}@*
977 If memory-mapped files are available on your system through the @code{mmap}
978 system call, you can use this option
979 to have @value{GDBN} write the symbols from your
980 program into a reusable file in the current directory. If the program you are debugging is
981 called @file{/tmp/fred}, the mapped symbol file is @file{/tmp/fred.syms}.
982 Future @value{GDBN} debugging sessions notice the presence of this file,
983 and can quickly map in symbol information from it, rather than reading
984 the symbol table from the executable program.
986 The @file{.syms} file is specific to the host machine where @value{GDBN}
987 is run. It holds an exact image of the internal @value{GDBN} symbol
988 table. It cannot be shared across multiple host platforms.
992 @cindex @code{--readnow}
994 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
995 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
996 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1000 You typically combine the @code{-mapped} and @code{-readnow} options in
1001 order to build a @file{.syms} file that contains complete symbol
1002 information. (@xref{Files,,Commands to specify files}, for information
1003 on @file{.syms} files.) A simple @value{GDBN} invocation to do nothing
1004 but build a @file{.syms} file for future use is:
1007 gdb -batch -nx -mapped -readnow programname
1011 @subsection Choosing modes
1013 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1014 batch mode or quiet mode.
1021 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1022 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1023 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1029 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1030 @cindex @code{--silent}
1032 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1033 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1036 @cindex @code{--batch}
1037 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1038 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1039 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1040 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1041 in the command files.
1043 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1044 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1045 make this more useful, the message
1048 Program exited normally.
1052 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1053 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1058 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1060 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1061 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1062 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1066 @cindex @code{--windows}
1068 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1071 @item -cd @var{directory}
1073 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1074 instead of the current directory.
1078 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1080 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1081 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1082 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1083 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1084 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1085 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1086 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1087 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1091 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1092 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1093 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1094 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1097 @item -annotate @var{level}
1098 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1099 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1100 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1101 (@pxref{Annotations}).
1102 Annotation level controls how much information does @value{GDBN} print
1103 together with its prompt, values of expressions, source lines, and other
1104 types of output. Level 0 is the normal, level 1 is for use when
1105 @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 2 is the
1106 maximum annotation suitable for programs that control @value{GDBN}.
1109 @cindex @code{--async}
1110 Use the asynchronous event loop for the command-line interface.
1111 @value{GDBN} processes all events, such as user keyboard input, via a
1112 special event loop. This allows @value{GDBN} to accept and process user
1113 commands in parallel with the debugged process being
1114 run@footnote{@value{GDBN} built with @sc{djgpp} tools for
1115 MS-DOS/MS-Windows supports this mode of operation, but the event loop is
1116 suspended when the debuggee runs.}, so you don't need to wait for
1117 control to return to @value{GDBN} before you type the next command.
1118 (@emph{Note:} as of version 5.1, the target side of the asynchronous
1119 operation is not yet in place, so @samp{-async} does not work fully
1121 @c FIXME: when the target side of the event loop is done, the above NOTE
1122 @c should be removed.
1124 When the standard input is connected to a terminal device, @value{GDBN}
1125 uses the asynchronous event loop by default, unless disabled by the
1126 @samp{-noasync} option.
1129 @cindex @code{--noasync}
1130 Disable the asynchronous event loop for the command-line interface.
1133 @cindex @code{--args}
1134 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1135 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1136 This option stops option processing.
1138 @item -baud @var{bps}
1140 @cindex @code{--baud}
1142 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1143 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1145 @item -tty @var{device}
1146 @itemx -t @var{device}
1147 @cindex @code{--tty}
1149 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1150 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1152 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1154 @cindex @code{--tui}
1155 Activate the Terminal User Interface when starting.
1156 The Terminal User Interface manages several text windows on the terminal,
1157 showing source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1158 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}).
1159 Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs
1160 (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1163 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1164 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1165 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1166 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1169 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1170 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1171 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1172 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1173 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1175 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi1}) causes
1176 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{gdb/mi interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, , The
1177 @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}). The older @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in
1178 @value{GDBN} version 5.0 can be selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi0}.
1181 @cindex @code{--write}
1182 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1183 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1187 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1188 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1189 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1192 @cindex @code{--version}
1193 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1194 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1199 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1200 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1201 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1204 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1205 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1206 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1208 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1209 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{C-d}). If you
1210 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1211 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1216 An interrupt (often @kbd{C-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1217 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1218 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1219 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1220 until a time when it is safe.
1222 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1223 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1224 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an already-running process}).
1226 @node Shell Commands
1227 @section Shell commands
1229 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1230 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1231 just use the @code{shell} command.
1235 @cindex shell escape
1236 @item shell @var{command string}
1237 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1238 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1239 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1240 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1243 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1244 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1249 @cindex calling make
1250 @item make @var{make-args}
1251 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1252 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1256 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1258 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1259 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1260 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1261 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1262 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1265 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1266 * Completion:: Command completion
1267 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1270 @node Command Syntax
1271 @section Command syntax
1273 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1274 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1275 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1276 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1277 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1278 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1280 @cindex abbreviation
1281 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1282 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1283 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1284 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1285 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1286 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1287 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1289 @cindex repeating commands
1290 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1291 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1292 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1293 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1294 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1297 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1298 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1299 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1301 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1302 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1303 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen size}). Since it is easy to press one
1304 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1305 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1307 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1309 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1310 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1311 Files,,Command files}).
1313 @cindex repeating command sequences
1314 @kindex C-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1315 The @kbd{C-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1316 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @kbd{RET}, and
1317 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1321 @section Command completion
1324 @cindex word completion
1325 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1326 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1327 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1328 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1330 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1331 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1332 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1333 enter it). For example, if you type
1335 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1336 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1337 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1338 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1340 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1344 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1345 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1348 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1352 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1353 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1354 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1355 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1356 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1357 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1359 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1360 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1361 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1362 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1363 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1364 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1365 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1366 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1370 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1371 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1372 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1373 make_abs_section make_function_type
1374 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1375 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1376 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1377 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1381 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1382 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1385 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1386 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1387 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1388 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1389 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1391 @cindex quotes in commands
1392 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1393 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1394 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1395 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1396 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1397 @value{GDBN} commands.
1399 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1400 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1401 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1402 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1403 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1404 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1405 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1406 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1407 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1408 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1409 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1412 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1413 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1414 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1417 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1418 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1419 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1423 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1424 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1425 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1429 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1430 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1431 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1433 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C plus plus
1434 expressions, ,C@t{++} expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1435 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1436 see @ref{Debugging C plus plus, ,@value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}}.
1440 @section Getting help
1441 @cindex online documentation
1444 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1445 using the command @code{help}.
1448 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1451 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1452 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1456 List of classes of commands:
1458 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1459 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1460 data -- Examining data
1461 files -- Specifying and examining files
1462 internals -- Maintenance commands
1463 obscure -- Obscure features
1464 running -- Running the program
1465 stack -- Examining the stack
1466 status -- Status inquiries
1467 support -- Support facilities
1468 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without@*
1469 stopping the program
1470 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1472 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1473 commands in that class.
1474 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1476 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1479 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1481 @item help @var{class}
1482 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1483 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1484 help display for the class @code{status}:
1487 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1492 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1493 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1494 info -- Generic command for showing things
1495 about the program being debugged
1496 show -- Generic command for showing things
1499 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1501 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1505 @item help @var{command}
1506 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1507 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1510 @item apropos @var{args}
1511 The @code{apropos @var{args}} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1512 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1513 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1524 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1525 multiple times in one run
1526 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1527 multiple times in one run
1532 @item complete @var{args}
1533 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1534 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1535 command you want completed. For example:
1541 @noindent results in:
1552 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1555 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1556 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1557 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1558 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1559 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1560 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1565 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1567 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1568 program. For example, you can list the arguments given to your program
1569 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1570 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1571 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1572 @w{@code{help info}}.
1576 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1577 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1578 @code{set prompt $}.
1582 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1583 @value{GDBN} itself.
1584 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1585 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1586 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1587 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1590 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1591 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1592 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1593 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1594 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1595 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1599 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1600 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1603 @kindex show version
1604 @cindex version number
1606 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1607 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1608 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1609 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1610 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1611 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1612 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1613 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1616 @kindex show copying
1618 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1620 @kindex show warranty
1622 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1623 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1628 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1630 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1631 debugging information when you compile it.
1633 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1634 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1635 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1636 kill a child process.
1639 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1640 * Starting:: Starting your program
1641 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1642 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1644 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1645 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1646 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1647 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1649 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1650 * Processes:: Debugging programs with multiple processes
1654 @section Compiling for debugging
1656 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1657 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1658 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1659 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1660 and addresses in the executable code.
1662 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1665 Many C compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O}
1666 options together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1667 executables containing debugging information.
1669 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1670 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1671 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1672 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1673 in pushing your luck.
1675 @cindex optimized code, debugging
1676 @cindex debugging optimized code
1677 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
1678 optimizer is rearranging your code; the debugger shows you what is
1679 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
1680 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
1681 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
1682 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
1684 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
1685 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
1686 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
1687 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
1689 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1690 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1691 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1695 @section Starting your program
1701 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1704 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1705 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1706 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1707 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1708 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
1712 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1713 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1714 that process run your program. (In environments without processes,
1715 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program.)
1717 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1718 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1719 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1720 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1721 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1722 divided into four categories:
1725 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1726 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1727 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1728 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1729 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1731 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1732 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1733 @xref{Arguments, ,Your program's arguments}.
1735 @item The @emph{environment.}
1736 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1737 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1738 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1739 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}.
1741 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1742 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1743 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1744 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your program's working directory}.
1746 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1747 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1748 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1749 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1750 set a different device for your program.
1751 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your program's input and output}.
1754 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1755 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1756 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1760 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1761 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and continuing}, for discussion
1762 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1763 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1764 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1766 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1767 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1768 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1769 your current breakpoints.
1772 @section Your program's arguments
1774 @cindex arguments (to your program)
1775 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
1777 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
1778 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
1779 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
1780 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
1781 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
1783 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
1784 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
1785 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
1786 the program, not by the shell.
1788 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
1789 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
1794 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
1795 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
1796 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
1797 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
1798 it again without arguments.
1802 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
1806 @section Your program's environment
1808 @cindex environment (of your program)
1809 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
1810 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
1811 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
1812 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
1813 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
1814 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
1815 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
1819 @item path @var{directory}
1820 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
1821 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
1822 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
1823 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
1824 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
1825 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
1826 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
1828 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
1829 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
1830 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
1831 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
1832 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
1833 @var{directory} to the search path.
1834 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
1835 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
1839 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
1840 environment variable).
1842 @kindex show environment
1843 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
1844 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
1845 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
1846 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
1847 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
1849 @kindex set environment
1850 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
1851 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
1852 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
1853 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
1854 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
1855 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
1857 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
1858 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
1860 For example, this command:
1867 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
1868 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
1869 are not actually required.)
1871 @kindex unset environment
1872 @item unset environment @var{varname}
1873 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
1874 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
1875 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
1876 rather than assigning it an empty value.
1879 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
1881 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
1882 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
1883 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
1884 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
1885 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
1886 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
1889 @node Working Directory
1890 @section Your program's working directory
1892 @cindex working directory (of your program)
1893 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
1894 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
1895 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
1896 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
1897 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
1899 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
1900 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
1905 @item cd @var{directory}
1906 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
1910 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
1914 @section Your program's input and output
1919 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
1920 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
1921 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
1922 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
1923 running your program.
1926 @kindex info terminal
1928 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
1932 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
1933 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
1940 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
1943 @cindex controlling terminal
1944 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
1945 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
1946 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
1947 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
1948 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
1955 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
1956 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
1957 that as their controlling terminal.
1959 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
1960 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
1963 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
1964 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
1965 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal.
1968 @section Debugging an already-running process
1973 @item attach @var{process-id}
1974 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
1975 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
1976 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
1977 find out the process-id of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
1978 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
1980 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
1981 executing the command.
1984 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
1985 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
1986 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
1987 also have permission to send the process a signal.
1989 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
1990 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
1991 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
1992 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying source directories}). You can also use
1993 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
1996 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
1997 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
1998 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
1999 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2000 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2001 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2002 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2007 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2008 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2009 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2010 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2011 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2012 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2013 executing the command.
2016 If you exit @value{GDBN} or use the @code{run} command while you have an
2017 attached process, you kill that process. By default, @value{GDBN} asks
2018 for confirmation if you try to do either of these things; you can
2019 control whether or not you need to confirm by using the @code{set
2020 confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
2024 @section Killing the child process
2029 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2032 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2033 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2036 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2037 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2038 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2039 outside the debugger.
2041 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2042 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2043 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2044 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2045 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2046 breakpoint settings).
2049 @section Debugging programs with multiple threads
2051 @cindex threads of execution
2052 @cindex multiple threads
2053 @cindex switching threads
2054 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2055 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2056 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2057 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2058 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2059 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2060 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2062 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2066 @item automatic notification of new threads
2067 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2068 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2069 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2070 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2071 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2075 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2076 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2077 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2078 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2079 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2083 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2084 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2085 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2086 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2088 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2089 @c doesn't support threads"?
2092 @cindex focus of debugging
2093 @cindex current thread
2094 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2095 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2096 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2097 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2098 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2100 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2101 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2102 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2103 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2104 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2105 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2106 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2107 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2108 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2109 LynxOS, you might see
2112 [New process 35 thread 27]
2116 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2117 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2120 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2121 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2122 @c second---i.e., when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2124 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2125 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2126 @c threads ab initio?
2128 @cindex thread number
2129 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2130 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2131 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2134 @kindex info threads
2136 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2137 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2140 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2142 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2144 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2148 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2149 indicates the current thread.
2153 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2156 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2157 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2158 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2159 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2165 @cindex thread number
2166 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2167 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2168 number---a small integer assigned in thread-creation order---with each
2169 thread in your program.
2171 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message, on HP-UX
2172 @cindex thread identifier (system), on HP-UX
2173 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2174 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2175 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2176 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2177 both @value{GDBN}'s thread number and the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2178 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2179 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2183 [New thread 2 (system thread 26594)]
2187 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread.
2190 @kindex info threads
2192 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2193 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2196 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2198 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2200 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2204 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2205 indicates the current thread.
2209 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2212 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2213 * 3 system thread 26607 worker (wptr=0x7b09c318 "@@") \@*
2215 2 system thread 26606 0x7b0030d8 in __ksleep () \@*
2216 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2217 1 system thread 27905 0x7b003498 in _brk () \@*
2218 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2222 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2223 @item thread @var{threadno}
2224 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2225 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2226 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2227 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2228 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2231 @c FIXME!! This example made up; find a @value{GDBN} w/threads and get real one
2232 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2233 [Switching to process 35 thread 23]
2234 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2238 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2239 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2242 @kindex thread apply
2243 @item thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}
2244 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply a command to one or
2245 more threads. Specify the numbers of the threads that you want affected
2246 with the command argument @var{threadno}. @var{threadno} is the internal
2247 @value{GDBN} thread number, as shown in the first field of the @samp{info
2248 threads} display. To apply a command to all threads, use
2249 @code{thread apply all} @var{args}.
2252 @cindex automatic thread selection
2253 @cindex switching threads automatically
2254 @cindex threads, automatic switching
2255 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
2256 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
2257 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
2258 message of the form @samp{[Switching to @var{systag}]} to identify the
2261 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and starting multi-thread programs}, for
2262 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2263 programs with multiple threads.
2265 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting watchpoints}, for information about
2266 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2269 @section Debugging programs with multiple processes
2271 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2272 @cindex multiple processes
2273 @cindex processes, multiple
2274 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2275 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2276 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2277 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2278 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2279 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2280 will cause it to terminate.
2282 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2283 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2284 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2285 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2286 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2287 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2288 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2289 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2290 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2291 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2293 On HP-UX (11.x and later only?), @value{GDBN} provides support for
2294 debugging programs that create additional processes using the
2295 @code{fork} or @code{vfork} function.
2297 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2298 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2300 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2301 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2304 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2305 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2306 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2307 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2308 process. The @var{mode} can be:
2312 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2313 unimpeded. This is the default.
2316 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2320 The debugger will ask for one of the above choices.
2323 @item show follow-fork-mode
2324 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2327 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2328 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2329 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2330 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2331 the child process's @code{main}.
2333 When a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you cannot debug the
2334 child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
2336 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
2337 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent process,
2338 use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name as its
2341 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
2342 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
2343 Catchpoints, ,Setting catchpoints}.
2346 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
2348 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
2349 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
2350 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
2352 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
2353 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
2354 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
2355 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
2356 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
2357 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
2358 explicitly request this information at any time.
2361 @kindex info program
2363 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
2364 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
2368 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
2369 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
2371 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
2375 @section Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
2378 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
2379 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
2380 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
2381 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
2382 Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
2383 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
2386 In HP-UX, SunOS 4.x, SVR4, and Alpha OSF/1 configurations, you can set
2387 breakpoints in shared libraries before the executable is run. There is
2388 a minor limitation on HP-UX systems: you must wait until the executable
2389 is run in order to set breakpoints in shared library routines that are
2390 not called directly by the program (for example, routines that are
2391 arguments in a @code{pthread_create} call).
2394 @cindex memory tracing
2395 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
2396 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
2397 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
2398 when the value of an expression changes. You must use a different
2399 command to set watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting
2400 watchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a watchpoint like
2401 any other breakpoint: you enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints
2402 and watchpoints using the same commands.
2404 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
2405 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
2409 @cindex breakpoint on events
2410 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
2411 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
2412 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
2413 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
2414 catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
2415 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
2416 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
2418 @cindex breakpoint numbers
2419 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
2420 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
2421 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
2422 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
2423 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
2424 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
2425 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
2428 @cindex breakpoint ranges
2429 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
2430 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
2431 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
2432 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
2433 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
2434 all breakpoint in that range are operated on.
2437 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
2438 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
2439 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
2440 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
2441 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
2442 * Conditions:: Break conditions
2443 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
2444 * Breakpoint Menus:: Breakpoint menus
2445 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
2449 @subsection Setting breakpoints
2451 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
2452 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
2454 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
2457 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
2458 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
2459 @cindex latest breakpoint
2460 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
2461 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
2462 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
2463 Vars,, Convenience variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
2464 convenience variables.
2466 You have several ways to say where the breakpoint should go.
2469 @item break @var{function}
2470 Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function}.
2471 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
2472 C@t{++}, @var{function} may refer to more than one possible place to break.
2473 @xref{Breakpoint Menus,,Breakpoint menus}, for a discussion of that situation.
2475 @item break +@var{offset}
2476 @itemx break -@var{offset}
2477 Set a breakpoint some number of lines forward or back from the position
2478 at which execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}.
2479 (@xref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.)
2481 @item break @var{linenum}
2482 Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in the current source file.
2483 The current source file is the last file whose source text was printed.
2484 The breakpoint will stop your program just before it executes any of the
2487 @item break @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
2488 Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in source file @var{filename}.
2490 @item break @var{filename}:@var{function}
2491 Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function} found in file
2492 @var{filename}. Specifying a file name as well as a function name is
2493 superfluous except when multiple files contain similarly named
2496 @item break *@var{address}
2497 Set a breakpoint at address @var{address}. You can use this to set
2498 breakpoints in parts of your program which do not have debugging
2499 information or source files.
2502 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
2503 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
2504 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
2505 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
2506 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
2507 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
2508 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
2509 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
2510 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
2513 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
2514 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
2515 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
2516 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
2517 existed when your program stopped.
2519 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
2520 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
2521 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
2522 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
2523 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
2524 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
2525 ,Break conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
2528 @item tbreak @var{args}
2529 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
2530 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
2531 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
2532 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling breakpoints}.
2535 @item hbreak @var{args}
2536 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
2537 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
2538 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
2539 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
2540 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
2541 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
2542 provided by SPARClite DSU and some x86-based targets. These targets
2543 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
2544 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
2545 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
2546 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
2547 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
2548 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
2549 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling}). @xref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}.
2552 @item thbreak @var{args}
2553 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
2554 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
2555 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
2556 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
2557 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
2558 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
2559 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling breakpoints}.
2560 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}.
2563 @cindex regular expression
2564 @item rbreak @var{regex}
2565 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
2566 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
2567 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
2568 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
2569 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
2570 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
2572 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
2573 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
2574 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
2575 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
2576 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
2577 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
2579 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
2580 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
2583 @kindex info breakpoints
2584 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
2585 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2586 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2587 @itemx info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2588 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
2589 not deleted, with the following columns for each breakpoint:
2592 @item Breakpoint Numbers
2594 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
2596 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
2597 @item Enabled or Disabled
2598 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
2599 that are not enabled.
2601 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address.
2603 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
2608 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
2609 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
2610 are listed after that.
2613 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
2614 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
2615 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
2616 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
2617 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining memory}).
2620 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
2621 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
2622 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
2623 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
2624 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
2625 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
2628 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
2629 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
2630 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
2631 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}).
2633 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
2634 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
2635 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
2636 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
2637 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
2638 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
2639 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
2640 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
2643 @node Set Watchpoints
2644 @subsection Setting watchpoints
2646 @cindex setting watchpoints
2647 @cindex software watchpoints
2648 @cindex hardware watchpoints
2649 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
2650 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
2653 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
2654 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
2655 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
2656 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
2657 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
2660 On some systems, such as HP-UX, Linux and some other x86-based targets,
2661 @value{GDBN} includes support for
2662 hardware watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your
2667 @item watch @var{expr}
2668 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when @var{expr}
2669 is written into by the program and its value changes.
2672 @item rwatch @var{expr}
2673 Set a watchpoint that will break when watch @var{expr} is read by the program.
2676 @item awatch @var{expr}
2677 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read or written into
2680 @kindex info watchpoints
2681 @item info watchpoints
2682 This command prints a list of watchpoints, breakpoints, and catchpoints;
2683 it is the same as @code{info break}.
2686 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
2687 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
2688 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
2689 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
2690 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
2691 statement, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
2693 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
2696 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
2700 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
2702 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
2703 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
2704 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
2705 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
2706 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
2707 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
2708 will print a message like this:
2711 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
2714 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
2715 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
2716 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
2717 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
2718 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
2719 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
2720 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
2721 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
2723 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
2724 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
2725 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
2726 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
2727 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
2728 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
2731 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
2735 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
2737 The SPARClite DSU will generate traps when a program accesses some data
2738 or instruction address that is assigned to the debug registers. For the
2739 data addresses, DSU facilitates the @code{watch} command. However the
2740 hardware breakpoint registers can only take two data watchpoints, and
2741 both watchpoints must be the same kind. For example, you can set two
2742 watchpoints with @code{watch} commands, two with @code{rwatch} commands,
2743 @strong{or} two with @code{awatch} commands, but you cannot set one
2744 watchpoint with one command and the other with a different command.
2745 @value{GDBN} will reject the command if you try to mix watchpoints.
2746 Delete or disable unused watchpoint commands before setting new ones.
2748 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
2749 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
2750 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
2752 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
2753 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
2754 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
2755 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
2756 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
2757 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
2758 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
2759 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
2760 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
2763 @cindex watchpoints and threads
2764 @cindex threads and watchpoints
2765 @emph{Warning:} In multi-thread programs, watchpoints have only limited
2766 usefulness. With the current watchpoint implementation, @value{GDBN}
2767 can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a single thread}. If
2768 you are confident that the expression can only change due to the current
2769 thread's activity (and if you are also confident that no other thread
2770 can become current), then you can use watchpoints as usual. However,
2771 @value{GDBN} may not notice when a non-current thread's activity changes
2774 @c FIXME: this is almost identical to the previous paragraph.
2775 @emph{HP-UX Warning:} In multi-thread programs, software watchpoints
2776 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
2777 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
2778 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
2779 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
2780 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
2781 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
2782 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
2783 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
2786 @node Set Catchpoints
2787 @subsection Setting catchpoints
2788 @cindex catchpoints, setting
2789 @cindex exception handlers
2790 @cindex event handling
2792 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
2793 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
2794 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
2798 @item catch @var{event}
2799 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
2803 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
2807 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
2811 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
2815 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
2819 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
2822 @itemx load @var{libname}
2824 The dynamic loading of any shared library, or the loading of the library
2825 @var{libname}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
2828 @itemx unload @var{libname}
2829 @kindex catch unload
2830 The unloading of any dynamically loaded shared library, or the unloading
2831 of the library @var{libname}. This is currently only available for HP-UX.
2834 @item tcatch @var{event}
2835 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
2836 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
2840 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
2842 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
2843 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
2847 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
2848 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
2849 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
2850 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
2851 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
2852 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
2853 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
2854 disabled within interactive calls.
2857 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
2860 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
2863 @cindex raise exceptions
2864 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
2865 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
2866 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
2867 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
2868 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
2869 out where the exception was raised.
2871 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
2872 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
2873 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
2874 which has the following ANSI C interface:
2877 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
2878 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
2879 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
2883 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
2884 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
2885 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; watchpoints; and exceptions}).
2887 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions})
2888 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
2889 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
2890 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
2895 @subsection Deleting breakpoints
2897 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
2898 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
2899 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
2900 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
2901 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
2902 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
2904 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
2905 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
2906 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
2907 their breakpoint numbers.
2909 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
2910 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
2911 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
2916 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
2917 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}). When
2918 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
2919 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
2921 @item clear @var{function}
2922 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
2923 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the function @var{function}.
2925 @item clear @var{linenum}
2926 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
2927 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified line.
2929 @cindex delete breakpoints
2931 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
2932 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
2933 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
2934 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
2935 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
2936 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
2940 @subsection Disabling breakpoints
2942 @kindex disable breakpoints
2943 @kindex enable breakpoints
2944 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
2945 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
2946 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
2947 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
2949 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
2950 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying one
2951 or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} or
2952 @code{info watch} to print a list of breakpoints, watchpoints, and
2953 catchpoints if you do not know which numbers to use.
2955 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
2956 states of enablement:
2960 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
2961 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
2963 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
2965 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
2968 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
2969 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
2970 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
2973 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
2974 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
2977 @kindex disable breakpoints
2979 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
2980 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
2981 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
2982 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
2983 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
2984 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
2985 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
2987 @kindex enable breakpoints
2989 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
2990 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
2991 become effective once again in stopping your program.
2993 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
2994 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
2995 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
2997 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
2998 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
2999 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
3002 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
3003 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
3004 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
3005 ,Setting breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
3006 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
3007 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
3008 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
3009 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
3013 @subsection Break conditions
3014 @cindex conditional breakpoints
3015 @cindex breakpoint conditions
3017 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
3018 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
3019 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
3020 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
3021 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
3022 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
3023 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
3024 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
3026 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
3027 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
3028 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
3029 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
3030 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
3032 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
3033 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
3034 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
3035 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
3038 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
3039 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
3040 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
3041 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
3042 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
3043 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
3044 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
3045 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
3047 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
3048 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint command lists}).
