1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,
3 @c 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
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
26 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
27 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
31 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
32 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
35 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
38 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
40 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
41 @c manuals to an info tree.
42 @dircategory Software development
44 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
48 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
49 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
50 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
52 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
53 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
54 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
55 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
56 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
57 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
59 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
60 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
61 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
65 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
67 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
68 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
69 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
70 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
72 Version @value{GDBVN}.
78 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
79 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
81 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
82 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
84 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
86 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
90 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
91 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
92 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
96 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
97 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
98 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
99 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
100 ISBN 1-882114-77-9 @*
104 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
105 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
106 software in general. We will miss him.
111 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
113 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
115 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
117 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
118 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
119 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
121 Version @value{GDBVN}.
123 Copyright (C) 1988-2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
125 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
126 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
127 software in general. We will miss him.
130 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
131 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
133 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
134 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
135 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
136 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
137 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
138 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
139 * Stack:: Examining the stack
140 * Source:: Examining source files
141 * Data:: Examining data
142 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
143 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
144 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
145 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
147 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
149 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
150 * Altering:: Altering execution
151 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
152 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
153 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
154 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
155 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
156 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
157 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
158 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
159 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
160 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
161 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
162 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
164 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
166 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
167 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
168 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
169 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
170 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
171 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
172 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
173 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
175 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
177 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
178 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
179 how you can copy and share GDB
180 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
189 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
191 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
192 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
193 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
195 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
196 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
200 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
203 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
206 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
209 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
210 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
213 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
214 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
215 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
217 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
221 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
222 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
224 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
225 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
228 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
229 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
230 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
234 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
235 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
238 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
239 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
242 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
243 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
247 @unnumberedsec Free Software
249 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
250 General Public License
251 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
252 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
253 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
254 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
255 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
256 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
258 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
259 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
262 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
264 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
265 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
266 include with the free software. Many of our most important
267 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
268 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
269 when an important free software package does not come with a free
270 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
273 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
274 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
275 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
276 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
277 them from the free software world.
279 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
280 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
281 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
282 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
283 contract to make it non-free.
285 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
286 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
287 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
288 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
289 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
290 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
291 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
293 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
294 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
295 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
296 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
298 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
299 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
300 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
301 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
302 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
303 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
306 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
307 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
308 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
309 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
310 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
311 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
312 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
313 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
316 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
317 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
318 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
319 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
320 manual to replace it.
322 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
323 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
324 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
325 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
326 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
327 the free software community.
329 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
330 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
331 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
332 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
333 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
334 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
335 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
336 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
337 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
339 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
340 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
341 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
342 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
343 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
344 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
345 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
346 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
348 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
349 published by other publishers, at
350 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
353 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
355 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
356 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
357 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
358 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
359 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
360 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
361 blow-by-blow account.
363 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
366 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
367 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
368 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
371 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
372 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
374 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
375 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
376 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
377 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
378 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
379 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
380 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
381 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
382 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
384 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
385 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
387 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
388 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
389 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
390 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
391 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
393 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
394 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
395 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
397 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
398 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
400 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
402 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
403 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
405 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
406 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
407 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
408 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
409 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
410 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
411 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
412 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
413 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
414 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
415 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
416 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
417 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
418 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
419 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
420 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
422 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
424 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
427 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
428 about several machine instruction sets.
430 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
431 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
432 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
433 and RDI targets, respectively.
435 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
436 command-line editing and command history.
438 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
439 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
441 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
442 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
445 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
446 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
448 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
450 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
453 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
455 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
457 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
459 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
462 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
464 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
466 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
467 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
469 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
470 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
471 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
472 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
473 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
474 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
475 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
477 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
478 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
480 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
481 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
482 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
483 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
484 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
485 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
486 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
487 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
488 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
489 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
490 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
491 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
492 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
493 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
494 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
496 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
497 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
499 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
502 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
503 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
504 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
505 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
506 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
507 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
509 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
510 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
511 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
512 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
513 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
514 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
515 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
516 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
517 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
518 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
519 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
522 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
523 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
524 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
525 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
527 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
528 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
531 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
533 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
534 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
535 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
538 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
539 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
542 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
543 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
545 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
546 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
547 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
548 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
549 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
550 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
551 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
552 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
553 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
562 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
566 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
568 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
571 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
575 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
578 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
579 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
580 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
581 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
582 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
584 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
587 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
592 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
593 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
594 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
595 that examples fit in this manual.
598 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
602 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
603 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
604 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
605 @code{break} command.
608 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
609 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
613 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
614 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
615 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
618 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
619 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
627 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
628 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
629 context where it stops.
632 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
634 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
636 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
640 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
641 the next line of the current function.
645 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
650 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
651 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
652 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
653 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
657 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
659 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
663 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
664 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
665 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
666 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
667 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
668 stack frame for each active subroutine.
671 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
672 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
674 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
676 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
677 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
679 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
680 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
684 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
685 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
686 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
690 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
692 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
693 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
695 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
698 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
702 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
703 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
704 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
705 (@code{print}) to see their values.
708 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
709 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
710 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
711 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
715 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
716 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
717 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
723 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
725 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
728 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
729 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
736 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
737 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
741 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
744 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
746 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
751 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
752 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
753 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
754 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
755 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
759 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
761 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
766 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
767 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
768 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
769 example that caused trouble initially:
775 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
782 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
783 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
784 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
788 Program exited normally.
792 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
793 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
794 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
797 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
801 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
803 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
807 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
809 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
813 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
814 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
815 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
816 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
820 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
822 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
823 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
825 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
826 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
828 The command-line options described here are designed
829 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
830 options may effectively be unavailable.
832 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
833 specifying an executable program:
836 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
840 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
844 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
847 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
848 to debug a running process:
851 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
855 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
856 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
858 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
859 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
860 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
861 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
862 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
864 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
865 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
868 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
870 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
871 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
873 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
874 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
881 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
882 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
892 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
893 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
895 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
896 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
897 @samp{-x} option is used.
901 * File Options:: Choosing files
902 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
903 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
907 @subsection Choosing Files
909 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
910 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
911 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
912 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
913 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
914 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
915 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
916 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
917 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
918 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
919 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
920 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
921 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
923 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
924 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
925 argument and ignore it.
927 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
928 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
929 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
930 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
931 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
933 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
934 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
938 @item -symbols @var{file}
940 @cindex @code{--symbols}
942 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
944 @item -exec @var{file}
946 @cindex @code{--exec}
948 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
949 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
953 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
956 @item -core @var{file}
958 @cindex @code{--core}
960 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
962 @item -pid @var{number}
963 @itemx -p @var{number}
966 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
968 @item -command @var{file}
970 @cindex @code{--command}
972 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
973 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
974 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
976 @item -eval-command @var{command}
977 @itemx -ex @var{command}
978 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
980 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
982 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
983 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
986 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
987 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
990 @item -directory @var{directory}
991 @itemx -d @var{directory}
992 @cindex @code{--directory}
994 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
998 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1000 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1001 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1002 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1007 @subsection Choosing Modes
1009 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1010 batch mode or quiet mode.
1017 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1018 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1019 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1025 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1026 @cindex @code{--silent}
1028 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1029 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1032 @cindex @code{--batch}
1033 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1034 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1035 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1036 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1037 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1038 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1039 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1041 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1042 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1043 make this more useful, the message
1046 Program exited normally.
1050 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1051 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1055 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1056 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1057 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1058 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1059 for an interactive session.
1061 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1062 messages, for example.
1064 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1065 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1067 @item -return-child-result
1068 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1069 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1070 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1074 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1075 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1076 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1078 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1080 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1081 the exit code will be -1.
1084 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1085 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1090 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1092 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1093 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1094 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1098 @cindex @code{--windows}
1100 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1103 @item -cd @var{directory}
1105 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1106 instead of the current directory.
1110 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1112 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1113 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1114 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1115 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1116 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1117 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1118 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1119 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1123 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1124 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1125 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1126 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1129 @item -annotate @var{level}
1130 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1131 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1132 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1133 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1134 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1135 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1136 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1137 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1138 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1140 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1144 @cindex @code{--args}
1145 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1146 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1147 This option stops option processing.
1149 @item -baud @var{bps}
1151 @cindex @code{--baud}
1153 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1154 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1156 @item -l @var{timeout}
1158 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1159 for remote debugging.
1161 @item -tty @var{device}
1162 @itemx -t @var{device}
1163 @cindex @code{--tty}
1165 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1166 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1168 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1170 @cindex @code{--tui}
1171 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1172 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1173 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1174 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Alternatively, the
1175 Text User Interface can be enabled by invoking the program
1176 @samp{@value{GDBTUI}}. Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from
1177 Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1180 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1181 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1182 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1183 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1186 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1187 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1188 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1189 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1190 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1191 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1193 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1194 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1195 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1196 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1197 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1198 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1201 @cindex @code{--write}
1202 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1203 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1207 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1208 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1209 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1212 @cindex @code{--version}
1213 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1214 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1219 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1220 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1222 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1226 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1227 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1231 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1232 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1233 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1237 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1238 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1239 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1243 Processes command line options and operands.
1246 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1247 working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1248 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1249 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1250 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1254 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option. @xref{Command
1255 Files}, for more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1258 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1259 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1260 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1263 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1264 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1265 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1266 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1267 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1268 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1270 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1271 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1273 @cindex init file name
1274 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1275 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1276 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1277 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1278 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1279 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1280 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1281 the file to the standard name.
1285 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1286 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1287 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1290 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1291 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1292 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1294 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1295 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1296 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1297 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1302 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1303 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1304 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1305 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1306 until a time when it is safe.
1308 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1309 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1310 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1312 @node Shell Commands
1313 @section Shell Commands
1315 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1316 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1317 just use the @code{shell} command.
1321 @cindex shell escape
1322 @item shell @var{command string}
1323 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1324 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1325 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1326 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1329 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1330 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1335 @cindex calling make
1336 @item make @var{make-args}
1337 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1338 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1341 @node Logging Output
1342 @section Logging Output
1343 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1344 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1346 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1347 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1351 @item set logging on
1353 @item set logging off
1355 @cindex logging file name
1356 @item set logging file @var{file}
1357 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1358 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1359 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1360 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1361 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1362 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1363 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1364 @kindex show logging
1366 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1370 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1372 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1373 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1374 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1375 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1376 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1379 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1380 * Completion:: Command completion
1381 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1384 @node Command Syntax
1385 @section Command Syntax
1387 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1388 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1389 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1390 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1391 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1392 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1394 @cindex abbreviation
1395 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1396 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1397 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1398 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1399 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1400 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1401 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1403 @cindex repeating commands
1404 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1405 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1406 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1407 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1408 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1409 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1410 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1412 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1413 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1414 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1416 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1417 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1418 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1419 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1420 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1422 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1424 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1425 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1426 Files,,Command Files}).
1428 @cindex repeating command sequences
1429 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1430 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1431 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1432 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1436 @section Command Completion
1439 @cindex word completion
1440 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1441 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1442 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1443 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1445 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1446 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1447 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1448 enter it). For example, if you type
1450 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1451 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1452 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1453 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1455 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1459 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1460 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1463 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1467 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1468 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1469 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1470 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1471 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1472 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1474 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1475 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1476 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1477 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1478 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1479 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1480 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1481 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1485 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1486 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1487 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1488 make_abs_section make_function_type
1489 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1490 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1491 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1492 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1496 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1497 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1500 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1501 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1502 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1503 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1504 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1506 @cindex quotes in commands
1507 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1508 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1509 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1510 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1511 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1512 @value{GDBN} commands.
1514 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1515 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1516 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1517 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1518 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1519 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1520 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1521 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1522 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1523 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1524 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1527 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1528 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1529 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1532 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1533 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1534 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1538 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1539 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1540 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1544 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1545 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1546 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1548 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1549 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1550 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1551 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1553 @cindex completion of structure field names
1554 @cindex structure field name completion
1555 @cindex completion of union field names
1556 @cindex union field name completion
1557 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1558 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1559 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1560 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1561 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1565 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1566 magic to_delete to_fputs to_put to_rewind
1567 to_data to_flush to_isatty to_read to_write
1571 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1572 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1579 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1580 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1581 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1582 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1583 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1584 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1585 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1586 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1593 @section Getting Help
1594 @cindex online documentation
1597 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1598 using the command @code{help}.
1601 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1604 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1605 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1609 List of classes of commands:
1611 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1612 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1613 data -- Examining data
1614 files -- Specifying and examining files
1615 internals -- Maintenance commands
1616 obscure -- Obscure features
1617 running -- Running the program
1618 stack -- Examining the stack
1619 status -- Status inquiries
1620 support -- Support facilities
1621 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1622 stopping the program
1623 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1625 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1626 commands in that class.
1627 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1629 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1632 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1634 @item help @var{class}
1635 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1636 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1637 help display for the class @code{status}:
1640 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1645 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1646 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1647 info -- Generic command for showing things
1648 about the program being debugged
1649 show -- Generic command for showing things
1652 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1654 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1658 @item help @var{command}
1659 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1660 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1663 @item apropos @var{args}
1664 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1665 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1666 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1677 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1678 multiple times in one run
1679 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1680 multiple times in one run
1685 @item complete @var{args}
1686 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1687 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1688 command you want completed. For example:
1694 @noindent results in:
1705 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1708 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1709 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1710 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1711 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1712 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1713 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1718 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1720 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1721 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1722 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1723 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1724 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1725 @w{@code{help info}}.
1729 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1730 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1731 @code{set prompt $}.
1735 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1736 @value{GDBN} itself.
1737 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1738 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1739 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1740 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1743 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1744 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1745 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1746 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1747 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1748 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1752 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1753 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1756 @kindex show version
1757 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1759 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1760 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1761 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1762 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1763 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1764 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1765 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1766 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1769 @kindex show copying
1770 @kindex info copying
1771 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1774 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1776 @kindex show warranty
1777 @kindex info warranty
1779 @itemx info warranty
1780 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1781 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1786 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1788 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1789 debugging information when you compile it.
1791 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1792 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1793 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1794 kill a child process.
1797 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1798 * Starting:: Starting your program
1799 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1800 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1802 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1803 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1804 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1805 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1807 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1808 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1809 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1810 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1814 @section Compiling for Debugging
1816 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1817 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1818 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1819 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1820 and addresses in the executable code.
1822 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1825 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1826 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1827 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1828 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1829 executables containing debugging information.
1831 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1832 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1833 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1834 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1835 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1837 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1838 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1839 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1841 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1842 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1843 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1844 the @option{-g} flag alone, because this information is rather large.
1845 Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
1846 provides macro information if you specify the options
1847 @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1848 debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1849 ``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact
1850 ways to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1855 @section Starting your Program
1861 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1864 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1865 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1866 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1867 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1868 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1872 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1873 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1874 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1875 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1876 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1877 message like this one:
1880 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1881 Try "help target" or "continue".
1885 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1886 first (@pxref{load}).
1888 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1889 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1890 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1891 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1892 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1893 divided into four categories:
1896 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1897 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1898 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1899 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1900 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1902 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1903 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1904 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1906 @item The @emph{environment.}
1907 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1908 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1909 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1910 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1912 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1913 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1914 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1915 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1917 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1918 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1919 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1920 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1921 set a different device for your program.
1922 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
1925 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1926 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1927 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1931 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1932 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
1933 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1934 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1935 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1937 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1938 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1939 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1940 your current breakpoints.
1945 @cindex run to main procedure
1946 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
1947 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
1948 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
1949 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
1950 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
1951 procedure, depending on the language used.
1953 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
1954 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
1955 the @samp{run} command.
1957 @cindex elaboration phase
1958 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
1959 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
1960 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
1961 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
1962 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
1963 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
1964 will remain to halt execution.
1966 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
1967 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
1968 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
1969 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
1970 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
1972 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
1973 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
1974 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
1975 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
1976 elaboration code before running your program.
1978 @kindex set exec-wrapper
1979 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
1980 @itemx show exec-wrapper
1981 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
1982 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
1983 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
1984 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
1985 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
1986 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
1987 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
1988 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
1990 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
1991 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
1992 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
1993 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
1995 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
1996 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2000 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2004 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2005 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2007 @kindex set disable-randomization
2008 @item set disable-randomization
2009 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2010 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2011 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2012 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2013 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2015 This feature is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux. You can get the same
2019 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2022 @item set disable-randomization off
2023 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2024 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2025 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2026 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2027 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2028 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2030 The virtual address space randomization is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2031 It protects the programs against some kinds of security attacks. In these
2032 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2033 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2034 a code at its expected addresses.
2036 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2037 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2038 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2039 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2040 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2041 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2042 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2043 a randomly chosen address.
2045 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2046 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2047 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2048 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2049 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2051 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2052 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2054 @item show disable-randomization
2055 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2056 the virtual address space of the started program.
2061 @section Your Program's Arguments
2063 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2064 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2066 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2067 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2068 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2069 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2070 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2072 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2073 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2074 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2075 the program, not by the shell.
2077 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2078 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2083 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2084 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2085 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2086 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2087 it again without arguments.
2091 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2095 @section Your Program's Environment
2097 @cindex environment (of your program)
2098 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2099 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2100 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2101 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2102 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2103 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2104 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2108 @item path @var{directory}
2109 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2110 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2111 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2112 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2113 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2114 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2115 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2117 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2118 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2119 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2120 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2121 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2122 @var{directory} to the search path.
2123 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2124 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2128 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2129 environment variable).
2131 @kindex show environment
2132 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2133 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2134 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2135 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2136 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2138 @kindex set environment
2139 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2140 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2141 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2142 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2143 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2144 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2146 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2147 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2149 For example, this command:
2156 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2157 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2158 are not actually required.)
2160 @kindex unset environment
2161 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2162 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2163 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2164 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2165 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2168 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2170 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2171 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2172 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2173 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2174 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2175 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2178 @node Working Directory
2179 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2181 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2182 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2183 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2184 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2185 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2186 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2188 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2189 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2194 @cindex change working directory
2195 @item cd @var{directory}
2196 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2200 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2203 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2204 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2205 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2206 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2207 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2208 current working directory of the debuggee.
2211 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2216 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2217 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2218 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2219 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2220 running your program.
2223 @kindex info terminal
2225 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2229 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2230 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2237 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2240 @cindex controlling terminal
2241 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2242 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2243 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2244 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2245 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2252 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2253 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2254 that as their controlling terminal.