3050 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
3051 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
3052 Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
3053 with the @code{condition} command.
3055 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
3056 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
3057 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
3062 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
3063 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
3064 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
3065 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
3066 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
3067 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
3068 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
3069 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
3070 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
3071 prints an error message:
3074 No symbol "foo" in current context.
3079 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
3080 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
3081 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
3083 @item condition @var{bnum}
3084 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
3085 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
3088 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
3089 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
3090 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
3091 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
3092 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
3093 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
3094 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
3095 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
3096 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
3097 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
3098 your program reaches it.
3102 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
3103 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
3104 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
3105 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
3108 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
3111 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
3112 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
3113 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
3114 Stepping,,Continuing and stepping}.
3116 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
3117 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
3118 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
3120 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
3121 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
3122 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
3126 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
3129 @node Break Commands
3130 @subsection Breakpoint command lists
3132 @cindex breakpoint commands
3133 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
3134 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
3135 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
3136 enable other breakpoints.
3141 @item commands @r{[}@var{bnum}@r{]}
3142 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
3144 Specify a list of commands for breakpoint number @var{bnum}. The commands
3145 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
3146 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
3148 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
3149 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
3151 With no @var{bnum} argument, @code{commands} refers to the last
3152 breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most
3153 recently encountered).
3156 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
3157 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
3159 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
3160 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
3161 that resumes execution.
3163 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
3164 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
3165 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
3166 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
3167 ambiguities about which list to execute.
3170 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
3171 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
3172 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
3173 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
3174 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
3175 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
3177 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
3178 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
3179 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for controlled output}.
3181 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
3182 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
3188 printf "x is %d\n",x
3193 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
3194 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
3195 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
3196 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
3197 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
3198 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
3199 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
3210 @node Breakpoint Menus
3211 @subsection Breakpoint menus
3213 @cindex symbol overloading
3215 Some programming languages (notably C@t{++}) permit a single function name
3216 to be defined several times, for application in different contexts.
3217 This is called @dfn{overloading}. When a function name is overloaded,
3218 @samp{break @var{function}} is not enough to tell @value{GDBN} where you want
3219 a breakpoint. If you realize this is a problem, you can use
3220 something like @samp{break @var{function}(@var{types})} to specify which
3221 particular version of the function you want. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} offers
3222 you a menu of numbered choices for different possible breakpoints, and
3223 waits for your selection with the prompt @samp{>}. The first two
3224 options are always @samp{[0] cancel} and @samp{[1] all}. Typing @kbd{1}
3225 sets a breakpoint at each definition of @var{function}, and typing
3226 @kbd{0} aborts the @code{break} command without setting any new
3229 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
3230 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
3231 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
3233 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
3236 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
3239 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
3240 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
3241 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
3242 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
3243 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
3244 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
3246 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
3247 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
3248 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
3249 Multiple breakpoints were set.
3250 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
3256 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
3257 @node Error in Breakpoints
3258 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3260 @c FIXME!! 14/6/95 Is there a real example of this? Let's use it.
3262 Under some operating systems, breakpoints cannot be used in a program if
3263 any other process is running that program. In this situation,
3264 attempting to run or continue a program with a breakpoint causes
3265 @value{GDBN} to print an error message:
3268 Cannot insert breakpoints.
3269 The same program may be running in another process.
3272 When this happens, you have three ways to proceed:
3276 Remove or disable the breakpoints, then continue.
3279 Suspend @value{GDBN}, and copy the file containing your program to a new
3280 name. Resume @value{GDBN} and use the @code{exec-file} command to specify
3281 that @value{GDBN} should run your program under that name.
3282 Then start your program again.
3285 Relink your program so that the text segment is nonsharable, using the
3286 linker option @samp{-N}. The operating system limitation may not apply
3287 to nonsharable executables.
3291 A similar message can be printed if you request too many active
3292 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints:
3294 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
3295 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
3297 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
3298 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
3302 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
3303 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
3304 watchpoints it needs to insert.
3306 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
3307 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
3310 @node Continuing and Stepping
3311 @section Continuing and stepping
3315 @cindex resuming execution
3316 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
3317 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
3318 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
3319 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
3320 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
3321 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
3322 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
3323 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3327 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
3328 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
3329 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3330 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3331 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3332 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
3333 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
3334 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
3335 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
3336 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}).
3338 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
3339 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
3340 @code{continue} is ignored.
3342 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
3343 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
3344 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
3348 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
3349 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a function}) to go back to the
3350 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
3351 different address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
3353 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
3354 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; watchpoints; and catchpoints}) at the
3355 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
3356 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
3357 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
3358 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
3362 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
3364 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
3365 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
3366 abbreviated @code{s}.
3369 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
3370 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
3371 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
3372 @c distinction here.
3373 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
3374 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
3375 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
3376 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
3377 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
3378 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
3382 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
3383 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
3384 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
3385 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
3386 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
3387 called within the line.
3389 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
3390 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
3391 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
3392 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
3393 was any debugging information about the routine.
3395 @item step @var{count}
3396 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
3397 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
3398 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
3401 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
3402 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
3403 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
3404 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
3405 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
3406 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
3407 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
3408 is abbreviated @code{n}.
3410 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
3413 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
3414 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
3416 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
3417 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
3418 @c function are executed without stopping.
3420 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
3421 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
3422 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
3424 @kindex set step-mode
3426 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
3427 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
3428 @itemx set step-mode on
3429 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
3430 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
3431 information rather than stepping over it.
3433 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
3434 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
3435 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
3437 @item set step-mode off
3438 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
3439 debug information. This is the default.
3443 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
3444 returns. Print the returned value (if any).
3446 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
3447 ,Returning from a function}).
3450 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
3453 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
3454 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
3455 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
3456 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
3457 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
3458 than the address of the jump.
3460 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
3461 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
3462 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
3463 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
3464 through the next iteration.
3466 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
3469 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
3470 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
3471 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
3472 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
3473 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
3477 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
3479 (@value{GDBP}) until
3480 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
3483 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
3484 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
3485 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
3486 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
3487 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
3488 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
3489 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
3491 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
3492 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
3495 @item until @var{location}
3496 @itemx u @var{location}
3497 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
3498 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
3499 the forms of argument acceptable to @code{break} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
3500 ,Setting breakpoints}). This form of the command uses breakpoints,
3501 and hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument.
3504 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
3506 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
3508 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
3510 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
3511 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
3512 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
3513 Display,, Automatic display}.
3515 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
3519 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
3521 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
3523 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
3524 proceed until the function returns.
3526 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
3533 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
3534 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
3535 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
3536 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{C-c});
3537 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
3538 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
3539 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
3540 requested an alarm).
3542 @cindex fatal signals
3543 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
3544 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
3545 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
3546 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
3547 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
3548 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
3550 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
3551 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
3554 @cindex handling signals
3555 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
3556 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
3557 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
3558 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
3559 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
3562 @kindex info signals
3565 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
3566 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
3567 the defined types of signals.
3569 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
3572 @item handle @var{signal} @var{keywords}@dots{}
3573 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
3574 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
3575 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
3576 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
3577 known signals. The @var{keywords} say what change to make.
3581 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
3582 Their full names are:
3586 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
3587 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
3590 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
3591 the @code{print} keyword as well.
3594 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
3597 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
3598 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
3602 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
3603 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
3604 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
3608 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
3609 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
3613 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
3615 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
3616 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
3617 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
3618 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
3619 program sees that signal when you continue.
3621 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
3622 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
3623 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
3626 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
3627 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
3628 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
3629 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
3630 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
3631 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
3632 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
3633 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
3637 @section Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3639 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
3640 programs with multiple threads}), you can choose whether to set
3641 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
3644 @cindex breakpoints and threads
3645 @cindex thread breakpoints
3646 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
3647 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
3648 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
3649 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
3650 writing them, but the effect is always to specify some source line.
3652 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
3653 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
3654 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
3655 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
3656 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
3658 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
3659 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
3662 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
3663 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before the
3664 breakpoint condition, like this:
3667 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
3672 @cindex stopped threads
3673 @cindex threads, stopped
3674 Whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
3675 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
3676 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
3677 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
3680 @cindex continuing threads
3681 @cindex threads, continuing
3682 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
3683 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
3684 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
3686 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
3687 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
3688 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
3689 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
3690 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
3691 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
3694 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
3695 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
3696 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
3697 first thread completes whatever you requested.
3699 On some OSes, you can lock the OS scheduler and thus allow only a single
3703 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
3704 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
3705 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
3706 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
3707 mode optimizes for single-stepping. It stops other threads from
3708 ``seizing the prompt'' by preempting the current thread while you are
3709 stepping. Other threads will only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
3710 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
3711 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
3712 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
3713 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, they will never steal the
3714 @value{GDBN} prompt away from the thread that you are debugging.
3716 @item show scheduler-locking
3717 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
3722 @chapter Examining the Stack
3724 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
3725 stopped and how it got there.
3728 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
3730 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
3731 the arguments of the call,
3732 and the local variables of the function being called.
3733 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
3734 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
3737 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
3738 stack allow you to see all of this information.
3740 @cindex selected frame
3741 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
3742 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
3743 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
3744 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
3745 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
3746 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
3748 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
3749 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
3750 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a frame}).
3753 * Frames:: Stack frames
3754 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
3755 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
3756 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
3761 @section Stack frames
3763 @cindex frame, definition
3765 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
3766 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
3767 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
3768 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
3769 which the function is executing.
3771 @cindex initial frame
3772 @cindex outermost frame
3773 @cindex innermost frame
3774 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
3775 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
3776 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
3777 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
3778 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
3779 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
3780 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
3781 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
3783 @cindex frame pointer
3784 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
3785 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
3786 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
3787 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
3788 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register} while execution is
3789 going on in that frame.
3791 @cindex frame number
3792 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
3793 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
3794 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
3795 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
3796 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
3798 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
3799 @c underflow problems.
3800 @cindex frameless execution
3801 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
3802 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{GCC} option
3804 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
3806 generates functions without a frame.)
3807 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
3808 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
3809 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
3810 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
3811 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
3812 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
3813 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
3816 @kindex frame@r{, command}
3817 @cindex current stack frame
3818 @item frame @var{args}
3819 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
3820 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
3821 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
3822 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
3824 @kindex select-frame
3825 @cindex selecting frame silently
3827 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
3828 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
3837 @cindex stack traces
3838 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
3839 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
3840 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
3845 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
3848 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
3849 frames in the stack.
3851 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
3852 character, normally @kbd{C-c}.
3854 @item backtrace @var{n}
3856 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
3858 @item backtrace -@var{n}
3860 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
3865 @kindex info s @r{(@code{info stack})}
3866 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
3867 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
3869 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
3870 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
3871 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
3872 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
3873 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
3876 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
3877 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
3881 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
3883 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600) at macro.c:242
3884 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
3886 (More stack frames follow...)
3891 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
3892 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
3893 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
3896 @section Selecting a frame
3898 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
3899 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
3900 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
3901 of the stack frame just selected.
3904 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
3905 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
3908 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
3909 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
3910 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
3913 @item frame @var{addr}
3915 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
3916 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
3917 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
3918 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
3919 switches between them.
3921 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
3922 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
3924 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
3925 pointer and a program counter.
3927 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
3928 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
3929 @c note to future updaters: this is conditioned on a flag
3930 @c SETUP_ARBITRARY_FRAME in the tm-*.h files. The above is up to date
3931 @c as of 27 Jan 1994.
3935 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
3936 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
3937 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
3940 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
3942 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
3943 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
3944 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
3945 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
3948 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
3949 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
3950 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
3951 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
3959 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
3961 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
3965 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
3966 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
3967 @xref{List, ,Printing source lines}.
3970 @kindex down-silently
3972 @item up-silently @var{n}
3973 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
3974 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
3975 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
3976 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
3977 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
3982 @section Information about a frame
3984 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
3990 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
3991 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
3992 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
3993 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
3994 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
3997 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
4000 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
4005 the address of the frame
4007 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
4009 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
4011 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
4013 the address of the frame's arguments
4015 the address of the frame's local variables
4017 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
4019 which registers were saved in the frame
4022 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
4023 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
4024 the usual conventions.
4026 @item info frame @var{addr}
4027 @itemx info f @var{addr}
4028 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
4029 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
4030 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
4031 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
4032 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
4036 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
4040 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
4041 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
4042 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
4045 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
4046 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
4048 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
4049 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
4050 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
4051 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
4052 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting catchpoints}.
4058 @chapter Examining Source Files
4060 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
4061 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
4062 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
4063 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
4064 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
4065 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
4066 source files by explicit command.
4068 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
4069 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
4070 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
4073 * List:: Printing source lines
4074 * Search:: Searching source files
4075 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
4076 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
4080 @section Printing source lines
4083 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
4084 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
4085 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
4086 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to print.
4088 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
4091 @item list @var{linenum}
4092 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
4093 current source file.
4095 @item list @var{function}
4096 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
4100 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
4101 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
4102 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
4103 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
4104 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
4107 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
4110 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
4111 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
4114 @kindex set listsize
4115 @item set listsize @var{count}
4116 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
4117 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
4119 @kindex show listsize
4121 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
4124 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
4125 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
4126 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
4127 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
4128 each repetition moves up in the source file.
4131 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
4132 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
4133 of writing them, but the effect is always to specify some source line.
4134 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
4137 @item list @var{linespec}
4138 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
4140 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
4141 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
4144 @item list ,@var{last}
4145 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
4147 @item list @var{first},
4148 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
4151 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
4154 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
4157 As described in the preceding table.
4160 Here are the ways of specifying a single source line---all the
4165 Specifies line @var{number} of the current source file.
4166 When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, this refers to
4167 the same source file as the first linespec.
4170 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines after the last line printed.
4171 When used as the second linespec in a @code{list} command that has
4172 two, this specifies the line @var{offset} lines down from the
4176 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before the last line printed.
4178 @item @var{filename}:@var{number}
4179 Specifies line @var{number} in the source file @var{filename}.
4181 @item @var{function}
4182 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
4183 For example: in C, this is the line with the open brace.
4185 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
4186 Specifies the line of the open-brace that begins the body of the
4187 function @var{function} in the file @var{filename}. You only need the
4188 file name with a function name to avoid ambiguity when there are
4189 identically named functions in different source files.
4191 @item *@var{address}
4192 Specifies the line containing the program address @var{address}.
4193 @var{address} may be any expression.
4197 @section Searching source files
4199 @kindex reverse-search
4201 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
4206 @kindex forward-search
4207 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
4208 @itemx search @var{regexp}
4209 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
4210 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
4211 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
4212 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
4215 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
4216 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
4217 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
4218 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
4219 this command as @code{rev}.
4223 @section Specifying source directories
4226 @cindex directories for source files
4227 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
4228 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
4229 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
4230 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
4231 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
4232 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
4233 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name. Note that
4234 the executable search path is @emph{not} used for this purpose. Neither is
4235 the current working directory, unless it happens to be in the source
4238 If @value{GDBN} cannot find a source file in the source path, and the
4239 object program records a directory, @value{GDBN} tries that directory
4240 too. If the source path is empty, and there is no record of the
4241 compilation directory, @value{GDBN} looks in the current directory as a
4244 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
4245 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
4246 each line is in the file.
4250 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
4251 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
4252 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
4255 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
4256 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
4257 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
4258 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
4259 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
4260 part of absolute file names) or
4261 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
4262 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
4266 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
4267 @vindex $cwdr@r{, convenience variable}
4268 @cindex compilation directory
4269 @cindex current directory
4270 @cindex working directory
4271 @cindex directory, current
4272 @cindex directory, compilation
4273 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
4274 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
4275 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
4276 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
4277 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
4278 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
4281 Reset the source path to empty again. This requires confirmation.
4283 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
4284 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
4286 @item show directories
4287 @kindex show directories
4288 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
4291 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
4292 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
4293 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
4297 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to empty.
4300 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
4301 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
4302 directories in one command.
4306 @section Source and machine code
4308 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
4309 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
4310 a range of addresses as machine instructions. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
4311 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
4312 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
4317 @item info line @var{linespec}
4318 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
4319 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
4320 the ways understood by the @code{list} command (@pxref{List, ,Printing
4324 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
4325 the object code for the first line of function
4326 @code{m4_changequote}:
4328 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
4329 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
4331 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
4332 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
4336 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
4337 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
4339 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
4340 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
4343 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
4344 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
4345 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
4346 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
4347 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
4348 ,Examining memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
4349 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4354 @cindex assembly instructions
4355 @cindex instructions, assembly
4356 @cindex machine instructions
4357 @cindex listing machine instructions
4359 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
4360 instructions. The default memory range is the function surrounding the
4361 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
4362 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
4363 surrounding this value. Two arguments specify a range of addresses
4364 (first inclusive, second exclusive) to dump.
4367 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
4368 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
4371 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4 0x32e4
4372 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
4373 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
4374 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
4375 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
4376 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
4377 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
4378 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
4379 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
4380 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
4381 End of assembler dump.
4384 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
4385 mnemonics or other syntax.
4388 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
4389 @cindex assembly instructions
4390 @cindex instructions, assembly
4391 @cindex machine instructions
4392 @cindex listing machine instructions
4393 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
4394 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
4395 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
4396 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
4397 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
4399 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
4400 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
4401 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
4402 assemblers for x86-based targets.
4407 @chapter Examining Data
4409 @cindex printing data
4410 @cindex examining data
4413 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
4414 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
4415 @c different window or something like that.
4416 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
4417 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
4418 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
4419 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
4420 Different Languages}).
4423 @item print @var{expr}
4424 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
4425 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
4426 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
4427 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
4428 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
4432 @itemx print /@var{f}
4433 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
4434 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value history}). This allows you to
4435 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
4438 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
4439 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
4440 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining memory}.
4442 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
4443 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
4444 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
4448 * Expressions:: Expressions
4449 * Variables:: Program variables
4450 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
4451 * Output Formats:: Output formats
4452 * Memory:: Examining memory
4453 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
4454 * Print Settings:: Print settings
4455 * Value History:: Value history
4456 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
4457 * Registers:: Registers
4458 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
4459 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
4463 @section Expressions
4466 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
4467 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
4468 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
4469 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls, casts
4470 and string constants. It unfortunately does not include symbols defined
4471 by preprocessor @code{#define} commands.
4473 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
4474 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
4475 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to build up an array in
4476 memory that is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
4478 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
4479 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
4480 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
4483 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
4484 expressions regardless of your programming language.
4486 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
4487 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
4488 at that address in memory.
4489 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
4491 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
4492 to programming languages:
4496 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
4497 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial arrays}, for more information.
4500 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
4501 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program variables}.
4503 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
4504 @cindex type casting memory
4505 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
4506 @cindex casts, to view memory
4507 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
4508 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
4509 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
4510 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
4511 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
4512 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
4516 @section Program variables
4518 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
4521 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
4522 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}); they must be either:
4526 global (or file-static)
4533 visible according to the scope rules of the
4534 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
4537 @noindent This means that in the function
4552 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
4553 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
4554 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
4555 the block where @code{b} is declared.
4557 @cindex variable name conflict
4558 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
4559 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
4560 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
4561 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
4562 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
4563 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
4564 using the colon-colon notation:
4566 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
4568 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
4569 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
4572 @var{file}::@var{variable}
4573 @var{function}::@var{variable}
4577 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
4578 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
4579 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
4580 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
4583 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
4586 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
4587 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
4588 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
4589 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
4590 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
4593 @cindex wrong values
4594 @cindex variable values, wrong
4596 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
4597 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
4598 scope, and just before exit.
4600 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
4601 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
4602 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
4603 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
4604 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
4605 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
4606 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
4607 variable definitions may be gone.
4609 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
4610 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
4613 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
4614 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
4615 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
4616 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
4617 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
4618 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
4619 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
4622 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4625 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
4626 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
4627 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler usually
4628 supports the @samp{-gstabs} option. @samp{-gstabs} produces debug info
4629 in a format that is superior to formats such as COFF. You may be able
4630 to use DWARF2 (@samp{-gdwarf-2}), which is also an effective form for
4631 debug info. See @ref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your
4632 Program or @sc{gnu} CC, gcc.info, Using @sc{gnu} CC}, for more
4637 @section Artificial arrays
4639 @cindex artificial array
4640 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
4641 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
4642 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
4643 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
4646 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
4647 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
4648 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
4649 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
4650 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
4651 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
4652 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
4653 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
4654 example. If a program says
4657 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
4661 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
4667 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
4668 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
4669 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
4670 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
4671 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value history}), after printing one out.
4673 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
4674 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
4675 The value need not be in memory:
4677 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
4678 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
4681 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
4682 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
4683 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
4685 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
4686 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
4689 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
4690 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
4691 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
4692 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
4693 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4694 variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
4695 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
4696 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
4697 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
4698 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
4708 @node Output Formats
4709 @section Output formats
4711 @cindex formatted output
4712 @cindex output formats
4713 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
4714 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
4715 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
4716 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
4717 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
4719 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
4720 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
4721 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
4722 letters supported are:
4726 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
4730 Print as integer in signed decimal.
4733 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
4736 Print as integer in octal.
4739 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
4740 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
4741 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
4742 see @ref{Memory,,Examining memory}.}
4745 @cindex unknown address, locating
4746 @cindex locate address
4747 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
4748 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
4749 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
4752 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
4753 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
4757 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
4758 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
4761 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant.
4764 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
4765 using typical floating point syntax.
4768 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
4775 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
4776 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
4778 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
4779 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
4780 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
4783 @section Examining memory
4785 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
4786 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
4788 @cindex examining memory
4790 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
4791 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
4794 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
4797 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
4798 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
4799 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
4800 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
4801 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
4804 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
4805 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
4806 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
4807 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
4810 @item @var{f}, the display format
4811 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print},
4812 @samp{s} (null-terminated string), or @samp{i} (machine instruction).
4813 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially.
4814 The default changes each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
4816 @item @var{u}, the unit size
4817 The unit size is any of
4823 Halfwords (two bytes).
4825 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
4827 Giant words (eight bytes).
4830 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
4831 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. (For the @samp{s} and
4832 @samp{i} formats, the unit size is ignored and is normally not written.)
4834 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
4835 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
4836 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
4837 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
4838 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
4839 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
4840 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
4841 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
4842 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
4843 a value from memory).
4846 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
4847 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
4848 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
4849 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
4850 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
4852 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
4853 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
4854 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
4855 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
4856 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
4858 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
4859 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
4860 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
4861 including any operands. The command @code{disassemble} gives an
4862 alternative way of inspecting machine instructions; see @ref{Machine
4863 Code,,Source and machine code}.
4865 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
4866 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
4867 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
4868 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
4869 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
4870 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
4871 for successive uses of @code{x}.
4873 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
4874 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
4875 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
4876 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
4877 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
4878 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
4879 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
4880 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
4881 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
4883 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
4884 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
4885 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
4888 @section Automatic display
4889 @cindex automatic display
4890 @cindex display of expressions
4892 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
4893 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
4894 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
4895 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
4896 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
4897 The automatic display looks like this:
4901 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
4905 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
4906 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
4907 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
4908 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending on how elaborate your
4909 format specification is---it uses @code{x} if you specify a unit size,
4910 or one of the two formats (@samp{i} and @samp{s}) that are only
4911 supported by @code{x}; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
4915 @item display @var{expr}
4916 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
4917 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4919 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
4921 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
4922 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
4923 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
4924 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
4925 @xref{Output Formats,,Output formats}.
4927 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
4928 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
4929 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
4930 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
4931 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining memory}.
4934 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
4935 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
4936 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
4939 @kindex delete display
4941 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
4942 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
4943 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
4945 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
4946 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
4948 @kindex disable display
4949 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
4950 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
4951 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
4952 enabled again later.
4954 @kindex enable display
4955 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
4956 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
4957 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
4960 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
4961 done when your program stops.
4963 @kindex info display
4965 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
4966 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
4967 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
4968 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
4969 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
4972 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
4973 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
4974 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
4975 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
4976 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
4977 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
4978 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
4979 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
4980 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
4981 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
4983 @node Print Settings
4984 @section Print settings
4986 @cindex format options
4987 @cindex print settings
4988 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
4989 and symbols are printed.
4992 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
4995 @kindex set print address
4996 @item set print address
4997 @itemx set print address on
4998 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
4999 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
5000 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
5001 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
5002 @code{set print address on}:
5007 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
5009 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
5013 @item set print address off
5014 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
5015 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
5019 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
5021 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
5022 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
5026 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
5027 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
5028 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
5029 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
5031 @kindex show print address
5032 @item show print address
5033 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
5036 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
5037 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
5038 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
5039 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
5040 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
5041 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
5042 it prints a symbolic address:
5045 @kindex set print symbol-filename
5046 @item set print symbol-filename on
5047 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
5048 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
5050 @item set print symbol-filename off
5051 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
5054 @kindex show print symbol-filename
5055 @item show print symbol-filename
5056 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
5057 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
5060 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
5061 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
5062 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
5064 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
5065 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
5068 @kindex set print max-symbolic-offset
5069 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
5070 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
5071 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
5072 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
5073 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
5075 @kindex show print max-symbolic-offset
5076 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
5077 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
5081 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
5082 @cindex pointer, finding referent
5083 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
5084 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
5085 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
5086 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
5087 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
5088 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
5091 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
5092 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
5093 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
5097 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
5098 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
5099 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
5102 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
5105 @kindex set print array
5106 @item set print array
5107 @itemx set print array on
5108 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
5109 but uses more space. The default is off.
5111 @item set print array off
5112 Return to compressed format for arrays.
5114 @kindex show print array
5115 @item show print array
5116 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
5119 @kindex set print elements
5120 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
5121 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
5122 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
5123 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
5124 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
5125 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
5126 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
5128 @kindex show print elements
5129 @item show print elements
5130 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
5131 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
5133 @kindex set print null-stop
5134 @item set print null-stop
5135 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
5136 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
5137 contain only short strings.
5140 @kindex set print pretty
5141 @item set print pretty on
5142 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
5143 per line, like this:
5158 @item set print pretty off
5159 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
5163 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
5164 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
5169 This is the default format.
5171 @kindex show print pretty
5172 @item show print pretty
5173 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
5175 @kindex set print sevenbit-strings
5176 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
5177 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
5178 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
5179 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
5180 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
5181 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
5183 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
5184 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
5185 international character sets, and is the default.
5187 @kindex show print sevenbit-strings
5188 @item show print sevenbit-strings
5189 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
5191 @kindex set print union
5192 @item set print union on
5193 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures. This
5194 is the default setting.
5196 @item set print union off
5197 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in structures.