2256 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2257 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2260 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2261 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2262 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2263 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2265 @cindex inferior tty
2266 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2267 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2268 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2272 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2273 @kindex set inferior-tty
2274 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2276 @item show inferior-tty
2277 @kindex show inferior-tty
2278 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2282 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2287 @item attach @var{process-id}
2288 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2289 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2290 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2291 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2292 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2294 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2295 executing the command.
2298 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2299 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2300 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2301 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2303 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2304 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2305 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2306 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2307 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2310 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2311 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2312 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2313 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2314 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2315 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2316 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2321 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2322 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2323 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2324 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2325 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2326 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2327 executing the command.
2330 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2331 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2332 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2333 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2334 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2338 @section Killing the Child Process
2343 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2346 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2347 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2350 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2351 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2352 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2353 outside the debugger.
2355 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2356 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2357 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2358 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2359 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2360 breakpoint settings).
2362 @node Inferiors and Programs
2363 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2365 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2366 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2367 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2368 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2369 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2370 from multiple executables.
2373 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2374 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2375 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2376 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2377 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2378 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2379 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2380 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2381 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2382 threads running in it.
2384 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2388 @kindex info inferiors
2389 @item info inferiors
2390 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2392 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2396 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2399 the target system's inferior identifier
2402 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2407 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2408 indicates the current inferior.
2412 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2415 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2416 Num Description Executable
2417 2 process 2307 hello
2418 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2421 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2424 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2425 @item inferior @var{infno}
2426 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2427 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2428 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2432 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2433 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2434 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2435 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2436 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2437 @w{@code{remove-inferior}} command.
2440 @kindex add-inferior
2441 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2442 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2443 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2444 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2445 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2446 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2448 @kindex clone-inferior
2449 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2450 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2451 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2452 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2453 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2456 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2457 Num Description Executable
2458 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2459 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2462 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2463 Num Description Executable
2465 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2468 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2470 @kindex remove-inferior
2471 @item remove-inferior @var{infno}
2472 Removes the inferior @var{infno}. It is not possible to remove an
2473 inferior that is running with this command. For those, use the
2474 @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2478 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2479 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2480 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2481 using the @w{@code{kill inferior}} command:
2484 @kindex detach inferior @var{infno}
2485 @item detach inferior @var{infno}
2486 Detach from the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2487 @var{infno}. Note that the inferior's entry still stays on the list
2488 of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its Description will
2491 @kindex kill inferior @var{infno}
2492 @item kill inferior @var{infno}
2493 Kill the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2494 @var{infno}. Note that the inferior's entry still stays on the list
2495 of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its Description will
2499 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2500 @code{detach inferior}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferior}, or after
2501 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2502 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2505 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2506 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2509 @kindex set print inferior-events
2510 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2511 @item set print inferior-events
2512 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2513 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2514 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2515 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2516 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2517 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2519 @kindex show print inferior-events
2520 @item show print inferior-events
2521 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2522 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2525 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2526 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2527 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2530 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2531 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2532 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2533 info program-spaces}} command.
2536 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2537 @item maint info program-spaces
2538 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2541 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2545 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2548 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2549 the @code{file} command.
2554 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2555 indicates the current program space.
2557 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2558 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2559 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2562 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2565 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2569 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2570 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2571 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2572 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2573 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2576 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2579 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2582 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2583 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2587 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2589 @cindex threads of execution
2590 @cindex multiple threads
2591 @cindex switching threads
2592 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2593 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2594 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2595 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2596 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2597 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2598 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2600 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2604 @item automatic notification of new threads
2605 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2606 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2607 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2608 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2609 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2610 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2611 messages on thread start and exit.
2612 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2613 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2614 isn't compatible with the program.
2618 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2619 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2620 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2621 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2622 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2626 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2627 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2628 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2629 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2631 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2632 @c doesn't support threads"?
2635 @cindex focus of debugging
2636 @cindex current thread
2637 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2638 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2639 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2640 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2641 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2643 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2644 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2645 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2646 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2647 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2648 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2649 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2650 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2651 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2652 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2655 [New Thread 46912507313328 (LWP 25582)]
2659 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2660 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2663 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2664 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2665 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2667 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2668 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2669 @c threads ab initio?
2671 @cindex thread number
2672 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2673 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2674 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2677 @kindex info threads
2679 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2680 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2684 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2687 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2690 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2694 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2695 indicates the current thread.
2699 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2702 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2703 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2704 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2705 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2711 @cindex debugging multithreaded programs (on HP-UX)
2712 @cindex thread identifier (GDB), on HP-UX
2713 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2714 number---a small integer assigned in thread-creation order---with each
2715 thread in your program.
2717 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message, on HP-UX
2718 @cindex thread identifier (system), on HP-UX
2719 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2720 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2721 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2722 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2723 both @value{GDBN}'s thread number and the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2724 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2725 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2729 [New thread 2 (system thread 26594)]
2733 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread.
2736 @kindex info threads (HP-UX)
2738 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2739 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2742 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2744 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2746 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2750 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2751 indicates the current thread.
2755 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2758 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2759 * 3 system thread 26607 worker (wptr=0x7b09c318 "@@") \@*
2761 2 system thread 26606 0x7b0030d8 in __ksleep () \@*
2762 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2763 1 system thread 27905 0x7b003498 in _brk () \@*
2764 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2767 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2768 Solaris-specific command:
2771 @item maint info sol-threads
2772 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2773 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2774 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2778 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2779 @item thread @var{threadno}
2780 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2781 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2782 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2783 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2784 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2787 @c FIXME!! This example made up; find a @value{GDBN} w/threads and get real one
2788 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2789 [Switching to process 35 thread 23]
2790 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2794 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2795 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2798 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2799 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2800 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2801 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2802 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2803 information on convenience variables.
2805 @kindex thread apply
2806 @cindex apply command to several threads
2807 @item thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{command}
2808 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2809 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2810 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2811 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2812 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2813 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2814 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2816 @kindex set print thread-events
2817 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2818 @item set print thread-events
2819 @itemx set print thread-events on
2820 @itemx set print thread-events off
2821 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2822 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2823 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2824 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2825 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2827 @kindex show print thread-events
2828 @item show print thread-events
2829 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2830 have started and exited.
2833 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2834 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2835 programs with multiple threads.
2837 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2838 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2841 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2842 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2843 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2844 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2845 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2846 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2849 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2850 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2851 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2852 to find @code{libthread_db}. If that fails, @value{GDBN} will continue
2853 with default system shared library directories, and finally the directory
2854 from which @code{libpthread} was loaded in the inferior process.
2856 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2857 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2858 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2859 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2860 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2861 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2862 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2864 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2865 only on some platforms.
2867 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2868 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2869 Display current libthread_db search path.
2871 @kindex set debug libthread-db
2872 @kindex show debug libthread-db
2873 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
2874 @item set debug libthread-db
2875 @itemx show debug libthread-db
2876 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
2877 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
2881 @section Debugging Forks
2883 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2884 @cindex multiple processes
2885 @cindex processes, multiple
2886 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2887 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2888 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2889 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2890 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2891 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2892 will cause it to terminate.
2894 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2895 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2896 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2897 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2898 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2899 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2900 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2901 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2902 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2903 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2905 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2906 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2907 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2908 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2910 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2911 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2913 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2914 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2917 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2918 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2919 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2920 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2921 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2925 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2926 unimpeded. This is the default.
2929 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2934 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
2935 @item show follow-fork-mode
2936 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2939 @cindex debugging multiple processes
2940 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2941 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2944 @kindex set detach-on-fork
2945 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
2946 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
2947 retain debugger control over them both.
2951 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
2952 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
2953 independently. This is the default.
2956 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2957 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
2958 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
2963 @kindex show detach-on-fork
2964 @item show detach-on-fork
2965 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
2968 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
2969 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
2970 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
2971 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
2972 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
2973 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
2975 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
2976 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferior}} command (allowing it
2977 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferior}}
2978 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
2981 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2982 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2983 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2984 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2985 the child process's @code{main}.
2987 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
2988 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
2990 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
2991 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
2992 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
2993 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
2994 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
2995 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
2999 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3000 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3002 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3003 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3005 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3009 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3010 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3011 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3017 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3019 Id Description Executable
3022 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3023 Program exited normally.
3024 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3025 Id Description Executable
3031 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3032 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3033 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3034 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3035 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3040 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3041 Id Description Executable
3044 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3045 Program exited normally.
3046 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3047 Id Description Executable
3054 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3055 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3056 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3058 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3059 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3064 @cindex snapshot of a process
3065 @cindex rewind program state
3067 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3068 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3069 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3072 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3073 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3074 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3075 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3076 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3078 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3079 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3080 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3081 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3082 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3083 start again from there.
3085 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3086 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3088 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3093 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3094 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3095 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3097 @kindex info checkpoints
3098 @item info checkpoints
3099 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3100 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3107 @item Source line, or label
3110 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3111 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3112 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3113 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3114 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3115 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3116 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3118 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3119 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3120 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3123 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3124 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3125 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3129 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3130 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3131 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3132 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3133 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3134 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3135 previously read data can be read again.
3137 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3138 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3139 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3140 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3141 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3142 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3144 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3145 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3146 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3147 different execution path this time.
3149 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3150 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3151 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3152 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3153 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3154 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3155 potentially pose a problem.
3157 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3159 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3160 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3161 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3162 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3163 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3166 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3167 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3168 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3169 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3170 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3173 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3175 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3176 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3177 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3179 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3180 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3181 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3182 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3183 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3184 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3185 explicitly request this information at any time.
3188 @kindex info program
3190 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3191 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3195 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3196 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3198 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3202 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3205 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3206 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3207 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3208 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3209 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3210 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3213 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3214 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3215 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3216 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3217 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3221 @cindex data breakpoints
3222 @cindex memory tracing
3223 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3224 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3225 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3226 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3227 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3228 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3229 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3230 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3231 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3232 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3235 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3236 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3240 @cindex breakpoint on events
3241 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3242 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3243 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3244 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3245 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3246 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3247 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3249 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3250 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3251 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3252 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3253 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3254 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3255 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3256 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3259 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3260 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3261 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3262 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3263 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3264 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3265 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3268 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3269 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3270 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3271 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3272 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3273 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3274 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3275 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3276 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3277 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3281 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3283 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3284 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3286 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3289 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3290 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3291 @cindex latest breakpoint
3292 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3293 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3294 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3295 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3296 convenience variables.
3299 @item break @var{location}
3300 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3301 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3302 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3303 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3304 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3306 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3307 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3308 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3311 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3312 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3313 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3316 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3317 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3318 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3319 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3320 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3321 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3322 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3323 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3324 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3327 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3328 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3329 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3330 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3331 existed when your program stopped.
3333 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3334 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3335 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3336 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3337 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3338 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3339 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3342 @item tbreak @var{args}
3343 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3344 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3345 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3346 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3349 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3350 @item hbreak @var{args}
3351 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3352 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3353 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3354 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3355 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3356 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3357 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3358 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3359 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3360 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3361 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3362 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3363 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3364 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3365 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3366 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3367 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3368 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3371 @item thbreak @var{args}
3372 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3373 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3374 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3375 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3376 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3377 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3378 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3379 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3382 @cindex regular expression
3383 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3384 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3385 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3386 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3387 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3388 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3389 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3390 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3391 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3393 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3394 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3395 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3396 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3397 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3398 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3400 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3401 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3402 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3405 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3406 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3407 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3410 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3413 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3414 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3415 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3416 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3417 every function in a given file:
3420 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3423 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3424 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3426 @kindex info breakpoints
3427 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3428 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3429 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3430 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3431 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3432 about the specified breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint). For
3433 each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3436 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3438 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3440 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3441 @item Enabled or Disabled
3442 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3443 that are not enabled.
3445 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3446 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3447 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3448 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3449 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3450 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3452 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3453 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3454 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3455 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3459 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
3460 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
3461 are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
3462 specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
3463 library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
3467 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3468 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3469 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3470 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3471 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3474 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3475 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3476 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3477 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3478 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3479 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3482 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3483 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3484 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3485 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3487 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3488 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3489 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3490 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3494 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3495 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3498 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3499 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3502 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3503 several places where that function is inlined.
3506 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3507 the relevant locations@footnote{
3508 As of this writing, multiple-location breakpoints work only if there's
3509 line number information for all the locations. This means that they
3510 will generally not work in system libraries, unless you have debug
3511 info with line numbers for them.}.
3513 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3514 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3515 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3516 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3517 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3518 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3519 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3524 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3525 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3527 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3528 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3529 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3532 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3533 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3534 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3535 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3536 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3537 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3538 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3539 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3540 that belong to that breakpoint.
3542 @cindex pending breakpoints
3543 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3544 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3545 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3546 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3547 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3548 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3549 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3550 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3551 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3552 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3553 is not yet resolved.
3555 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3556 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3557 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3558 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3559 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3560 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3562 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3563 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3564 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3565 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3567 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3568 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3569 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3571 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3572 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3573 address specification to an address:
3575 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3576 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3578 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3579 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3580 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3582 @item set breakpoint pending on
3583 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3584 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3586 @item set breakpoint pending off
3587 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3588 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3589 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3591 @item show breakpoint pending
3592 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3595 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3596 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3597 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3599 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3600 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3601 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3602 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3603 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3604 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3605 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3608 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3610 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3611 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3613 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3614 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3615 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3616 breakpoint must be used.
3618 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3619 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3620 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3621 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3624 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3625 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3626 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3627 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3628 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3629 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3630 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3631 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3632 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3634 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3635 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3637 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3638 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3639 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3640 removed from the target when it stops.
3642 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3643 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3644 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3645 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3646 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3648 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3649 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3650 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3651 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3652 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3653 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3654 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3657 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3658 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3659 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3660 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3661 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3662 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3663 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3664 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3667 @node Set Watchpoints
3668 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3670 @cindex setting watchpoints
3671 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3672 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3673 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3674 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3675 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3679 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3682 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3683 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3684 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3687 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3688 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3689 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3692 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3693 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3694 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3695 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3696 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3697 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3698 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3699 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3700 the expression changes.
3702 @cindex software watchpoints
3703 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3704 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3705 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3706 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3707 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3708 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3711 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3712 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3713 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3717 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3718 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3719 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3720 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3721 to watch the value of a single variable:
3724 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3727 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3728 clause, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3729 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3730 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3731 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3732 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3734 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3735 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3736 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3737 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3738 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3739 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3740 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3744 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3745 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3749 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3750 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3751 or written into by the program.
3753 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3754 @item info watchpoints
3755 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3756 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3759 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3760 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3761 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3762 a never-changing value:
3765 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3766 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3767 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3768 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3771 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3772 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3773 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3774 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3775 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3776 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3778 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3779 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3780 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3781 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3782 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3783 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3784 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3785 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3788 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3789 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3790 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3792 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3793 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3794 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3797 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3798 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3799 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3801 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3804 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3808 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3810 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3811 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3812 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3813 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3814 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3815 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3816 will print a message like this:
3819 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3822 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3823 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3824 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3825 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3826 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3827 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3828 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3829 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3831 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3832 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3833 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3834 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3835 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3836 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3839 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3843 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3845 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3846 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3847 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3848 expression with separately allocated resources.
3850 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3851 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3852 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3854 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3855 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3856 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3857 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3858 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3859 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3860 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3861 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3862 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3864 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3865 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3866 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
3867 watched expression from every thread.
3870 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
3871 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3872 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3873 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3874 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3875 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3876 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3877 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3878 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3881 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3883 @node Set Catchpoints
3884 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
3885 @cindex catchpoints, setting
3886 @cindex exception handlers
3887 @cindex event handling
3889 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3890 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3891 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3895 @item catch @var{event}
3896 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3899 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3900 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3903 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3906 @cindex Ada exception catching
3907 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
3908 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
3909 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
3910 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
3911 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
3913 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
3914 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
3915 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
3916 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
3917 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
3918 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
3919 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
3920 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
3922 @item exception unhandled
3923 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
3926 A failed Ada assertion.
3929 @cindex break on fork/exec
3930 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3934 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
3935 @cindex break on a system call.
3936 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
3937 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
3938 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
3939 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
3940 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
3941 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
3944 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
3945 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
3946 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
3947 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
3949 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
3950 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
3951 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
3952 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
3954 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
3955 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
3956 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
3959 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
3960 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
3961 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
3962 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
3963 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
3964 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
3965 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
3966 behind the OS upgrades).
3968 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
3972 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
3973 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
3975 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3977 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
3978 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3982 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
3983 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3987 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
3990 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
3991 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
3993 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3995 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
3996 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4000 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4001 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4005 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4006 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4007 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4010 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4011 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4013 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4015 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4016 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4020 Program exited normally.
4024 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4025 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4026 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4027 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4030 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4031 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4032 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4036 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4037 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4038 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4039 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4040 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4041 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4044 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4045 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4046 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4047 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4048 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4052 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4054 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4055 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4058 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4059 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4062 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4065 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4069 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4074 @item tcatch @var{event}
4075 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4076 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4080 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4082 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4083 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4087 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4088 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4089 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4090 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4091 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4092 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4093 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4094 disabled within interactive calls.
4097 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4100 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4103 @cindex raise exceptions
4104 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4105 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4106 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4107 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4108 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4109 out where the exception was raised.
4111 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4112 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4113 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4114 which has the following ANSI C interface:
4117 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4118 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4119 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4123 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4124 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4125 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4127 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4128 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4129 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4130 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4135 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4137 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4138 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4139 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4140 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4141 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4142 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4144 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4145 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4146 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4147 their breakpoint numbers.
4149 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4150 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4151 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4156 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4157 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4158 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4159 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4161 @item clear @var{location}
4162 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4163 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4164 most useful ones are listed below:
4167 @item clear @var{function}
4168 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4169 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4171 @item clear @var{linenum}
4172 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4173 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4174 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4177 @cindex delete breakpoints
4179 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4180 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4181 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4182 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4183 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4184 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4188 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4190 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4191 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4192 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4193 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4194 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4196 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4197 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4198 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4199 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4200 do not know which numbers to use.
4202 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4203 affects all of its locations.
4205 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
4206 states of enablement:
4210 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4211 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4213 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4215 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4218 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4219 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4220 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4223 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4224 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4228 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4229 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4230 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4231 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4232 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4233 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4234 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4237 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4238 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4239 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4241 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4242 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4243 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4245 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4246 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4247 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4248 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4251 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4252 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4253 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4254 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4255 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4256 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4257 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4258 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4262 @subsection Break Conditions
4263 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4264 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4266 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4267 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4268 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4269 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4270 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4271 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4272 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4273 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4275 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4276 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4277 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4278 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4279 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4281 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4282 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4283 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4284 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4287 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4288 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4289 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4290 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4291 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4292 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4293 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4294 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4296 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4297 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4299 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4300 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4301 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4302 with the @code{condition} command.