5199 @kindex show print union
5200 @item show print union
5201 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
5204 For example, given the declarations
5207 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
5208 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
5209 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
5220 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
5224 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
5227 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
5231 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
5234 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
5240 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
5244 @kindex set print demangle
5245 @item set print demangle
5246 @itemx set print demangle on
5247 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
5248 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
5249 linkage. The default is on.
5251 @kindex show print demangle
5252 @item show print demangle
5253 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
5255 @kindex set print asm-demangle
5256 @item set print asm-demangle
5257 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
5258 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
5259 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
5262 @kindex show print asm-demangle
5263 @item show print asm-demangle
5264 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
5267 @kindex set demangle-style
5268 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
5269 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
5270 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
5271 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
5272 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
5276 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
5279 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
5280 This is the default.
5283 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
5286 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
5289 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
5290 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
5291 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
5292 require further enhancement to permit that.
5295 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
5297 @kindex show demangle-style
5298 @item show demangle-style
5299 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
5301 @kindex set print object
5302 @item set print object
5303 @itemx set print object on
5304 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
5305 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
5306 the virtual function table.
5308 @item set print object off
5309 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
5310 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
5312 @kindex show print object
5313 @item show print object
5314 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
5316 @kindex set print static-members
5317 @item set print static-members
5318 @itemx set print static-members on
5319 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
5321 @item set print static-members off
5322 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
5324 @kindex show print static-members
5325 @item show print static-members
5326 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed, or not.
5328 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
5329 @kindex set print vtbl
5330 @item set print vtbl
5331 @itemx set print vtbl on
5332 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
5333 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
5334 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
5336 @item set print vtbl off
5337 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
5339 @kindex show print vtbl
5340 @item show print vtbl
5341 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
5345 @section Value history
5347 @cindex value history
5348 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
5349 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
5350 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
5351 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
5352 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
5353 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
5358 @cindex history number
5359 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
5360 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
5361 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
5362 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
5365 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
5366 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
5367 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
5368 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
5369 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
5370 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
5371 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
5373 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
5374 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
5380 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
5381 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
5388 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
5389 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
5391 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
5392 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
5400 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
5401 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
5406 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
5407 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
5408 values} does not change the history.
5410 @item show values @var{n}
5411 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
5414 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
5415 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
5418 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
5419 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
5421 @node Convenience Vars
5422 @section Convenience variables
5424 @cindex convenience variables
5425 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
5426 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
5427 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
5428 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
5429 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
5431 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
5432 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
5433 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
5434 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
5435 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value history}.)
5437 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
5438 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
5442 set $foo = *object_ptr
5446 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
5449 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
5450 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
5451 value with another assignment at any time.
5453 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
5454 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
5455 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
5456 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
5459 @kindex show convenience
5460 @item show convenience
5461 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
5462 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
5465 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
5466 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
5467 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
5471 print bar[$i++]->contents
5475 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
5477 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
5478 values likely to be useful.
5481 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
5483 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
5484 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining memory}). Other
5485 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
5486 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
5487 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
5488 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
5489 to the type of @code{$__}.
5491 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
5493 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
5494 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
5495 to match the format in which the data was printed.
5498 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
5499 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
5500 the program being debugged terminates.
5503 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
5504 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
5505 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
5511 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
5512 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
5513 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
5517 @kindex info registers
5518 @item info registers
5519 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
5520 registers (in the selected stack frame).
5522 @kindex info all-registers
5523 @cindex floating point registers
5524 @item info all-registers
5525 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
5528 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
5529 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
5530 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
5531 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
5532 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
5535 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
5536 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
5537 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
5538 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
5539 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
5540 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
5541 register that contains the processor status. For example,
5542 you could print the program counter in hex with
5549 or print the instruction to be executed next with
5556 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
5557 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
5558 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
5559 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
5560 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
5561 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
5562 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a function}.} with
5568 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
5569 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
5570 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
5571 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
5572 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
5573 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
5574 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
5576 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
5577 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
5578 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
5579 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
5580 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
5581 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
5582 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
5584 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
5585 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
5586 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
5587 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
5588 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
5589 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
5590 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
5591 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
5592 prints the data in both formats.
5594 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
5595 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}). This means that you get the
5596 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
5597 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
5598 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
5599 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
5601 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
5602 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
5603 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
5604 frame makes no difference.
5606 @node Floating Point Hardware
5607 @section Floating point hardware
5608 @cindex floating point
5610 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
5611 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
5616 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
5617 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
5618 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
5619 the ARM and x86 machines.
5622 @node Memory Region Attributes
5623 @section Memory Region Attributes
5624 @cindex memory region attributes
5626 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
5627 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses attributes
5628 to determine whether to allow certain types of memory accesses; whether to
5629 use specific width accesses; and whether to cache target memory.
5631 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
5632 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
5633 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
5634 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
5637 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
5638 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
5642 @item mem @var{address1} @var{address1} @var{attributes}@dots{}
5643 Define memory region bounded by @var{address1} and @var{address2}
5644 with attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}.
5647 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
5648 Remove memory region numbers @var{nums}.
5651 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
5652 Disable memory region numbers @var{nums}.
5653 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
5654 It may be enabled again later.
5657 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
5658 Enable memory region numbers @var{nums}.
5662 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
5666 @item Memory Region Number
5667 @item Enabled or Disabled.
5668 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
5669 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
5672 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
5675 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
5678 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
5683 @subsection Attributes
5685 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
5686 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
5687 write accesses to a memory region.
5689 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
5690 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
5691 etc. from accessing memory.
5695 Memory is read only.
5697 Memory is write only.
5699 Memory is read/write (default).
5702 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
5703 The acccess size attributes tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
5704 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
5705 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
5706 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
5710 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
5712 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
5714 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
5716 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
5719 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
5720 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
5721 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
5722 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
5726 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
5727 @c @item swbreak (default)
5730 @subsubsection Data Cache
5731 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
5732 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
5733 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
5734 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
5739 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
5740 @item nocache (default)
5741 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory.
5744 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
5745 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
5746 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
5750 @c @item noverify (default)
5754 @chapter Tracepoints
5755 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
5756 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
5759 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
5760 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
5761 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
5762 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
5763 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
5764 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
5765 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
5767 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
5768 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
5769 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
5770 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
5771 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
5772 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
5773 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
5774 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
5775 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
5776 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
5777 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
5779 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
5780 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know how
5781 to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the remote
5782 stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN} support
5783 tracepoints as of this writing.
5785 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
5789 * Analyze Collected Data::
5790 * Tracepoint Variables::
5793 @node Set Tracepoints
5794 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
5796 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
5797 tracepoints can be set. Like a breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), a
5798 tracepoint has a number assigned to it by @value{GDBN}. Like with
5799 breakpoints, tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from
5800 one. Many of the commands associated with tracepoints take the
5801 tracepoint number as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to
5804 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
5805 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
5806 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
5807 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
5808 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
5811 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
5812 conditions and actions.
5815 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
5816 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
5817 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
5818 * Tracepoint Actions::
5819 * Listing Tracepoints::
5820 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiment::
5823 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
5824 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
5827 @cindex set tracepoint
5830 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
5831 Its argument can be a source line, a function name, or an address in
5832 the target program. @xref{Set Breaks}. The @code{trace} command
5833 defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the target program where the
5834 debugger will briefly stop, collect some data, and then allow the
5835 program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or changing its commands
5836 doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart} command; thus, you
5837 cannot change the tracepoint attributes once a trace experiment is
5840 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
5843 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
5845 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
5847 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
5849 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
5851 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
5855 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
5858 @cindex last tracepoint number
5859 @cindex recent tracepoint number
5860 @cindex tracepoint number
5861 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
5862 of the most recently set tracepoint.
5864 @kindex delete tracepoint
5865 @cindex tracepoint deletion
5866 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
5867 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
5868 default is to delete all tracepoints.
5873 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
5875 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
5879 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
5882 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
5883 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
5886 @kindex disable tracepoint
5887 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
5888 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
5889 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
5890 the next trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
5891 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
5893 @kindex enable tracepoint
5894 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
5895 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. The enabled
5896 tracepoints will become effective the next time a trace experiment is
5900 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
5901 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
5905 @cindex tracepoint pass count
5906 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
5907 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
5908 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
5909 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
5910 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
5911 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
5912 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
5913 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
5919 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
5920 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
5922 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
5923 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
5924 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
5925 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
5926 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
5927 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
5928 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
5929 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
5930 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
5931 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
5932 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
5936 @node Tracepoint Actions
5937 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
5941 @cindex tracepoint actions
5942 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
5943 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
5944 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
5945 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
5946 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
5947 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
5948 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
5949 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
5950 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect} and
5951 @code{while-stepping}.
5953 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
5954 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
5955 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
5958 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
5960 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
5962 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
5965 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
5966 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
5967 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
5968 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
5969 followed by the list of things to be collected while stepping. The
5970 @code{while-stepping} command is terminated by its own separate
5971 @code{end} command. Lastly, the action list is terminated by an
5975 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
5976 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
5977 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
5986 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
5987 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
5988 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
5989 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
5990 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
5991 special arguments are supported:
5995 collect all registers
5998 collect all function arguments
6001 collect all local variables.
6004 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
6005 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
6006 arguments separated by commas: the effect is the same.
6008 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
6009 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
6011 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
6012 @item while-stepping @var{n}
6013 Perform @var{n} single-step traces after the tracepoint, collecting
6014 new data at each step. The @code{while-stepping} command is
6015 followed by the list of what to collect while stepping (followed by
6016 its own @code{end} command):
6020 > collect $regs, myglobal
6026 You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
6030 @node Listing Tracepoints
6031 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
6034 @kindex info tracepoints
6035 @cindex information about tracepoints
6036 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
6037 @c FIXME: Shouldn't there be an "at", "on", or "for" in the next
6038 @c sentence? - Brian Y., FSF office staff
6039 Display information the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't specify a
6040 tracepoint number displays information about all the tracepoints
6041 defined so far. For each tracepoint, the following information is
6048 whether it is enabled or disabled
6052 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
6054 its step count as given by the @code{while-stepping @var{n}} command
6056 where in the source files is the tracepoint set
6058 its action list as given by the @code{actions} command
6062 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
6063 Num Enb Address PassC StepC What
6064 1 y 0x002117c4 0 0 <gdb_asm>
6065 2 y 0x0020dc64 0 0 in g_test at g_test.c:1375
6066 3 y 0x0020b1f4 0 0 in get_data at ../foo.c:41
6071 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
6074 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiment
6075 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiment
6079 @cindex start a new trace experiment
6080 @cindex collected data discarded
6082 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
6083 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
6084 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
6088 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
6090 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
6091 stops collecting data.
6093 @strong{Note:} a trace experiment and data collection may stop
6094 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
6095 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
6098 @cindex status of trace data collection
6099 @cindex trace experiment, status of
6101 This command displays the status of the current trace data
6105 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
6108 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
6109 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
6110 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
6111 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
6116 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
6117 [time passes @dots{}]
6118 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
6122 @node Analyze Collected Data
6123 @section Using the collected data
6125 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
6126 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
6127 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
6128 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
6129 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
6130 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
6131 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
6132 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
6133 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
6134 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
6135 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
6136 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
6137 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
6138 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
6139 the buffer will fail.
6142 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
6143 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
6144 * save-tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
6148 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
6151 @cindex select trace snapshot
6152 @cindex find trace snapshot
6153 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
6154 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
6155 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
6156 snapshot is selected.
6158 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
6162 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
6163 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
6166 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
6169 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
6172 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
6175 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
6176 retracing earlier steps.
6178 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
6179 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
6180 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
6181 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
6182 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
6184 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
6185 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
6186 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
6187 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
6188 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
6190 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
6191 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
6194 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
6195 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
6196 @var{addr2}. @c FIXME: Is the range inclusive or exclusive?
6198 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
6199 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
6200 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
6201 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
6202 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
6203 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
6204 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
6205 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
6208 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
6209 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
6210 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
6211 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
6212 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
6213 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
6214 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
6215 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
6216 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
6217 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
6218 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
6219 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
6220 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
6221 tracepoint as the current one.
6223 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
6224 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
6225 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
6226 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
6227 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
6230 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
6231 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
6232 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
6233 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
6237 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
6238 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
6239 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
6240 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
6241 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
6242 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
6243 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
6244 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
6245 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
6246 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
6247 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
6250 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
6254 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
6255 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
6256 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
6266 @subsection @code{tdump}
6268 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
6269 @cindex tracepoint data, display
6271 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
6272 the current trace snapshot.
6275 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
6276 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
6277 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
6278 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
6281 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
6283 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
6284 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
6286 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
6288 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
6289 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
6290 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
6294 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
6299 a1 0x3000668 50333288
6302 a4 0x3000698 50333336
6304 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
6305 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
6307 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
6311 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
6318 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
6323 @node save-tracepoints
6324 @subsection @code{save-tracepoints @var{filename}}
6325 @kindex save-tracepoints
6326 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
6328 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
6329 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
6330 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
6331 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
6334 @node Tracepoint Variables
6335 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
6336 @cindex tracepoint variables
6337 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
6340 @vindex $trace_frame
6341 @item (int) $trace_frame
6342 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
6343 snapshot is selected.
6346 @item (int) $tracepoint
6347 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
6350 @item (int) $trace_line
6351 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
6354 @item (char []) $trace_file
6355 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
6358 @item (char []) $trace_func
6359 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
6362 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
6363 use @code{output} instead.
6365 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
6366 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
6370 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
6372 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
6373 > output $trace_file
6374 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
6380 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
6383 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
6384 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
6385 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
6389 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
6390 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
6391 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
6392 mapped by asking the inferior.
6393 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
6396 @node How Overlays Work
6397 @section How Overlays Work
6398 @cindex mapped overlays
6399 @cindex unmapped overlays
6400 @cindex load address, overlay's
6401 @cindex mapped address
6402 @cindex overlay area
6404 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
6405 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
6406 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
6407 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
6408 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
6410 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
6411 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
6412 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
6413 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
6414 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
6415 largest overlay as well.
6417 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
6418 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
6419 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
6424 Data Instruction Larger
6425 Address Space Address Space Address Space
6426 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
6428 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
6429 | program | | main | | | load address
6430 | variables | | program | | overlay 1 |
6431 | and heap | | | ,---| |
6432 +-----------+ | | | | |
6433 | | +-----------+ | +-----------+
6434 +-----------+ | | | | |
6435 mapped --->+-----------+ / +-----------+<-- overlay 2
6436 address | overlay | <-' | overlay 2 | load address
6438 | | <---. +-----------+
6441 | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 3
6442 +-----------+ `--| | load address
6449 To map an overlay, copy its code from the larger address space
6450 to the instruction address space. Since the overlays shown here
6451 all use the same mapped address, only one may be mapped at a time.
6455 This diagram shows a system with separate data and instruction address
6456 spaces. For a system with a single address space for data and
6457 instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the program
6458 variables and heap would share an address space with the main program
6459 and the overlay area.
6461 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
6462 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
6463 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
6464 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
6465 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
6466 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
6467 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
6469 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
6470 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
6471 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
6476 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
6477 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
6478 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
6479 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
6482 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
6483 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
6484 your program's performance.
6487 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
6488 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
6489 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
6490 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
6491 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
6492 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
6493 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
6496 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
6497 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
6498 instruction and data spaces.
6502 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
6503 improved in many ways:
6508 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
6509 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
6510 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
6511 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
6512 area in the usual way.
6515 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
6516 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
6519 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
6520 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
6521 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
6522 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
6523 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
6524 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
6525 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
6530 @node Overlay Commands
6531 @section Overlay Commands
6533 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
6534 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
6535 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
6536 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
6537 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
6538 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
6540 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
6541 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
6546 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
6547 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
6548 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
6549 overlay support is disabled.
6551 @item overlay manual
6552 @kindex overlay manual
6553 @cindex manual overlay debugging
6554 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
6555 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
6556 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
6557 commands described below.
6559 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
6560 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
6561 @kindex overlay map-overlay
6562 @cindex map an overlay
6563 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
6564 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
6565 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
6566 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
6567 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
6568 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
6570 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
6571 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
6572 @kindex overlay unmap-overlay
6573 @cindex unmap an overlay
6574 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
6575 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
6576 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
6577 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
6580 @kindex overlay auto
6581 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
6582 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
6583 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
6586 @item overlay load-target
6588 @kindex overlay load-target
6589 @cindex reloading the overlay table
6590 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
6591 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
6592 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
6593 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
6594 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
6596 @item overlay list-overlays
6598 @cindex listing mapped overlays
6599 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
6600 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
6604 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
6605 of the function the address falls in:
6609 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
6612 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
6613 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
6614 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
6615 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
6619 No sections are mapped.
6621 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
6624 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
6629 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
6630 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
6632 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
6635 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
6636 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
6637 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
6638 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
6639 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
6643 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
6644 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
6645 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
6646 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
6648 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
6649 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
6650 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
6651 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
6652 breakpoints properly.
6656 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
6657 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
6658 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
6660 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
6661 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
6662 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
6663 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
6664 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
6665 current state of the overlays.
6667 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
6668 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
6672 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
6673 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
6678 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
6681 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
6684 /* The overlay's load address. */
6687 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
6689 unsigned long mapped;
6693 @item @code{_novlys}:
6694 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
6695 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
6699 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
6700 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
6701 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
6702 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
6703 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
6707 @node Overlay Sample Program
6708 @section Overlay Sample Program
6709 @cindex overlay example program
6711 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
6712 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
6713 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
6714 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
6715 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
6716 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
6717 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
6719 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
6720 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
6721 suite. The program consists of the following files from
6722 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
6726 The main program file.
6728 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
6733 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
6736 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
6737 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
6740 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
6741 cross-compiler like this:
6744 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
6745 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
6746 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
6747 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
6748 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
6749 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
6750 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
6751 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
6754 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
6755 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
6756 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
6760 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
6763 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
6764 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
6765 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
6766 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
6767 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
6768 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
6770 @cindex working language
6771 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
6772 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
6773 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
6774 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
6775 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
6779 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
6780 * Show:: Displaying the language
6781 * Checks:: Type and range checks
6782 * Support:: Supported languages
6786 @section Switching between source languages
6788 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
6789 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
6790 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
6791 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
6792 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
6795 In addition to the working language, every source file that
6796 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
6797 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
6798 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
6799 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
6800 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
6801 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
6802 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
6803 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
6804 Displaying the language}.
6806 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
6807 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
6808 another language. In that case, make the
6809 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
6810 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
6811 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
6814 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
6815 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
6816 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
6820 @subsection List of filename extensions and languages
6822 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
6823 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
6848 Modula-2 source file
6852 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
6853 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
6856 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
6857 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the language}.
6860 @subsection Setting the working language
6862 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
6863 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
6866 @kindex set language
6867 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
6868 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
6870 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
6871 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
6873 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
6874 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
6875 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
6876 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
6877 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
6878 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
6886 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
6887 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
6888 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
6889 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
6892 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
6894 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
6895 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
6896 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
6897 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
6898 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
6899 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
6900 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
6901 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
6902 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
6904 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
6905 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
6906 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
6907 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
6908 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
6911 @section Displaying the language
6913 The following commands help you find out which language is the
6914 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
6916 @kindex show language
6917 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
6918 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
6921 Display the current working language. This is the
6922 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
6923 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
6926 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
6927 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
6928 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a frame}, to identify the other
6929 information listed here.
6932 Display the source language of this source file.
6933 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
6934 information listed here.
6937 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
6938 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
6939 with a language explicitly:
6941 @kindex set extension-language
6942 @kindex info extensions
6944 @item set extension-language @var{.ext} @var{language}
6945 Set source files with extension @var{.ext} to be assumed to be in
6946 the source language @var{language}.
6948 @item info extensions
6949 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
6953 @section Type and range checking
6956 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
6957 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
6958 section documents the intended facilities.
6960 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
6962 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
6963 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
6964 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
6965 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
6966 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
6967 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
6968 errors when your program is running.
6970 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
6971 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program, it
6972 can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via
6973 the @code{print} command, for example. As with the working language,
6974 @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check automatically based on
6975 your program's source language. @xref{Support, ,Supported languages},
6976 for the default settings of supported languages.
6979 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
6980 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
6983 @cindex type checking
6984 @cindex checks, type
6986 @subsection An overview of type checking
6988 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
6989 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
6990 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
6991 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
6999 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
7000 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
7002 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
7003 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
7004 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
7005 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
7006 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
7007 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
7008 also issues a warning.
7010 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
7011 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
7012 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
7013 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
7014 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
7015 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
7017 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
7018 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
7019 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
7020 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
7021 operators. @xref{Support, ,Supported languages}, for further
7022 details on specific languages.
7024 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
7026 @kindex set check@r{, type}
7027 @kindex set check type
7028 @kindex show check type
7030 @item set check type auto
7031 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
7032 @xref{Support, ,Supported languages}, for the default settings for
7035 @item set check type on
7036 @itemx set check type off
7037 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
7038 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
7039 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
7040 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
7041 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
7043 @item set check type warn
7044 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
7045 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
7046 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
7047 numbers and structures.
7050 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
7051 is setting it automatically.
7054 @cindex range checking
7055 @cindex checks, range
7056 @node Range Checking
7057 @subsection An overview of range checking
7059 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
7060 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
7061 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
7062 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
7063 not exceed the bounds of the array.
7065 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
7066 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
7067 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
7068 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
7070 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
7071 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
7072 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
7073 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
7074 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
7075 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
7078 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
7081 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
7082 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Support, ,
7083 Supported languages}, for further details on specific languages.
7085 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
7087 @kindex set check@r{, range}
7088 @kindex set check range
7089 @kindex show check range
7091 @item set check range auto
7092 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
7093 @xref{Support, ,Supported languages}, for the default settings for
7096 @item set check range on
7097 @itemx set check range off
7098 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
7099 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
7100 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
7101 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
7103 @item set check range warn
7104 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
7105 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
7106 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
7107 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
7111 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
7112 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
7116 @section Supported languages
7118 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, Fortran, Java, Chill, assembly, and Modula-2.
7119 @c This is false ...
7120 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
7121 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
7122 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
7123 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
7126 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
7127 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
7128 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
7129 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
7130 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
7131 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
7132 language reference or tutorial.
7136 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
7141 @subsection C and C@t{++}
7143 @cindex C and C@t{++}
7144 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
7146 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
7147 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
7151 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
7152 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
7153 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
7154 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
7155 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
7156 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
7157 compiler (@code{aCC}).
7159 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the stabs debugging
7160 format. You can select that format explicitly with the @code{g++}
7161 command-line options @samp{-gstabs} or @samp{-gstabs+}. See
7162 @ref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or @sc{gnu}
7163 CC, gcc.info, Using @sc{gnu} CC}, for more information.
7166 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
7167 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
7168 * C plus plus expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
7169 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
7170 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
7171 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
7172 * Debugging C plus plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
7176 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} operators
7178 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
7180 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
7181 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
7182 often defined on groups of types.
7184 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
7189 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
7190 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
7193 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
7194 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
7197 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
7200 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
7205 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
7206 in order of increasing precedence:
7210 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
7211 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
7212 expression being the last expression evaluated.
7215 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
7216 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
7219 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
7220 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
7221 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
7222 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
7223 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
7226 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
7227 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
7231 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
7234 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
7237 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
7240 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
7243 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
7246 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
7247 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
7249 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
7250 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
7251 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
7252 and non-zero for true.
7255 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
7258 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
7261 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
7264 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
7265 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
7266 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
7270 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
7271 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
7272 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
7273 operation takes place.
7276 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
7280 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
7282 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
7283 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
7284 (or, if you prefer, simply @samp{&&@var{ref}}) to examine the address
7285 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
7289 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
7290 precedence as @code{++}.
7293 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
7297 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
7302 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
7303 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
7304 pointer based on the stored type information.
7305 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
7308 Dereferences of pointers to members.
7311 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
7312 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
7315 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
7318 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
7319 and @code{class} types.
7322 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
7323 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
7327 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
7328 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
7336 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} constants
7338 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
7340 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
7345 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
7346 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e. zero), and hexadecimal constants by
7347 a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
7348 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
7352 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
7353 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
7354 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
7355 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
7356 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
7357 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
7358 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
7359 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
7360 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
7364 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
7365 integral equivalents.
7368 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
7369 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
7370 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
7371 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
7372 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
7373 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
7374 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
7375 @samp{\n} for newline.
7378 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
7379 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
7380 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
7381 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
7385 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
7386 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
7389 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
7390 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
7391 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
7392 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
7396 * C plus plus expressions::
7403 @node C plus plus expressions
7404 @subsubsection C@t{++} expressions
7406 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
7407 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
7409 @cindex C@t{++} support, not in @sc{coff}
7410 @cindex @sc{coff} versus C@t{++}
7411 @cindex C@t{++} and object formats
7412 @cindex object formats and C@t{++}
7413 @cindex a.out and C@t{++}
7414 @cindex @sc{ecoff} and C@t{++}
7415 @cindex @sc{xcoff} and C@t{++}
7416 @cindex @sc{elf}/stabs and C@t{++}
7417 @cindex @sc{elf}/@sc{dwarf} and C@t{++}
7418 @c FIXME!! GDB may eventually be able to debug C++ using DWARF; check
7419 @c periodically whether this has happened...
7421 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
7422 proper compiler. Typically, C@t{++} debugging depends on the use of
7423 additional debugging information in the symbol table, and thus requires
7424 special support. In particular, if your compiler generates a.out, MIPS
7425 @sc{ecoff}, RS/6000 @sc{xcoff}, or @sc{elf} with stabs extensions to the
7426 symbol table, these facilities are all available. (With @sc{gnu} CC,
7427 you can use the @samp{-gstabs} option to request stabs debugging
7428 extensions explicitly.) Where the object code format is standard
7429 @sc{coff} or @sc{dwarf} in @sc{elf}, on the other hand, most of the C@t{++}
7430 support in @value{GDBN} does @emph{not} work.
7435 @cindex member functions
7437 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
7440 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
7443 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
7444 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
7446 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
7447 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
7448 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
7449 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
7451 @cindex call overloaded functions
7452 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
7453 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
7455 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
7456 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
7457 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
7458 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
7459 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
7462 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
7463 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
7464 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
7465 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
7466 number of function arguments.
7468 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
7469 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C plus plus,
7470 ,@value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}}.
7472 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
7473 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
7475 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
7478 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
7479 see @ref{Completion, ,Command completion}.
7481 @cindex reference declarations
7483 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
7484 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
7487 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
7488 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
7489 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
7490 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
7491 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
7494 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
7495 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
7496 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
7497 necessary, for example in an expression like
7498 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
7499 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
7500 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program variables}).
7503 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
7504 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
7505 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
7506 invoking user-defined operators.
7509 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} defaults
7511 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
7513 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
7514 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
7515 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
7516 selects the working language.
7518 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
7519 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
7520 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
7521 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
7522 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language},
7523 for further details.