4304 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4305 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4306 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4311 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4312 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4313 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4314 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4315 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4316 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4317 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4318 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4319 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4320 prints an error message:
4323 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4328 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4329 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4330 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4332 @item condition @var{bnum}
4333 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4334 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4337 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4338 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4339 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4340 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4341 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4342 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4343 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4344 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4345 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4346 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4347 your program reaches it.
4351 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4352 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4353 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4354 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4357 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4360 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4361 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4362 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4363 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4365 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4366 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4367 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4369 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4370 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4371 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4375 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4378 @node Break Commands
4379 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4381 @cindex breakpoint commands
4382 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4383 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4384 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4385 enable other breakpoints.
4389 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4390 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4391 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4393 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4394 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4395 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4397 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4398 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4400 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4401 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4402 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4403 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4404 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4405 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4406 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4410 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4411 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4413 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4414 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4415 that resumes execution.
4417 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4418 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4419 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4420 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4421 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4424 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4425 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4426 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4427 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4428 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4429 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4431 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4432 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4433 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4435 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4436 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4442 printf "x is %d\n",x
4447 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4448 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4449 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4450 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4451 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4452 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4453 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4464 @node Save Breakpoints
4465 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4467 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4468 breakpoints}} command.
4471 @kindex save breakpoints
4472 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4473 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4474 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4475 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4476 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4477 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4478 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4479 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4480 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4481 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4482 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4483 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4484 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4485 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4486 that can no longer be recreated.
4489 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4490 @node Error in Breakpoints
4491 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4493 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4494 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4496 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4497 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4499 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4500 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4504 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4505 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4506 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4508 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4509 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4511 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4512 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4513 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4515 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4516 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4517 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4518 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4520 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4521 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4522 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4523 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4524 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4525 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4526 first in the bundle.
4528 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4529 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4530 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4531 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4532 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4533 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4536 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4537 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4540 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4543 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4544 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4545 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4546 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4547 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4548 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4549 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4550 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4552 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4553 adjusted breakpoints:
4556 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4560 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4561 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4562 frequently than expected.
4564 @node Continuing and Stepping
4565 @section Continuing and Stepping
4569 @cindex resuming execution
4570 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4571 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4572 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4573 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4574 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4575 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4576 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4577 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4581 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4582 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4583 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4584 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4585 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4586 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4587 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4588 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4589 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4590 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4592 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4593 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4594 @code{continue} is ignored.
4596 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4597 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4598 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4602 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4603 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4604 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4605 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4607 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4608 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4609 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4610 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4611 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4612 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4616 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4618 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4619 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4620 abbreviated @code{s}.
4623 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4624 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4625 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4626 @c distinction here.
4627 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4628 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4629 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4630 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4631 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4632 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4636 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4637 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4638 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4639 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4640 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4641 called within the line.
4643 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4644 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4645 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4646 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4647 was any debugging information about the routine.
4649 @item step @var{count}
4650 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4651 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4652 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4655 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4656 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4657 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
4658 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
4659 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
4660 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
4661 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
4662 is abbreviated @code{n}.
4664 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
4667 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
4668 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
4670 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
4671 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
4672 @c function are executed without stopping.
4674 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
4675 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4676 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
4678 @kindex set step-mode
4680 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
4681 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
4682 @itemx set step-mode on
4683 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
4684 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
4685 information rather than stepping over it.
4687 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
4688 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
4689 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
4691 @item set step-mode off
4692 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
4693 debug information. This is the default.
4695 @item show step-mode
4696 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
4697 source line debug information.
4700 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
4702 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
4703 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
4704 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
4706 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
4707 ,Returning from a Function}).
4710 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
4711 @cindex run until specified location
4714 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
4715 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
4716 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
4717 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
4718 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
4719 than the address of the jump.
4721 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
4722 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
4723 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
4724 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
4725 through the next iteration.
4727 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
4730 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
4731 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
4732 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
4733 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
4734 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4738 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4740 (@value{GDBP}) until
4741 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4744 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4745 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4746 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4747 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4748 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4749 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4750 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4752 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4753 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4756 @item until @var{location}
4757 @itemx u @var{location}
4758 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4759 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4760 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
4761 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
4762 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4763 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4764 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4765 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4766 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4767 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
4768 invocations have returned.
4771 94 int factorial (int value)
4773 96 if (value > 1) @{
4774 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
4781 @kindex advance @var{location}
4782 @itemx advance @var{location}
4783 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4784 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
4785 @ref{Specify Location}.
4786 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4787 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4788 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4789 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4793 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4795 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
4797 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4799 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4800 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4801 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4802 Display,, Automatic Display}.
4804 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4808 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4810 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
4812 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4813 proceed until the function returns.
4815 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4822 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
4823 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
4824 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
4825 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
4826 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
4827 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
4828 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
4829 requested an alarm).
4831 @cindex fatal signals
4832 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
4833 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
4834 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
4835 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
4836 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
4837 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
4839 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
4840 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
4843 @cindex handling signals
4844 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
4845 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
4846 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
4847 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
4848 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
4851 @kindex info signals
4855 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
4856 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
4857 the defined types of signals.
4859 @item info signals @var{sig}
4860 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
4862 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
4865 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
4866 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
4867 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
4868 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
4869 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
4870 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
4871 say what change to make.
4875 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
4876 Their full names are:
4880 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
4881 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
4884 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
4885 the @code{print} keyword as well.
4888 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
4891 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
4892 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
4896 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
4897 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
4898 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
4902 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
4903 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
4907 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
4909 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
4910 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
4911 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
4912 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
4913 program sees that signal when you continue.
4915 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
4916 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
4917 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
4920 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
4921 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
4922 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
4923 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
4924 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
4925 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
4926 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
4927 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4930 @cindex extra signal information
4931 @anchor{extra signal information}
4933 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
4934 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
4935 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
4936 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
4937 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
4938 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
4939 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
4940 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
4941 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
4944 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
4945 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
4949 (@value{GDBP}) continue
4950 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
4951 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
4953 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
4960 struct @{...@} _kill;
4961 struct @{...@} _timer;
4963 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
4964 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
4965 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
4968 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
4972 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
4973 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
4977 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
4980 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
4982 @cindex stopped threads
4983 @cindex threads, stopped
4985 @cindex continuing threads
4986 @cindex threads, continuing
4988 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
4989 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
4990 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
4991 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
4992 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
4993 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
4994 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
4995 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
4996 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
4999 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5000 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5001 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5002 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5003 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5004 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5008 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5010 @cindex all-stop mode
5012 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5013 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5014 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5015 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5018 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5019 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5020 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5022 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5023 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5024 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5025 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5026 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5027 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5030 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5031 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5032 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5033 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5035 @cindex automatic thread selection
5036 @cindex switching threads automatically
5037 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5038 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5039 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5040 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5041 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5044 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5045 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5048 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5049 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5050 @cindex lock scheduler
5051 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5052 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5053 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5054 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5055 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5056 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5057 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5058 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5059 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5060 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5061 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5062 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5064 @item show scheduler-locking
5065 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5068 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5069 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5070 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5071 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5072 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5073 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5074 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5075 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5076 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5077 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5078 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5079 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5080 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5081 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5084 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5085 @item set schedule-multiple
5086 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5087 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5088 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5089 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5090 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5091 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5093 @item show schedule-multiple
5094 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5099 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5101 @cindex non-stop mode
5103 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5104 @c with more details.
5106 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5107 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5108 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5109 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5110 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5111 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5113 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5114 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5115 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5116 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5117 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5118 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5119 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5120 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5121 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5122 independently and simultaneously.
5124 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5125 or attach to your program:
5128 # Enable the async interface.
5131 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5134 # Finally, turn it on!
5138 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5141 @kindex set non-stop
5142 @item set non-stop on
5143 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5144 @item set non-stop off
5145 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5146 @kindex show non-stop
5148 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5151 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5152 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5153 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5154 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5155 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5156 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5157 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5160 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5161 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5162 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5164 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5165 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5166 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5167 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5168 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5170 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5171 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5172 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5173 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5174 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5176 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5178 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5179 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5180 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5181 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5182 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5183 previously current thread.
5185 @node Background Execution
5186 @subsection Background Execution
5188 @cindex foreground execution
5189 @cindex background execution
5190 @cindex asynchronous execution
5191 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5193 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5194 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5195 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5196 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5197 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5198 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5200 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5201 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5202 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5205 @kindex set target-async
5206 @item set target-async on
5207 Enable asynchronous mode.
5208 @item set target-async off
5209 Disable asynchronous mode.
5210 @kindex show target-async
5211 @item show target-async
5212 Show the current target-async setting.
5215 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5216 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5218 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5219 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5220 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5226 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5230 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5234 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5238 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5242 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5246 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5250 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5254 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5258 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5262 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5263 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5264 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5265 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5266 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5267 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5269 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5270 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5277 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5278 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5279 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5280 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5283 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5284 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5286 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5287 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5288 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5291 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5292 @cindex thread breakpoints
5293 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5294 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5295 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5296 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5297 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5298 specify some source line.
5300 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5301 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5302 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5303 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5304 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5306 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5307 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5310 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5311 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5312 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5315 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5320 @node Interrupted System Calls
5321 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5323 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5324 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5325 @cindex premature return from system calls
5326 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5327 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5328 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5329 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5330 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5331 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5334 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5335 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5338 For example, do not write code like this:
5344 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5345 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5347 Instead, write this:
5352 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5355 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5356 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5357 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5360 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5361 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5362 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5363 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5366 @subsection Observer Mode
5368 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5369 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5370 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5371 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5372 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5374 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5375 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5376 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5379 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5380 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5381 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5382 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5383 stream will still not be able to be placed.
5388 @item set observer on
5389 @itemx set observer off
5390 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5391 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5392 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5393 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5396 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5398 @kindex may-write-registers
5399 @item set may-write-registers on
5400 @itemx set may-write-registers off
5401 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5402 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5403 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5405 @item show may-write-registers
5406 Show the current permission to write registers.
5408 @kindex may-write-memory
5409 @item set may-write-memory on
5410 @itemx set may-write-memory off
5411 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5412 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5413 defaults to @code{on}.
5415 @item show may-write-memory
5416 Show the current permission to write memory.
5418 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5419 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5420 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5421 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5422 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5423 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5425 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
5426 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5428 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5429 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5430 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5431 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5432 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5433 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5434 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5436 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
5437 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5439 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5440 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5441 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5442 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5443 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5444 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5445 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5447 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5448 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5450 @kindex may-interrupt
5451 @item set may-interrupt on
5452 @itemx set may-interrupt off
5453 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
5454 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
5455 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
5456 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5458 @item show may-interrupt
5459 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
5463 @node Reverse Execution
5464 @chapter Running programs backward
5465 @cindex reverse execution
5466 @cindex running programs backward
5468 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5469 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5470 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5471 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5473 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5474 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5475 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5476 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5477 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5478 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5480 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5481 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5482 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5483 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5484 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5485 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5486 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5487 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5488 prior values@footnote{
5489 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5490 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5491 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5493 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5494 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5495 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5496 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5497 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5498 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5499 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5502 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5503 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5506 @kindex reverse-continue
5507 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5508 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5509 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5510 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5511 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5512 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5513 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5515 @kindex reverse-step
5516 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5517 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5518 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5519 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5521 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5522 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5523 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5524 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5525 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5526 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5528 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5529 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5531 @kindex reverse-stepi
5532 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5533 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5534 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5535 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5536 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5537 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5538 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5540 @kindex reverse-next
5541 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5542 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5543 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5544 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5545 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5546 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5547 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5548 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5549 line of a function back to its return to its caller
5550 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5552 @kindex reverse-nexti
5553 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
5554 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5555 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
5556 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
5557 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
5558 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
5559 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
5562 @kindex reverse-finish
5563 @item reverse-finish
5564 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
5565 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
5566 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
5567 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
5569 @kindex set exec-direction
5570 @item set exec-direction
5571 Set the direction of target execution.
5572 @itemx set exec-direction reverse
5573 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
5574 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
5575 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
5576 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
5577 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
5578 @item set exec-direction forward
5579 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
5580 This is the default.
5584 @node Process Record and Replay
5585 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
5586 @cindex process record and replay
5587 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
5589 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
5590 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
5591 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
5594 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
5595 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
5596 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
5597 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
5598 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
5599 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
5600 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
5601 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
5605 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
5606 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
5607 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
5610 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
5611 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
5612 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
5613 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
5614 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
5615 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
5617 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
5618 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
5619 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
5620 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
5622 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
5623 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
5626 @kindex target record
5630 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
5631 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
5632 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
5633 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
5634 the @kbd{target record} command.
5636 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
5638 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
5639 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
5640 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
5641 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
5642 doesn't support displaced stepping.
5644 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
5645 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
5646 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
5647 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
5648 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
5649 support these two modes.
5654 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
5655 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
5656 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
5658 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
5659 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
5660 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
5661 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
5662 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
5664 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
5665 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
5666 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
5667 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
5668 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
5670 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
5671 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
5674 @item record save @var{filename}
5675 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5676 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
5677 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
5679 @kindex record restore
5680 @item record restore @var{filename}
5681 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5682 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
5684 @kindex set record insn-number-max
5685 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
5686 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
5688 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
5689 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
5690 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
5691 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
5692 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
5693 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
5694 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
5695 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
5697 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
5698 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
5699 instructions is unlimited in this case.
5701 @kindex show record insn-number-max
5702 @item show record insn-number-max
5703 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
5705 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
5706 @item set record stop-at-limit
5707 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
5708 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
5709 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
5710 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
5711 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
5712 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
5714 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
5715 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
5717 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
5718 @item show record stop-at-limit
5719 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
5721 @kindex set record memory-query
5722 @item set record memory-query
5723 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
5724 changes caused by an instruction. If ON, @value{GDBN} will query
5725 whether to stop the inferior in that case.
5727 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
5728 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
5729 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
5730 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
5733 @kindex show record memory-query
5734 @item show record memory-query
5735 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
5739 Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
5740 in-memory execution log buffer, including:
5744 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
5746 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
5748 Highest recorded instruction number.
5750 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
5752 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
5754 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
5757 @kindex record delete
5760 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
5761 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
5762 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
5763 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
5768 @chapter Examining the Stack
5770 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
5771 stopped and how it got there.
5774 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
5776 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
5777 the arguments of the call,
5778 and the local variables of the function being called.
5779 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
5780 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
5783 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
5784 stack allow you to see all of this information.
5786 @cindex selected frame
5787 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
5788 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
5789 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
5790 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
5791 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
5792 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5794 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
5795 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
5796 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
5799 * Frames:: Stack frames
5800 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
5801 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
5802 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
5807 @section Stack Frames
5809 @cindex frame, definition
5811 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
5812 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
5813 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
5814 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
5815 which the function is executing.
5817 @cindex initial frame
5818 @cindex outermost frame
5819 @cindex innermost frame
5820 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
5821 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
5822 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
5823 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
5824 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
5825 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
5826 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
5827 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
5829 @cindex frame pointer
5830 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
5831 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
5832 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
5833 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
5834 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
5835 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
5837 @cindex frame number
5838 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
5839 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
5840 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
5841 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
5842 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
5844 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
5845 @c underflow problems.
5846 @cindex frameless execution
5847 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
5848 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
5850 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
5852 generates functions without a frame.)
5853 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
5854 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
5855 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
5856 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
5857 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
5858 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
5859 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
5862 @kindex frame@r{, command}
5863 @cindex current stack frame
5864 @item frame @var{args}
5865 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
5866 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
5867 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
5868 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
5870 @kindex select-frame
5871 @cindex selecting frame silently
5873 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
5874 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
5882 @cindex call stack traces
5883 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
5884 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
5885 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
5890 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
5893 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
5894 frames in the stack.
5896 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
5897 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
5899 @item backtrace @var{n}
5901 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
5903 @item backtrace -@var{n}
5905 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
5907 @item backtrace full
5909 @itemx bt full @var{n}
5910 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
5911 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
5912 number of frames to print, as described above.
5917 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
5918 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
5920 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
5921 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
5922 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
5923 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
5924 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
5925 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
5926 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
5927 multi-threaded program.
5929 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
5930 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
5931 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
5932 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
5933 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
5936 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
5937 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
5941 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5943 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
5944 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
5946 (More stack frames follow...)
5951 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
5952 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
5953 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
5956 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
5957 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
5958 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
5959 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
5960 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
5962 @cindex value optimized out, in backtrace
5963 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
5964 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
5965 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
5966 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
5967 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
5968 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
5969 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
5970 such a backtrace might look like:
5974 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5976 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<value optimized out>) at macro.c:242
5977 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<value optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
5979 (More stack frames follow...)
5984 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
5985 shown as @samp{<value optimized out>}.
5987 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
5988 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
5989 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
5991 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
5992 @cindex program entry point
5993 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
5994 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
5995 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
5996 @code{main}@footnote{
5997 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
5998 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
5999 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6000 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6001 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6002 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6004 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6005 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6008 @item set backtrace past-main
6009 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
6010 @kindex set backtrace
6011 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6013 @item set backtrace past-main off
6014 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6017 @item show backtrace past-main
6018 @kindex show backtrace
6019 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6021 @item set backtrace past-entry
6022 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6023 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6024 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6025 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6027 @item set backtrace past-entry off
6028 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6029 application. This is the default.
6031 @item show backtrace past-entry
6032 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6034 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6035 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
6036 @cindex backtrace limit
6037 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
6040 @item show backtrace limit
6041 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6045 @section Selecting a Frame
6047 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6048 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6049 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6050 of the stack frame just selected.
6053 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6054 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6057 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6058 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6059 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6062 @item frame @var{addr}
6064 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6065 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6066 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6067 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6068 switches between them.
6070 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6071 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6073 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6074 pointer and a program counter.
6076 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6077 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6081 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6082 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6083 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6086 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6088 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6089 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6090 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6091 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6094 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6095 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6096 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6097 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6105 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6107 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
6111 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
6112 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
6113 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
6114 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
6115 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
6119 @kindex down-silently
6121 @item up-silently @var{n}
6122 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
6123 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
6124 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
6125 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
6126 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
6131 @section Information About a Frame
6133 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
6139 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
6140 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
6141 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
6142 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
6143 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6146 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
6149 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
6154 the address of the frame
6156 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
6158 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
6160 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
6162 the address of the frame's arguments
6164 the address of the frame's local variables
6166 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
6168 which registers were saved in the frame
6171 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
6172 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
6173 the usual conventions.