7525 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
7526 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
7527 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
7530 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} type and range checks
7532 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
7534 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
7535 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
7536 considers two variables type equivalent if:
7540 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
7544 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
7545 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
7548 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
7551 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
7552 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
7557 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
7558 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
7559 that is not itself an array.
7562 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
7564 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
7565 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
7566 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
7567 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
7569 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
7570 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
7574 * Debugging C plus plus::
7577 @node Debugging C plus plus
7578 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
7580 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
7582 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
7583 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
7586 @cindex break in overloaded functions
7587 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
7588 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
7589 @value{GDBN} breakpoint menus help you specify which function definition
7590 you want. @xref{Breakpoint Menus,,Breakpoint menus}.
7592 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
7593 @item rbreak @var{regex}
7594 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
7595 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
7597 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}.
7599 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
7602 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
7603 Catchpoints, , Setting catchpoints}.
7606 @item ptype @var{typename}
7607 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
7609 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
7611 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
7612 @item set print demangle
7613 @itemx show print demangle
7614 @itemx set print asm-demangle
7615 @itemx show print asm-demangle
7616 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
7617 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
7618 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
7620 @item set print object
7621 @itemx show print object
7622 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
7623 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
7625 @item set print vtbl
7626 @itemx show print vtbl
7627 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
7628 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
7629 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
7630 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
7632 @kindex set overload-resolution
7633 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
7634 @item set overload-resolution on
7635 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
7636 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
7637 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
7638 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C plus plus expressions, ,C@t{++}
7639 expressions}, for details). If it cannot find a match, it emits a
7642 @item set overload-resolution off
7643 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
7644 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
7645 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
7646 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
7647 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
7648 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
7651 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
7652 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
7653 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
7654 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
7655 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
7656 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
7657 @xref{Completion,, Command completion}, for details on how to do this.
7661 @subsection Modula-2
7663 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
7665 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
7666 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
7667 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
7668 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
7669 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
7672 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
7674 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
7675 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
7676 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
7677 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
7678 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
7679 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
7680 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
7681 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
7685 @subsubsection Operators
7686 @cindex Modula-2 operators
7688 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
7689 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
7690 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
7691 following definitions hold:
7696 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
7700 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
7703 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
7706 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
7710 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
7713 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
7716 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
7720 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
7721 increasing precedence:
7725 Function argument or array index separator.
7728 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
7732 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
7736 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
7737 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
7738 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
7740 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
7741 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
7742 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
7743 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
7747 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
7748 Same precedence as @code{<}.
7751 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
7754 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
7757 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
7760 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
7761 and difference on set types.
7764 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
7768 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
7769 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
7772 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
7773 precedence as @code{*}.
7776 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
7779 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
7782 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
7786 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
7787 precedence as @code{^}.
7790 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
7793 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
7797 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
7801 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
7802 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
7803 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
7804 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
7808 @node Built-In Func/Proc
7809 @subsubsection Built-in functions and procedures
7810 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
7812 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
7813 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
7818 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
7821 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
7824 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
7827 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
7828 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
7829 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
7832 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
7835 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
7841 represents a variable.
7844 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
7845 explanation of the function for details.
7848 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
7852 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
7855 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
7856 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
7859 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
7862 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
7864 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
7865 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
7868 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
7869 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
7872 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
7873 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
7876 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
7879 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
7881 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
7882 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
7885 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
7886 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
7887 there. Returns the new set.
7890 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
7893 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
7896 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
7899 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
7900 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
7901 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
7902 integral, character and enumerated types.
7905 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
7907 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
7908 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
7910 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
7911 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
7915 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
7916 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
7920 @cindex Modula-2 constants
7922 @subsubsection Constants
7924 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
7930 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
7931 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
7932 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
7933 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
7936 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
7937 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
7938 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
7939 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
7940 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
7944 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
7945 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
7946 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
7947 followed by a @samp{C}.
7950 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
7951 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
7952 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
7953 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
7957 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
7960 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
7964 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
7967 Set constants are not yet supported.
7971 @subsubsection Modula-2 defaults
7972 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
7974 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
7975 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
7976 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
7977 selected the working language.
7979 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
7980 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
7981 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} set
7982 the language automatically}, for further details.
7985 @subsubsection Deviations from standard Modula-2
7986 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
7988 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
7989 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
7993 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
7994 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
7995 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
7996 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
7997 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
7998 returned a pointer.)
8001 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
8002 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
8003 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
8004 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
8007 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
8011 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
8015 @subsubsection Modula-2 type and range checks
8016 @cindex Modula-2 checks
8019 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
8022 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
8024 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
8028 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
8029 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
8032 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
8033 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
8036 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
8037 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
8039 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
8040 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
8043 @subsubsection The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
8045 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
8046 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
8048 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
8049 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
8052 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
8055 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
8056 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
8061 @var{module} . @var{id}
8062 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
8066 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
8067 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
8068 identifier within your program, except another module.
8070 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
8071 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
8072 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
8073 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
8075 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
8076 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
8077 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
8078 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
8079 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
8083 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
8085 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
8086 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
8087 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
8088 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
8089 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
8090 analogue in Modula-2.
8092 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
8093 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
8094 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
8095 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
8096 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
8097 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
8099 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
8100 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
8101 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
8106 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Chill only support output
8107 from the @sc{gnu} Chill compiler. Other Chill compilers are not currently
8108 supported, and attempting to debug executables produced by them is most
8109 likely to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
8112 @c This used to say "... following Chill related topics ...", but since
8113 @c menus are not shown in the printed manual, it would look awkward.
8114 This section covers the Chill related topics and the features
8115 of @value{GDBN} which support these topics.
8118 * How modes are displayed:: How modes are displayed
8119 * Locations:: Locations and their accesses
8120 * Values and their Operations:: Values and their Operations
8121 * Chill type and range checks::
8125 @node How modes are displayed
8126 @subsubsection How modes are displayed
8128 The Chill Datatype- (Mode) support of @value{GDBN} is directly related
8129 with the functionality of the @sc{gnu} Chill compiler, and therefore deviates
8130 slightly from the standard specification of the Chill language. The
8133 @c FIXME: this @table's contents effectively disable @code by using @r
8134 @c on every @item. So why does it need @code?
8136 @item @r{@emph{Discrete modes:}}
8139 @emph{Integer Modes} which are predefined by @code{BYTE, UBYTE, INT,
8142 @emph{Boolean Mode} which is predefined by @code{BOOL},
8144 @emph{Character Mode} which is predefined by @code{CHAR},
8146 @emph{Set Mode} which is displayed by the keyword @code{SET}.
8148 (@value{GDBP}) ptype x
8149 type = SET (karli = 10, susi = 20, fritzi = 100)
8151 If the type is an unnumbered set the set element values are omitted.
8153 @emph{Range Mode} which is displayed by
8155 @code{type = <basemode>(<lower bound> : <upper bound>)}
8157 where @code{<lower bound>, <upper bound>} can be of any discrete literal
8158 expression (e.g. set element names).
8161 @item @r{@emph{Powerset Mode:}}
8162 A Powerset Mode is displayed by the keyword @code{POWERSET} followed by
8163 the member mode of the powerset. The member mode can be any discrete mode.
8165 (@value{GDBP}) ptype x
8166 type = POWERSET SET (egon, hugo, otto)
8169 @item @r{@emph{Reference Modes:}}
8172 @emph{Bound Reference Mode} which is displayed by the keyword @code{REF}
8173 followed by the mode name to which the reference is bound.
8175 @emph{Free Reference Mode} which is displayed by the keyword @code{PTR}.
8178 @item @r{@emph{Procedure mode}}
8179 The procedure mode is displayed by @code{type = PROC(<parameter list>)
8180 <return mode> EXCEPTIONS (<exception list>)}. The @code{<parameter
8181 list>} is a list of the parameter modes. @code{<return mode>} indicates
8182 the mode of the result of the procedure if any. The exceptionlist lists
8183 all possible exceptions which can be raised by the procedure.
8186 @item @r{@emph{Instance mode}}
8187 The instance mode is represented by a structure, which has a static
8188 type, and is therefore not really of interest.
8191 @item @r{@emph{Synchronization Modes:}}
8194 @emph{Event Mode} which is displayed by
8196 @code{EVENT (<event length>)}
8198 where @code{(<event length>)} is optional.
8200 @emph{Buffer Mode} which is displayed by
8202 @code{BUFFER (<buffer length>)<buffer element mode>}
8204 where @code{(<buffer length>)} is optional.
8207 @item @r{@emph{Timing Modes:}}
8210 @emph{Duration Mode} which is predefined by @code{DURATION}
8212 @emph{Absolute Time Mode} which is predefined by @code{TIME}
8215 @item @r{@emph{Real Modes:}}
8216 Real Modes are predefined with @code{REAL} and @code{LONG_REAL}.
8218 @item @r{@emph{String Modes:}}
8221 @emph{Character String Mode} which is displayed by
8223 @code{CHARS(<string length>)}
8225 followed by the keyword @code{VARYING} if the String Mode is a varying
8228 @emph{Bit String Mode} which is displayed by
8235 @item @r{@emph{Array Mode:}}
8236 The Array Mode is displayed by the keyword @code{ARRAY(<range>)}
8237 followed by the element mode (which may in turn be an array mode).
8239 (@value{GDBP}) ptype x
8242 SET (karli = 10, susi = 20, fritzi = 100)
8245 @item @r{@emph{Structure Mode}}
8246 The Structure mode is displayed by the keyword @code{STRUCT(<field
8247 list>)}. The @code{<field list>} consists of names and modes of fields
8248 of the structure. Variant structures have the keyword @code{CASE <field>
8249 OF <variant fields> ESAC} in their field list. Since the current version
8250 of the GNU Chill compiler doesn't implement tag processing (no runtime
8251 checks of variant fields, and therefore no debugging info), the output
8252 always displays all variant fields.
8254 (@value{GDBP}) ptype str
8269 @subsubsection Locations and their accesses
8271 A location in Chill is an object which can contain values.
8273 A value of a location is generally accessed by the (declared) name of
8274 the location. The output conforms to the specification of values in
8275 Chill programs. How values are specified
8276 is the topic of the next section, @ref{Values and their Operations}.
8278 The pseudo-location @code{RESULT} (or @code{result}) can be used to
8279 display or change the result of a currently-active procedure:
8286 This does the same as the Chill action @code{RESULT EXPR} (which
8287 is not available in @value{GDBN}).
8289 Values of reference mode locations are printed by @code{PTR(<hex
8290 value>)} in case of a free reference mode, and by @code{(REF <reference
8291 mode>) (<hex-value>)} in case of a bound reference. @code{<hex value>}
8292 represents the address where the reference points to. To access the
8293 value of the location referenced by the pointer, use the dereference
8296 Values of procedure mode locations are displayed by
8299 (<argument modes> ) <return mode> @} <address> <name of procedure
8302 @code{<argument modes>} is a list of modes according to the parameter
8303 specification of the procedure and @code{<address>} shows the address of
8307 Locations of instance modes are displayed just like a structure with two
8308 fields specifying the @emph{process type} and the @emph{copy number} of
8309 the investigated instance location@footnote{This comes from the current
8310 implementation of instances. They are implemented as a structure (no
8311 na). The output should be something like @code{[<name of the process>;
8312 <instance number>]}.}. The field names are @code{__proc_type} and
8315 Locations of synchronization modes are displayed like a structure with
8316 the field name @code{__event_data} in case of a event mode location, and
8317 like a structure with the field @code{__buffer_data} in case of a buffer
8318 mode location (refer to previous paragraph).
8320 Structure Mode locations are printed by @code{[.<field name>: <value>,
8321 ...]}. The @code{<field name>} corresponds to the structure mode
8322 definition and the layout of @code{<value>} varies depending of the mode
8323 of the field. If the investigated structure mode location is of variant
8324 structure mode, the variant parts of the structure are enclosed in curled
8325 braces (@samp{@{@}}). Fields enclosed by @samp{@{,@}} are residing
8326 on the same memory location and represent the current values of the
8327 memory location in their specific modes. Since no tag processing is done
8328 all variants are displayed. A variant field is printed by
8329 @code{(<variant name>) = .<field name>: <value>}. (who implements the
8332 (@value{GDBP}) print str1 $4 = [.as: 0, .bs: karli, .<TAG>: { (karli) =
8333 [.cs: []], (susi) = [.ds: susi]}]
8337 Substructures of string mode-, array mode- or structure mode-values
8338 (e.g. array slices, fields of structure locations) are accessed using
8339 certain operations which are described in the next section, @ref{Values
8340 and their Operations}.
8342 A location value may be interpreted as having a different mode using the
8343 location conversion. This mode conversion is written as @code{<mode
8344 name>(<location>)}. The user has to consider that the sizes of the modes
8345 have to be equal otherwise an error occurs. Furthermore, no range
8346 checking of the location against the destination mode is performed, and
8347 therefore the result can be quite confusing.
8350 (@value{GDBP}) print int (s(3 up 4)) XXX TO be filled in !! XXX
8353 @node Values and their Operations
8354 @subsubsection Values and their Operations
8356 Values are used to alter locations, to investigate complex structures in
8357 more detail or to filter relevant information out of a large amount of
8358 data. There are several (mode dependent) operations defined which enable
8359 such investigations. These operations are not only applicable to
8360 constant values but also to locations, which can become quite useful
8361 when debugging complex structures. During parsing the command line
8362 (e.g. evaluating an expression) @value{GDBN} treats location names as
8363 the values behind these locations.
8365 This section describes how values have to be specified and which
8366 operations are legal to be used with such values.
8369 @item Literal Values
8370 Literal values are specified in the same manner as in @sc{gnu} Chill programs.
8371 For detailed specification refer to the @sc{gnu} Chill implementation Manual
8373 @c FIXME: if the Chill Manual is a Texinfo documents, the above should
8374 @c be converted to a @ref.
8379 @emph{Integer Literals} are specified in the same manner as in Chill
8380 programs (refer to the Chill Standard z200/88 chpt 5.2.4.2)
8382 @emph{Boolean Literals} are defined by @code{TRUE} and @code{FALSE}.
8384 @emph{Character Literals} are defined by @code{'<character>'}. (e.g.
8387 @emph{Set Literals} are defined by a name which was specified in a set
8388 mode. The value delivered by a Set Literal is the set value. This is
8389 comparable to an enumeration in C/C@t{++} language.
8391 @emph{Emptiness Literal} is predefined by @code{NULL}. The value of the
8392 emptiness literal delivers either the empty reference value, the empty
8393 procedure value or the empty instance value.
8396 @emph{Character String Literals} are defined by a sequence of characters
8397 enclosed in single- or double quotes. If a single- or double quote has
8398 to be part of the string literal it has to be stuffed (specified twice).
8400 @emph{Bitstring Literals} are specified in the same manner as in Chill
8401 programs (refer z200/88 chpt 5.2.4.8).
8403 @emph{Floating point literals} are specified in the same manner as in
8404 (gnu-)Chill programs (refer @sc{gnu} Chill implementation Manual chapter 1.5).
8409 A tuple is specified by @code{<mode name>[<tuple>]}, where @code{<mode
8410 name>} can be omitted if the mode of the tuple is unambiguous. This
8411 unambiguity is derived from the context of a evaluated expression.
8412 @code{<tuple>} can be one of the following:
8415 @item @emph{Powerset Tuple}
8416 @item @emph{Array Tuple}
8417 @item @emph{Structure Tuple}
8418 Powerset tuples, array tuples and structure tuples are specified in the
8419 same manner as in Chill programs refer to z200/88 chpt 5.2.5.
8422 @item String Element Value
8423 A string element value is specified by
8425 @code{<string value>(<index>)}
8427 where @code{<index>} is a integer expression. It delivers a character
8428 value which is equivalent to the character indexed by @code{<index>} in
8431 @item String Slice Value
8432 A string slice value is specified by @code{<string value>(<slice
8433 spec>)}, where @code{<slice spec>} can be either a range of integer
8434 expressions or specified by @code{<start expr> up <size>}.
8435 @code{<size>} denotes the number of elements which the slice contains.
8436 The delivered value is a string value, which is part of the specified
8439 @item Array Element Values
8440 An array element value is specified by @code{<array value>(<expr>)} and
8441 delivers a array element value of the mode of the specified array.
8443 @item Array Slice Values
8444 An array slice is specified by @code{<array value>(<slice spec>)}, where
8445 @code{<slice spec>} can be either a range specified by expressions or by
8446 @code{<start expr> up <size>}. @code{<size>} denotes the number of
8447 arrayelements the slice contains. The delivered value is an array value
8448 which is part of the specified array.
8450 @item Structure Field Values
8451 A structure field value is derived by @code{<structure value>.<field
8452 name>}, where @code{<field name>} indicates the name of a field specified
8453 in the mode definition of the structure. The mode of the delivered value
8454 corresponds to this mode definition in the structure definition.
8456 @item Procedure Call Value
8457 The procedure call value is derived from the return value of the
8458 procedure@footnote{If a procedure call is used for instance in an
8459 expression, then this procedure is called with all its side
8460 effects. This can lead to confusing results if used carelessly.}.
8462 Values of duration mode locations are represented by @code{ULONG} literals.
8464 Values of time mode locations appear as
8466 @code{TIME(<secs>:<nsecs>)}
8471 This is not implemented yet:
8472 @item Built-in Value
8474 The following built in functions are provided:
8486 @item @code{UPPER()}
8487 @item @code{LOWER()}
8488 @item @code{LENGTH()}
8492 @item @code{ARCSIN()}
8493 @item @code{ARCCOS()}
8494 @item @code{ARCTAN()}
8501 For a detailed description refer to the GNU Chill implementation manual
8505 @item Zero-adic Operator Value
8506 The zero-adic operator value is derived from the instance value for the
8507 current active process.
8509 @item Expression Values
8510 The value delivered by an expression is the result of the evaluation of
8511 the specified expression. If there are error conditions (mode
8512 incompatibility, etc.) the evaluation of expressions is aborted with a
8513 corresponding error message. Expressions may be parenthesised which
8514 causes the evaluation of this expression before any other expression
8515 which uses the result of the parenthesised expression. The following
8516 operators are supported by @value{GDBN}:
8519 @item @code{OR, ORIF, XOR}
8520 @itemx @code{AND, ANDIF}
8522 Logical operators defined over operands of boolean mode.
8525 Equality and inequality operators defined over all modes.
8529 Relational operators defined over predefined modes.
8532 @itemx @code{*, /, MOD, REM}
8533 Arithmetic operators defined over predefined modes.
8536 Change sign operator.
8539 String concatenation operator.
8542 String repetition operator.
8545 Referenced location operator which can be used either to take the
8546 address of a location (@code{->loc}), or to dereference a reference
8547 location (@code{loc->}).
8549 @item @code{OR, XOR}
8552 Powerset and bitstring operators.
8556 Powerset inclusion operators.
8559 Membership operator.
8563 @node Chill type and range checks
8564 @subsubsection Chill type and range checks
8566 @value{GDBN} considers two Chill variables mode equivalent if the sizes
8567 of the two modes are equal. This rule applies recursively to more
8568 complex datatypes which means that complex modes are treated
8569 equivalent if all element modes (which also can be complex modes like
8570 structures, arrays, etc.) have the same size.
8572 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
8573 index bounds and all built in procedures.
8575 Strong type checks are forced using the @value{GDBN} command @code{set
8576 check strong}. This enforces strong type and range checks on all
8577 operations where Chill constructs are used (expressions, built in
8578 functions, etc.) in respect to the semantics as defined in the z.200
8579 language specification.
8581 All checks can be disabled by the @value{GDBN} command @code{set check
8585 @c Deviations from the Chill Standard Z200/88
8586 see last paragraph ?
8589 @node Chill defaults
8590 @subsubsection Chill defaults
8592 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
8593 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
8594 Chill. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
8595 selected the working language.
8597 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
8598 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.ch} sets the
8599 working language to Chill. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} set
8600 the language automatically}, for further details.
8603 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
8605 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
8606 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
8607 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
8608 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
8609 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
8610 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing files}), or by one of the
8611 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
8613 @cindex symbol names
8614 @cindex names of symbols
8615 @cindex quoting names
8616 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
8617 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
8618 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
8619 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program variables}). File names
8620 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
8621 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
8622 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
8623 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
8630 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
8633 @kindex info address
8634 @cindex address of a symbol
8635 @item info address @var{symbol}
8636 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
8637 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
8638 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
8641 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
8642 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
8643 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
8646 @cindex symbol from address
8647 @item info symbol @var{addr}
8648 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
8649 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
8650 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
8653 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
8654 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
8658 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
8659 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
8662 @item whatis @var{expr}
8663 Print the data type of expression @var{expr}. @var{expr} is not
8664 actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
8665 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
8666 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
8669 Print the data type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
8672 @item ptype @var{typename}
8673 Print a description of data type @var{typename}. @var{typename} may be
8674 the name of a type, or for C code it may have the form @samp{class
8675 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
8676 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
8678 @item ptype @var{expr}
8680 Print a description of the type of expression @var{expr}. @code{ptype}
8681 differs from @code{whatis} by printing a detailed description, instead
8682 of just the name of the type.
8684 For example, for this variable declaration:
8687 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
8691 the two commands give this output:
8695 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
8696 type = struct complex
8697 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
8698 type = struct complex @{
8706 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
8707 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
8710 @item info types @var{regexp}
8712 Print a brief description of all types whose names match @var{regexp}
8713 (or all types in your program, if you supply no argument). Each
8714 complete typename is matched as though it were a complete line; thus,
8715 @samp{i type value} gives information on all types in your program whose
8716 names include the string @code{value}, but @samp{i type ^value$} gives
8717 information only on types whose complete name is @code{value}.
8719 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
8720 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
8721 lists all source files where a type is defined.
8724 @cindex local variables
8725 @item info scope @var{addr}
8726 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
8727 accepts a location---a function name, a source line, or an address
8728 preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local to the
8729 scope defined by that location. For example:
8732 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
8733 Scope for command_line_handler:
8734 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
8735 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
8736 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
8737 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
8738 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
8739 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
8740 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
8744 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
8745 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
8750 Show the name of the current source file---that is, the source file for
8751 the function containing the current point of execution---and the language
8754 @kindex info sources
8756 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
8757 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
8758 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
8760 @kindex info functions
8761 @item info functions
8762 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
8764 @item info functions @var{regexp}
8765 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
8766 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
8767 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
8768 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
8769 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
8770 that conflict with the regular expression language (eg.
8771 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
8773 @kindex info variables
8774 @item info variables
8775 Print the names and data types of all variables that are declared
8776 outside of functions (i.e., excluding local variables).
8778 @item info variables @var{regexp}
8779 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
8780 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
8784 This was never implemented.
8785 @kindex info methods
8787 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
8788 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
8789 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
8790 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
8791 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
8792 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
8793 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
8794 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
8797 @cindex reloading symbols
8798 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
8799 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
8800 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
8801 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
8802 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
8805 @kindex set symbol-reloading
8806 @item set symbol-reloading on
8807 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
8808 object file with a particular name is seen again.
8810 @item set symbol-reloading off
8811 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
8812 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
8813 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
8814 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
8815 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
8816 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
8819 @kindex show symbol-reloading
8820 @item show symbol-reloading
8821 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
8824 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
8825 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
8826 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
8827 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
8828 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
8829 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
8830 another source file. The default is on.
8832 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
8833 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
8835 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
8836 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
8837 is printed as follows:
8839 @{<no data fields>@}
8842 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
8843 @item show opaque-type-resolution
8844 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
8846 @kindex maint print symbols
8848 @kindex maint print psymbols
8849 @cindex partial symbol dump
8850 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
8851 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
8852 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
8853 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
8854 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
8855 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
8856 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
8857 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
8858 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
8859 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
8860 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
8861 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
8862 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
8863 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
8864 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
8865 @xref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}, for a discussion of how
8866 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
8870 @chapter Altering Execution
8872 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
8873 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
8874 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
8875 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
8878 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
8879 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
8880 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
8883 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
8884 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
8885 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
8886 * Returning:: Returning from a function
8887 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
8888 * Patching:: Patching your program
8892 @section Assignment to variables
8895 @cindex setting variables
8896 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
8897 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
8904 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
8905 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
8906 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
8907 information on operators in supported languages.
8909 @kindex set variable
8910 @cindex variables, setting
8911 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
8912 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
8913 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
8914 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
8915 ,Value history}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
8917 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
8918 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
8919 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
8920 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
8921 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
8922 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
8923 command @code{set width}:
8926 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
8928 (@value{GDBP}) p width
8930 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
8931 Invalid syntax in expression.
8935 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
8936 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
8939 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
8942 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
8943 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
8944 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
8945 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
8946 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
8947 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
8951 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
8955 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
8959 The program being debugged has been started already.
8960 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
8961 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
8962 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
8964 (@value{GDBP}) show g
8965 The current BFD target is "=4".
8970 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
8971 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
8975 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
8978 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
8979 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
8980 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
8981 same length or shorter.
8982 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
8985 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
8986 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
8987 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
8988 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
8989 and representation in memory), and
8992 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
8996 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
8999 @section Continuing at a different address
9001 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
9002 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
9003 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
9007 @item jump @var{linespec}
9008 Resume execution at line @var{linespec}. Execution stops again
9009 immediately if there is a breakpoint there. @xref{List, ,Printing
9010 source lines}, for a description of the different forms of
9011 @var{linespec}. It is common practice to use the @code{tbreak} command
9012 in conjunction with @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
9015 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
9016 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
9017 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
9018 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
9019 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
9020 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
9021 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
9022 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
9023 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
9025 @item jump *@var{address}
9026 Resume execution at the instruction at address @var{address}.
9029 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
9030 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
9031 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
9032 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
9033 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
9041 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
9042 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
9043 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and stepping}.
9045 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
9046 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
9047 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
9052 @section Giving your program a signal
9056 @item signal @var{signal}
9057 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
9058 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
9059 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
9060 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
9062 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
9063 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
9064 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
9065 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
9068 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
9069 after executing the command.
9073 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
9074 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
9075 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
9076 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
9077 passes the signal directly to your program.
9081 @section Returning from a function
9084 @cindex returning from a function
9087 @itemx return @var{expression}
9088 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
9089 command. If you give an
9090 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
9094 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
9095 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
9096 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
9097 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
9099 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
9100 frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
9101 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
9102 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
9105 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
9106 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
9107 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
9108 and Stepping, ,Continuing and stepping}) resumes execution until the
9109 selected stack frame returns naturally.
9112 @section Calling program functions
9114 @cindex calling functions
9117 @item call @var{expr}
9118 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
9122 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
9123 execute a function from your program, but without cluttering the output
9124 with @code{void} returned values. If the result is not void, it
9125 is printed and saved in the value history.