6175 @item info frame @var{addr}
6176 @itemx info f @var{addr}
6177 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
6178 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
6179 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
6180 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
6181 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6185 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
6189 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
6190 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
6191 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
6194 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
6195 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
6197 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
6198 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
6199 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
6200 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
6201 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
6207 @chapter Examining Source Files
6209 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6210 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6211 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6212 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6213 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6214 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6215 source files by explicit command.
6217 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6218 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6219 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6222 * List:: Printing source lines
6223 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6224 * Edit:: Editing source files
6225 * Search:: Searching source files
6226 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6227 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6231 @section Printing Source Lines
6234 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6235 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6236 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6237 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6238 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6240 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6243 @item list @var{linenum}
6244 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6245 current source file.
6247 @item list @var{function}
6248 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6252 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6253 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6254 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6255 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6256 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6259 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6262 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6263 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6264 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6267 @kindex set listsize
6268 @item set listsize @var{count}
6269 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6270 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6272 @kindex show listsize
6274 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6277 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6278 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6279 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6280 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6281 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6283 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6284 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6285 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6286 to specify some source line.
6288 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6291 @item list @var{linespec}
6292 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6294 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6295 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6296 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6297 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6298 the same source file as the first linespec.
6300 @item list ,@var{last}
6301 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6303 @item list @var{first},
6304 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6307 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6310 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6313 As described in the preceding table.
6316 @node Specify Location
6317 @section Specifying a Location
6318 @cindex specifying location
6321 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6322 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6323 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6324 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6326 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6327 @value{GDBN} understands:
6331 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6334 @itemx +@var{offset}
6335 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6336 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6337 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6338 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6339 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6340 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6341 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6344 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6345 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6347 @item @var{function}
6348 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6349 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6351 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6352 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6353 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6354 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6355 functions in different source files.
6358 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
6359 @value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
6360 the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
6361 stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
6362 @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
6364 @item *@var{address}
6365 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6366 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6367 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6368 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6369 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6372 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6373 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6374 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6375 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6376 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6380 @item @var{expression}
6381 Any expression valid in the current working language.
6383 @item @var{funcaddr}
6384 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6385 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6386 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6387 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6388 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6389 (although the Pascal form also works).
6391 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6392 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6394 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6395 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6396 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6397 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6398 functions with identical names in different source files.
6405 @section Editing Source Files
6406 @cindex editing source files
6409 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6410 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6411 The editing program of your choice
6412 is invoked with the current line set to
6413 the active line in the program.
6414 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6415 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6418 @item edit @var{location}
6419 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6420 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6421 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6422 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6423 command most commonly used:
6426 @item edit @var{number}
6427 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6429 @item edit @var{function}
6430 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6435 @subsection Choosing your Editor
6436 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6438 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6439 following command-line syntax:
6441 ex +@var{number} file
6443 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6444 the file where to start editing.}.
6445 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6446 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6447 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6448 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6454 or in the @code{csh} shell,
6456 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6461 @section Searching Source Files
6462 @cindex searching source files
6464 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6469 @kindex forward-search
6470 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
6471 @itemx search @var{regexp}
6472 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6473 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
6474 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
6475 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
6478 @kindex reverse-search
6479 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
6480 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
6481 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
6482 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
6483 this command as @code{rev}.
6487 @section Specifying Source Directories
6490 @cindex directories for source files
6491 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
6492 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
6493 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
6494 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
6495 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
6496 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
6497 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
6499 For example, suppose an executable references the file
6500 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
6501 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
6502 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
6503 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
6504 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
6505 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
6506 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
6507 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
6508 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
6509 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
6511 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
6512 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
6513 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
6514 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
6515 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
6516 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
6518 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
6521 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
6522 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
6523 each line is in the file.
6527 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
6528 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
6529 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
6531 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
6532 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
6534 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
6535 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
6536 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
6537 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
6538 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
6539 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
6540 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
6541 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
6542 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
6543 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
6544 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
6545 name to look up the sources.
6547 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
6548 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
6549 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
6550 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
6551 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
6552 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
6553 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
6554 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
6556 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
6557 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
6558 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
6559 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
6560 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
6561 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
6562 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
6564 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
6565 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
6566 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
6567 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
6568 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
6569 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
6570 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
6573 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
6574 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
6575 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
6576 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
6577 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
6578 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
6579 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
6581 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
6582 @cindex default source path substitution
6583 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
6584 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
6585 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
6586 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
6587 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
6588 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
6589 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
6590 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
6591 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
6595 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
6596 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
6597 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
6598 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
6599 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
6600 part of absolute file names) or
6601 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
6602 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
6606 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
6607 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
6608 @cindex compilation directory
6609 @cindex current directory
6610 @cindex working directory
6611 @cindex directory, current
6612 @cindex directory, compilation
6613 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
6614 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
6615 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
6616 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
6617 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
6618 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
6621 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
6623 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
6624 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
6626 @item show directories
6627 @kindex show directories
6628 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
6630 @anchor{set substitute-path}
6631 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
6632 @kindex set substitute-path
6633 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
6634 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
6635 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
6637 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
6638 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
6641 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
6645 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
6646 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
6647 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
6649 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
6650 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
6651 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
6654 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
6657 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
6658 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
6662 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
6663 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
6664 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
6665 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
6668 @item unset substitute-path [path]
6669 @kindex unset substitute-path
6670 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
6671 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
6672 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
6674 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
6676 @item show substitute-path [path]
6677 @kindex show substitute-path
6678 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
6679 which would rewrite that path, if any.
6681 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
6686 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
6687 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
6688 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
6692 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
6695 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
6696 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
6697 directories in one command.
6701 @section Source and Machine Code
6702 @cindex source line and its code address
6704 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
6705 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
6706 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
6707 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
6708 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
6709 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
6710 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
6715 @item info line @var{linespec}
6716 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
6717 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
6718 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
6721 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
6722 the object code for the first line of function
6723 @code{m4_changequote}:
6725 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
6726 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
6728 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
6729 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
6733 @cindex code address and its source line
6734 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
6735 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
6737 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
6738 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
6741 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
6742 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
6743 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
6744 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
6745 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
6746 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
6747 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
6748 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
6753 @cindex assembly instructions
6754 @cindex instructions, assembly
6755 @cindex machine instructions
6756 @cindex listing machine instructions
6758 @itemx disassemble /m
6759 @itemx disassemble /r
6760 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
6761 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
6762 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
6763 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
6764 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
6765 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
6766 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
6767 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
6768 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
6769 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
6772 @item @var{start},@var{end}
6773 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
6774 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
6775 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
6776 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
6780 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
6781 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
6783 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
6784 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
6786 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
6787 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
6790 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
6791 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
6794 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
6795 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
6796 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
6797 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
6798 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6799 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
6800 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
6801 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
6802 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
6803 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6804 End of assembler dump.
6807 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
6808 program is stopped just after function prologue:
6811 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
6812 Dump of assembler code for function main:
6814 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
6815 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
6816 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
6817 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
6818 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
6820 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
6821 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
6822 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
6826 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
6827 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
6828 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
6830 End of assembler dump.
6833 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
6836 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
6837 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
6838 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
6839 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
6840 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
6841 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
6842 End of assembler dump.
6845 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
6846 mnemonics or other syntax.
6848 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
6849 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
6850 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
6851 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
6852 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
6855 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
6856 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
6857 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
6858 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
6859 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
6860 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
6862 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
6863 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
6864 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
6865 assemblers for x86-based targets.
6867 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
6868 @item show disassembly-flavor
6869 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
6873 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
6874 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
6875 @item set disassemble-next-line
6876 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
6877 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
6878 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
6879 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
6880 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
6881 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
6882 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
6883 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
6884 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
6885 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
6886 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
6887 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
6888 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
6889 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
6890 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
6896 @chapter Examining Data
6898 @cindex printing data
6899 @cindex examining data
6902 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
6903 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
6904 @c different window or something like that.
6905 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
6906 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
6907 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
6908 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
6909 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
6910 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
6913 @item print @var{expr}
6914 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
6915 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
6916 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
6917 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
6918 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
6922 @itemx print /@var{f}
6923 @cindex reprint the last value
6924 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
6925 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
6926 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
6929 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
6930 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
6931 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
6933 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
6934 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
6935 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
6939 * Expressions:: Expressions
6940 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
6941 * Variables:: Program variables
6942 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
6943 * Output Formats:: Output formats
6944 * Memory:: Examining memory
6945 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
6946 * Print Settings:: Print settings
6947 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
6948 * Value History:: Value history
6949 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
6950 * Registers:: Registers
6951 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
6952 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
6953 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
6954 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
6955 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
6956 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
6957 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
6958 character set than GDB does
6959 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
6960 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
6964 @section Expressions
6967 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
6968 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
6969 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
6970 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
6971 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
6972 you compiled your program to include this information; see
6975 @cindex arrays in expressions
6976 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
6977 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
6978 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
6979 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
6980 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
6981 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
6983 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
6984 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
6985 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
6988 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
6989 expressions regardless of your programming language.
6991 @cindex casts, in expressions
6992 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
6993 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
6994 at that address in memory.
6995 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
6997 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
6998 to programming languages:
7002 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
7003 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
7006 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
7007 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
7009 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
7010 @cindex type casting memory
7011 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
7012 @cindex casts, to view memory
7013 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
7014 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
7015 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
7016 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
7017 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
7018 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
7021 @node Ambiguous Expressions
7022 @section Ambiguous Expressions
7023 @cindex ambiguous expressions
7025 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
7026 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
7027 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
7028 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
7029 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
7030 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
7031 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
7033 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
7034 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
7035 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
7036 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
7037 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
7040 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
7041 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
7042 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
7043 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
7044 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
7045 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
7046 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
7049 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
7050 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
7051 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
7053 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
7056 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
7059 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
7060 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
7061 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
7062 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
7063 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
7064 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
7066 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
7067 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
7068 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
7069 Multiple breakpoints were set.
7070 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
7077 @kindex set multiple-symbols
7078 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
7079 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
7081 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
7084 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
7085 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
7086 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
7087 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
7088 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
7089 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
7090 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
7091 in the use of the menu.
7093 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
7094 when an ambiguity is detected.
7096 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
7097 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
7099 @kindex show multiple-symbols
7100 @item show multiple-symbols
7101 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
7105 @section Program Variables
7107 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
7110 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
7111 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
7115 global (or file-static)
7122 visible according to the scope rules of the
7123 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
7126 @noindent This means that in the function
7141 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
7142 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
7143 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
7144 the block where @code{b} is declared.
7146 @cindex variable name conflict
7147 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
7148 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
7149 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
7150 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
7151 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
7152 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
7153 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
7155 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
7157 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
7158 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
7161 @var{file}::@var{variable}
7162 @var{function}::@var{variable}
7166 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
7167 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
7168 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
7169 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
7172 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
7175 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
7176 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
7177 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
7178 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
7179 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
7182 @cindex wrong values
7183 @cindex variable values, wrong
7184 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
7185 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
7187 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
7188 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
7189 scope, and just before exit.
7191 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
7192 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
7193 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
7194 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
7195 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
7196 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
7197 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
7198 variable definitions may be gone.
7200 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
7201 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
7204 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
7205 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
7206 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
7207 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
7208 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
7209 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
7210 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
7213 No symbol "foo" in current context.
7216 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
7217 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
7218 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
7219 usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
7220 produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
7221 COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
7222 an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
7223 for Debugging Your Program or GCC, gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu}
7224 Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
7225 @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug info formats
7226 that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
7228 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
7229 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
7230 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
7231 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
7233 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
7234 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
7235 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
7236 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
7237 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
7242 signed char var1[] = "A";
7245 You get during debugging
7250 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7254 @section Artificial Arrays
7256 @cindex artificial array
7258 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7259 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7260 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7261 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7264 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7265 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7266 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7267 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7268 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7269 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7270 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7271 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
7272 example. If a program says
7275 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
7279 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
7285 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
7286 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
7287 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
7288 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7289 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
7291 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
7292 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
7293 The value need not be in memory:
7295 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
7296 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7299 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
7300 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
7301 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
7303 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
7304 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7307 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
7308 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
7309 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
7310 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
7311 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7312 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
7313 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
7314 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
7315 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
7316 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
7326 @node Output Formats
7327 @section Output Formats
7329 @cindex formatted output
7330 @cindex output formats
7331 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
7332 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
7333 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
7334 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
7335 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
7337 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
7338 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
7339 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
7340 letters supported are:
7344 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
7348 Print as integer in signed decimal.
7351 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
7354 Print as integer in octal.
7357 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
7358 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
7359 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
7360 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
7363 @cindex unknown address, locating
7364 @cindex locate address
7365 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
7366 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
7367 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
7370 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
7371 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
7375 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
7376 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
7379 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
7380 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
7381 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
7382 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
7384 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
7385 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
7386 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
7390 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
7391 using typical floating point syntax.
7394 @cindex printing strings
7395 @cindex printing byte arrays
7396 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
7397 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
7398 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
7401 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
7402 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
7403 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
7407 @cindex raw printing
7408 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
7409 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
7410 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
7411 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
7412 pretty-printer which might exist.
7415 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
7422 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
7423 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
7425 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
7426 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
7427 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
7430 @section Examining Memory
7432 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
7433 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
7435 @cindex examining memory
7437 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
7438 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
7441 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
7444 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
7445 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
7446 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
7447 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
7448 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
7451 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
7452 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
7453 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
7454 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
7457 @item @var{f}, the display format
7458 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
7459 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
7460 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
7461 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
7462 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
7464 @item @var{u}, the unit size
7465 The unit size is any of
7471 Halfwords (two bytes).
7473 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
7475 Giant words (eight bytes).
7478 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
7479 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
7480 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
7481 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
7482 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
7483 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
7484 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
7485 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
7486 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
7487 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
7490 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
7491 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
7492 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
7493 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
7494 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
7495 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
7496 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
7497 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
7498 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
7499 a value from memory).
7502 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
7503 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
7504 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
7505 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
7506 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
7508 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
7509 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
7510 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
7511 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
7512 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
7514 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
7515 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
7516 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
7517 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
7518 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
7519 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
7520 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
7521 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
7522 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
7524 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
7525 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
7526 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
7527 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
7528 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
7529 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
7530 for successive uses of @code{x}.
7532 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
7533 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
7536 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
7537 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
7538 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
7539 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
7540 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
7541 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
7544 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
7545 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
7546 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
7547 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
7548 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
7549 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
7550 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
7551 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
7552 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
7554 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
7555 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
7556 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
7558 @cindex remote memory comparison
7559 @cindex verify remote memory image
7560 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
7561 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
7562 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
7563 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
7567 @kindex compare-sections
7568 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
7569 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
7570 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
7571 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
7572 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
7573 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
7578 @section Automatic Display
7579 @cindex automatic display
7580 @cindex display of expressions
7582 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
7583 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
7584 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
7585 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
7586 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
7587 The automatic display looks like this:
7591 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
7595 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
7596 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
7597 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
7598 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
7599 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
7600 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
7604 @item display @var{expr}
7605 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
7606 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
7608 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
7610 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
7611 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
7612 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
7613 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
7614 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
7616 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
7617 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
7618 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
7619 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
7620 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7623 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
7624 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
7625 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7628 @kindex delete display
7630 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
7631 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7632 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
7634 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
7635 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
7637 @kindex disable display
7638 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7639 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
7640 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
7641 enabled again later.
7643 @kindex enable display
7644 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7645 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
7646 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
7649 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
7650 done when your program stops.
7652 @kindex info display
7654 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
7655 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
7656 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
7657 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
7658 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
7661 @cindex display disabled out of scope
7662 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
7663 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
7664 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
7665 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
7666 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
7667 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
7668 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
7669 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
7670 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
7671 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
7673 @node Print Settings
7674 @section Print Settings
7676 @cindex format options
7677 @cindex print settings
7678 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
7679 and symbols are printed.
7682 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
7686 @item set print address
7687 @itemx set print address on
7688 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
7689 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
7690 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
7691 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
7692 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
7693 @code{set print address on}:
7698 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
7700 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7704 @item set print address off
7705 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
7706 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
7710 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
7712 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
7713 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7717 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
7718 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
7719 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
7720 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
7723 @item show print address
7724 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
7727 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
7728 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
7729 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
7730 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
7731 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
7732 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
7733 it prints a symbolic address:
7736 @item set print symbol-filename on
7737 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
7738 @cindex symbol, source file and line
7739 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
7740 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7742 @item set print symbol-filename off
7743 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
7746 @item show print symbol-filename
7747 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
7748 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7751 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
7752 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
7753 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
7755 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
7756 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
7759 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
7760 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
7761 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
7762 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
7763 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
7764 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
7766 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
7767 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
7771 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
7772 @cindex pointer, finding referent
7773 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
7774 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
7775 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
7776 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
7777 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
7778 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
7781 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
7782 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
7783 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
7787 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
7788 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
7789 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
7792 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
7795 @item set print array
7796 @itemx set print array on
7797 @cindex pretty print arrays
7798 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
7799 but uses more space. The default is off.
7801 @item set print array off
7802 Return to compressed format for arrays.
7804 @item show print array
7805 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
7808 @cindex print array indexes
7809 @item set print array-indexes
7810 @itemx set print array-indexes on
7811 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
7812 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
7813 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
7815 @item set print array-indexes off
7816 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
7818 @item show print array-indexes
7819 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
7822 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
7823 @cindex number of array elements to print
7824 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
7825 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
7826 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
7827 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
7828 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
7829 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
7830 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
7832 @item show print elements
7833 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
7834 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
7836 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
7837 @kindex set print frame-arguments
7838 @cindex printing frame argument values
7839 @cindex print all frame argument values
7840 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
7841 @cindex do not print frame argument values
7842 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
7843 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
7848 The values of all arguments are printed.
7851 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
7852 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
7853 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
7854 only scalar arguments are shown:
7857 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
7862 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
7863 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
7866 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
7871 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
7872 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
7873 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
7874 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
7875 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
7876 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
7877 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
7878 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
7879 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
7880 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
7882 @item show print frame-arguments
7883 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
7885 @item set print repeats
7886 @cindex repeated array elements
7887 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
7888 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
7889 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
7890 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
7891 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
7892 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
7893 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
7895 @item show print repeats
7896 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
7899 @item set print null-stop
7900 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
7901 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
7902 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
7903 contain only short strings.
7906 @item show print null-stop
7907 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
7908 @sc{null} character.
7910 @item set print pretty on
7911 @cindex print structures in indented form
7912 @cindex indentation in structure display
7913 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
7914 per line, like this:
7929 @item set print pretty off
7930 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
7934 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
7935 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
7940 This is the default format.
7942 @item show print pretty
7943 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
7945 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
7946 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
7947 @cindex octal escapes in strings
7948 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
7949 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
7950 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
7951 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
7952 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
7954 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
7955 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
7956 international character sets, and is the default.
7958 @item show print sevenbit-strings
7959 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
7961 @item set print union on
7962 @cindex unions in structures, printing
7963 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
7964 and other unions. This is the default setting.
7966 @item set print union off
7967 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
7968 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
7971 @item show print union
7972 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
7973 structures and other unions.
7975 For example, given the declarations
7978 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
7979 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
7980 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
7991 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
7995 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
7998 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
8002 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
8005 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
8009 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
8015 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
8018 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
8019 @item set print demangle
8020 @itemx set print demangle on
8021 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
8022 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
8023 linkage. The default is on.
8025 @item show print demangle
8026 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
8028 @item set print asm-demangle
8029 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
8030 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
8031 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
8034 @item show print asm-demangle
8035 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
8038 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
8039 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
8040 @kindex set demangle-style
8041 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
8042 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
8043 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
8047 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
8050 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
8051 This is the default.
8054 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
8057 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
8060 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
8061 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
8062 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
8063 require further enhancement to permit that.
8066 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
8068 @item show demangle-style
8069 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
8071 @item set print object
8072 @itemx set print object on
8073 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
8074 @cindex display derived types
8075 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
8076 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
8077 the virtual function table.
8079 @item set print object off
8080 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
8081 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
8083 @item show print object
8084 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
8086 @item set print static-members
8087 @itemx set print static-members on
8088 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
8089 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
8091 @item set print static-members off
8092 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
8094 @item show print static-members
8095 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
8097 @item set print pascal_static-members
8098 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
8099 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
8100 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
8101 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
8103 @item set print pascal_static-members off
8104 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
8106 @item show print pascal_static-members
8107 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
8109 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
8110 @item set print vtbl
8111 @itemx set print vtbl on
8112 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
8113 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
8114 @cindex VTBL display
8115 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
8116 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
8117 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
8119 @item set print vtbl off
8120 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
8122 @item show print vtbl
8123 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
8126 @node Pretty Printing
8127 @section Pretty Printing
8129 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
8130 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
8131 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
8134 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
8135 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
8136 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
8139 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
8140 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
8142 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
8143 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
8144 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
8146 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
8147 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
8148 pretty-printers with their names.
8149 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
8150 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
8151 Each such subprinter has its own name.
8152 The format of the name is @var{printer-name}:@var{subprinter-name}.
8154 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
8155 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
8156 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
8157 do anything special.
8159 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
8163 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
8167 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
8168 when debugging that program.
8169 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
8172 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
8173 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
8174 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
8177 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
8178 pretty-printers are selected,
8180 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
8183 @node Pretty-Printer Example
8184 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
8186 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
8189 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8191 static npos = 4294967295,
8193 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
8194 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
8195 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
8197 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
8198 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
8199 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
8204 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
8207 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8211 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
8212 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
8213 @cindex pretty-printer commands
8216 @kindex info pretty-printer
8217 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8218 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
8219 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
8221 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
8222 whose pretty-printers to list.
8223 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
8224 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
8225 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
8226 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
8227 looks up a printer from these three objects.
8229 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
8232 @kindex disable pretty-printer
8233 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8234 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
8235 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
8237 @kindex enable pretty-printer
8238 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8239 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
8244 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
8245 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
8246 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
8247 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
8250 (gdb) info pretty-printer
8257 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8262 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
8264 2 of 3 printers enabled
8265 (gdb) info pretty-printer
8272 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
8274 1 of 3 printers enabled
8275 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8282 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
8284 0 of 3 printers enabled
8285 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8294 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
8295 as can each individual subprinter.
8298 @section Value History
8300 @cindex value history
8301 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
8302 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
8303 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
8304 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
8305 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
8306 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
8307 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
8312 @cindex history number
8313 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
8314 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
8315 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
8316 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
8319 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
8320 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
8321 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
8322 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
8323 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
8324 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
8325 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
8327 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
8328 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
8334 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
8335 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
8342 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
8343 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
8345 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
8346 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
8354 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
8355 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
8360 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
8361 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
8362 values} does not change the history.
8364 @item show values @var{n}
8365 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
8368 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
8369 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
8372 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
8373 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
8375 @node Convenience Vars
8376 @section Convenience Variables
8378 @cindex convenience variables
8379 @cindex user-defined variables
8380 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
8381 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
8382 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
8383 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
8384 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
8386 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
8387 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
8388 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8389 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
8390 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
8392 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
8393 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
8397 set $foo = *object_ptr
8401 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
8404 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
8405 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
8406 value with another assignment at any time.
8408 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
8409 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
8410 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
8411 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
8414 @kindex show convenience
8415 @cindex show all user variables
8416 @item show convenience
8417 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
8418 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
8420 @kindex init-if-undefined
8421 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
8422 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
8423 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
8424 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
8425 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
8426 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
8427 override default values used in a command script.
8429 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
8430 any side-effects do not occur.
8433 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
8434 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
8435 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
8439 print bar[$i++]->contents
8443 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
8445 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
8446 values likely to be useful.
8449 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
8451 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
8452 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
8453 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
8454 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
8455 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
8456 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
8457 to the type of @code{$__}.
8459 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
8461 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
8462 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
8463 to match the format in which the data was printed.
8466 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
8467 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
8468 the program being debugged terminates.
8471 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
8472 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
8473 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
8474 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
8475 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
8478 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
8479 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
8480 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
8481 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
8482 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
8485 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
8486 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
8487 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
8488 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
8489 @xref{General Query Packets}.
8490 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
8494 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
8495 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
8496 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
8498 @cindex convenience functions
8499 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
8500 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
8501 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
8502 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
8507 @kindex help function
8508 @cindex show all convenience functions
8509 Print a list of all convenience functions.
8516 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
8517 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
8518 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
8522 @kindex info registers
8523 @item info registers
8524 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
8525 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8527 @kindex info all-registers
8528 @cindex floating point registers
8529 @item info all-registers
8530 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
8531 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8533 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
8534 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
8535 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
8536 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
8537 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
8540 @cindex stack pointer register
8541 @cindex program counter register
8542 @cindex process status register
8543 @cindex frame pointer register
8544 @cindex standard registers
8545 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
8546 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
8547 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
8548 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
8549 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
8550 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
8551 register that contains the processor status. For example,
8552 you could print the program counter in hex with
8559 or print the instruction to be executed next with
8566 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
8567 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
8568 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
8569 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
8570 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
8571 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
8572 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
8578 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
8579 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
8580 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
8581 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
8582 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
8583 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
8584 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
8586 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
8587 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
8588 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
8589 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
8590 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
8591 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
8592 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
8594 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
8595 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
8596 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
8597 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
8598 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
8599 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
8600 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
8601 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
8602 prints the data in both formats.
8604 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
8605 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
8606 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
8607 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
8608 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
8609 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
8610 registers in @code{struct} notation:
8613 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
8615 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
8616 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
8617 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
8618 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
8619 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
8620 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
8621 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
8626 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
8627 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
8628 value to a @code{struct} member:
8631 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
8634 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
8635 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
8636 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
8637 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
8638 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
8639 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
8641 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
8642 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
8643 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
8644 frame makes no difference.
8646 @node Floating Point Hardware
8647 @section Floating Point Hardware
8648 @cindex floating point
8650 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
8651 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
8656 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
8657 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
8658 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
8659 the ARM and x86 machines.
8663 @section Vector Unit
8666 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
8667 more information about the status of the vector unit.
8672 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
8673 layout vary depending on the hardware.
8676 @node OS Information
8677 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
8678 @cindex OS information
8680 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
8681 you debug your program.
8683 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
8684 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
8685 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
8686 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
8687 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
8688 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
8689 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
8695 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
8696 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
8697 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
8698 the @code{examine} command.
8701 @cindex auxiliary vector
8702 @cindex vector, auxiliary
8703 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
8704 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
8705 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
8706 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
8707 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
8708 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
8709 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
8710 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
8711 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
8712 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
8713 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
8718 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
8719 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
8720 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
8721 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
8722 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
8723 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
8724 an unrecognized tag.
8727 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating-system-specific information
8728 and display it to user, without interpretation. For remote targets,
8729 this functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
8730 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
8735 List the types of OS information available for the target. If the
8736 target does not return a list of possible types, this command will
8739 @kindex info os processes
8740 @item info os processes
8741 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
8742 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, and
8743 the command corresponding to the process.
8746 @node Memory Region Attributes
8747 @section Memory Region Attributes
8748 @cindex memory region attributes
8750 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
8751 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
8752 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
8753 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
8754 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
8755 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
8756 user can override the fetched regions.
8758 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
8759 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
8760 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
8761 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
8764 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
8765 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
8769 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
8770 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
8771 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
8772 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
8773 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
8774 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
8777 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
8778 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
8781 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8782 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
8783 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
8786 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8787 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8788 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
8789 It may be enabled again later.
8792 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8793 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8797 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
8801 @item Memory Region Number
8802 @item Enabled or Disabled.
8803 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
8804 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
8807 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
8810 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
8813 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
8818 @subsection Attributes
8820 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
8821 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
8822 write accesses to a memory region.
8824 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
8825 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
8826 etc.@: from accessing memory.
8830 Memory is read only.
8832 Memory is write only.
8834 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
8837 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
8838 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
8839 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
8840 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
8841 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
8845 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
8847 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
8849 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
8851 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
8854 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
8855 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8856 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
8857 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
8861 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
8862 @c @item swbreak (default)
8865 @subsubsection Data Cache
8866 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
8867 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
8868 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
8869 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
8874 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
8876 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
8879 @subsection Memory Access Checking
8880 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
8881 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
8882 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
8883 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
8886 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
8887 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
8888 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
8889 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
8890 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
8891 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
8892 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
8893 The default value is @code{on}.
8894 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
8895 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
8896 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
8900 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
8901 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8902 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
8906 @c @item noverify (default)
8909 @node Dump/Restore Files
8910 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
8911 @cindex dump/restore files
8912 @cindex append data to a file
8913 @cindex dump data to a file
8914 @cindex restore data from a file
8916 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
8917 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
8918 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
8919 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
8920 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
8921 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
8927 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8928 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8929 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8930 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
8932 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
8939 Motorola S-record format.
8941 Tektronix Hex format.
8944 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
8945 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
8946 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
8950 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8951 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8952 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8953 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
8954 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
8957 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
8958 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
8959 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
8960 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
8961 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
8963 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
8964 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
8965 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
8966 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
8969 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
8970 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
8971 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
8972 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
8976 @node Core File Generation
8977 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
8978 @cindex dump core from inferior
8980 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
8981 image of a running process and its process status (register values
8982 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
8983 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
8984 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
8985 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
8986 the post-mortem debugging mode.
8988 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
8989 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
8990 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
8994 @kindex generate-core-file
8995 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
8996 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
8997 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
8998 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
8999 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
9000 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
9002 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
9003 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
9006 @node Character Sets
9007 @section Character Sets
9008 @cindex character sets
9010 @cindex translating between character sets
9011 @cindex host character set
9012 @cindex target character set
9014 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
9015 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
9016 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
9017 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
9018 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
9019 @dfn{target character set}.
9021 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
9022 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
9023 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
9024 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
9025 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
9026 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
9027 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
9028 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
9029 character and string literals in expressions.
9031 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
9032 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
9033 target-charset} command, described below.
9035 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
9039 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
9040 @kindex set target-charset
9041 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
9042 list of supported target character sets, type
9043 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9045 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
9046 @kindex set host-charset
9047 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
9049 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
9050 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
9051 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
9052 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
9053 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
9055 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
9056 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9057 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
9059 @item set charset @var{charset}
9061 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
9062 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9063 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
9064 for both host and target.
9067 @kindex show charset
9068 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
9070 @item show host-charset
9071 @kindex show host-charset
9072 Show the name of the current host character set.
9074 @item show target-charset
9075 @kindex show target-charset
9076 Show the name of the current target character set.
9078 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
9079 @kindex set target-wide-charset
9080 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
9081 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
9082 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
9083 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9085 @item show target-wide-charset
9086 @kindex show target-wide-charset
9087 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
9090 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
9091 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
9092 @file{charset-test.c}:
9098 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
9099 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
9100 char ibm1047_hello[]
9101 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
9102 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
9106 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9110 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
9111 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
9112 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
9114 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
9117 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
9118 $ gdb -nw charset-test
9119 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
9120 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9125 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
9126 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
9130 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9131 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
9135 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
9136 initial character set:
9138 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
9139 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9140 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
9144 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
9145 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
9146 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
9147 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
9148 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
9151 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
9152 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
9153 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
9158 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
9159 literals you use in expressions:
9162 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9167 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
9170 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
9171 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
9172 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
9175 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
9176 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
9177 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
9182 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
9183 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
9186 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9187 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
9188 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9191 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
9192 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
9193 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
9194 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
9195 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
9198 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
9199 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9200 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
9201 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
9202 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
9203 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
9204 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
9206 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
9207 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
9208 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
9213 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
9214 string literals you use in expressions:
9217 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9222 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
9225 @node Caching Remote Data
9226 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
9227 @cindex caching data of remote targets
9229 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
9230 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
9231 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
9232 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
9233 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
9234 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
9235 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
9236 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
9237 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
9238 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
9239 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
9240 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
9241 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
9242 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
9243 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
9246 @kindex set remotecache
9247 @item set remotecache on
9248 @itemx set remotecache off
9249 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
9252 @kindex show remotecache
9253 @item show remotecache
9254 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
9256 @kindex set stack-cache
9257 @item set stack-cache on
9258 @itemx set stack-cache off
9259 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
9260 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
9262 @kindex show stack-cache
9263 @item show stack-cache
9264 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
9267 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
9268 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
9269 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
9270 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
9271 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
9274 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
9278 @node Searching Memory
9279 @section Search Memory
9280 @cindex searching memory
9282 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
9283 @code{find} command.
9287 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9288 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9289 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
9290 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
9291 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
9294 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
9295 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
9298 @item @var{s}, search query size
9299 The size of each search query value.
9305 halfwords (two bytes)
9309 giant words (eight bytes)
9312 All values are interpreted in the current language.
9313 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
9314 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
9316 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
9317 value's type in the current language.
9318 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
9319 pattern as a mixture of types.
9320 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
9321 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
9322 which is typically four bytes.
9324 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
9325 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
9328 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
9330 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
9331 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
9333 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
9334 number of matches found.
9336 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
9338 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
9340 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
9346 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
9347 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
9348 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
9349 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
9350 printf ("%s\n", hello);
9355 you get during debugging:
9358 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
9359 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9361 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
9362 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9363 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9365 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
9366 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9368 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
9369 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
9371 (gdb) print $numfound
9374 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
9377 @node Optimized Code
9378 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
9379 @cindex optimized code, debugging
9380 @cindex debugging optimized code
9382 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
9383 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
9384 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
9385 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
9386 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
9387 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
9388 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
9390 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
9391 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
9392 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
9393 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
9395 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
9396 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
9397 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
9398 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
9399 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
9400 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
9402 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
9403 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
9404 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
9405 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
9406 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
9409 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
9412 @node Inline Functions
9413 @section Inline Functions
9414 @cindex inline functions, debugging
9416 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
9417 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
9418 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
9419 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
9420 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
9421 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
9422 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
9423 @code{info frame} command.
9425 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
9426 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
9427 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
9428 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
9429 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
9430 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
9431 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
9432 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
9433 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
9434 local variables in the caller.
9436 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
9437 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
9438 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
9439 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
9440 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
9441 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
9442 instructions are executed.
9444 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
9445 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
9446 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
9447 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
9449 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
9450 function calls are the same as normal calls:
9454 You cannot set breakpoints on inlined functions. @value{GDBN}
9455 either reports that there is no symbol with that name, or else sets the
9456 breakpoint only on non-inlined copies of the function. This limitation
9457 will be removed in a future version of @value{GDBN}; until then,
9458 set a breakpoint by line number on the first line of the inlined
9462 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
9463 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
9464 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
9465 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
9466 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
9467 or inside the inlined function instead.
9470 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
9471 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
9472 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
9473 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
9479 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
9481 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
9482 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
9483 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
9484 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
9485 where it was defined.
9487 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
9488 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
9489 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
9490 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
9492 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
9493 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
9494 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
9495 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
9496 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
9497 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
9500 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
9501 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
9502 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
9506 @kindex macro expand
9507 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
9508 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
9509 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
9510 @item macro expand @var{expression}
9511 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
9512 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
9513 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
9514 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
9515 it can be any string of tokens.
9518 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
9519 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
9520 @cindex expand macro once
9521 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
9522 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
9523 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
9524 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
9525 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
9526 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
9527 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
9528 can be any string of tokens.
9531 @cindex macro definition, showing
9532 @cindex definition, showing a macro's
9533 @item info macro @var{macro}
9534 Show the definition of the macro named @var{macro}, and describe the
9535 source location or compiler command-line where that definition was established.
9537 @kindex macro define
9538 @cindex user-defined macros
9539 @cindex defining macros interactively
9540 @cindex macros, user-defined
9541 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
9542 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
9543 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
9544 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
9545 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
9546 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
9547 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
9550 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
9551 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
9552 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
9553 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
9554 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
9557 @item macro undef @var{macro}
9558 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
9559 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
9560 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
9561 in the program being debugged.