9127 @c OBSOLETE For the A29K, a user-controlled variable @code{call_scratch_address},
9128 @c OBSOLETE specifies the location of a scratch area to be used when @value{GDBN}
9129 @c OBSOLETE calls a function in the target. This is necessary because the usual
9130 @c OBSOLETE method of putting the scratch area on the stack does not work in systems
9131 @c OBSOLETE that have separate instruction and data spaces.
9134 @section Patching programs
9136 @cindex patching binaries
9137 @cindex writing into executables
9138 @cindex writing into corefiles
9140 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
9141 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
9142 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
9143 patching your program's binary.
9145 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
9146 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
9147 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
9153 @itemx set write off
9154 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
9155 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @samp{set write
9156 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
9158 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
9159 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
9160 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
9164 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
9169 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
9171 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
9172 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
9173 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
9174 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
9177 * Files:: Commands to specify files
9178 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
9182 @section Commands to specify files
9184 @cindex symbol table
9185 @cindex core dump file
9187 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
9188 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
9189 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
9190 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
9192 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
9193 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to specify
9194 a file you want to use. In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands
9195 to specify new files are useful.
9198 @cindex executable file
9200 @item file @var{filename}
9201 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
9202 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
9203 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
9204 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
9205 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
9206 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
9207 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
9208 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
9210 On systems with memory-mapped files, an auxiliary file named
9211 @file{@var{filename}.syms} may hold symbol table information for
9212 @var{filename}. If so, @value{GDBN} maps in the symbol table from
9213 @file{@var{filename}.syms}, starting up more quickly. See the
9214 descriptions of the file options @samp{-mapped} and @samp{-readnow}
9215 (available on the command line, and with the commands @code{file},
9216 @code{symbol-file}, or @code{add-symbol-file}, described below),
9217 for more information.
9220 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
9221 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
9224 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
9225 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
9226 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
9227 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
9228 discard information on the executable file.
9231 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
9232 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
9233 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
9234 table and program to run from the same file.
9236 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
9237 program's symbol table.
9239 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents
9240 of its convenience variables, the value history, and all breakpoints and
9241 auto-display expressions. This is because they may contain pointers to
9242 the internal data recording symbols and data types, which are part of
9243 the old symbol table data being discarded inside @value{GDBN}.
9245 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
9248 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
9249 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
9250 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
9251 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
9252 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
9253 using @code{@value{GCC}} you can generate debugging information for
9256 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
9257 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
9258 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
9259 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
9260 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
9262 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
9263 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
9264 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
9265 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
9266 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
9267 warnings and messages}.)
9269 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
9270 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
9271 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
9272 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
9276 @cindex reading symbols immediately
9277 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
9279 @cindex memory-mapped symbol file
9280 @cindex saving symbol table
9281 @item symbol-file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @r{[} -mapped @r{]}
9282 @itemx file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @r{[} -mapped @r{]}
9283 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
9284 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
9285 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
9286 entire symbol table available.
9288 If memory-mapped files are available on your system through the
9289 @code{mmap} system call, you can use another option, @samp{-mapped}, to
9290 cause @value{GDBN} to write the symbols for your program into a reusable
9291 file. Future @value{GDBN} debugging sessions map in symbol information
9292 from this auxiliary symbol file (if the program has not changed), rather
9293 than spending time reading the symbol table from the executable
9294 program. Using the @samp{-mapped} option has the same effect as
9295 starting @value{GDBN} with the @samp{-mapped} command-line option.
9297 You can use both options together, to make sure the auxiliary symbol
9298 file has all the symbol information for your program.
9300 The auxiliary symbol file for a program called @var{myprog} is called
9301 @samp{@var{myprog}.syms}. Once this file exists (so long as it is newer
9302 than the corresponding executable), @value{GDBN} always attempts to use
9303 it when you debug @var{myprog}; no special options or commands are
9306 The @file{.syms} file is specific to the host machine where you run
9307 @value{GDBN}. It holds an exact image of the internal @value{GDBN}
9308 symbol table. It cannot be shared across multiple host platforms.
9310 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
9311 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
9312 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
9313 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
9314 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
9315 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
9320 @item core-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
9321 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
9322 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
9323 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
9324 executable file itself for other parts.
9326 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
9329 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
9330 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
9331 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
9332 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
9333 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the child process}).
9335 @kindex add-symbol-file
9336 @cindex dynamic linking
9337 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
9338 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @r{[} -mapped @r{]}
9339 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
9340 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
9341 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
9342 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
9343 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
9344 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
9345 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
9346 of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
9347 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
9348 @var{address} as an expression.
9350 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
9351 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
9352 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
9353 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
9354 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
9356 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
9357 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
9358 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
9359 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
9360 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
9361 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
9362 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
9363 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
9364 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
9368 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
9369 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
9371 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
9372 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
9374 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
9375 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
9379 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
9380 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
9381 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
9382 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
9383 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C++ constructor table
9384 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
9385 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
9386 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
9387 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
9390 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
9392 You can use the @samp{-mapped} and @samp{-readnow} options just as with
9393 the @code{symbol-file} command, to change how @value{GDBN} manages the symbol
9394 table information for @var{filename}.
9396 @kindex add-shared-symbol-file
9397 @item add-shared-symbol-file
9398 The @code{add-shared-symbol-file} command can be used only under Harris' CXUX
9399 operating system for the Motorola 88k. @value{GDBN} automatically looks for
9400 shared libraries, however if @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can run
9401 @code{add-shared-symbol-file}. It takes no arguments.
9405 The @code{section} command changes the base address of section SECTION of
9406 the exec file to ADDR. This can be used if the exec file does not contain
9407 section addresses, (such as in the a.out format), or when the addresses
9408 specified in the file itself are wrong. Each section must be changed
9409 separately. The @code{info files} command, described below, lists all
9410 the sections and their addresses.
9416 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
9417 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
9418 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
9419 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
9420 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
9423 @kindex maint info sections
9424 @item maint info sections
9425 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
9426 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
9427 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
9428 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
9429 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
9430 may be arbitrarily combined):
9434 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
9435 @item @var{sections}
9436 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
9437 @item @var{section-flags}
9438 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
9439 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
9442 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
9443 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
9445 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
9446 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
9448 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
9450 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
9452 Section contains executable code only.
9454 Section contains data only (no executable code).
9456 Section will reside in ROM.
9458 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
9460 Section is not empty.
9462 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
9463 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
9464 A notification to the linker that the section contains
9465 COFF shared library information.
9467 Section contains common symbols.
9472 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
9473 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
9474 name and remembers it that way.
9476 @cindex shared libraries
9477 @value{GDBN} supports HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix 5, and IBM RS/6000 shared
9480 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
9481 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
9482 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
9483 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
9484 debugging a core file).
9486 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
9487 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
9489 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
9490 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
9491 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
9493 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
9494 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
9495 particularly large or there are many of them.
9497 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
9501 @kindex set auto-solib-add
9502 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
9503 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
9504 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
9505 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
9506 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
9507 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
9508 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
9510 @kindex show auto-solib-add
9511 @item show auto-solib-add
9512 Display the current autoloading mode.
9515 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
9519 @kindex info sharedlibrary
9522 @itemx info sharedlibrary
9523 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded.
9525 @kindex sharedlibrary
9527 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
9528 @itemx share @var{regex}
9529 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
9530 Unix regular expression.
9531 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
9532 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
9533 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
9537 On some systems, such as HP-UX systems, @value{GDBN} supports
9538 autoloading shared library symbols until a limiting threshold size is
9539 reached. This provides the benefit of allowing autoloading to remain on
9540 by default, but avoids autoloading excessively large shared libraries,
9541 up to a threshold that is initially set, but which you can modify if you
9544 Beyond that threshold, symbols from shared libraries must be explicitly
9545 loaded. To load these symbols, use the command @code{sharedlibrary
9546 @var{filename}}. The base address of the shared library is determined
9547 automatically by @value{GDBN} and need not be specified.
9549 To display or set the threshold, use the commands:
9552 @kindex set auto-solib-limit
9553 @item set auto-solib-limit @var{threshold}
9554 Set the autoloading size threshold, in an integral number of megabytes.
9555 If @var{threshold} is nonzero and shared library autoloading is enabled,
9556 symbols from all shared object libraries will be loaded until the total
9557 size of the loaded shared library symbols exceeds this threshold.
9558 Otherwise, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
9559 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default threshold is 100 (i.e. 100
9562 @kindex show auto-solib-limit
9563 @item show auto-solib-limit
9564 Display the current autoloading size threshold, in megabytes.
9568 @section Errors reading symbol files
9570 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
9571 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
9572 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
9573 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
9574 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
9575 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
9576 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
9577 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
9578 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
9579 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
9582 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
9585 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
9587 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
9588 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
9589 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
9590 in its outer scope blocks.
9592 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
9593 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
9594 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
9597 @item block at @var{address} out of order
9599 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
9600 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
9603 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
9604 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
9605 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
9606 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
9609 @item bad block start address patched
9611 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
9612 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
9613 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
9615 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
9616 starting on the previous source line.
9618 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
9621 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
9622 larger than the size of the string table.
9624 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
9625 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
9628 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
9630 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
9631 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
9632 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
9634 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
9635 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
9636 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
9637 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
9638 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
9639 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
9641 @item stub type has NULL name
9643 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
9645 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
9646 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
9647 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
9650 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
9652 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
9657 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
9659 @cindex debugging target
9662 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
9664 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
9665 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
9666 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
9667 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
9668 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
9669 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
9670 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
9671 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for managing targets}).
9674 * Active Targets:: Active targets
9675 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
9676 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
9677 * Remote:: Remote debugging
9678 * KOD:: Kernel Object Display
9682 @node Active Targets
9683 @section Active targets
9685 @cindex stacking targets
9686 @cindex active targets
9687 @cindex multiple targets
9689 There are three classes of targets: processes, core files, and
9690 executable files. @value{GDBN} can work concurrently on up to three
9691 active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for example)
9692 start a process and inspect its activity without abandoning your work on
9695 For example, if you execute @samp{gdb a.out}, then the executable file
9696 @code{a.out} is the only active target. If you designate a core file as
9697 well---presumably from a prior run that crashed and coredumped---then
9698 @value{GDBN} has two active targets and uses them in tandem, looking
9699 first in the corefile target, then in the executable file, to satisfy
9700 requests for memory addresses. (Typically, these two classes of target
9701 are complementary, since core files contain only a program's
9702 read-write memory---variables and so on---plus machine status, while
9703 executable files contain only the program text and initialized data.)
9705 When you type @code{run}, your executable file becomes an active process
9706 target as well. When a process target is active, all @value{GDBN}
9707 commands requesting memory addresses refer to that target; addresses in
9708 an active core file or executable file target are obscured while the
9709 process target is active.
9711 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new
9712 core file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify
9713 files}). To specify as a target a process that is already running, use
9714 the @code{attach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an already-running
9717 @node Target Commands
9718 @section Commands for managing targets
9721 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
9722 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
9723 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
9724 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
9725 protocol of the target machine.
9727 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
9728 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
9729 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
9731 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
9732 after executing the command.
9736 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
9737 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
9738 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
9740 @item help target @var{name}
9741 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
9744 @kindex set gnutarget
9745 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
9746 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
9747 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
9748 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
9749 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
9750 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
9753 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
9754 you must know the actual BFD name.
9758 @xref{Files, , Commands to specify files}.
9760 @kindex show gnutarget
9761 @item show gnutarget
9762 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
9763 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
9764 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
9765 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
9768 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
9773 @item target exec @var{program}
9774 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
9775 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
9778 @item target core @var{filename}
9779 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
9780 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
9782 @kindex target remote
9783 @item target remote @var{dev}
9784 Remote serial target in GDB-specific protocol. The argument @var{dev}
9785 specifies what serial device to use for the connection (e.g.
9786 @file{/dev/ttya}). @xref{Remote, ,Remote debugging}. @code{target remote}
9787 supports the @code{load} command. This is only useful if you have
9788 some other way of getting the stub to the target system, and you can put
9789 it somewhere in memory where it won't get clobbered by the download.
9793 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
9801 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
9802 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
9803 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
9804 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
9809 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
9814 @item target nrom @var{dev}
9815 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
9819 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
9820 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
9822 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code
9823 once you've successfully established a connection.
9827 @kindex load @var{filename}
9828 @item load @var{filename}
9829 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
9830 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
9831 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
9832 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
9833 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
9834 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
9836 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
9837 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
9838 target is @dots{}}''
9840 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
9841 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
9842 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
9843 specifies a fixed address.
9844 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
9846 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
9850 @section Choosing target byte order
9852 @cindex choosing target byte order
9853 @cindex target byte order
9855 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Hitachi SH,
9856 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
9857 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
9858 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
9859 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
9860 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
9863 @kindex set endian big
9864 @item set endian big
9865 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
9867 @kindex set endian little
9868 @item set endian little
9869 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
9871 @kindex set endian auto
9872 @item set endian auto
9873 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
9877 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
9881 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
9882 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
9886 @section Remote debugging
9887 @cindex remote debugging
9889 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
9890 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
9891 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
9892 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
9893 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
9895 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
9896 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
9897 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
9898 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
9899 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
9900 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
9902 Other remote targets may be available in your
9903 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
9906 * Remote Serial:: @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol
9910 @subsection The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol
9912 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
9913 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
9914 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
9915 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
9920 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
9921 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
9922 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
9925 A C subroutine library to support your program's
9926 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
9929 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
9930 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
9931 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
9935 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
9936 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
9937 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
9941 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
9942 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
9943 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
9945 @item On the target,
9946 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
9947 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
9948 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
9950 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
9951 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
9952 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} program}, for details.
9955 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
9956 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
9959 @cindex remote serial stub list
9960 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
9965 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
9968 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
9971 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
9972 @cindex Motorola 680x0
9974 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
9977 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
9980 For Hitachi SH architectures.
9983 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
9985 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
9988 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
9991 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
9995 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
9996 recently added stubs.
9999 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
10000 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
10001 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
10002 * Protocol:: Definition of the communication protocol
10003 * Server:: Using the `gdbserver' program
10004 * NetWare:: Using the `gdbserve.nlm' program
10007 @node Stub Contents
10008 @subsubsection What the stub can do for you
10010 @cindex remote serial stub
10011 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
10015 @item set_debug_traps
10016 @kindex set_debug_traps
10017 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
10018 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
10019 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
10020 beginning of your program.
10022 @item handle_exception
10023 @kindex handle_exception
10024 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
10025 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
10026 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
10027 run when a trap is triggered.
10029 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
10030 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
10031 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
10032 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
10033 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
10034 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
10035 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
10036 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
10037 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
10041 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
10042 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
10043 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
10044 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
10045 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
10046 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
10047 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
10048 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
10049 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
10050 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
10051 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
10053 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
10054 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
10055 start of your debugging session.
10058 @node Bootstrapping
10059 @subsubsection What you must do for the stub
10061 @cindex remote stub, support routines
10062 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
10063 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
10064 debugging target machine.
10066 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
10070 @item int getDebugChar()
10071 @kindex getDebugChar
10072 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
10073 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
10074 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
10076 @item void putDebugChar(int)
10077 @kindex putDebugChar
10078 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
10079 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
10080 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
10083 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
10084 @cindex interrupting remote targets
10085 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
10086 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
10087 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
10088 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
10089 remote system to stop.
10091 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
10092 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
10093 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
10094 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
10096 Other routines you need to supply are:
10099 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
10100 @kindex exceptionHandler
10101 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
10102 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
10103 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
10104 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
10105 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
10106 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
10107 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
10108 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
10109 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
10110 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
10111 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
10112 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
10113 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
10115 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
10116 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
10117 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
10118 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
10119 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
10121 @item void flush_i_cache()
10122 @kindex flush_i_cache
10123 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
10124 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
10125 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
10127 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
10128 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
10132 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
10135 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
10137 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
10138 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
10139 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
10140 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
10143 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
10144 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
10145 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
10146 subroutines which @code{@value{GCC}} generates as inline code.
10149 @node Debug Session
10150 @subsubsection Putting it all together
10152 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
10153 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
10158 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
10159 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What you must do for the stub}):
10161 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
10162 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
10166 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
10174 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
10175 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
10178 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
10182 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
10183 function in your program, that function is called when
10184 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
10185 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
10186 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
10189 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
10190 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
10193 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
10194 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
10197 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
10198 @c document that. FIXME.
10199 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
10200 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
10203 To start remote debugging, run @value{GDBN} on the host machine, and specify
10204 as an executable file the program that is running in the remote machine.
10205 This tells @value{GDBN} how to find your program's symbols and the contents
10209 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
10210 Establish communication using the @code{target remote} command.
10211 Its argument specifies how to communicate with the target
10212 machine---either via a devicename attached to a direct serial line, or a
10213 TCP port (usually to a terminal server which in turn has a serial line
10214 to the target). For example, to use a serial line connected to the
10215 device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
10218 target remote /dev/ttyb
10221 @cindex TCP port, @code{target remote}
10222 To use a TCP connection, use an argument of the form
10223 @code{@var{host}:port}. For example, to connect to port 2828 on a
10224 terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
10227 target remote manyfarms:2828
10230 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as
10231 your debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator of your target running on
10232 the same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect
10233 to port 1234 on your local machine:
10236 target remote :1234
10240 Note that the colon is still required here.
10243 Now you can use all the usual commands to examine and change data and to
10244 step and continue the remote program.
10246 To resume the remote program and stop debugging it, use the @code{detach}
10249 @cindex interrupting remote programs
10250 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
10251 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
10252 interrupt character (often @key{C-C}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
10253 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
10254 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
10255 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
10258 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
10259 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
10262 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
10263 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
10264 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
10265 goes back to waiting.
10268 @subsubsection Communication protocol
10270 @cindex debugging stub, example
10271 @cindex remote stub, example
10272 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
10273 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
10274 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
10275 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
10276 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
10277 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
10278 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
10279 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
10281 However, there may be occasions when you need to know something about
10282 the protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your
10283 target machine, you might want your program to do something special if
10284 it recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
10286 In the examples below, @samp{<-} and @samp{->} are used to indicate
10287 transmitted and received data respectfully.
10289 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
10290 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
10291 @cindex remote serial protocol
10292 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments) are
10293 sent as a @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
10294 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
10295 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
10298 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
10302 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
10304 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
10305 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
10306 eight bit unsigned checksum).
10308 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
10309 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
10312 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
10315 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
10317 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
10318 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
10319 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
10321 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
10322 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
10323 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
10324 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
10328 <- @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
10333 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
10334 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
10335 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
10336 when the operation has completed (the target has again stopped).
10338 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
10339 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
10342 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
10343 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
10344 HEX with leading zeros suppressed.
10346 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
10347 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
10348 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
10350 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space. A @samp{*}
10351 means that the next character is an @sc{ascii} encoding giving a repeat count
10352 which stands for that many repetitions of the character preceding the
10353 @samp{*}. The encoding is @code{n+29}, yielding a printable character
10354 where @code{n >=3} (which is where rle starts to win). The printable
10355 characters @samp{$}, @samp{#}, @samp{+} and @samp{-} or with a numeric
10356 value greater than 126 should not be used.
10358 Some remote systems have used a different run-length encoding mechanism
10359 loosely refered to as the cisco encoding. Following the @samp{*}
10360 character are two hex digits that indicate the size of the packet.
10367 means the same as "0000".
10369 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
10370 error number. That number is not well defined.
10372 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
10373 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
10374 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
10377 A stub is required to support the @samp{g}, @samp{G}, @samp{m}, @samp{M},
10378 @samp{c}, and @samp{s} @var{command}s. All other @var{command}s are
10381 Below is a complete list of all currently defined @var{command}s and
10382 their corresponding response @var{data}:
10384 @multitable @columnfractions .30 .30 .40
10389 @item extended mode
10392 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
10393 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
10396 @tab reply @samp{OK}
10398 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
10403 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for step
10412 @tab Reserved for future use
10414 @item set program arguments @strong{(reserved)}
10415 @tab @code{A}@var{arglen}@code{,}@var{argnum}@code{,}@var{arg}@code{,...}
10420 Initialized @samp{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
10421 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream @var{arg}.
10422 See @file{gdbserver} for more details.
10424 @tab reply @code{OK}
10426 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
10428 @item set baud @strong{(deprecated)}
10429 @tab @code{b}@var{baud}
10431 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}. JTC: @emph{When does the
10432 transport layer state change? When it's received, or after the ACK is
10433 transmitted. In either case, there are problems if the command or the
10434 acknowledgment packet is dropped.} Stan: @emph{If people really wanted
10435 to add something like this, and get it working for the first time, they
10436 ought to modify ser-unix.c to send some kind of out-of-band message to a
10437 specially-setup stub and have the switch happen "in between" packets, so
10438 that from remote protocol's point of view, nothing actually
10441 @item set breakpoint @strong{(deprecated)}
10442 @tab @code{B}@var{addr},@var{mode}
10444 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
10445 breakpoint at @var{addr}. @emph{This has been replaced by the @samp{Z} and
10449 @tab @code{c}@var{addr}
10451 @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted, resume at
10457 @item continue with signal
10458 @tab @code{C}@var{sig}@code{;}@var{addr}
10460 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
10461 @code{;}@var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
10466 @item toggle debug @strong{(deprecated)}
10474 Detach @value{GDBN} from the remote system. Sent to the remote target before
10475 @value{GDBN} disconnects.
10477 @tab reply @emph{no response}
10479 @value{GDBN} does not check for any response after sending this packet.
10483 @tab Reserved for future use
10487 @tab Reserved for future use
10491 @tab Reserved for future use
10495 @tab Reserved for future use
10497 @item read registers
10499 @tab Read general registers.
10501 @tab reply @var{XX...}
10503 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
10504 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
10505 each register and their position within the @samp{g} @var{packet} are
10506 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal macros @var{REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and
10507 @var{REGISTER_NAME} macros. The specification of several standard
10508 @code{g} packets is specified below.
10510 @tab @code{E}@var{NN}
10514 @tab @code{G}@var{XX...}
10516 See @samp{g} for a description of the @var{XX...} data.
10518 @tab reply @code{OK}
10521 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
10526 @tab Reserved for future use
10529 @tab @code{H}@var{c}@var{t...}
10531 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
10532 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} = @samp{c} for thread used in step and
10533 continue; @var{t...} can be -1 for all threads. @var{c} = @samp{g} for
10534 thread used in other operations. If zero, pick a thread, any thread.
10536 @tab reply @code{OK}
10539 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
10543 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
10544 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
10545 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
10546 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
10547 @c described. For example:
10549 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
10550 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
10551 @c otherwise returns current registers.
10553 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
10554 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
10555 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
10557 @item cycle step @strong{(draft)}
10558 @tab @code{i}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{nnn}
10560 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @code{,}@var{nnn} is
10561 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
10562 step starting at that address.
10564 @item signal then cycle step @strong{(reserved)}
10567 See @samp{i} and @samp{S} for likely syntax and semantics.
10571 @tab Reserved for future use
10575 @tab Reserved for future use
10580 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how operate when a specific
10581 thread context has been selected (ie. does 'k' kill only that thread?)}.
10585 @tab Reserved for future use
10589 @tab Reserved for future use
10592 @tab @code{m}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length}
10594 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
10595 Neither @value{GDBN} nor the stub assume that sized memory transfers are assumed
10596 using word alligned accesses. FIXME: @emph{A word aligned memory
10597 transfer mechanism is needed.}
10599 @tab reply @var{XX...}
10601 @var{XX...} is mem contents. Can be fewer bytes than requested if able
10602 to read only part of the data. Neither @value{GDBN} nor the stub assume that
10603 sized memory transfers are assumed using word alligned accesses. FIXME:
10604 @emph{A word aligned memory transfer mechanism is needed.}
10606 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
10607 @tab @var{NN} is errno
10610 @tab @code{M}@var{addr},@var{length}@code{:}@var{XX...}
10612 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
10613 @var{XX...} is the data.
10615 @tab reply @code{OK}
10618 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
10620 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
10625 @tab Reserved for future use
10629 @tab Reserved for future use
10633 @tab Reserved for future use
10637 @tab Reserved for future use
10639 @item read reg @strong{(reserved)}
10640 @tab @code{p}@var{n...}
10642 See write register.
10644 @tab return @var{r....}
10645 @tab The hex encoded value of the register in target byte order.
10648 @tab @code{P}@var{n...}@code{=}@var{r...}
10650 Write register @var{n...} with value @var{r...}, which contains two hex
10651 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
10653 @tab reply @code{OK}
10656 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
10659 @item general query
10660 @tab @code{q}@var{query}
10662 Request info about @var{query}. In general @value{GDBN} queries
10663 have a leading upper case letter. Custom vendor queries should use a
10664 company prefix (in lower case) ex: @samp{qfsf.var}. @var{query} may
10665 optionally be followed by a @samp{,} or @samp{;} separated list. Stubs
10666 must ensure that they match the full @var{query} name.
10668 @tab reply @code{XX...}
10669 @tab Hex encoded data from query. The reply can not be empty.
10671 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
10675 @tab Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
10678 @tab @code{Q}@var{var}@code{=}@var{val}
10680 Set value of @var{var} to @var{val}. See @samp{q} for a discussing of
10681 naming conventions.
10683 @item reset @strong{(deprecated)}
10686 Reset the entire system.
10688 @item remote restart
10689 @tab @code{R}@var{XX}
10691 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
10692 This packet is only available in extended mode.
10697 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
10700 @tab @code{s}@var{addr}
10702 @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted, resume at
10708 @item step with signal
10709 @tab @code{S}@var{sig}@code{;}@var{addr}
10711 Like @samp{C} but step not continue.
10717 @tab @code{t}@var{addr}@code{:}@var{PP}@code{,}@var{MM}
10719 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
10720 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4
10721 bytes. @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
10724 @tab @code{T}@var{XX}
10725 @tab Find out if the thread XX is alive.
10727 @tab reply @code{OK}
10728 @tab thread is still alive
10730 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
10731 @tab thread is dead
10735 @tab Reserved for future use
10739 @tab Reserved for future use
10743 @tab Reserved for future use
10747 @tab Reserved for future use
10751 @tab Reserved for future use
10755 @tab Reserved for future use
10759 @tab Reserved for future use
10761 @item write mem (binary)
10762 @tab @code{X}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length}@var{:}@var{XX...}
10764 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes, @var{XX...} is
10765 binary data. The characters @code{$}, @code{#}, and @code{0x7d} are
10766 escaped using @code{0x7d}.