9565 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
9568 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
9569 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
9570 show our source files:
9578 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9583 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9585 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9587 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9594 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
9595 We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
9596 compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
9600 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
9604 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
9608 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
9609 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9610 GDB is free software, @dots{}
9614 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
9615 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
9616 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
9619 (@value{GDBP}) list main
9622 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9627 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9629 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9630 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
9631 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
9632 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9633 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
9634 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
9635 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
9637 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
9638 expands to: (42 + 1)
9639 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
9640 expands to: once (M + 1)
9644 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
9645 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
9646 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
9647 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
9649 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
9650 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
9653 (@value{GDBP}) break main
9654 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
9656 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
9658 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
9659 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9663 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
9666 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9667 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
9669 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9671 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9676 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
9677 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
9678 thereof) in force at each point:
9683 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9684 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9685 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
9686 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
9689 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9690 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9691 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
9693 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9694 expands to: 1729 < 42
9695 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9700 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
9701 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
9702 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
9703 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
9706 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
9707 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
9714 @chapter Tracepoints
9715 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
9716 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
9719 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
9720 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
9721 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
9722 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
9723 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
9724 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
9725 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
9727 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
9728 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
9729 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
9730 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
9731 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
9732 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
9733 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
9734 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
9735 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
9736 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
9737 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
9739 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
9740 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
9741 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
9742 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
9743 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
9744 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
9747 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
9748 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
9749 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
9751 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
9755 * Analyze Collected Data::
9756 * Tracepoint Variables::
9760 @node Set Tracepoints
9761 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
9763 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
9764 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
9765 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
9766 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
9767 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
9768 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
9769 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
9771 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
9772 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
9773 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
9774 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
9775 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
9778 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
9779 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
9780 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
9783 @cindex fast tracepoints
9784 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
9785 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
9786 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
9788 @cindex static tracepoints
9789 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
9790 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
9791 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
9792 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
9793 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
9794 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
9795 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
9796 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
9797 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
9798 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
9799 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
9800 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
9801 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
9802 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namelly, support for collecting
9803 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
9804 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
9805 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
9806 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
9807 static tracepoint marker.
9809 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
9810 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
9812 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
9813 conditions and actions.
9816 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
9817 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
9818 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
9819 * Tracepoint Conditions::
9820 * Trace State Variables::
9821 * Tracepoint Actions::
9822 * Listing Tracepoints::
9823 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
9824 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
9825 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
9828 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
9829 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
9832 @cindex set tracepoint
9834 @item trace @var{location}
9835 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
9836 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
9837 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
9838 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
9839 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
9840 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
9841 changing its actions doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
9842 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
9843 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts.
9845 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
9848 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
9850 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
9852 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
9854 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
9856 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
9860 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
9862 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
9863 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
9864 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
9865 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
9866 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
9867 information on tracepoint conditions.
9869 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9870 @cindex set fast tracepoint
9871 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
9873 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
9874 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
9875 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
9876 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
9877 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
9878 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
9881 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
9884 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9885 @cindex set static tracepoint
9886 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
9887 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
9889 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
9890 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
9891 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
9892 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
9893 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
9895 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
9896 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
9897 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
9898 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
9899 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
9900 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
9901 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
9902 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
9903 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
9909 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
9914 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
9915 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
9918 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
9919 Cnt Enb ID Address What
9920 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
9926 so you may probe the marker above with:
9929 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
9932 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
9933 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
9934 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
9935 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
9936 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
9937 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
9938 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
9939 the @samp{Data:} field.
9941 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
9942 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
9943 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
9946 @cindex last tracepoint number
9947 @cindex recent tracepoint number
9948 @cindex tracepoint number
9949 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
9950 of the most recently set tracepoint.
9952 @kindex delete tracepoint
9953 @cindex tracepoint deletion
9954 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9955 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
9956 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
9957 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
9962 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
9964 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
9968 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
9971 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9972 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9974 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
9977 @kindex disable tracepoint
9978 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9979 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
9980 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
9981 the next trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
9982 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
9984 @kindex enable tracepoint
9985 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9986 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. The enabled
9987 tracepoints will become effective the next time a trace experiment is
9991 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
9992 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
9996 @cindex tracepoint pass count
9997 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
9998 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
9999 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
10000 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
10001 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
10002 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
10003 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
10004 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
10010 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
10011 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
10013 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
10014 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
10015 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
10016 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
10017 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
10018 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
10019 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
10020 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
10021 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
10022 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
10023 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
10027 @node Tracepoint Conditions
10028 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
10029 @cindex conditional tracepoints
10030 @cindex tracepoint conditions
10032 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
10033 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
10034 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
10035 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
10036 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
10037 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
10040 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
10041 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
10042 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
10043 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
10044 just as with breakpoints.
10046 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
10047 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
10048 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions}
10049 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
10050 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
10051 accesses, and so forth.
10053 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
10054 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
10055 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
10056 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
10057 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
10058 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
10062 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
10065 @node Trace State Variables
10066 @subsection Trace State Variables
10067 @cindex trace state variables
10069 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
10070 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
10071 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
10072 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
10073 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
10076 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
10077 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
10078 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
10079 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
10081 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
10082 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
10083 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
10084 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
10085 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
10086 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
10087 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
10088 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
10089 variable with the same name.
10093 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
10095 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
10096 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
10097 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
10098 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
10099 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
10100 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
10101 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
10102 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
10103 value. The default initial value is 0.
10105 @item info tvariables
10106 @kindex info tvariables
10107 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
10108 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
10111 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
10112 @kindex delete tvariable
10113 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
10118 @node Tracepoint Actions
10119 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
10123 @cindex tracepoint actions
10124 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10125 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
10126 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
10127 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
10128 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
10129 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
10130 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
10131 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
10132 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
10133 @code{while-stepping}.
10135 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
10136 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
10137 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
10139 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
10140 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
10141 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
10144 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
10146 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
10148 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
10151 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
10152 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
10153 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
10154 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
10155 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
10156 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
10157 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
10158 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
10161 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
10162 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10163 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
10166 > while-stepping 12
10167 > collect $pc, arr[i]
10172 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
10173 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10174 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
10175 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
10176 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
10177 special arguments are supported:
10181 Collect all registers.
10184 Collect all function arguments.
10187 Collect all local variables.
10190 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
10191 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
10192 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
10193 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
10194 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
10195 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
10196 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
10197 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
10198 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
10201 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
10202 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
10205 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
10206 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
10207 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
10211 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
10212 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
10213 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
10215 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
10216 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
10218 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
10219 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10220 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
10221 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
10222 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
10223 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
10224 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
10227 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
10228 @item while-stepping @var{n}
10229 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
10230 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
10231 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
10232 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
10235 > while-stepping 12
10236 > collect $regs, myglobal
10242 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
10243 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
10244 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
10247 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10248 @kindex set default-collect
10249 @cindex default collection action
10250 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
10251 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
10252 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
10253 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
10254 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
10255 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
10257 @item show default-collect
10258 @kindex show default-collect
10259 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
10264 @node Listing Tracepoints
10265 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
10268 @kindex info tracepoints
10270 @cindex information about tracepoints
10271 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10272 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
10273 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
10274 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
10275 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
10276 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
10278 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
10283 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
10287 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
10288 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
10289 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
10291 collect globfoo, $regs
10300 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
10303 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10304 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10307 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
10308 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
10309 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
10310 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
10313 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
10317 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
10320 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
10321 @item Enabled or Disabled
10322 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
10323 that are not enabled.
10325 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
10327 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
10328 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
10329 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
10330 will be left blank.
10334 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
10338 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
10339 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
10341 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
10342 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
10346 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
10347 Cnt ID Enb Address What
10348 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
10349 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
10350 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
10351 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
10357 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
10358 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
10362 @cindex start a new trace experiment
10363 @cindex collected data discarded
10365 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
10366 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
10367 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
10371 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
10373 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
10374 stops collecting data.
10376 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
10377 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
10378 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
10381 @cindex status of trace data collection
10382 @cindex trace experiment, status of
10384 This command displays the status of the current trace data
10388 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
10391 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
10392 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10393 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
10394 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
10395 > while-stepping 11
10399 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10400 [time passes @dots{}]
10401 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
10404 @cindex disconnected tracing
10405 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
10406 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
10407 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
10408 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
10409 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
10410 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
10411 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
10412 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
10415 @item set disconnected-tracing on
10416 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
10417 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
10418 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
10419 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
10420 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
10421 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
10422 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
10424 @item show disconnected-tracing
10425 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
10426 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
10430 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
10431 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
10432 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
10433 it will continue after reconnection.
10435 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
10436 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
10437 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
10438 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
10439 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
10440 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
10441 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
10442 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
10443 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
10444 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
10446 @cindex circular trace buffer
10447 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
10448 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
10449 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
10450 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
10451 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
10452 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
10453 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
10454 @samp{circular_trace_buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
10455 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
10456 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
10460 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
10461 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
10462 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
10463 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
10464 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
10465 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
10466 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
10468 @item show circular-trace-buffer
10469 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
10470 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
10471 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
10472 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
10473 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
10477 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
10478 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
10480 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
10481 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
10482 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
10483 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
10484 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
10485 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
10486 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
10487 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
10493 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
10494 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
10495 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
10496 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
10497 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
10498 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
10499 cannot be collected either.
10502 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
10503 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
10504 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
10505 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
10506 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
10507 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
10508 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
10509 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
10510 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
10511 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
10514 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
10515 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
10516 in a misleading way.
10519 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
10520 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
10521 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
10522 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
10523 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
10524 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
10525 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
10529 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
10530 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
10531 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*$esp@@300}
10532 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
10533 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
10534 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
10535 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
10536 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
10537 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
10538 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
10542 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
10543 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
10544 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
10545 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
10546 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
10547 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
10548 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
10553 @node Analyze Collected Data
10554 @section Using the Collected Data
10556 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
10557 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
10558 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
10559 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
10560 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
10561 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
10562 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
10563 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
10564 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
10565 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
10566 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
10567 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
10568 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
10569 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
10570 the buffer will fail.
10573 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
10574 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
10575 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
10579 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
10582 @cindex select trace snapshot
10583 @cindex find trace snapshot
10584 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
10585 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
10586 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
10587 snapshot is selected.
10589 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
10593 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
10594 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
10597 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
10600 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
10603 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
10606 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
10607 retracing earlier steps.
10609 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
10610 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
10611 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
10612 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
10613 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
10615 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
10616 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
10617 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
10618 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
10619 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
10621 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10622 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
10623 addresses (exclusive).
10625 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10626 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
10627 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
10629 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
10630 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
10631 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
10632 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
10633 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
10634 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
10635 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
10636 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
10639 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
10640 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
10641 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
10642 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
10643 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
10644 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
10645 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
10646 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
10647 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
10648 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
10649 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
10650 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
10651 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
10652 tracepoint as the current one.
10654 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
10655 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
10656 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
10657 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
10658 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
10661 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10662 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10663 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
10664 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
10668 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
10669 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
10670 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
10671 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
10672 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
10673 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
10674 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
10675 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
10676 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
10677 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
10678 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
10681 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
10685 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10686 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10687 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
10697 @subsection @code{tdump}
10699 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
10700 @cindex tracepoint data, display
10702 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
10703 the current trace snapshot.
10706 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
10707 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10708 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
10709 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
10712 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10714 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
10715 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
10717 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
10719 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
10720 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
10721 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
10725 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
10728 d7 0x380035 3670069
10729 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
10730 a1 0x3000668 50333288
10732 a3 0x322000 3284992
10733 a4 0x3000698 50333336
10734 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
10735 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
10736 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
10738 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
10742 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
10749 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
10754 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
10755 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
10756 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
10757 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
10759 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
10760 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
10761 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
10762 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
10763 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
10764 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
10765 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
10766 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
10767 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
10768 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
10770 @node save tracepoints
10771 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
10772 @kindex save tracepoints
10773 @kindex save-tracepoints
10774 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
10776 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
10777 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
10778 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
10779 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
10780 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
10781 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
10783 @node Tracepoint Variables
10784 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
10785 @cindex tracepoint variables
10786 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
10789 @vindex $trace_frame
10790 @item (int) $trace_frame
10791 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
10792 snapshot is selected.
10794 @vindex $tracepoint
10795 @item (int) $tracepoint
10796 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
10798 @vindex $trace_line
10799 @item (int) $trace_line
10800 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
10802 @vindex $trace_file
10803 @item (char []) $trace_file
10804 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
10806 @vindex $trace_func
10807 @item (char []) $trace_func
10808 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
10811 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
10812 use @code{output} instead.
10814 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
10815 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
10816 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
10817 which are managed by the target.
10820 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10822 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
10823 > output $trace_file
10824 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
10830 @section Using Trace Files
10831 @cindex trace files
10833 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
10834 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
10835 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
10836 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
10837 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
10842 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
10843 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
10844 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
10845 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
10846 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
10847 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
10848 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
10849 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
10850 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
10852 @kindex target tfile
10854 @item target tfile @var{filename}
10855 Use the file named @var{filename} as a source of trace data. Commands
10856 that examine data work as they do with a live target, but it is not
10857 possible to run any new trace experiments. @code{tstatus} will report
10858 the state of the trace run at the moment the data was saved, as well
10859 as the current trace frame you are examining. @var{filename} must be
10860 on a filesystem accessible to the host.
10865 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
10868 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
10869 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
10870 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
10874 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
10875 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
10876 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
10877 mapped by asking the inferior.
10878 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
10881 @node How Overlays Work
10882 @section How Overlays Work
10883 @cindex mapped overlays
10884 @cindex unmapped overlays
10885 @cindex load address, overlay's
10886 @cindex mapped address
10887 @cindex overlay area
10889 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
10890 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
10891 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
10892 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
10893 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
10895 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
10896 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
10897 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
10898 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
10899 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
10900 largest overlay as well.
10902 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
10903 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
10904 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
10907 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
10908 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
10909 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
10913 Data Instruction Larger
10914 Address Space Address Space Address Space
10915 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
10917 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
10918 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
10919 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
10920 | and heap | | | | | |
10921 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
10922 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
10923 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
10925 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
10926 address | | | | | |
10927 | overlay | <-' | | |
10928 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
10929 | | <---. | | load address
10930 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
10937 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
10941 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
10942 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
10943 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
10944 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
10945 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
10946 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
10947 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
10948 program and the overlay area.
10950 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
10951 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
10952 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
10953 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
10954 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
10955 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
10956 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
10958 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
10959 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
10960 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
10965 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
10966 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
10967 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
10968 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
10971 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
10972 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
10973 your program's performance.
10976 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
10977 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
10978 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
10979 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
10980 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
10981 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
10982 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
10985 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
10986 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
10987 instruction and data spaces.
10991 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
10992 improved in many ways:
10997 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
10998 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
10999 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
11000 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
11001 area in the usual way.
11004 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
11005 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
11008 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
11009 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
11010 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
11011 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
11012 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
11013 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
11014 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
11019 @node Overlay Commands
11020 @section Overlay Commands
11022 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
11023 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
11024 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
11025 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
11026 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
11027 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
11029 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
11030 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
11035 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
11036 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
11037 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
11038 overlay support is disabled.
11040 @item overlay manual
11041 @cindex manual overlay debugging
11042 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
11043 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
11044 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
11045 commands described below.
11047 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
11048 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
11049 @cindex map an overlay
11050 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
11051 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
11052 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
11053 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
11054 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
11055 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
11057 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
11058 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
11059 @cindex unmap an overlay
11060 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
11061 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
11062 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
11063 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
11066 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
11067 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
11068 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
11069 Overlay Debugging}.
11071 @item overlay load-target
11072 @itemx overlay load
11073 @cindex reloading the overlay table
11074 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
11075 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
11076 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
11077 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
11078 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
11080 @item overlay list-overlays
11081 @itemx overlay list
11082 @cindex listing mapped overlays
11083 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
11084 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
11088 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
11089 of the function the address falls in:
11092 (@value{GDBP}) print main
11093 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
11096 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
11097 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
11098 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
11099 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
11102 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
11103 No sections are mapped.
11104 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
11105 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
11108 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
11112 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
11113 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
11114 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
11115 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
11116 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
11119 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
11120 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
11121 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
11122 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
11123 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
11127 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
11128 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
11129 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
11130 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
11132 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
11133 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
11134 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
11135 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
11136 breakpoints properly.
11140 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
11141 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
11142 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
11144 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
11145 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
11146 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
11147 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
11148 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
11149 current state of the overlays.
11151 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
11152 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
11156 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
11157 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
11162 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
11165 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
11166 unsigned long size;
11168 /* The overlay's load address. */
11171 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
11173 unsigned long mapped;
11177 @item @code{_novlys}:
11178 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
11179 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
11183 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
11184 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
11185 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
11186 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
11187 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
11190 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
11191 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
11192 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
11193 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
11194 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
11195 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
11196 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
11197 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
11198 are not being executed.
11200 @node Overlay Sample Program
11201 @section Overlay Sample Program
11202 @cindex overlay example program
11204 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
11205 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
11206 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
11207 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
11208 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
11209 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
11210 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
11212 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
11213 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
11214 suite. The program consists of the following files from
11215 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
11219 The main program file.
11221 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
11226 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
11229 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
11230 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
11233 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
11234 cross-compiler like this:
11237 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
11238 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
11239 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
11240 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
11241 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
11242 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
11243 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
11244 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
11247 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
11248 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
11249 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
11253 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
11256 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
11257 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
11258 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
11259 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
11260 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
11261 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
11263 @cindex working language
11264 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
11265 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
11266 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
11267 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
11268 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
11272 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
11273 * Show:: Displaying the language
11274 * Checks:: Type and range checks
11275 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
11276 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
11280 @section Switching Between Source Languages
11282 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
11283 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
11284 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
11285 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
11286 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
11289 In addition to the working language, every source file that
11290 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
11291 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
11292 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
11293 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
11294 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
11295 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
11296 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
11297 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
11298 Displaying the Language}.
11300 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
11301 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
11302 another language. In that case, make the
11303 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
11304 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
11305 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
11308 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
11309 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
11310 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
11314 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
11316 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
11317 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
11335 C@t{++} source file
11341 Objective-C source file
11345 Fortran source file
11348 Modula-2 source file
11352 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
11353 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
11356 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
11357 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
11360 @subsection Setting the Working Language
11362 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
11363 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
11366 @kindex set language
11367 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
11368 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
11369 a language, such as
11370 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
11371 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
11373 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
11374 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
11375 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
11376 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
11377 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
11378 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
11386 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
11387 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
11388 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
11389 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
11391 @node Automatically
11392 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
11394 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
11395 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
11396 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
11397 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
11398 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
11399 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
11400 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
11401 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
11402 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
11404 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
11405 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
11406 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
11407 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
11408 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
11411 @section Displaying the Language
11413 The following commands help you find out which language is the
11414 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
11417 @item show language
11418 @kindex show language
11419 Display the current working language. This is the
11420 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
11421 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
11424 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
11425 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
11426 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
11427 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
11428 information listed here.
11431 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
11432 Display the source language of this source file.
11433 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
11434 information listed here.
11437 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
11438 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
11439 with a language explicitly:
11442 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
11443 @kindex set extension-language
11444 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
11445 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
11447 @item info extensions
11448 @kindex info extensions
11449 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
11453 @section Type and Range Checking
11456 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
11457 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
11458 section documents the intended facilities.
11460 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
11462 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
11463 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
11464 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
11465 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
11466 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
11467 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
11468 errors when your program is running.
11470 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
11471 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
11472 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
11473 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
11474 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
11475 automatically based on your program's source language.
11476 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
11477 settings of supported languages.
11480 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
11481 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
11484 @cindex type checking
11485 @cindex checks, type
11486 @node Type Checking
11487 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
11489 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
11490 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
11491 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
11492 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
11500 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
11501 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
11503 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
11504 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
11505 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
11506 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
11507 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
11508 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
11509 also issues a warning.
11511 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
11512 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
11513 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
11514 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
11515 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
11516 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
11518 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
11519 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
11520 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
11521 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
11522 operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
11523 details on specific languages.
11525 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
11527 @kindex set check type
11528 @kindex show check type
11530 @item set check type auto
11531 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
11532 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11535 @item set check type on
11536 @itemx set check type off
11537 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11538 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
11539 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
11540 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
11541 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
11543 @item set check type warn
11544 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
11545 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
11546 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
11547 numbers and structures.
11550 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
11551 is setting it automatically.
11554 @cindex range checking
11555 @cindex checks, range
11556 @node Range Checking
11557 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
11559 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
11560 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
11561 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
11562 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
11563 not exceed the bounds of the array.
11565 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
11566 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
11567 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
11568 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
11570 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
11571 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
11572 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
11573 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
11574 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
11575 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
11578 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
11581 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
11582 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
11583 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
11585 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
11587 @kindex set check range
11588 @kindex show check range
11590 @item set check range auto
11591 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
11592 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11595 @item set check range on
11596 @itemx set check range off
11597 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11598 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
11599 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
11600 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
11602 @item set check range warn
11603 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
11604 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
11605 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
11606 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
11610 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
11611 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
11614 @node Supported Languages
11615 @section Supported Languages
11617 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, OpenCL C, Pascal,
11618 assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
11619 @c This is false ...
11620 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
11621 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
11622 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
11623 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
11626 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
11627 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
11628 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
11629 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
11630 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
11631 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
11632 language reference or tutorial.
11635 * C:: C and C@t{++}
11637 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
11638 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
11639 * Fortran:: Fortran
11641 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
11646 @subsection C and C@t{++}
11648 @cindex C and C@t{++}
11649 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
11651 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
11652 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
11656 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
11657 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
11658 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
11659 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
11660 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
11661 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
11662 compiler (@code{aCC}).
11664 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
11665 format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
11666 format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
11667 command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
11668 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
11669 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
11672 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
11673 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
11674 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
11675 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
11676 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
11677 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
11678 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
11679 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
11683 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
11685 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
11687 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11688 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
11689 often defined on groups of types.
11691 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
11696 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
11697 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
11700 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
11701 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
11704 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
11707 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
11712 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
11713 in order of increasing precedence:
11717 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
11718 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
11719 expression being the last expression evaluated.
11722 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
11723 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
11726 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
11727 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
11728 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
11729 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
11730 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
11733 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
11734 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
11738 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11741 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11744 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11747 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11750 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11753 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
11754 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
11756 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
11757 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
11758 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
11759 and non-zero for true.
11762 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
11765 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
11768 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
11771 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
11772 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
11773 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
11777 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
11778 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
11779 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
11780 operation takes place.
11783 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
11787 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
11789 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
11790 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
11791 to examine the address
11792 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
11796 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
11797 precedence as @code{++}.
11800 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11804 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11809 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
11810 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
11811 pointer based on the stored type information.
11812 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
11815 Dereferences of pointers to members.
11818 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
11819 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11822 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11825 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
11826 and @code{class} types.
11829 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
11830 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
11834 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
11835 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
11836 predefined meaning.
11839 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
11841 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
11843 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
11848 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
11849 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
11850 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
11851 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
11855 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
11856 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
11857 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
11858 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
11859 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
11860 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
11861 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
11862 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
11863 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
11867 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
11868 integral equivalents.
11871 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
11872 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
11873 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
11874 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
11875 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
11876 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
11877 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
11878 @samp{\n} for newline.
11881 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
11882 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
11883 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
11884 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
11888 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
11889 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
11892 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
11893 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
11894 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
11895 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
11898 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
11899 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
11901 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
11902 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
11904 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
11905 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
11906 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
11907 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
11909 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
11910 proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
11911 works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
11912 @value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
11913 @option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
11914 stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
11915 stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
11916 specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
11917 are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
11923 @cindex member functions
11925 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
11928 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
11931 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
11932 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
11934 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
11935 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
11936 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
11937 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
11939 @cindex call overloaded functions
11940 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
11941 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
11943 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
11944 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
11945 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
11946 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
11947 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
11950 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
11951 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
11952 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
11953 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
11954 number of function arguments.
11956 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
11957 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
11958 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
11960 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
11961 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
11963 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
11966 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
11967 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
11969 @cindex reference declarations
11971 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
11972 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
11975 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
11976 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
11977 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
11978 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
11979 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
11982 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
11983 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
11984 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
11985 necessary, for example in an expression like
11986 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
11987 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
11988 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
11991 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
11992 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
11993 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
11994 invoking user-defined operators.
11997 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
11999 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
12001 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
12002 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
12003 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12004 selects the working language.
12006 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
12007 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
12008 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
12009 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
12010 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
12011 for further details.
12013 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
12014 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
12015 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
12018 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
12020 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
12022 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
12023 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
12024 considers two variables type equivalent if:
12028 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
12032 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
12033 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
12036 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
12039 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
12040 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
12045 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
12046 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
12047 that is not itself an array.
12050 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
12052 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
12053 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
12054 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
12055 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
12057 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
12058 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
12061 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
12062 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
12064 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
12066 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
12067 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
12070 @cindex break in overloaded functions
12071 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
12072 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
12073 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
12074 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
12075 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
12077 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
12078 @item rbreak @var{regex}
12079 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
12080 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
12082 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
12084 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
12087 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
12088 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
12090 @cindex inheritance
12091 @item ptype @var{typename}
12092 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
12094 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
12096 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
12097 @item set print demangle
12098 @itemx show print demangle
12099 @itemx set print asm-demangle
12100 @itemx show print asm-demangle
12101 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
12102 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
12103 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12105 @item set print object
12106 @itemx show print object
12107 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
12108 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12110 @item set print vtbl
12111 @itemx show print vtbl
12112 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
12113 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12114 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
12115 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
12117 @kindex set overload-resolution
12118 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
12119 @item set overload-resolution on
12120 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
12121 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
12122 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
12123 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
12124 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
12125 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
12127 @item set overload-resolution off
12128 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
12129 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
12130 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
12131 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
12132 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
12133 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
12136 @kindex show overload-resolution
12137 @item show overload-resolution
12138 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
12140 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
12141 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
12142 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
12143 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
12144 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
12145 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
12146 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
12149 @node Decimal Floating Point
12150 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
12151 @cindex decimal floating point format
12153 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
12154 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
12155 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
12156 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
12158 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
12159 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
12160 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
12163 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
12164 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
12165 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
12167 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
12168 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
12169 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
12171 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
12172 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
12173 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
12179 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
12180 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
12181 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
12184 @subsection Objective-C
12186 @cindex Objective-C
12187 This section provides information about some commands and command
12188 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
12189 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
12190 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
12193 * Method Names in Commands::
12194 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
12197 @node Method Names in Commands
12198 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
12200 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
12201 names as line specifications:
12203 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
12204 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
12205 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
12206 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
12207 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
12211 @item @code{info line}
12216 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
12219 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
12222 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
12223 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
12224 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
12225 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
12226 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
12227 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
12231 break -[Fruit create]
12234 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
12238 list +[NSText initialize]
12241 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
12242 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
12243 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
12244 is also possible to specify just a method name:
12250 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
12251 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
12252 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
12253 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
12256 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
12257 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
12260 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
12263 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
12264 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
12265 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
12266 @kindex print-object
12267 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
12269 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
12272 print -[@var{object} hash]
12275 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
12276 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
12278 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
12279 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
12280 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
12281 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
12282 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
12283 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
12286 @subsection OpenCL C
12289 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
12292 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
12293 * OpenCL C Expressions::
12294 * OpenCL C Operators::
12297 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
12298 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
12300 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
12301 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
12302 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
12303 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
12304 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
12306 @node OpenCL C Expressions
12307 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
12309 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
12310 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
12311 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
12312 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
12314 @node OpenCL C Operators
12315 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
12317 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
12318 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
12322 @subsection Fortran
12323 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
12325 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
12326 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
12328 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
12329 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
12330 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
12331 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
12332 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
12336 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
12337 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
12338 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
12341 @node Fortran Operators
12342 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
12344 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
12346 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12347 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
12348 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
12352 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
12356 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
12357 represent a section of array.
12360 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
12361 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
12362 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
12366 @node Fortran Defaults
12367 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
12369 @cindex Fortran Defaults
12371 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
12372 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
12373 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
12374 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
12376 @node Special Fortran Commands
12377 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
12379 @cindex Special Fortran commands
12381 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
12382 such as displaying common blocks.
12385 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
12386 @kindex info common
12387 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
12388 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
12389 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
12390 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
12397 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
12398 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
12399 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
12400 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
12403 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
12404 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
12405 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
12408 @subsection Modula-2
12410 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
12412 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
12413 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
12414 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
12415 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
12416 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
12419 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
12421 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
12422 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
12423 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
12424 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
12425 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
12426 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
12427 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
12428 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12429 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
12433 @subsubsection Operators
12434 @cindex Modula-2 operators
12436 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12437 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
12438 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
12439 following definitions hold:
12444 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
12448 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
12451 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
12454 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
12458 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
12461 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
12464 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
12468 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
12469 increasing precedence:
12473 Function argument or array index separator.
12476 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
12480 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
12484 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
12485 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
12486 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
12488 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
12489 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
12490 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
12491 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
12495 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
12496 Same precedence as @code{<}.
12499 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12502 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12505 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
12508 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
12509 and difference on set types.
12512 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
12516 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
12517 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
12520 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
12521 precedence as @code{*}.
12524 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
12527 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
12530 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
12534 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
12535 precedence as @code{^}.
12538 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
12541 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
12545 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
12549 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
12550 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
12551 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
12552 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
12556 @node Built-In Func/Proc
12557 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
12558 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
12560 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
12561 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
12566 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
12569 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
12572 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
12575 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
12576 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
12577 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
12580 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
12583 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
12589 represents a variable.
12592 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
12593 explanation of the function for details.
12596 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
12600 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
12603 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
12604 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
12607 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12610 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12612 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
12613 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12616 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12617 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
12620 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
12621 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
12623 @item HIGH(@var{a})
12624 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
12627 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12629 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
12630 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12633 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12634 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
12635 there. Returns the new set.
12638 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
12641 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
12644 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
12647 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
12648 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
12649 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
12650 integral, character and enumerated types.
12652 @item SIZE(@var{x})
12653 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12655 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
12656 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
12658 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
12659 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12661 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
12662 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12666 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
12667 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
12671 @cindex Modula-2 constants
12673 @subsubsection Constants
12675 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
12681 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
12682 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
12683 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
12684 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
12687 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
12688 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
12689 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
12690 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
12691 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
12695 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
12696 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
12697 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
12698 followed by a @samp{C}.
12701 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
12702 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
12703 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
12704 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
12708 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
12711 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
12715 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
12718 Set constants are not yet supported.
12722 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
12723 @cindex Modula-2 types
12725 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
12726 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
12727 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
12728 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
12729 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
12730 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
12732 The first example contains the following section of code:
12741 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
12742 @code{r} and @code{s}.
12745 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12747 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12749 (@value{GDBP}) print r
12751 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
12756 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
12760 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
12764 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
12767 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12768 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
12772 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
12773 expressions using the debugger.
12775 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
12776 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
12780 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
12784 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12785 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
12788 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
12789 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
12790 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
12793 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
12797 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
12798 t = [blue..yellow] ;
12806 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
12807 and value of a variable.
12810 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12812 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
12813 type = [blue..yellow]
12817 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
12818 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
12819 their @code{C} counterparts.
12823 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12829 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12830 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
12831 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12832 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12835 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
12836 pointer types as shown in this example:
12840 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12847 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
12850 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12851 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12854 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
12855 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
12866 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
12867 myrange = [-2..2] ;
12869 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
12873 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
12877 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12878 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
12881 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
12886 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
12887 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
12889 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
12890 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
12891 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12892 selected the working language.
12894 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
12895 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
12896 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
12897 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
12900 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
12901 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
12903 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
12904 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
12908 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
12909 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
12910 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
12911 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
12912 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
12913 returned a pointer.)
12916 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
12917 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
12918 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
12919 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
12922 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
12926 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
12930 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
12931 @cindex Modula-2 checks
12934 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
12937 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
12939 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
12943 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
12944 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
12947 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
12948 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
12951 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
12952 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
12954 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
12955 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
12958 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12960 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
12961 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
12963 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
12964 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
12967 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
12970 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
12971 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
12976 @var{module} . @var{id}
12977 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
12981 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
12982 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
12983 identifier within your program, except another module.
12985 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
12986 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
12987 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
12988 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
12990 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
12991 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
12992 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
12993 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
12994 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
12998 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
13000 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
13001 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
13002 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
13003 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
13004 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
13005 analogue in Modula-2.
13007 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
13008 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
13009 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
13010 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
13011 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
13012 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
13014 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
13015 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
13016 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
13022 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
13023 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
13024 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
13025 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
13029 @cindex expressions in Ada
13031 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
13032 and semantics supported by Ada mode
13034 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
13035 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
13036 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
13037 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
13038 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13039 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
13041 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
13044 @node Ada Mode Intro
13045 @subsubsection Introduction
13046 @cindex Ada mode, general
13048 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
13049 syntax, with some extensions.
13050 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
13054 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
13055 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
13056 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
13057 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
13060 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
13061 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
13064 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
13067 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
13068 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
13069 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
13070 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
13071 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
13073 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
13074 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
13075 was translated from an Ada source file.
13077 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
13078 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
13079 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
13080 middle (to allow based literals).
13082 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
13083 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
13084 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
13085 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
13086 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
13087 functions to procedures elsewhere.
13089 @node Omissions from Ada
13090 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
13091 @cindex Ada, omissions from
13093 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
13097 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
13101 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
13102 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
13105 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
13108 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
13114 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
13115 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
13118 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
13119 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
13127 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
13128 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
13129 not currently available.
13132 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
13133 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
13134 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
13135 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
13136 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
13137 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
13138 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
13139 indeterminate values.
13142 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
13143 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
13144 are not implemented.
13147 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
13148 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
13149 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
13150 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
13151 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
13154 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
13155 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
13156 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
13157 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
13158 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
13159 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
13163 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
13164 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
13165 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
13166 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
13167 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
13168 declared to have a type such as:
13171 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
13173 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
13177 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
13181 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
13182 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
13185 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
13186 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
13187 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
13188 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
13189 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
13190 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
13191 redundant component associations, although which component values are
13192 assigned in such cases is not defined.
13195 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
13198 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
13199 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
13200 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
13201 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
13202 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
13203 the proper resolution.
13206 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
13209 Entry calls are not implemented.
13212 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
13213 formats are not supported.
13216 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
13219 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
13220 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
13222 Should your program
13223 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
13224 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
13227 @node Additions to Ada
13228 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
13229 @cindex Ada, deviations from
13231 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
13232 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
13236 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
13237 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
13238 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
13239 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
13240 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
13241 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
13242 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
13243 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
13246 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
13247 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
13248 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
13251 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
13252 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
13255 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
13256 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
13259 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
13260 additions specific to Ada:
13264 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
13265 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
13268 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
13269 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
13273 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
13274 the value of its right-hand operand.
13275 This allows, for example,
13276 complex conditional breaks:
13279 (@value{GDBP}) break f
13280 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
13284 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
13285 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
13286 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
13287 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
13288 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
13289 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
13290 in strings. For example,
13292 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
13295 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
13299 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
13300 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
13304 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
13308 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
13309 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
13310 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
13311 of 3 might print as
13318 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
13322 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
13323 multi-character subsequence of
13324 their names (an exact match gets preference).
13325 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
13326 in place of @t{a'length}.
13329 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
13330 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
13331 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
13332 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
13333 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
13334 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
13337 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
13341 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
13342 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
13343 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
13344 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
13349 @node Stopping Before Main Program
13350 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
13352 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
13353 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
13354 before reaching the main procedure.
13355 As defined in the Ada Reference
13356 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
13357 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
13358 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
13359 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
13362 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
13363 @cindex Ada, tasking
13365 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
13366 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
13371 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
13378 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13379 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13380 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13381 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
13382 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
13383 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
13388 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
13389 task currently being inspected.
13393 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
13399 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
13402 The base priority of the task.
13405 Current state of the task.
13409 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
13413 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
13414 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
13417 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
13418 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
13419 terminated themselves.
13421 @item Child Activation Wait
13422 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
13424 @item Accept Statement
13425 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
13427 @item Waiting on entry call
13428 The task is waiting on an entry call.
13430 @item Async Select Wait
13431 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
13435 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
13438 @item Child Termination Wait
13439 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
13440 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
13441 waiting on a terminate Phase.
13443 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
13444 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
13445 finish terminating.
13447 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
13448 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
13452 Name of the task in the program.
13456 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
13457 @item info task @var{taskno}
13458 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
13459 the following example:
13464 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13465 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13466 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13467 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
13468 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
13469 Ada Task: 0x807c468
13472 Parent: 1 (main_task)
13478 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
13479 @cindex current Ada task ID
13480 This command prints the ID of the current task.
13486 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13487 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13488 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13489 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13490 (@value{GDBP}) task
13491 [Current task is 2]
13494 @item task @var{taskno}
13495 @cindex Ada task switching
13496 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
13497 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
13498 from the current task to the given task.
13504 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13505 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13506 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13507 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13508 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
13509 [Switching to task 1]
13510 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13512 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13513 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
13514 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
13515 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
13516 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
13519 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
13520 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
13521 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
13522 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
13523 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
13524 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
13525 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
13526 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
13527 in @ref{Specify Location}.
13529 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
13530 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
13531 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
13532 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
13533 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
13535 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
13536 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
13539 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
13540 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
13541 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
13549 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13550 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13551 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13552 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
13553 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13554 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
13555 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
13556 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
13557 (@value{GDBP}) cont
13562 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
13564 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13565 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13566 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13567 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
13568 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13569 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
13573 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
13574 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13575 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
13577 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
13578 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
13579 the platform being used.