10768 @tab reply @code{OK}
10771 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
10776 @tab Reserved for future use
10780 @tab Reserved for future use
10782 @item remove break or watchpoint @strong{(draft)}
10783 @tab @code{z}@var{t}@code{,}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length}
10787 @item insert break or watchpoint @strong{(draft)}
10788 @tab @code{Z}@var{t}@code{,}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length}
10790 @var{t} is type: @samp{0} - software breakpoint, @samp{1} - hardware
10791 breakpoint, @samp{2} - write watchpoint, @samp{3} - read watchpoint,
10792 @samp{4} - access watchpoint; @var{addr} is address; @var{length} is in
10793 bytes. For a software breakpoint, @var{length} specifies the size of
10794 the instruction to be patched. For hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
10795 @var{length} specifies the memory region to be monitored. To avoid
10796 potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should be
10797 implemented in an idempotent way.
10799 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
10802 @tab reply @code{OK}
10806 @tab If not supported.
10810 @tab Reserved for future use
10814 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s} and @samp{?} packets can
10815 receive any of the below as a reply. In the case of the @samp{C},
10816 @samp{c}, @samp{S} and @samp{s} packets, that reply is only returned
10817 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @samp{signal
10818 number} is poorly defined. In general one of the UNIX signal numbering
10819 conventions is used.
10821 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
10823 @item @code{S}@var{AA}
10824 @tab @var{AA} is the signal number
10826 @item @code{T}@var{AA}@var{n...}@code{:}@var{r...}@code{;}@var{n...}@code{:}@var{r...}@code{;}@var{n...}@code{:}@var{r...}@code{;}
10828 @var{AA} = two hex digit signal number; @var{n...} = register number
10829 (hex), @var{r...} = target byte ordered register contents, size defined
10830 by @code{REGISTER_RAW_SIZE}; @var{n...} = @samp{thread}, @var{r...} =
10831 thread process ID, this is a hex integer; @var{n...} = other string not
10832 starting with valid hex digit. @value{GDBN} should ignore this
10833 @var{n...}, @var{r...} pair and go on to the next. This way we can
10834 extend the protocol.
10836 @item @code{W}@var{AA}
10838 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
10839 applicable for certains sorts of targets.
10841 @item @code{X}@var{AA}
10843 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
10845 @item @code{N}@var{AA}@code{;}@var{t...}@code{;}@var{d...}@code{;}@var{b...} @strong{(obsolete)}
10847 @var{AA} = signal number; @var{t...} = address of symbol "_start";
10848 @var{d...} = base of data section; @var{b...} = base of bss section.
10849 @emph{Note: only used by Cisco Systems targets. The difference between
10850 this reply and the "qOffsets" query is that the 'N' packet may arrive
10851 spontaneously whereas the 'qOffsets' is a query initiated by the host
10854 @item @code{O}@var{XX...}
10856 @var{XX...} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data. This can happen at any time
10857 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
10862 The following set and query packets have already been defined.
10864 @multitable @columnfractions .2 .2 .6
10866 @item current thread
10867 @tab @code{q}@code{C}
10868 @tab Return the current thread id.
10870 @tab reply @code{QC}@var{pid}
10872 Where @var{pid} is a HEX encoded 16 bit process id.
10875 @tab Any other reply implies the old pid.
10877 @item all thread ids
10878 @tab @code{q}@code{fThreadInfo}
10880 @tab @code{q}@code{sThreadInfo}
10882 Obtain a list of active thread ids from the target (OS). Since there
10883 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
10884 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
10885 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
10886 be the @code{qf}@code{ThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
10887 sequence will be the @code{qs}@code{ThreadInfo} query.
10890 @tab NOTE: replaces the @code{qL} query (see below).
10892 @tab reply @code{m}@var{<id>}
10893 @tab A single thread id
10895 @tab reply @code{m}@var{<id>},@var{<id>...}
10896 @tab a comma-separated list of thread ids
10898 @tab reply @code{l}
10899 @tab (lower case 'el') denotes end of list.
10903 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one
10904 or more thread ids, in big-endian hex, separated by commas. GDB will
10905 respond to each reply with a request for more thread ids (using the
10906 @code{qs} form of the query), until the target responds with @code{l}
10907 (lower-case el, for @code{'last'}).
10909 @item extra thread info
10910 @tab @code{q}@code{ThreadExtraInfo}@code{,}@var{id}
10915 Where @var{<id>} is a thread-id in big-endian hex.
10916 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
10917 the target OS. This string may contain anything that the target OS
10918 thinks is interesting for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread.
10919 The string is displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @samp{info threads} display.
10920 Some examples of possible thread extra info strings are "Runnable", or
10921 "Blocked on Mutex".
10923 @tab reply @var{XX...}
10925 Where @var{XX...} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, comprising the
10926 printable string containing the extra information about the thread's
10929 @item query @var{LIST} or @var{threadLIST} @strong{(deprecated)}
10930 @tab @code{q}@code{L}@var{startflag}@var{threadcount}@var{nextthread}
10935 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
10936 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
10937 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
10938 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
10939 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
10940 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
10943 @tab NOTE: this query is replaced by the @code{q}@code{fThreadInfo}
10946 @tab reply @code{q}@code{M}@var{count}@var{done}@var{argthread}@var{thread...}
10951 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
10952 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
10953 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
10954 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread...} is
10955 a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
10956 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
10958 @item compute CRC of memory block
10959 @tab @code{q}@code{CRC:}@var{addr}@code{,}@var{length}
10962 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
10963 @tab An error (such as memory fault)
10965 @tab reply @code{C}@var{CRC32}
10966 @tab A 32 bit cyclic redundancy check of the specified memory region.
10968 @item query sect offs
10969 @tab @code{q}@code{Offsets}
10971 Get section offsets that the target used when re-locating the downloaded
10972 image. @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset is included in the
10973 response, @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data}
10974 offset to the @code{Bss} section.}
10976 @tab reply @code{Text=}@var{xxx}@code{;Data=}@var{yyy}@code{;Bss=}@var{zzz}
10978 @item thread info request
10979 @tab @code{q}@code{P}@var{mode}@var{threadid}
10984 Returns information on @var{threadid}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
10985 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{threadid} is a hex encoded 64 bit thread ID.
10989 See @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
10991 @item remote command
10992 @tab @code{q}@code{Rcmd,}@var{COMMAND}
10997 @var{COMMAND} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
10998 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output string.
10999 Before the final result packet, the target may also respond with a
11000 number of intermediate @code{O}@var{OUTPUT} console output
11001 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
11002 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
11004 @tab reply @code{OK}
11006 A command response with no output.
11008 @tab reply @var{OUTPUT}
11010 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
11012 @tab reply @code{E}@var{NN}
11014 Indicate a badly formed request.
11019 When @samp{q}@samp{Rcmd} is not recognized.
11021 @item symbol lookup
11022 @tab @code{qSymbol::}
11024 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
11025 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
11030 @tab reply @code{OK}
11032 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
11034 @tab reply @code{qSymbol:}@var{sym_name}
11038 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
11039 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
11040 @code{qSymbol:}@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
11041 message, described below.
11044 @tab @code{qSymbol:}@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
11048 Set the value of SYM_NAME to SYM_VALUE.
11052 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value
11053 the target has previously requested.
11057 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}.
11058 If @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this
11059 field will be empty.
11061 @tab reply @code{OK}
11063 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
11065 @tab reply @code{qSymbol:}@var{sym_name}
11069 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
11070 @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols (if available),
11071 until the target ceases to request them.
11075 The following @samp{g}/@samp{G} packets have previously been defined.
11076 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as sixty-four
11077 bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?) to fill the
11078 space allocated. Register bytes are transfered in target byte order.
11079 The two nibbles within a register byte are transfered most-significant -
11082 @multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
11086 All registers are transfered as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
11087 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
11088 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
11092 All registers are transfered as sixty-four bit quantities (including
11093 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
11098 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
11099 does not get any direct output:
11104 @emph{target restarts}
11107 -> @code{T001:1234123412341234}
11111 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
11119 -> @code{T001:1234123412341234}
11128 @subsubsection Using the @code{gdbserver} program
11131 @cindex remote connection without stubs
11132 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
11133 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
11134 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
11136 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
11137 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
11138 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
11139 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
11140 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
11141 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
11142 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
11143 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
11144 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
11145 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
11146 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
11147 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
11148 choice for debugging.
11150 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
11151 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
11155 @item On the target machine,
11156 you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug.
11157 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
11158 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
11159 system does all the symbol handling.
11161 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
11162 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The
11166 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
11169 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
11170 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
11171 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
11175 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
11178 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
11181 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
11184 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
11187 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
11188 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
11189 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
11190 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
11191 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
11192 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
11193 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
11194 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
11195 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
11196 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
11197 @code{target remote} command.
11199 @item On the @value{GDBN} host machine,
11200 you need an unstripped copy of your program, since @value{GDBN} needs
11201 symbols and debugging information. Start up @value{GDBN} as usual,
11202 using the name of the local copy of your program as the first argument.
11203 (You may also need the @w{@samp{--baud}} option if the serial line is
11204 running at anything other than 9600@dmn{bps}.) After that, use @code{target
11205 remote} to establish communications with @code{gdbserver}. Its argument
11206 is either a device name (usually a serial device, like
11207 @file{/dev/ttyb}), or a TCP port descriptor in the form
11208 @code{@var{host}:@var{PORT}}. For example:
11211 (@value{GDBP}) target remote /dev/ttyb
11215 communicates with the server via serial line @file{/dev/ttyb}, and
11218 (@value{GDBP}) target remote the-target:2345
11222 communicates via a TCP connection to port 2345 on host @w{@file{the-target}}.
11223 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
11224 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
11225 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
11226 @samp{Connection refused}.
11230 @subsubsection Using the @code{gdbserve.nlm} program
11232 @kindex gdbserve.nlm
11233 @code{gdbserve.nlm} is a control program for NetWare systems, which
11234 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
11235 @code{target remote}.
11237 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserve.nlm} communicate via a serial line,
11238 using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol.
11241 @item On the target machine,
11242 you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug.
11243 @code{gdbserve.nlm} does not need your program's symbol table, so you
11244 can strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the
11245 host system does all the symbol handling.
11247 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with
11248 @value{GDBN}; the name of your program; and the arguments for your
11249 program. The syntax is:
11252 load gdbserve [ BOARD=@var{board} ] [ PORT=@var{port} ]
11253 [ BAUD=@var{baud} ] @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
11256 @var{board} and @var{port} specify the serial line; @var{baud} specifies
11257 the baud rate used by the connection. @var{port} and @var{node} default
11258 to 0, @var{baud} defaults to 9600@dmn{bps}.
11260 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument @samp{foo.txt}and
11261 communicate with @value{GDBN} over serial port number 2 or board 1
11262 using a 19200@dmn{bps} connection:
11265 load gdbserve BOARD=1 PORT=2 BAUD=19200 emacs foo.txt
11268 @item On the @value{GDBN} host machine,
11269 you need an unstripped copy of your program, since @value{GDBN} needs
11270 symbols and debugging information. Start up @value{GDBN} as usual,
11271 using the name of the local copy of your program as the first argument.
11272 (You may also need the @w{@samp{--baud}} option if the serial line is
11273 running at anything other than 9600@dmn{bps}. After that, use @code{target
11274 remote} to establish communications with @code{gdbserve.nlm}. Its
11275 argument is a device name (usually a serial device, like
11276 @file{/dev/ttyb}). For example:
11279 (@value{GDBP}) target remote /dev/ttyb
11283 communications with the server via serial line @file{/dev/ttyb}.
11287 @section Kernel Object Display
11289 @cindex kernel object display
11290 @cindex kernel object
11293 Some targets support kernel object display. Using this facility,
11294 @value{GDBN} communicates specially with the underlying operating system
11295 and can display information about operating system-level objects such as
11296 mutexes and other synchronization objects. Exactly which objects can be
11297 displayed is determined on a per-OS basis.
11299 Use the @code{set os} command to set the operating system. This tells
11300 @value{GDBN} which kernel object display module to initialize:
11303 (@value{GDBP}) set os cisco
11306 If @code{set os} succeeds, @value{GDBN} will display some information
11307 about the operating system, and will create a new @code{info} command
11308 which can be used to query the target. The @code{info} command is named
11309 after the operating system:
11312 (@value{GDBP}) info cisco
11313 List of Cisco Kernel Objects
11315 any Any and all objects
11318 Further subcommands can be used to query about particular objects known
11321 There is currently no way to determine whether a given operating system
11322 is supported other than to try it.
11325 @node Configurations
11326 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
11328 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
11329 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
11330 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
11332 There are three major categories of configurations: native
11333 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
11334 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
11335 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
11336 are quite different from each other.
11341 * Embedded Processors::
11348 This section describes details specific to particular native
11353 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
11354 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
11360 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
11361 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
11362 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
11364 @node SVR4 Process Information
11365 @subsection SVR4 process information
11368 @cindex process image
11370 Many versions of SVR4 provide a facility called @samp{/proc} that can be
11371 used to examine the image of a running process using file-system
11372 subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured for an operating system with
11373 this facility, the command @code{info proc} is available to report on
11374 several kinds of information about the process running your program.
11375 @code{info proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the
11376 @code{procfs} code. This includes OSF/1 (Digital Unix), Solaris, Irix,
11377 and Unixware, but not HP-UX or Linux, for example.
11382 Summarize available information about the process.
11384 @kindex info proc mappings
11385 @item info proc mappings
11386 Report on the address ranges accessible in the program, with information
11387 on whether your program may read, write, or execute each range.
11389 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
11390 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
11391 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
11392 @kindex info proc times
11393 @item info proc times
11394 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
11397 @kindex info proc id
11399 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
11400 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
11402 @kindex info proc status
11403 @item info proc status
11404 General information on the state of the process. If the process is
11405 stopped, this report includes the reason for stopping, and any signal
11408 @item info proc all
11409 Show all the above information about the process.
11414 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
11415 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
11416 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
11417 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
11419 @sc{djgpp} is the port of @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
11420 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
11421 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
11422 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
11424 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
11425 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
11426 subsection describes those commands.
11431 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
11432 information about the target system and important OS structures.
11435 @cindex MS-DOS system info
11436 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
11437 @item info dos sysinfo
11438 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
11439 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
11440 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
11445 @cindex segment descriptor tables
11446 @cindex descriptor tables display
11448 @itemx info dos ldt
11449 @itemx info dos idt
11450 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
11451 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
11452 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
11453 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
11454 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
11455 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
11458 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
11459 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
11460 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
11461 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
11462 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
11464 @cindex garbled pointers
11465 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
11466 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
11467 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
11468 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
11469 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
11470 debugged program's data segment:
11473 (@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds
11474 0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)
11478 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
11479 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
11481 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
11483 @itemx info dos pte
11484 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
11485 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
11486 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
11487 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
11488 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
11489 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
11490 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
11491 that is currently in use.
11493 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
11494 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
11495 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
11496 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
11497 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
11498 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
11499 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
11501 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
11502 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
11505 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
11507 @cindex physical address from linear address
11508 @item info dos address-pte
11509 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
11510 address. The argument linear address should already have the
11511 appropriate segment's base address added to it, because this command
11512 accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any} segment. For
11513 example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for the page where
11514 the variable @code{i} is stored:
11517 (@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i
11518 Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:
11519 Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30
11523 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
11524 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and prints all the
11525 attributes of that page.
11527 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
11528 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
11529 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
11530 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
11531 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
11532 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
11534 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
11538 (@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)
11539 Page Table entry for address 0x29110:
11540 Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110
11544 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
11545 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output of
11546 this command clearly shows that addresses in conventional memory are
11547 mapped 1:1, i.e.@: the physical and linear addresses are identical.
11549 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
11553 @section Embedded Operating Systems
11555 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
11556 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
11560 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
11563 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
11564 various real-time operating systems.
11567 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
11573 @kindex target vxworks
11574 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
11575 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
11576 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
11580 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
11581 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
11583 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
11584 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
11585 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
11586 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
11587 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
11588 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
11589 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
11592 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
11593 @kindex vxworks-timeout
11594 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
11595 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
11596 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
11597 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
11598 of a thin network line.
11601 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
11602 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
11605 @kindex INCLUDE_RDB
11606 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
11607 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
11608 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
11609 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
11610 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
11611 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
11612 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
11614 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
11616 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
11617 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
11618 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
11619 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
11621 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
11628 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
11629 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
11630 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
11633 @node VxWorks Connection
11634 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
11636 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
11637 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
11640 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
11644 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
11647 Attaching remote machine across net...
11652 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
11653 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
11654 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
11655 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}); if it fails
11656 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
11659 prog.o: No such file or directory.
11662 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
11663 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
11666 @node VxWorks Download
11667 @subsubsection VxWorks download
11669 @cindex download to VxWorks
11670 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
11671 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
11672 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
11673 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
11674 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
11675 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
11676 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
11677 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
11678 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
11679 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
11680 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
11681 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
11682 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
11683 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
11684 program, type this on VxWorks:
11687 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
11691 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
11694 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
11695 (vxgdb) load prog.o
11698 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
11701 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
11704 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
11705 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
11706 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
11707 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
11708 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
11709 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
11712 @node VxWorks Attach
11713 @subsubsection Running tasks
11715 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
11716 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
11720 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
11724 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
11725 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
11726 the time of attachment.
11728 @node Embedded Processors
11729 @section Embedded Processors
11731 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
11735 @c OBSOLETE * A29K Embedded:: AMD A29K Embedded
11738 * H8/300:: Hitachi H8/300
11739 * H8/500:: Hitachi H8/500
11740 * i960:: Intel i960
11741 * M32R/D:: Mitsubishi M32R/D
11742 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
11743 * M88K:: Motorola M88K
11744 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
11745 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
11748 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
11749 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
11750 * ST2000:: Tandem ST2000
11751 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
11754 @c OBSOLETE @node A29K Embedded
11755 @c OBSOLETE @subsection AMD A29K Embedded
11758 @c OBSOLETE * A29K UDI::
11759 @c OBSOLETE * A29K EB29K::
11760 @c OBSOLETE * Comms (EB29K):: Communications setup
11761 @c OBSOLETE * gdb-EB29K:: EB29K cross-debugging
11762 @c OBSOLETE * Remote Log:: Remote log
11763 @c OBSOLETE @end menu
11765 @c OBSOLETE @table @code
11767 @c OBSOLETE @kindex target adapt
11768 @c OBSOLETE @item target adapt @var{dev}
11769 @c OBSOLETE Adapt monitor for A29K.
11771 @c OBSOLETE @kindex target amd-eb
11772 @c OBSOLETE @item target amd-eb @var{dev} @var{speed} @var{PROG}
11773 @c OBSOLETE @cindex AMD EB29K
11774 @c OBSOLETE Remote PC-resident AMD EB29K board, attached over serial lines.
11775 @c OBSOLETE @var{dev} is the serial device, as for @code{target remote};
11776 @c OBSOLETE @var{speed} allows you to specify the linespeed; and @var{PROG} is the
11777 @c OBSOLETE name of the program to be debugged, as it appears to DOS on the PC.
11778 @c OBSOLETE @xref{A29K EB29K, ,EBMON protocol for AMD29K}.
11780 @c OBSOLETE @end table
11782 @c OBSOLETE @node A29K UDI
11783 @c OBSOLETE @subsubsection A29K UDI
11785 @c OBSOLETE @cindex UDI
11786 @c OBSOLETE @cindex AMD29K via UDI
11788 @c OBSOLETE @value{GDBN} supports AMD's UDI (``Universal Debugger Interface'')
11789 @c OBSOLETE protocol for debugging the a29k processor family. To use this
11790 @c OBSOLETE configuration with AMD targets running the MiniMON monitor, you need the
11791 @c OBSOLETE program @code{MONTIP}, available from AMD at no charge. You can also
11792 @c OBSOLETE use @value{GDBN} with the UDI-conformant a29k simulator program
11793 @c OBSOLETE @code{ISSTIP}, also available from AMD.
11795 @c OBSOLETE @table @code
11796 @c OBSOLETE @item target udi @var{keyword}
11797 @c OBSOLETE @kindex udi
11798 @c OBSOLETE Select the UDI interface to a remote a29k board or simulator, where
11799 @c OBSOLETE @var{keyword} is an entry in the AMD configuration file @file{udi_soc}.
11800 @c OBSOLETE This file contains keyword entries which specify parameters used to
11801 @c OBSOLETE connect to a29k targets. If the @file{udi_soc} file is not in your
11802 @c OBSOLETE working directory, you must set the environment variable @samp{UDICONF}
11803 @c OBSOLETE to its pathname.
11804 @c OBSOLETE @end table
11806 @c OBSOLETE @node A29K EB29K
11807 @c OBSOLETE @subsubsection EBMON protocol for AMD29K
11809 @c OBSOLETE @cindex EB29K board
11810 @c OBSOLETE @cindex running 29K programs
11812 @c OBSOLETE AMD distributes a 29K development board meant to fit in a PC, together
11813 @c OBSOLETE with a DOS-hosted monitor program called @code{EBMON}. As a shorthand
11814 @c OBSOLETE term, this development system is called the ``EB29K''. To use
11815 @c OBSOLETE @value{GDBN} from a Unix system to run programs on the EB29K board, you
11816 @c OBSOLETE must first connect a serial cable between the PC (which hosts the EB29K
11817 @c OBSOLETE board) and a serial port on the Unix system. In the following, we
11818 @c OBSOLETE assume you've hooked the cable between the PC's @file{COM1} port and
11819 @c OBSOLETE @file{/dev/ttya} on the Unix system.
11821 @c OBSOLETE @node Comms (EB29K)
11822 @c OBSOLETE @subsubsection Communications setup
11824 @c OBSOLETE The next step is to set up the PC's port, by doing something like this
11825 @c OBSOLETE in DOS on the PC:
11827 @c OBSOLETE @example
11828 @c OBSOLETE C:\> MODE com1:9600,n,8,1,none
11829 @c OBSOLETE @end example
11831 @c OBSOLETE @noindent
11832 @c OBSOLETE This example---run on an MS DOS 4.0 system---sets the PC port to 9600
11833 @c OBSOLETE bps, no parity, eight data bits, one stop bit, and no ``retry'' action;
11834 @c OBSOLETE you must match the communications parameters when establishing the Unix
11835 @c OBSOLETE end of the connection as well.
11836 @c OBSOLETE @c FIXME: Who knows what this "no retry action" crud from the DOS manual may
11839 @c OBSOLETE @c It's optional, but it's unwise to omit it: who knows what is the
11840 @c OBSOLETE @c default value set when the DOS machines boots? "No retry" means that
11841 @c OBSOLETE @c the DOS serial device driver won't retry the operation if it fails;
11842 @c OBSOLETE @c I understand that this is needed because the GDB serial protocol
11843 @c OBSOLETE @c handles any errors and retransmissions itself. ---Eli Zaretskii, 3sep99
11845 @c OBSOLETE To give control of the PC to the Unix side of the serial line, type
11846 @c OBSOLETE the following at the DOS console:
11848 @c OBSOLETE @example
11849 @c OBSOLETE C:\> CTTY com1
11850 @c OBSOLETE @end example
11852 @c OBSOLETE @noindent
11853 @c OBSOLETE (Later, if you wish to return control to the DOS console, you can use
11854 @c OBSOLETE the command @code{CTTY con}---but you must send it over the device that
11855 @c OBSOLETE had control, in our example over the @file{COM1} serial line.)
11857 @c OBSOLETE From the Unix host, use a communications program such as @code{tip} or
11858 @c OBSOLETE @code{cu} to communicate with the PC; for example,
11860 @c OBSOLETE @example
11861 @c OBSOLETE cu -s 9600 -l /dev/ttya
11862 @c OBSOLETE @end example
11864 @c OBSOLETE @noindent
11865 @c OBSOLETE The @code{cu} options shown specify, respectively, the linespeed and the
11866 @c OBSOLETE serial port to use. If you use @code{tip} instead, your command line
11867 @c OBSOLETE may look something like the following:
11869 @c OBSOLETE @example
11870 @c OBSOLETE tip -9600 /dev/ttya
11871 @c OBSOLETE @end example
11873 @c OBSOLETE @noindent
11874 @c OBSOLETE Your system may require a different name where we show
11875 @c OBSOLETE @file{/dev/ttya} as the argument to @code{tip}. The communications
11876 @c OBSOLETE parameters, including which port to use, are associated with the
11877 @c OBSOLETE @code{tip} argument in the ``remote'' descriptions file---normally the
11878 @c OBSOLETE system table @file{/etc/remote}.
11879 @c OBSOLETE @c FIXME: What if anything needs doing to match the "n,8,1,none" part of
11880 @c OBSOLETE @c the DOS side's comms setup? cu can support -o (odd
11881 @c OBSOLETE @c parity), -e (even parity)---apparently no settings for no parity or
11882 @c OBSOLETE @c for character size. Taken from stty maybe...? John points out tip
11883 @c OBSOLETE @c can set these as internal variables, eg ~s parity=none; man stty
11884 @c OBSOLETE @c suggests that it *might* work to stty these options with stdin or
11887 @c OBSOLETE @c There's nothing to be done for the "none" part of the DOS MODE
11888 @c OBSOLETE @c command. The rest of the parameters should be matched by the
11889 @c OBSOLETE @c baudrate, bits, and parity used by the Unix side. ---Eli Zaretskii, 3Sep99
11891 @c OBSOLETE @kindex EBMON
11892 @c OBSOLETE Using the @code{tip} or @code{cu} connection, change the DOS working
11893 @c OBSOLETE directory to the directory containing a copy of your 29K program, then
11894 @c OBSOLETE start the PC program @code{EBMON} (an EB29K control program supplied
11895 @c OBSOLETE with your board by AMD). You should see an initial display from
11896 @c OBSOLETE @code{EBMON} similar to the one that follows, ending with the
11897 @c OBSOLETE @code{EBMON} prompt @samp{#}---
11899 @c OBSOLETE @example
11900 @c OBSOLETE C:\> G:
11902 @c OBSOLETE G:\> CD \usr\joe\work29k
11904 @c OBSOLETE G:\USR\JOE\WORK29K> EBMON
11905 @c OBSOLETE Am29000 PC Coprocessor Board Monitor, version 3.0-18
11906 @c OBSOLETE Copyright 1990 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
11907 @c OBSOLETE Written by Gibbons and Associates, Inc.
11909 @c OBSOLETE Enter '?' or 'H' for help
11911 @c OBSOLETE PC Coprocessor Type = EB29K
11912 @c OBSOLETE I/O Base = 0x208
11913 @c OBSOLETE Memory Base = 0xd0000
11915 @c OBSOLETE Data Memory Size = 2048KB
11916 @c OBSOLETE Available I-RAM Range = 0x8000 to 0x1fffff
11917 @c OBSOLETE Available D-RAM Range = 0x80002000 to 0x801fffff
11919 @c OBSOLETE PageSize = 0x400
11920 @c OBSOLETE Register Stack Size = 0x800
11921 @c OBSOLETE Memory Stack Size = 0x1800
11923 @c OBSOLETE CPU PRL = 0x3
11924 @c OBSOLETE Am29027 Available = No
11925 @c OBSOLETE Byte Write Available = Yes
11928 @c OBSOLETE @end example
11930 @c OBSOLETE Then exit the @code{cu} or @code{tip} program (done in the example by
11931 @c OBSOLETE typing @code{~.} at the @code{EBMON} prompt). @code{EBMON} keeps
11932 @c OBSOLETE running, ready for @value{GDBN} to take over.
11934 @c OBSOLETE For this example, we've assumed what is probably the most convenient
11935 @c OBSOLETE way to make sure the same 29K program is on both the PC and the Unix
11936 @c OBSOLETE system: a PC/NFS connection that establishes ``drive @file{G:}'' on the
11937 @c OBSOLETE PC as a file system on the Unix host. If you do not have PC/NFS or
11938 @c OBSOLETE something similar connecting the two systems, you must arrange some
11939 @c OBSOLETE other way---perhaps floppy-disk transfer---of getting the 29K program
11940 @c OBSOLETE from the Unix system to the PC; @value{GDBN} does @emph{not} download it over the
11941 @c OBSOLETE serial line.
11943 @c OBSOLETE @node gdb-EB29K
11944 @c OBSOLETE @subsubsection EB29K cross-debugging
11946 @c OBSOLETE Finally, @code{cd} to the directory containing an image of your 29K
11947 @c OBSOLETE program on the Unix system, and start @value{GDBN}---specifying as argument the
11948 @c OBSOLETE name of your 29K program:
11950 @c OBSOLETE @example
11951 @c OBSOLETE cd /usr/joe/work29k
11952 @c OBSOLETE @value{GDBP} myfoo
11953 @c OBSOLETE @end example
11955 @c OBSOLETE @need 500
11956 @c OBSOLETE Now you can use the @code{target} command:
11958 @c OBSOLETE @example
11959 @c OBSOLETE target amd-eb /dev/ttya 9600 MYFOO
11960 @c OBSOLETE @c FIXME: test above 'target amd-eb' as spelled, with caps! caps are meant to
11961 @c OBSOLETE @c emphasize that this is the name as seen by DOS (since I think DOS is
11963 @c OBSOLETE @end example
11965 @c OBSOLETE @noindent
11966 @c OBSOLETE In this example, we've assumed your program is in a file called
11967 @c OBSOLETE @file{myfoo}. Note that the filename given as the last argument to
11968 @c OBSOLETE @code{target amd-eb} should be the name of the program as it appears to DOS.
11969 @c OBSOLETE In our example this is simply @code{MYFOO}, but in general it can include
11970 @c OBSOLETE a DOS path, and depending on your transfer mechanism may not resemble
11971 @c OBSOLETE the name on the Unix side.
11973 @c OBSOLETE At this point, you can set any breakpoints you wish; when you are ready
11974 @c OBSOLETE to see your program run on the 29K board, use the @value{GDBN} command
11975 @c OBSOLETE @code{run}.
11977 @c OBSOLETE To stop debugging the remote program, use the @value{GDBN} @code{detach}
11978 @c OBSOLETE command.
11980 @c OBSOLETE To return control of the PC to its console, use @code{tip} or @code{cu}
11981 @c OBSOLETE once again, after your @value{GDBN} session has concluded, to attach to
11982 @c OBSOLETE @code{EBMON}. You can then type the command @code{q} to shut down
11983 @c OBSOLETE @code{EBMON}, returning control to the DOS command-line interpreter.
11984 @c OBSOLETE Type @kbd{CTTY con} to return command input to the main DOS console,
11985 @c OBSOLETE and type @kbd{~.} to leave @code{tip} or @code{cu}.
11987 @c OBSOLETE @node Remote Log
11988 @c OBSOLETE @subsubsection Remote log
11989 @c OBSOLETE @cindex @file{eb.log}, a log file for EB29K
11990 @c OBSOLETE @cindex log file for EB29K
11992 @c OBSOLETE The @code{target amd-eb} command creates a file @file{eb.log} in the
11993 @c OBSOLETE current working directory, to help debug problems with the connection.
11994 @c OBSOLETE @file{eb.log} records all the output from @code{EBMON}, including echoes
11995 @c OBSOLETE of the commands sent to it. Running @samp{tail -f} on this file in
11996 @c OBSOLETE another window often helps to understand trouble with @code{EBMON}, or
11997 @c OBSOLETE unexpected events on the PC side of the connection.
12005 @item target rdi @var{dev}
12006 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
12007 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
12008 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
12011 @item target rdp @var{dev}
12017 @subsection Hitachi H8/300
12021 @kindex target hms@r{, with H8/300}
12022 @item target hms @var{dev}
12023 A Hitachi SH, H8/300, or H8/500 board, attached via serial line to your host.
12024 Use special commands @code{device} and @code{speed} to control the serial
12025 line and the communications speed used.
12027 @kindex target e7000@r{, with H8/300}
12028 @item target e7000 @var{dev}
12029 E7000 emulator for Hitachi H8 and SH.
12031 @kindex target sh3@r{, with H8/300}
12032 @kindex target sh3e@r{, with H8/300}
12033 @item target sh3 @var{dev}
12034 @itemx target sh3e @var{dev}
12035 Hitachi SH-3 and SH-3E target systems.
12039 @cindex download to H8/300 or H8/500
12040 @cindex H8/300 or H8/500 download
12041 @cindex download to Hitachi SH
12042 @cindex Hitachi SH download
12043 When you select remote debugging to a Hitachi SH, H8/300, or H8/500
12044 board, the @code{load} command downloads your program to the Hitachi
12045 board and also opens it as the current executable target for
12046 @value{GDBN} on your host (like the @code{file} command).
12048 @value{GDBN} needs to know these things to talk to your
12049 Hitachi SH, H8/300, or H8/500:
12053 that you want to use @samp{target hms}, the remote debugging interface
12054 for Hitachi microprocessors, or @samp{target e7000}, the in-circuit
12055 emulator for the Hitachi SH and the Hitachi 300H. (@samp{target hms} is
12056 the default when @value{GDBN} is configured specifically for the Hitachi SH,
12057 H8/300, or H8/500.)
12060 what serial device connects your host to your Hitachi board (the first
12061 serial device available on your host is the default).
12064 what speed to use over the serial device.
12068 * Hitachi Boards:: Connecting to Hitachi boards.
12069 * Hitachi ICE:: Using the E7000 In-Circuit Emulator.
12070 * Hitachi Special:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Hitachi micros.
12073 @node Hitachi Boards
12074 @subsubsection Connecting to Hitachi boards
12076 @c only for Unix hosts
12078 @cindex serial device, Hitachi micros
12079 Use the special @code{@value{GDBN}} command @samp{device @var{port}} if you
12080 need to explicitly set the serial device. The default @var{port} is the
12081 first available port on your host. This is only necessary on Unix
12082 hosts, where it is typically something like @file{/dev/ttya}.
12085 @cindex serial line speed, Hitachi micros
12086 @code{@value{GDBN}} has another special command to set the communications
12087 speed: @samp{speed @var{bps}}. This command also is only used from Unix
12088 hosts; on DOS hosts, set the line speed as usual from outside @value{GDBN} with
12089 the DOS @code{mode} command (for instance,
12090 @w{@kbd{mode com2:9600,n,8,1,p}} for a 9600@dmn{bps} connection).
12092 The @samp{device} and @samp{speed} commands are available only when you
12093 use a Unix host to debug your Hitachi microprocessor programs. If you
12095 @value{GDBN} depends on an auxiliary terminate-and-stay-resident program
12096 called @code{asynctsr} to communicate with the development board
12097 through a PC serial port. You must also use the DOS @code{mode} command
12098 to set up the serial port on the DOS side.
12100 The following sample session illustrates the steps needed to start a
12101 program under @value{GDBN} control on an H8/300. The example uses a
12102 sample H8/300 program called @file{t.x}. The procedure is the same for
12103 the Hitachi SH and the H8/500.
12105 First hook up your development board. In this example, we use a
12106 board attached to serial port @code{COM2}; if you use a different serial
12107 port, substitute its name in the argument of the @code{mode} command.
12108 When you call @code{asynctsr}, the auxiliary comms program used by the
12109 debugger, you give it just the numeric part of the serial port's name;
12110 for example, @samp{asyncstr 2} below runs @code{asyncstr} on
12114 C:\H8300\TEST> asynctsr 2
12115 C:\H8300\TEST> mode com2:9600,n,8,1,p
12117 Resident portion of MODE loaded
12119 COM2: 9600, n, 8, 1, p
12124 @emph{Warning:} We have noticed a bug in PC-NFS that conflicts with
12125 @code{asynctsr}. If you also run PC-NFS on your DOS host, you may need to
12126 disable it, or even boot without it, to use @code{asynctsr} to control
12127 your development board.
12130 @kindex target hms@r{, and serial protocol}
12131 Now that serial communications are set up, and the development board is
12132 connected, you can start up @value{GDBN}. Call @code{@value{GDBP}} with
12133 the name of your program as the argument. @code{@value{GDBN}} prompts
12134 you, as usual, with the prompt @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. Use two special
12135 commands to begin your debugging session: @samp{target hms} to specify
12136 cross-debugging to the Hitachi board, and the @code{load} command to
12137 download your program to the board. @code{load} displays the names of
12138 the program's sections, and a @samp{*} for each 2K of data downloaded.
12139 (If you want to refresh @value{GDBN} data on symbols or on the
12140 executable file without downloading, use the @value{GDBN} commands
12141 @code{file} or @code{symbol-file}. These commands, and @code{load}
12142 itself, are described in @ref{Files,,Commands to specify files}.)
12145 (eg-C:\H8300\TEST) @value{GDBP} t.x
12146 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
12147 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
12149 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
12151 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1992 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
12152 (@value{GDBP}) target hms
12153 Connected to remote H8/300 HMS system.
12154 (@value{GDBP}) load t.x
12155 .text : 0x8000 .. 0xabde ***********
12156 .data : 0xabde .. 0xad30 *
12157 .stack : 0xf000 .. 0xf014 *
12160 At this point, you're ready to run or debug your program. From here on,
12161 you can use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands. The @code{break} command
12162 sets breakpoints; the @code{run} command starts your program;
12163 @code{print} or @code{x} display data; the @code{continue} command
12164 resumes execution after stopping at a breakpoint. You can use the
12165 @code{help} command at any time to find out more about @value{GDBN} commands.
12167 Remember, however, that @emph{operating system} facilities aren't
12168 available on your development board; for example, if your program hangs,
12169 you can't send an interrupt---but you can press the @sc{reset} switch!
12171 Use the @sc{reset} button on the development board
12174 to interrupt your program (don't use @kbd{ctl-C} on the DOS host---it has
12175 no way to pass an interrupt signal to the development board); and
12178 to return to the @value{GDBN} command prompt after your program finishes
12179 normally. The communications protocol provides no other way for @value{GDBN}
12180 to detect program completion.
12183 In either case, @value{GDBN} sees the effect of a @sc{reset} on the
12184 development board as a ``normal exit'' of your program.
12187 @subsubsection Using the E7000 in-circuit emulator
12189 @kindex target e7000@r{, with Hitachi ICE}
12190 You can use the E7000 in-circuit emulator to develop code for either the
12191 Hitachi SH or the H8/300H. Use one of these forms of the @samp{target
12192 e7000} command to connect @value{GDBN} to your E7000:
12195 @item target e7000 @var{port} @var{speed}
12196 Use this form if your E7000 is connected to a serial port. The
12197 @var{port} argument identifies what serial port to use (for example,
12198 @samp{com2}). The third argument is the line speed in bits per second
12199 (for example, @samp{9600}).
12201 @item target e7000 @var{hostname}
12202 If your E7000 is installed as a host on a TCP/IP network, you can just
12203 specify its hostname; @value{GDBN} uses @code{telnet} to connect.
12206 @node Hitachi Special
12207 @subsubsection Special @value{GDBN} commands for Hitachi micros
12209 Some @value{GDBN} commands are available only for the H8/300:
12213 @kindex set machine
12214 @kindex show machine
12215 @item set machine h8300
12216 @itemx set machine h8300h
12217 Condition @value{GDBN} for one of the two variants of the H8/300
12218 architecture with @samp{set machine}. You can use @samp{show machine}
12219 to check which variant is currently in effect.
12228 @kindex set memory @var{mod}
12229 @cindex memory models, H8/500
12230 @item set memory @var{mod}
12232 Specify which H8/500 memory model (@var{mod}) you are using with
12233 @samp{set memory}; check which memory model is in effect with @samp{show
12234 memory}. The accepted values for @var{mod} are @code{small},
12235 @code{big}, @code{medium}, and @code{compact}.
12240 @subsection Intel i960
12244 @kindex target mon960
12245 @item target mon960 @var{dev}
12246 MON960 monitor for Intel i960.
12248 @kindex target nindy
12249 @item target nindy @var{devicename}
12250 An Intel 960 board controlled by a Nindy Monitor. @var{devicename} is
12251 the name of the serial device to use for the connection, e.g.
12258 @dfn{Nindy} is a ROM Monitor program for Intel 960 target systems. When
12259 @value{GDBN} is configured to control a remote Intel 960 using Nindy, you can
12260 tell @value{GDBN} how to connect to the 960 in several ways:
12264 Through command line options specifying serial port, version of the
12265 Nindy protocol, and communications speed;
12268 By responding to a prompt on startup;
12271 By using the @code{target} command at any point during your @value{GDBN}
12272 session. @xref{Target Commands, ,Commands for managing targets}.
12276 @cindex download to Nindy-960
12277 With the Nindy interface to an Intel 960 board, @code{load}
12278 downloads @var{filename} to the 960 as well as adding its symbols in
12282 * Nindy Startup:: Startup with Nindy
12283 * Nindy Options:: Options for Nindy
12284 * Nindy Reset:: Nindy reset command
12287 @node Nindy Startup
12288 @subsubsection Startup with Nindy
12290 If you simply start @code{@value{GDBP}} without using any command-line
12291 options, you are prompted for what serial port to use, @emph{before} you
12292 reach the ordinary @value{GDBN} prompt:
12295 Attach /dev/ttyNN -- specify NN, or "quit" to quit:
12299 Respond to the prompt with whatever suffix (after @samp{/dev/tty})
12300 identifies the serial port you want to use. You can, if you choose,
12301 simply start up with no Nindy connection by responding to the prompt
12302 with an empty line. If you do this and later wish to attach to Nindy,
12303 use @code{target} (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for managing targets}).
12305 @node Nindy Options
12306 @subsubsection Options for Nindy
12308 These are the startup options for beginning your @value{GDBN} session with a
12309 Nindy-960 board attached:
12312 @item -r @var{port}
12313 Specify the serial port name of a serial interface to be used to connect
12314 to the target system. This option is only available when @value{GDBN} is
12315 configured for the Intel 960 target architecture. You may specify
12316 @var{port} as any of: a full pathname (e.g. @samp{-r /dev/ttya}), a
12317 device name in @file{/dev} (e.g. @samp{-r ttya}), or simply the unique
12318 suffix for a specific @code{tty} (e.g. @samp{-r a}).
12321 (An uppercase letter ``O'', not a zero.) Specify that @value{GDBN} should use
12322 the ``old'' Nindy monitor protocol to connect to the target system.
12323 This option is only available when @value{GDBN} is configured for the Intel 960
12324 target architecture.
12327 @emph{Warning:} if you specify @samp{-O}, but are actually trying to
12328 connect to a target system that expects the newer protocol, the connection
12329 fails, appearing to be a speed mismatch. @value{GDBN} repeatedly
12330 attempts to reconnect at several different line speeds. You can abort
12331 this process with an interrupt.
12335 Specify that @value{GDBN} should first send a @code{BREAK} signal to the target
12336 system, in an attempt to reset it, before connecting to a Nindy target.
12339 @emph{Warning:} Many target systems do not have the hardware that this
12340 requires; it only works with a few boards.
12344 The standard @samp{-b} option controls the line speed used on the serial
12349 @subsubsection Nindy reset command
12354 For a Nindy target, this command sends a ``break'' to the remote target
12355 system; this is only useful if the target has been equipped with a
12356 circuit to perform a hard reset (or some other interesting action) when
12357 a break is detected.
12362 @subsection Mitsubishi M32R/D
12366 @kindex target m32r
12367 @item target m32r @var{dev}
12368 Mitsubishi M32R/D ROM monitor.
12375 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and
12376 target command for the following ROM monitors.
12380 @kindex target abug
12381 @item target abug @var{dev}
12382 ABug ROM monitor for M68K.
12384 @kindex target cpu32bug
12385 @item target cpu32bug @var{dev}
12386 CPU32BUG monitor, running on a CPU32 (M68K) board.
12388 @kindex target dbug
12389 @item target dbug @var{dev}
12390 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
12393 @item target est @var{dev}
12394 EST-300 ICE monitor, running on a CPU32 (M68K) board.
12396 @kindex target rom68k
12397 @item target rom68k @var{dev}
12398 ROM 68K monitor, running on an M68K IDP board.
12402 If @value{GDBN} is configured with @code{m68*-ericsson-*}, it will
12403 instead have only a single special target command:
12407 @kindex target es1800
12408 @item target es1800 @var{dev}
12409 ES-1800 emulator for M68K.
12417 @kindex target rombug
12418 @item target rombug @var{dev}
12419 ROMBUG ROM monitor for OS/9000.
12429 @item target bug @var{dev}
12430 BUG monitor, running on a MVME187 (m88k) board.
12434 @node MIPS Embedded
12435 @subsection MIPS Embedded
12437 @cindex MIPS boards
12438 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
12439 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
12440 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
12443 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
12446 @item target mips @var{port}
12447 @kindex target mips @var{port}
12448 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
12449 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
12450 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
12451 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
12452 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
12453 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
12455 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
12456 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
12460 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
12461 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
12462 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
12463 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
12467 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
12468 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
12469 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
12470 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
12471 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
12473 @item target pmon @var{port}
12474 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
12477 @item target ddb @var{port}
12478 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
12479 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
12481 @item target lsi @var{port}
12482 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
12483 LSI variant of PMON.
12485 @kindex target r3900
12486 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
12487 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
12489 @kindex target array
12490 @item target array @var{dev}
12491 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
12497 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
12500 @item set processor @var{args}
12501 @itemx show processor
12502 @kindex set processor @var{args}
12503 @kindex show processor
12504 Use the @code{set processor} command to set the type of MIPS
12505 processor when you want to access processor-type-specific registers.
12506 For example, @code{set processor @var{r3041}} tells @value{GDBN}
12507 to use the CPU registers appropriate for the 3041 chip.
12508 Use the @code{show processor} command to see what MIPS processor @value{GDBN}
12509 is using. Use the @code{info reg} command to see what registers
12510 @value{GDBN} is using.
12512 @item set mipsfpu double
12513 @itemx set mipsfpu single
12514 @itemx set mipsfpu none
12515 @itemx show mipsfpu
12516 @kindex set mipsfpu
12517 @kindex show mipsfpu
12518 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
12519 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
12520 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
12521 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
12522 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
12523 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
12524 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
12525 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
12526 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
12527 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
12528 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
12529 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
12530 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
12532 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
12533 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
12534 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
12536 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
12537 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
12539 @item set remotedebug @var{n}
12540 @itemx show remotedebug
12541 @kindex set remotedebug@r{, MIPS protocol}
12542 @kindex show remotedebug@r{, MIPS protocol}
12543 @cindex @code{remotedebug}, MIPS protocol
12544 @cindex MIPS @code{remotedebug} protocol
12545 @c FIXME! For this to be useful, you must know something about the MIPS
12546 @c FIXME...protocol. Where is it described?
12547 You can see some debugging information about communications with the board
12548 by setting the @code{remotedebug} variable. If you set it to @code{1} using
12549 @samp{set remotedebug 1}, every packet is displayed. If you set it
12550 to @code{2}, every character is displayed. You can check the current value
12551 at any time with the command @samp{show remotedebug}.
12553 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
12554 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
12555 @itemx show timeout
12556 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
12557 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
12558 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
12559 @kindex set timeout
12560 @kindex show timeout
12561 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
12562 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
12563 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
12564 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
12565 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
12566 waiting for an acknowledgement of a packet with the @code{set
12567 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
12568 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
12569 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
12570 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
12572 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
12573 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
12574 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
12575 to run before stopping.
12579 @subsection PowerPC
12583 @kindex target dink32
12584 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
12585 DINK32 ROM monitor.
12587 @kindex target ppcbug
12588 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
12589 @kindex target ppcbug1
12590 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
12591 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
12594 @item target sds @var{dev}
12595 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
12600 @subsection HP PA Embedded
12604 @kindex target op50n
12605 @item target op50n @var{dev}
12606 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
12608 @kindex target w89k
12609 @item target w89k @var{dev}
12610 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
12615 @subsection Hitachi SH
12619 @kindex target hms@r{, with Hitachi SH}
12620 @item target hms @var{dev}
12621 A Hitachi SH board attached via serial line to your host. Use special
12622 commands @code{device} and @code{speed} to control the serial line and
12623 the communications speed used.
12625 @kindex target e7000@r{, with Hitachi SH}
12626 @item target e7000 @var{dev}
12627 E7000 emulator for Hitachi SH.
12629 @kindex target sh3@r{, with SH}
12630 @kindex target sh3e@r{, with SH}
12631 @item target sh3 @var{dev}
12632 @item target sh3e @var{dev}
12633 Hitachi SH-3 and SH-3E target systems.
12638 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
12642 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
12643 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
12644 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
12645 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
12646 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
12649 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
12650 @kindex remotetimeout
12651 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
12652 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
12653 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
12656 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
12657 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
12658 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
12659 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
12660 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
12663 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
12666 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
12669 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
12672 @cindex running, on Sparclet
12674 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
12675 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
12676 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
12678 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
12685 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
12686 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
12687 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
12688 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
12691 @node Sparclet File
12692 @subsubsection Setting file to debug
12694 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
12697 (gdbslet) file prog
12701 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
12702 @value{GDBN} locates
12703 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
12705 If the file was compiled with debug information (option "-g"), source
12706 files will be searched as well.
12707 @value{GDBN} locates
12708 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
12709 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}).
12711 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
12714 prog: No such file or directory.
12717 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
12718 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
12719 @code{target} command again.
12721 @node Sparclet Connection
12722 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
12724 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
12725 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
12728 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
12729 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
12730 main () at ../prog.c:3
12734 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
12740 @node Sparclet Download
12741 @subsubsection Sparclet download
12743 @cindex download to Sparclet
12744 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
12745 you can use the @value{GDBN}
12746 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
12747 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
12749 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
12750 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
12751 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
12752 of each of the file's sections.
12753 For instance, if the program
12754 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
12755 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
12758 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
12759 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
12762 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
12763 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
12764 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
12766 @node Sparclet Execution
12767 @subsubsection Running and debugging
12769 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
12770 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
12771 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
12772 manual for the list of commands.
12776 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
12778 Starting program: prog
12779 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
12780 3 char *symarg = 0;
12782 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
12787 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
12791 @kindex target sparclite
12792 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
12793 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
12794 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
12795 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
12801 @subsection Tandem ST2000
12803 @value{GDBN} may be used with a Tandem ST2000 phone switch, running Tandem's
12806 To connect your ST2000 to the host system, see the manufacturer's
12807 manual. Once the ST2000 is physically attached, you can run:
12810 target st2000 @var{dev} @var{speed}
12814 to establish it as your debugging environment. @var{dev} is normally
12815 the name of a serial device, such as @file{/dev/ttya}, connected to the
12816 ST2000 via a serial line. You can instead specify @var{dev} as a TCP
12817 connection (for example, to a serial line attached via a terminal
12818 concentrator) using the syntax @code{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
12820 The @code{load} and @code{attach} commands are @emph{not} defined for
12821 this target; you must load your program into the ST2000 as you normally
12822 would for standalone operation. @value{GDBN} reads debugging information
12823 (such as symbols) from a separate, debugging version of the program
12824 available on your host computer.
12825 @c FIXME!! This is terribly vague; what little content is here is
12826 @c basically hearsay.
12828 @cindex ST2000 auxiliary commands
12829 These auxiliary @value{GDBN} commands are available to help you with the ST2000
12833 @item st2000 @var{command}
12834 @kindex st2000 @var{cmd}
12835 @cindex STDBUG commands (ST2000)
12836 @cindex commands to STDBUG (ST2000)
12837 Send a @var{command} to the STDBUG monitor. See the manufacturer's
12838 manual for available commands.
12841 @cindex connect (to STDBUG)
12842 Connect the controlling terminal to the STDBUG command monitor. When
12843 you are done interacting with STDBUG, typing either of two character
12844 sequences gets you back to the @value{GDBN} command prompt:
12845 @kbd{@key{RET}~.} (Return, followed by tilde and period) or
12846 @kbd{@key{RET}~@key{C-d}} (Return, followed by tilde and control-D).
12850 @subsection Zilog Z8000
12853 @cindex simulator, Z8000
12854 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
12856 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
12859 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
12860 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
12861 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
12862 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
12865 @item target sim @var{args}
12867 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
12868 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
12869 options, specify them via @var{args}.
12873 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
12874 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
12875 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
12876 to run your program, and so on.
12878 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
12879 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
12880 additional items of information as specially named registers:
12885 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
12888 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
12891 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
12895 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
12896 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
12897 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
12898 simulated clock ticks.
12900 @node Architectures
12901 @section Architectures
12903 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
12904 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
12917 @kindex set rstack_high_address
12918 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
12919 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
12920 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
12921 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
12922 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
12923 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
12924 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
12925 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
12926 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
12927 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
12928 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
12931 @kindex show rstack_high_address
12932 @item show rstack_high_address
12933 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
12941 See the following section.
12946 @cindex stack on Alpha
12947 @cindex stack on MIPS
12948 @cindex Alpha stack
12950 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
12951 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
12952 find the beginning of a function.
12954 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
12955 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
12956 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
12957 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
12961 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
12962 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
12963 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
12964 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
12965 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
12966 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
12967 and therefore the longer it takes to run.
12969 @item show heuristic-fence-post
12970 Display the current limit.
12974 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
12975 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
12978 @node Controlling GDB
12979 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
12981 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
12982 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
12983 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}. Other settings are
12988 * Editing:: Command editing
12989 * History:: Command history
12990 * Screen Size:: Screen size
12991 * Numbers:: Numbers
12992 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
12993 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
13001 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
13002 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
13003 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
13004 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
13005 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
13006 which one you are talking to.
13008 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
13009 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
13010 or a prompt that does not.
13014 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
13015 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
13017 @kindex show prompt
13019 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
13023 @section Command editing
13025 @cindex command line editing
13027 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{readline} interface. This
13028 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
13029 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
13030 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
13031 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
13032 debugging sessions.
13034 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
13035 command @code{set}.
13038 @kindex set editing
13041 @itemx set editing on
13042 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
13044 @item set editing off
13045 Disable command line editing.
13047 @kindex show editing
13049 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
13053 @section Command history
13055 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
13056 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
13057 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
13061 @cindex history substitution
13062 @cindex history file
13063 @kindex set history filename
13064 @kindex GDBHISTFILE
13065 @item set history filename @var{fname}
13066 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
13067 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
13068 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
13069 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
13070 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
13071 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
13072 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
13075 @cindex history save
13076 @kindex set history save
13077 @item set history save
13078 @itemx set history save on
13079 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
13080 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
13082 @item set history save off
13083 Stop recording command history in a file.
13085 @cindex history size
13086 @kindex set history size
13087 @item set history size @var{size}
13088 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
13089 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
13090 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
13093 @cindex history expansion
13094 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
13095 @ifset have-readline-appendices
13096 @xref{Event Designators}.
13099 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
13100 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
13101 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
13102 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
13103 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
13104 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
13105 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
13107 The commands to control history expansion are:
13110 @kindex set history expansion
13111 @item set history expansion on
13112 @itemx set history expansion
13113 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
13115 @item set history expansion off
13116 Disable history expansion.
13118 The readline code comes with more complete documentation of
13119 editing and history expansion features. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs
13120 or @code{vi} may wish to read it.
13121 @ifset have-readline-appendices
13122 @xref{Command Line Editing}.
13126 @kindex show history
13128 @itemx show history filename
13129 @itemx show history save
13130 @itemx show history size
13131 @itemx show history expansion
13132 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
13133 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
13139 @item show commands
13140 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
13142 @item show commands @var{n}
13143 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
13145 @item show commands +
13146 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
13150 @section Screen size
13151 @cindex size of screen
13152 @cindex pauses in output
13154 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
13155 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
13156 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
13157 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
13158 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
13159 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
13160 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
13161 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
13163 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
13164 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
13165 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
13166 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
13167 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
13174 @kindex show height
13175 @item set height @var{lpp}
13177 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
13179 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
13180 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
13181 commands display the current settings.
13183 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
13184 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
13185 file or to an editor buffer.
13187 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
13188 from wrapping its output.
13193 @cindex number representation
13194 @cindex entering numbers
13196 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
13197 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
13198 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
13199 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that begin with none of these are, by
13200 default, entered in base 10; likewise, the default display for
13201 numbers---when no particular format is specified---is base 10. You can
13202 change the default base for both input and output with the @code{set
13206 @kindex set input-radix
13207 @item set input-radix @var{base}
13208 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
13209 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
13210 specified either unambiguously or using the current default radix; for
13220 sets the base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set radix 10}
13221 leaves the radix unchanged no matter what it was.
13223 @kindex set output-radix
13224 @item set output-radix @var{base}
13225 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
13226 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
13227 specified either unambiguously or using the current default radix.
13229 @kindex show input-radix
13230 @item show input-radix
13231 Display the current default base for numeric input.
13233 @kindex show output-radix
13234 @item show output-radix
13235 Display the current default base for numeric display.
13238 @node Messages/Warnings
13239 @section Optional warnings and messages
13241 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
13242 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
13243 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
13244 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
13246 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
13247 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
13248 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}.
13251 @kindex set verbose
13252 @item set verbose on
13253 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
13255 @item set verbose off
13256 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
13258 @kindex show verbose
13260 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
13263 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
13264 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
13265 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors reading
13270 @kindex set complaints
13271 @item set complaints @var{limit}
13272 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
13273 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
13274 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
13275 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
13277 @kindex show complaints
13278 @item show complaints
13279 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
13283 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
13284 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
13285 you try to run a program which is already running:
13289 The program being debugged has been started already.
13290 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
13293 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
13294 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
13298 @kindex set confirm
13300 @cindex confirmation
13301 @cindex stupid questions
13302 @item set confirm off
13303 Disables confirmation requests.
13305 @item set confirm on
13306 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
13308 @kindex show confirm
13310 Displays state of confirmation requests.
13314 @node Debugging Output
13315 @section Optional messages about internal happenings
13317 @kindex set debug arch
13318 @item set debug arch
13319 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
13320 @kindex show debug arch
13321 @item show debug arch
13322 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
13323 @kindex set debug event
13324 @item set debug event
13325 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
13327 @kindex show debug event
13328 @item show debug event
13329 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
13331 @kindex set debug expression
13332 @item set debug expression
13333 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} expression debugging info. The
13335 @kindex show debug expression
13336 @item show debug expression
13337 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} expression
13339 @kindex set debug overload
13340 @item set debug overload
13341 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
13342 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
13344 @kindex show debug overload
13345 @item show debug overload
13346 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
13348 @kindex set debug remote
13349 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
13350 @cindex serial connections, debugging
13351 @item set debug remote
13352 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
13353 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
13354 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
13355 @kindex show debug remote
13356 @item show debug remote
13357 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
13358 @kindex set debug serial
13359 @item set debug serial
13360 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
13362 @kindex show debug serial
13363 @item show debug serial
13364 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
13366 @kindex set debug target
13367 @item set debug target
13368 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
13369 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
13371 @kindex show debug target
13372 @item show debug target
13373 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
13375 @kindex set debug varobj
13376 @item set debug varobj
13377 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
13378 info. The default is off.
13379 @kindex show debug varobj
13380 @item show debug varobj
13381 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
13386 @chapter Canned Sequences of Commands
13388 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
13389 command lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
13390 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
13394 * Define:: User-defined commands
13395 * Hooks:: User-defined command hooks
13396 * Command Files:: Command files
13397 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
13401 @section User-defined commands
13403 @cindex user-defined command
13404 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
13405 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
13406 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
13407 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
13408 via @var{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
13412 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
13416 To execute the command use:
13423 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
13424 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
13425 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
13431 @item define @var{commandname}
13432 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
13433 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
13435 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
13436 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
13437 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
13442 Takes a single argument, which is an expression to evaluate.
13443 It is followed by a series of commands that are executed
13444 only if the expression is true (nonzero).
13445 There can then optionally be a line @code{else}, followed
13446 by a series of commands that are only executed if the expression
13447 was false. The end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
13451 The syntax is similar to @code{if}: the command takes a single argument,
13452 which is an expression to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to
13453 execute, one per line, terminated by an @code{end}.
13454 The commands are executed repeatedly as long as the expression
13458 @item document @var{commandname}
13459 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
13460 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
13461 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
13462 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
13463 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
13464 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
13466 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
13467 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
13468 does not change the documentation.
13470 @kindex help user-defined
13471 @item help user-defined
13472 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
13477 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
13478 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
13479 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
13480 definitions for all user-defined commands.
13484 When user-defined commands are executed, the
13485 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
13486 stops execution of the user-defined command.
13488 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
13489 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
13490 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
13491 messages when used in a user-defined command.
13494 @section User-defined command hooks
13495 @cindex command hooks
13496 @cindex hooks, for commands
13497 @cindex hooks, pre-command
13501 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
13502 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
13503 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
13504 before that command.
13506 @cindex hooks, post-command
13509 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
13510 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
13511 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
13512 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
13513 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
13515 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
13516 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinte recursion.
13518 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
13519 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
13521 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
13522 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
13523 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
13524 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
13525 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
13527 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
13528 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
13533 handle SIGALRM nopass
13537 handle SIGALRM pass
13540 define hook-continue
13541 handle SIGLARM pass
13545 As a further example, to hook at the begining and end of the @code{echo}
13546 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
13554 define hookpost-echo
13558 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
13559 <<<---Hello World--->>>
13564 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
13565 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
13566 name, e.g. @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
13567 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
13569 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
13570 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
13571 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
13573 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
13574 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
13576 @node Command Files
13577 @section Command files
13579 @cindex command files
13580 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a file of lines that are @value{GDBN}
13581 commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may also be included.
13582 An empty line in a command file does nothing; it does not mean to repeat
13583 the last command, as it would from the terminal.
13586 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
13587 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
13588 When you start @value{GDBN}, it automatically executes commands from its
13589 @dfn{init files}, normally called @file{.gdbinit}@footnote{The DJGPP
13590 port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini} instead, due to the
13591 limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems.}.
13592 During startup, @value{GDBN} does the following:
13596 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
13597 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
13598 @code{HOME} environment variable.}.
13601 Processes command line options and operands.
13604 Reads the init file (if any) in the current working directory.
13607 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option.
13610 The init file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
13611 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
13612 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
13613 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing modes}).
13615 @cindex init file name
13616 On some configurations of @value{GDBN}, the init file is known by a
13617 different name (these are typically environments where a specialized
13618 form of @value{GDBN} may need to coexist with other forms, hence a
13619 different name for the specialized version's init file). These are the
13620 environments with special init file names:
13622 @cindex @file{.vxgdbinit}
13625 VxWorks (Wind River Systems real-time OS): @file{.vxgdbinit}
13627 @cindex @file{.os68gdbinit}
13629 OS68K (Enea Data Systems real-time OS): @file{.os68gdbinit}
13631 @cindex @file{.esgdbinit}
13633 ES-1800 (Ericsson Telecom AB M68000 emulator): @file{.esgdbinit}
13636 You can also request the execution of a command file with the
13637 @code{source} command:
13641 @item source @var{filename}
13642 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
13645 The lines in a command file are executed sequentially. They are not
13646 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates execution
13647 of the command file.
13649 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
13650 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
13651 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
13652 when called from command files.
13654 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
13655 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
13656 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
13657 not terminate execution of the command file --- execution continues with
13661 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
13664 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
13665 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
13666 would be directed to @file{log}.
13669 @section Commands for controlled output
13671 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
13672 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
13673 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
13674 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
13679 @item echo @var{text}
13680 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
13681 @c because it is not in ANSI.
13682 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
13683 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
13684 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
13685 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
13686 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
13687 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
13688 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
13689 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
13690 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
13692 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
13693 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
13696 echo This is some text\n\
13697 which is continued\n\
13698 onto several lines.\n
13701 produces the same output as
13704 echo This is some text\n
13705 echo which is continued\n
13706 echo onto several lines.\n
13710 @item output @var{expression}
13711 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
13712 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
13713 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
13716 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
13717 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
13718 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
13719 formats}, for more information.
13722 @item printf @var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
13723 Print the values of the @var{expressions} under the control of
13724 @var{string}. The @var{expressions} are separated by commas and may be
13725 either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as specified by
13726 @var{string}, exactly as if your program were to execute the C
13728 @c FIXME: the above implies that at least all ANSI C formats are
13729 @c supported, but it isn't true: %E and %G don't work (or so it seems).
13730 @c Either this is a bug, or the manual should document what formats are
13734 printf (@var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
13737 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
13740 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
13743 The only backslash-escape sequences that you can use in the format
13744 string are the simple ones that consist of backslash followed by a
13749 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
13753 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
13754 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
13755 * TUI Commands:: TUI specific commands
13756 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
13759 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface, TUI in short,
13760 is a terminal interface which uses the @code{curses} library
13761 to show the source file, the assembly output, the program registers
13762 and @value{GDBN} commands in separate text windows.
13763 The TUI is available only when @value{GDBN} is configured
13764 with the @code{--enable-tui} configure option (@pxref{Configure Options}).
13767 @section TUI overview
13769 The TUI has two display modes that can be switched while
13774 A curses (or TUI) mode in which it displays several text
13775 windows on the terminal.
13778 A standard mode which corresponds to the @value{GDBN} configured without
13782 In the TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text window
13787 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
13788 prompt and the @value{GDBN} outputs. The @value{GDBN} input is still
13789 managed using readline but through the TUI. The @emph{command}
13790 window is always visible.
13793 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
13794 line as well as active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
13795 The current program position is shown with the @samp{>} marker and
13796 active breakpoints are shown with @samp{*} markers.
13799 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
13802 This window shows the processor registers. It detects when
13803 a register is changed and when this is the case, registers that have
13804 changed are highlighted.
13808 The source, assembly and register windows are attached to the thread
13809 and the frame position. They are updated when the current thread
13810 changes, when the frame changes or when the program counter changes.
13811 These three windows are arranged by the TUI according to several
13812 layouts. The layout defines which of these three windows are visible.
13813 The following layouts are available:
13823 source and assembly
13826 source and registers
13829 assembly and registers
13834 @section TUI Key Bindings
13835 @cindex TUI key bindings
13837 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
13838 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
13839 They allow to leave or enter in the TUI mode or they operate
13840 directly on the TUI layout and windows. The following key bindings
13841 are installed for both TUI mode and the @value{GDBN} standard mode.
13850 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When the TUI mode is left,
13851 the curses window management is left and @value{GDBN} operates using
13852 its standard mode writing on the terminal directly. When the TUI
13853 mode is entered, the control is given back to the curses windows.
13854 The screen is then refreshed.
13858 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
13859 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
13860 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
13862 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
13866 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
13867 layout shows already two windows, a next layout with two windows is used.
13868 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
13869 previous layout and the new one.
13871 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
13875 The following key bindings are handled only by the TUI mode:
13880 Scroll the active window one page up.
13884 Scroll the active window one page down.
13888 Scroll the active window one line up.
13892 Scroll the active window one line down.
13896 Scroll the active window one column left.
13900 Scroll the active window one column right.
13904 Refresh the screen.
13908 In the TUI mode, the arrow keys are used by the active window
13909 for scrolling. This means they are not available for readline. It is
13910 necessary to use other readline key bindings such as @key{C-p}, @key{C-n},
13911 @key{C-b} and @key{C-f}.
13914 @section TUI specific commands
13915 @cindex TUI commands
13917 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
13918 These commands are always available, that is they do not depend on
13919 the current terminal mode in which @value{GDBN} runs. When @value{GDBN}
13920 is in the standard mode, using these commands will automatically switch
13925 @kindex layout next
13926 Display the next layout.
13929 @kindex layout prev
13930 Display the previous layout.
13934 Display the source window only.
13938 Display the assembly window only.
13941 @kindex layout split
13942 Display the source and assembly window.
13945 @kindex layout regs
13946 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
13948 @item focus next | prev | src | asm | regs | split
13950 Set the focus to the named window.
13951 This command allows to change the active window so that scrolling keys
13952 can be affected to another window.
13956 Refresh the screen. This is similar to using @key{C-L} key.
13960 Update the source window and the current execution point.
13962 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
13963 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
13965 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
13966 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
13971 @node TUI Configuration
13972 @section TUI configuration variables
13973 @cindex TUI configuration variables
13975 The TUI has several configuration variables that control the
13976 appearance of windows on the terminal.
13979 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
13980 @kindex set tui border-kind
13981 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
13982 The possible values are the following:
13985 Use a space character to draw the border.
13988 Use ascii characters + - and | to draw the border.
13991 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
13992 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
13996 @item set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
13997 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
13998 Select the attributes to display the border of the active window.
13999 The possible values are @code{normal}, @code{standout}, @code{reverse},
14000 @code{half}, @code{half-standout}, @code{bold} and @code{bold-standout}.
14002 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
14003 @kindex set tui border-mode
14004 Select the attributes to display the border of other windows.
14005 The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
14008 Use normal attributes to display the border.
14014 Use reverse video mode.
14017 Use half bright mode.
14019 @item half-standout
14020 Use half bright and standout mode.
14023 Use extra bright or bold mode.
14025 @item bold-standout
14026 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
14033 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
14036 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
14037 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
14038 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
14041 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
14042 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
14043 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
14044 created Emacs buffer.
14045 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
14047 Using @value{GDBN} under Emacs is just like using @value{GDBN} normally except for two
14052 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through the Emacs buffer.
14055 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
14056 and output done by the program you are debugging.
14058 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
14059 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
14062 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
14063 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
14064 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
14069 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
14072 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
14073 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
14074 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
14075 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
14078 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
14079 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
14082 @emph{Warning:} If the directory where your program resides is not your
14083 current directory, it can be easy to confuse Emacs about the location of
14084 the source files, in which case the auxiliary display buffer does not
14085 appear to show your source. @value{GDBN} can find programs by searching your
14086 environment's @code{PATH} variable, so the @value{GDBN} input and output
14087 session proceeds normally; but Emacs does not get enough information
14088 back from @value{GDBN} to locate the source files in this situation. To
14089 avoid this problem, either start @value{GDBN} mode from the directory where
14090 your program resides, or specify an absolute file name when prompted for the
14091 @kbd{M-x gdb} argument.
14093 A similar confusion can result if you use the @value{GDBN} @code{file} command to
14094 switch to debugging a program in some other location, from an existing
14095 @value{GDBN} buffer in Emacs.
14098 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If
14099 you need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you keep
14100 several configurations around, with different names) you can set the
14101 Emacs variable @code{gdb-command-name}; for example,
14104 (setq gdb-command-name "mygdb")
14108 (preceded by @kbd{M-:} or @kbd{ESC :}, or typed in the @code{*scratch*} buffer, or
14109 in your @file{.emacs} file) makes Emacs call the program named
14110 ``@code{mygdb}'' instead.
14112 In the @value{GDBN} I/O buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
14113 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
14117 Describe the features of Emacs' @value{GDBN} Mode.
14120 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
14121 update the display window to show the current file and location.
14124 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
14125 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
14126 to show the current file and location.
14129 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
14130 display window accordingly.
14132 @item M-x gdb-nexti
14133 Execute to next instruction, using the @value{GDBN} @code{nexti} command; update
14134 display window accordingly.
14137 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
14138 @code{finish} command.
14141 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
14144 @emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-p}.
14147 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
14148 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
14149 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
14151 @emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-u}.
14154 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
14155 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
14157 @emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-d}.
14160 Read the number where the cursor is positioned, and insert it at the end
14161 of the @value{GDBN} I/O buffer. For example, if you wish to disassemble code
14162 around an address that was displayed earlier, type @kbd{disassemble};
14163 then move the cursor to the address display, and pick up the
14164 argument for @code{disassemble} by typing @kbd{C-x &}.
14166 You can customize this further by defining elements of the list
14167 @code{gdb-print-command}; once it is defined, you can format or
14168 otherwise process numbers picked up by @kbd{C-x &} before they are
14169 inserted. A numeric argument to @kbd{C-x &} indicates that you
14170 wish special formatting, and also acts as an index to pick an element of the
14171 list. If the list element is a string, the number to be inserted is
14172 formatted using the Emacs function @code{format}; otherwise the number
14173 is passed as an argument to the corresponding list element.
14176 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x SPC} (@code{gdb-break})
14177 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
14179 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
14180 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
14181 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
14182 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
14185 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
14186 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
14187 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
14188 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
14189 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
14190 to correspond properly with the code.
14192 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
14195 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
14199 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
14200 called the @code{epoch}
14201 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
14202 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
14203 each value is printed in its own window.
14206 @include annotate.texi
14207 @include gdbmi.texinfo
14210 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
14211 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
14212 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
14214 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
14216 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
14217 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
14218 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
14219 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
14221 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
14222 information that enables us to fix the bug.
14225 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
14226 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
14230 @section Have you found a bug?
14231 @cindex bug criteria
14233 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
14236 @cindex fatal signal
14237 @cindex debugger crash
14238 @cindex crash of debugger
14240 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
14241 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
14243 @cindex error on valid input
14245 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
14246 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
14247 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
14249 @cindex invalid input
14251 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
14252 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
14253 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
14254 for traditional practice''.
14257 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
14258 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
14261 @node Bug Reporting
14262 @section How to report bugs
14263 @cindex bug reports
14264 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
14266 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
14267 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
14268 contact that organization first.
14270 You can find contact information for many support companies and
14271 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
14273 @c should add a web page ref...
14275 In any event, we also recommend that you send bug reports for
14276 @value{GDBN} to this addresses:
14282 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
14283 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
14284 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
14287 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
14288 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
14289 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
14290 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
14291 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
14292 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
14293 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
14294 bug reports to the mailing list.
14296 As a last resort, send bug reports on paper to:
14299 @sc{gnu} Debugger Bugs
14300 Free Software Foundation Inc.
14301 59 Temple Place - Suite 330
14302 Boston, MA 02111-1307
14306 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
14307 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
14308 fact or leave it out, state it!
14310 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
14311 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
14312 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
14313 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
14314 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
14315 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
14316 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
14317 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
14318 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
14320 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
14321 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
14322 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
14325 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
14326 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
14327 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
14330 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
14334 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
14335 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
14338 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
14339 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
14342 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
14346 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.
14347 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
14350 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
14351 debugging---e.g. ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
14352 C Compiler''. For GCC, you can say @code{gcc --version} to get this
14353 information; for other compilers, see the documentation for those
14357 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
14358 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
14359 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
14360 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
14362 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
14363 and then we might not encounter the bug.
14366 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
14370 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
14371 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
14373 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
14374 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
14375 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
14376 a chance to make a mistake.
14378 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
14379 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
14380 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
14381 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
14382 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
14383 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
14384 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
14385 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
14388 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
14389 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
14390 it by context, not by line number.
14392 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
14393 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
14397 Here are some things that are not necessary:
14401 A description of the envelope of the bug.
14403 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
14404 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
14405 changes will not affect it.
14407 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
14408 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
14409 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
14410 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
14412 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
14413 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
14414 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
14415 less time, and so on.
14417 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
14418 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
14421 A patch for the bug.
14423 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
14424 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
14425 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
14426 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
14428 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
14429 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
14430 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
14431 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
14433 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
14434 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
14435 help us to understand.
14438 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
14440 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
14441 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
14444 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
14445 @c and consists of the two following files:
14447 @c inc-hist.texinfo
14448 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
14449 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
14450 @include rluser.texinfo
14451 @include inc-hist.texinfo
14454 @node Formatting Documentation
14455 @appendix Formatting Documentation
14457 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
14458 @cindex reference card
14459 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
14460 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
14461 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
14462 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
14463 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
14464 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
14466 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
14467 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
14473 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
14474 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
14475 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
14476 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
14477 your @sc{dvi} output program.
14479 @cindex documentation
14481 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
14482 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
14483 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
14484 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
14485 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
14486 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
14488 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
14489 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
14490 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
14491 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
14492 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
14493 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
14494 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
14495 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
14497 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
14498 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
14501 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
14502 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
14503 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
14510 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
14511 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
14512 Texinfo definitions file.
14514 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
14515 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
14516 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
14517 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
14518 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
14519 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
14520 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
14522 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
14523 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
14524 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
14525 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
14526 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
14529 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
14530 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the the @file{gdb}
14531 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
14532 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
14538 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
14540 @node Installing GDB
14541 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
14542 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
14543 @cindex installation
14545 @value{GDBN} comes with a @code{configure} script that automates the process
14546 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
14547 build the @code{gdb} program.
14549 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
14550 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
14551 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
14552 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
14555 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
14556 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
14557 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
14559 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
14560 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
14563 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
14564 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
14566 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
14567 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
14569 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
14570 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
14572 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
14573 @sc{gnu} include files
14575 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
14576 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
14578 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
14579 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
14581 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
14582 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
14584 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
14585 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
14587 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
14588 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
14591 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @code{configure}
14592 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
14593 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
14595 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
14596 if you are not already in it; then run @code{configure}. Pass the
14597 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
14603 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
14604 ./configure @var{host}
14609 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
14610 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
14611 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @code{configure} tries to guess the
14612 correct value by examining your system.)
14614 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
14615 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
14616 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
14617 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
14620 @code{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
14621 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
14622 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
14625 sh configure @var{host}
14628 If you run @code{configure} from a directory that contains source
14629 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
14630 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN}, @code{configure}
14631 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
14632 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
14634 You can run the @code{configure} script from any of the
14635 subordinate directories in the @value{GDBN} distribution if you only want to
14636 configure that subdirectory, but be sure to specify a path to it.
14638 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, type the following to configure only
14639 the @code{bfd} subdirectory:
14643 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
14644 ../configure @var{host}
14648 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
14649 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
14650 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
14651 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
14652 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
14655 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
14656 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
14657 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
14660 @node Separate Objdir
14661 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
14663 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
14664 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
14665 host and target. @code{configure} is designed to make this easy by
14666 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
14667 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
14668 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
14669 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
14670 program specified there.
14672 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @code{configure}
14673 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
14674 (You also need to specify a path to find @code{configure}
14675 itself from your working directory. If the path to @code{configure}
14676 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
14677 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
14679 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
14680 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
14684 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
14687 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
14692 When @code{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
14693 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
14694 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
14695 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
14696 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
14697 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
14699 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
14700 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
14701 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
14702 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
14703 You specify a cross-debugging target by
14704 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @code{configure}.
14706 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
14707 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
14708 called @code{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
14710 The @code{Makefile} that @code{configure} generates in each source
14711 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
14712 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
14713 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
14714 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
14716 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
14717 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
14718 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
14722 @section Specifying names for hosts and targets
14724 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @code{configure}
14725 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
14726 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
14727 of information in the following pattern:
14730 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
14733 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
14734 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
14735 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
14737 The @code{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
14738 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
14739 aliases. @code{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
14740 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
14741 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
14742 abbreviations---for example:
14745 % sh config.sub i386-linux
14747 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
14748 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
14749 % sh config.sub hp9k700
14751 % sh config.sub sun4
14752 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
14753 % sh config.sub sun3
14754 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
14755 % sh config.sub i986v
14756 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
14760 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
14761 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
14763 @node Configure Options
14764 @section @code{configure} options
14766 Here is a summary of the @code{configure} options and arguments that
14767 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @code{configure} also has
14768 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
14769 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @code{configure}.
14772 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
14773 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
14774 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
14775 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
14776 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
14777 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
14782 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
14783 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
14788 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @code{configure}.
14790 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
14791 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
14794 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
14795 Configure the source to install programs under directory
14798 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
14800 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
14801 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
14802 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
14803 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
14804 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
14805 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
14806 directories. @code{configure} writes configuration specific files in
14807 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
14808 directory @var{dirname}. @code{configure} creates directories under
14809 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
14812 @item --norecursion
14813 Configure only the directory level where @code{configure} is executed; do not
14814 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
14816 @item --target=@var{target}
14817 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
14818 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
14819 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
14821 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
14823 @item @var{host} @dots{}
14824 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
14826 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
14829 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
14830 needed for special purposes only.
14832 @node Maintenance Commands
14833 @appendix Maintenance Commands
14834 @cindex maintenance commands
14835 @cindex internal commands
14837 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
14838 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers.
14839 These commands are provided here for reference.
14842 @kindex maint info breakpoints
14843 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
14844 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
14845 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
14846 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
14847 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
14852 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
14855 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
14858 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
14859 @code{longjmp} calls.
14861 @item longjmp resume
14862 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
14865 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
14868 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
14871 Shared library events.
14885 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
14887 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
14888 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
14889 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
14890 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
14891 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
14892 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
14893 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
14894 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
14895 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
14900 @c TeX can handle the contents at the start but makeinfo 3.12 can not