13580 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
13581 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
13584 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
13585 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
13586 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
13587 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
13588 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
13589 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
13591 @node Ravenscar Profile
13592 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
13593 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
13595 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
13596 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
13600 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
13601 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
13602 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
13603 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
13604 Profile. This is the default.
13606 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
13607 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
13608 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
13609 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
13610 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
13611 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
13612 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
13614 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
13615 @item show ravenscar task-switching
13616 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
13617 using the Ravenscar Profile.
13622 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
13623 @cindex Ada, problems
13625 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
13626 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
13628 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
13629 and the GNU Ada compiler.
13633 Currently, the debugger
13634 has insufficient information to determine whether certain pointers represent
13635 pointers to objects or the objects themselves.
13636 Thus, the user may have to tack an extra @code{.all} after an expression
13637 to get it printed properly.
13640 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
13641 storage are invisible to the debugger.
13644 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
13645 argument lists are treated as positional).
13648 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
13651 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
13652 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
13656 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
13657 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
13658 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
13659 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
13660 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
13661 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
13662 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
13663 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
13664 you can usually resolve the confusion
13665 by qualifying the problematic names with package
13666 @code{Standard} explicitly.
13669 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
13670 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
13671 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
13672 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
13673 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
13676 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13677 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13680 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
13681 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
13682 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
13683 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
13684 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
13685 This is the default.
13687 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
13688 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
13689 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
13690 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
13691 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
13692 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
13693 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
13697 @node Unsupported Languages
13698 @section Unsupported Languages
13700 @cindex unsupported languages
13701 @cindex minimal language
13702 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
13703 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
13704 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
13705 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
13706 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
13707 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
13709 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
13710 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
13714 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
13716 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
13717 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
13718 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
13719 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
13720 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
13721 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
13722 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
13724 @cindex symbol names
13725 @cindex names of symbols
13726 @cindex quoting names
13727 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
13728 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
13729 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
13730 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
13731 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
13732 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
13733 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
13734 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
13741 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
13744 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
13745 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
13746 @kindex set case-sensitive
13747 @item set case-sensitive on
13748 @itemx set case-sensitive off
13749 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
13750 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
13751 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
13752 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
13753 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
13754 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
13755 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
13756 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
13757 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
13758 case-insensitive matches.
13760 @kindex show case-sensitive
13761 @item show case-sensitive
13762 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
13765 @kindex info address
13766 @cindex address of a symbol
13767 @item info address @var{symbol}
13768 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
13769 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
13770 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
13773 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
13774 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
13775 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
13777 @kindex info symbol
13778 @cindex symbol from address
13779 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
13780 @item info symbol @var{addr}
13781 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
13782 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
13783 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
13786 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
13787 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
13791 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
13792 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
13794 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
13795 library containing the symbol is also printed:
13798 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
13799 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
13800 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
13801 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
13805 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
13806 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression or
13807 a data type. With no argument, print the data type of @code{$}, the
13808 last value in the value history. If @var{arg} is an expression, it is
13809 not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
13810 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place. If
13811 @var{arg} is a type name, it may be the name of a type or typedef, or
13812 for C code it may have the form @samp{class @var{class-name}},
13813 @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
13814 @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
13815 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13818 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
13819 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
13820 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
13821 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13823 For example, for this variable declaration:
13826 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
13830 the two commands give this output:
13834 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
13835 type = struct complex
13836 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
13837 type = struct complex @{
13845 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
13846 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
13848 @cindex incomplete type
13849 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
13850 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
13851 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
13852 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
13853 given these declarations:
13857 struct foo *fooptr;
13861 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
13864 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
13865 $1 = <incomplete type>
13869 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
13870 completely specified.
13873 @item info types @var{regexp}
13875 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
13876 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
13877 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
13878 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
13879 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
13880 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
13881 name is @code{value}.
13883 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
13884 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
13885 lists all source files where a type is defined.
13888 @cindex local variables
13889 @item info scope @var{location}
13890 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
13891 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
13892 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
13893 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
13894 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
13897 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
13898 Scope for command_line_handler:
13899 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
13900 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
13901 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
13902 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
13903 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
13904 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
13905 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
13909 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
13910 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
13913 @kindex info source
13915 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
13916 the function containing the current point of execution:
13919 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
13921 the directory it was compiled in,
13923 its length, in lines,
13925 which programming language it is written in,
13927 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
13928 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
13930 whether the debugging information includes information about
13931 preprocessor macros.
13935 @kindex info sources
13937 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
13938 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
13939 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
13941 @kindex info functions
13942 @item info functions
13943 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
13945 @item info functions @var{regexp}
13946 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
13947 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
13948 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
13949 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
13950 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
13951 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
13952 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
13954 @kindex info variables
13955 @item info variables
13956 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
13957 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
13959 @item info variables @var{regexp}
13960 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
13961 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
13964 @kindex info classes
13965 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
13967 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
13968 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
13969 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13972 @kindex info selectors
13973 @item info selectors
13974 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
13975 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
13976 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13980 This was never implemented.
13981 @kindex info methods
13983 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
13984 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
13985 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
13986 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
13987 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
13988 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
13989 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
13990 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
13993 @cindex reloading symbols
13994 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
13995 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
13996 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
13997 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
13998 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
14001 @kindex set symbol-reloading
14002 @item set symbol-reloading on
14003 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
14004 object file with a particular name is seen again.
14006 @item set symbol-reloading off
14007 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
14008 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
14009 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
14010 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
14011 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
14012 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
14015 @kindex show symbol-reloading
14016 @item show symbol-reloading
14017 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
14020 @cindex opaque data types
14021 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
14022 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
14023 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
14024 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
14025 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
14026 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
14027 another source file. The default is on.
14029 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
14030 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
14032 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
14033 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
14034 is printed as follows:
14036 @{<no data fields>@}
14039 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
14040 @item show opaque-type-resolution
14041 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
14043 @kindex maint print symbols
14044 @cindex symbol dump
14045 @kindex maint print psymbols
14046 @cindex partial symbol dump
14047 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
14048 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
14049 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
14050 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
14051 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
14052 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
14053 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
14054 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
14055 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
14056 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
14057 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
14058 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
14059 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
14060 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
14061 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
14062 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
14063 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
14065 @kindex maint info symtabs
14066 @kindex maint info psymtabs
14067 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
14068 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14069 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14070 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14071 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
14072 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
14074 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
14075 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
14076 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
14077 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
14078 structure in more detail. For example:
14081 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
14082 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
14083 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
14084 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
14085 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
14088 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
14089 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
14090 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
14091 dependencies (none)
14094 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
14098 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
14099 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
14100 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
14101 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
14102 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
14105 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
14106 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
14108 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
14109 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
14110 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
14111 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
14112 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
14115 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
14116 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
14117 debugformat DWARF 2
14126 @chapter Altering Execution
14128 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
14129 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
14130 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
14131 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
14134 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
14135 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
14136 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
14139 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
14140 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
14141 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
14142 * Returning:: Returning from a function
14143 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
14144 * Patching:: Patching your program
14148 @section Assignment to Variables
14151 @cindex setting variables
14152 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
14153 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
14160 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
14161 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
14162 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
14163 information on operators in supported languages.
14165 @kindex set variable
14166 @cindex variables, setting
14167 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
14168 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
14169 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
14170 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
14171 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
14173 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
14174 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
14175 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
14176 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
14177 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
14178 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
14179 command @code{set width}:
14182 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
14184 (@value{GDBP}) p width
14186 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
14187 Invalid syntax in expression.
14191 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
14192 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
14195 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
14198 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
14199 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
14200 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
14201 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
14202 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
14203 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
14207 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
14211 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
14215 The program being debugged has been started already.
14216 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
14217 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
14218 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
14219 Invalid bfd target.
14220 (@value{GDBP}) show g
14221 The current BFD target is "=4".
14226 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
14227 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
14231 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
14234 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
14235 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
14236 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
14237 same length or shorter.
14238 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
14241 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
14242 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
14243 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
14244 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
14245 and representation in memory), and
14248 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
14252 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
14255 @section Continuing at a Different Address
14257 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
14258 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
14259 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
14263 @item jump @var{linespec}
14264 @itemx jump @var{location}
14265 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
14266 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
14267 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
14268 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
14269 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
14270 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
14272 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
14273 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
14274 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
14275 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
14276 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
14277 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
14278 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
14279 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
14280 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
14283 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
14284 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
14285 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
14286 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
14287 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
14295 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
14296 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
14297 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
14299 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
14300 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
14301 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
14306 @section Giving your Program a Signal
14307 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
14311 @item signal @var{signal}
14312 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
14313 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
14314 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
14315 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
14317 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
14318 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
14319 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
14320 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
14323 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
14324 after executing the command.
14328 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
14329 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
14330 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
14331 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
14332 passes the signal directly to your program.
14336 @section Returning from a Function
14339 @cindex returning from a function
14342 @itemx return @var{expression}
14343 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
14344 command. If you give an
14345 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
14349 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
14350 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
14351 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
14352 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
14354 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
14355 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
14356 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
14357 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
14360 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
14361 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
14362 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
14363 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
14364 selected stack frame returns naturally.
14366 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
14367 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
14368 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
14369 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
14370 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
14371 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
14372 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
14373 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
14374 assignment into the right register(s).
14376 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
14377 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
14378 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
14379 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
14380 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
14381 into a @code{long long int}:
14384 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
14386 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
14387 Make func return now? (y or n) y
14388 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
14389 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
14393 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
14394 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
14395 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
14396 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
14397 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
14398 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
14399 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
14400 an appropriate cast explicitly:
14403 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
14404 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
14405 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
14406 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
14407 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
14408 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
14409 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
14414 @section Calling Program Functions
14417 @cindex calling functions
14418 @cindex inferior functions, calling
14419 @item print @var{expr}
14420 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
14421 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
14425 @item call @var{expr}
14426 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
14429 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
14430 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
14431 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
14432 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
14433 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
14437 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
14438 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
14439 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
14440 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
14442 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
14443 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
14444 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
14445 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
14446 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
14447 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
14448 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
14449 in that case is controlled by the
14450 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
14453 @item set unwindonsignal
14454 @kindex set unwindonsignal
14455 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
14456 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
14457 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
14458 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
14459 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
14460 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
14461 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
14464 @item show unwindonsignal
14465 @kindex show unwindonsignal
14466 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14469 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14470 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14471 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
14472 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
14473 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
14474 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
14475 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
14476 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
14477 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
14478 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
14480 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14481 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14482 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14487 @cindex weak alias functions
14488 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
14489 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
14490 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
14491 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
14492 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
14493 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
14497 @section Patching Programs
14499 @cindex patching binaries
14500 @cindex writing into executables
14501 @cindex writing into corefiles
14503 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
14504 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
14505 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
14506 patching your program's binary.
14508 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
14509 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
14510 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
14516 @itemx set write off
14517 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
14518 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
14519 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
14521 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
14522 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
14523 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
14527 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
14528 as well as reading.
14532 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
14534 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
14535 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
14536 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
14537 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
14540 * Files:: Commands to specify files
14541 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
14542 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
14543 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
14544 * Data Files:: GDB data files
14548 @section Commands to Specify Files
14550 @cindex symbol table
14551 @cindex core dump file
14553 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
14554 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
14555 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
14556 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
14558 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
14559 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
14560 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
14561 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
14562 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
14563 new files are useful.
14566 @cindex executable file
14568 @item file @var{filename}
14569 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
14570 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
14571 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
14572 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
14573 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
14574 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
14575 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
14576 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
14578 @cindex unlinked object files
14579 @cindex patching object files
14580 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
14581 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
14582 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
14583 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
14584 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
14585 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
14586 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
14587 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
14590 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
14591 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
14594 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14595 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
14596 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
14597 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
14598 discard information on the executable file.
14600 @kindex symbol-file
14601 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14602 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
14603 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
14604 table and program to run from the same file.
14606 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
14607 program's symbol table.
14609 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
14610 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
14611 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
14612 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
14615 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
14618 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
14619 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
14620 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
14621 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
14622 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
14623 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
14626 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
14627 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
14628 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
14629 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
14630 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
14632 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
14633 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
14634 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
14635 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
14636 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
14637 Warnings and Messages}.)
14639 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
14640 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
14641 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
14642 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
14646 @cindex reading symbols immediately
14647 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
14648 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14649 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14650 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
14651 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
14652 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
14653 entire symbol table available.
14655 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
14656 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
14657 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
14658 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
14659 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
14660 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
14664 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
14666 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
14667 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
14668 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
14669 executable file itself for other parts.
14671 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
14674 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
14675 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
14676 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
14677 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
14678 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
14680 @kindex add-symbol-file
14681 @cindex dynamic linking
14682 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
14683 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
14684 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
14685 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
14686 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
14687 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
14688 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
14689 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
14690 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
14691 of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
14692 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
14693 @var{address} as an expression.
14695 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
14696 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
14697 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
14698 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
14699 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
14701 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
14702 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
14703 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
14704 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
14705 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
14706 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
14707 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
14708 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
14709 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
14713 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
14714 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
14716 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
14717 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
14719 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
14720 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
14724 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
14725 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
14726 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
14727 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
14728 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
14729 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
14730 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
14731 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
14732 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
14735 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
14737 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
14738 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
14739 @cindex load symbols from memory
14740 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
14741 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
14742 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
14743 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
14744 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
14745 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
14746 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
14747 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
14748 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
14750 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
14752 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
14753 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
14754 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
14755 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
14756 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
14757 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
14758 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
14759 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
14760 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
14761 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
14764 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
14765 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
14766 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
14767 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
14768 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
14769 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
14770 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
14774 @kindex info target
14777 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
14778 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
14779 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
14780 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
14781 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
14784 @kindex maint info sections
14785 @item maint info sections
14786 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
14787 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
14788 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
14789 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
14790 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
14791 may be arbitrarily combined):
14795 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
14796 @item @var{sections}
14797 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
14798 @item @var{section-flags}
14799 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
14800 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
14803 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
14804 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
14806 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
14807 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
14809 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
14811 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
14813 Section contains executable code only.
14815 Section contains data only (no executable code).
14817 Section will reside in ROM.
14819 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
14821 Section is not empty.
14823 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
14824 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
14825 A notification to the linker that the section contains
14826 COFF shared library information.
14828 Section contains common symbols.
14831 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
14832 @cindex read-only sections
14833 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
14834 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
14835 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
14836 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
14837 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
14838 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
14839 enhancement to debugging performance.
14841 The default is off.
14843 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
14844 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
14845 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
14846 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
14848 @item show trust-readonly-sections
14849 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
14852 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
14853 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
14854 name and remembers it that way.
14856 @cindex shared libraries
14857 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
14858 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
14859 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
14861 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
14862 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
14864 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
14865 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
14866 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
14867 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
14868 debugging a core file).
14870 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
14871 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
14873 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
14874 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
14875 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
14877 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
14878 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
14879 particularly large or there are many of them.
14881 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
14885 @kindex set auto-solib-add
14886 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
14887 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
14888 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
14889 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
14890 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
14891 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
14892 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
14894 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
14895 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
14896 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
14897 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
14898 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
14899 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
14900 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
14901 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
14902 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
14904 @kindex show auto-solib-add
14905 @item show auto-solib-add
14906 Display the current autoloading mode.
14909 @cindex load shared library
14910 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
14914 @kindex info sharedlibrary
14916 @item info share @var{regex}
14917 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14918 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
14919 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
14920 all shared libraries that are loaded.
14922 @kindex sharedlibrary
14924 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14925 @itemx share @var{regex}
14926 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
14927 Unix regular expression.
14928 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
14929 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
14930 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
14933 @item nosharedlibrary
14934 @kindex nosharedlibrary
14935 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
14936 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
14937 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
14938 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
14942 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
14943 when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
14944 stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
14947 @item set stop-on-solib-events
14948 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
14949 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
14950 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
14951 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
14954 @item show stop-on-solib-events
14955 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
14956 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
14957 library events happen.
14960 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
14961 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
14962 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
14963 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
14964 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
14965 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
14966 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
14969 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
14970 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
14971 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
14972 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
14973 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
14976 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
14977 @cindex system root, alternate
14978 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
14979 @kindex set sysroot
14980 @item set sysroot @var{path}
14981 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
14982 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
14983 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
14984 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
14985 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
14986 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
14989 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
14990 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
14991 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
14992 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
14993 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
14994 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
14995 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
14996 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
14997 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
14999 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
15000 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
15001 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
15002 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
15003 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
15006 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
15009 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
15010 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
15014 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
15017 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
15018 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
15019 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
15023 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
15026 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
15027 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
15028 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
15032 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
15033 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
15034 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
15038 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
15039 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
15040 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
15042 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
15043 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
15046 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
15049 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
15050 if you don't want or need to.
15052 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
15055 @cindex default system root
15056 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
15057 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
15058 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
15059 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
15060 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
15061 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
15064 @kindex show sysroot
15066 Display the current shared library prefix.
15068 @kindex set solib-search-path
15069 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
15070 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
15071 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
15072 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
15073 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
15074 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
15075 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
15076 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
15077 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
15078 of shared library symbols.
15080 @kindex show solib-search-path
15081 @item show solib-search-path
15082 Display the current shared library search path.
15084 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
15085 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
15086 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
15087 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
15088 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
15090 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
15091 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
15092 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
15093 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
15094 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
15095 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
15096 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
15097 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
15098 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
15099 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
15100 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
15101 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
15102 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
15103 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
15104 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
15105 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
15106 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
15107 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
15108 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
15109 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
15110 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
15111 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
15115 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
15116 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
15117 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
15121 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
15122 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
15123 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
15124 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
15125 considered directory separators.
15128 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
15129 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
15130 This is the default.
15135 @node Separate Debug Files
15136 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
15137 @cindex separate debugging information files
15138 @cindex debugging information in separate files
15139 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
15140 @cindex debugging information directory, global
15141 @cindex global debugging information directory
15142 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
15143 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
15145 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
15146 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
15147 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
15148 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
15149 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
15150 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
15151 install only when they need to debug a problem.
15153 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
15158 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
15159 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
15160 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
15161 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
15162 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
15163 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
15164 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
15165 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
15168 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
15169 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
15170 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
15171 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
15172 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
15173 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
15174 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
15175 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
15179 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
15180 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
15184 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
15185 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
15186 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under the global debug
15187 directory, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
15188 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
15191 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
15192 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of the global debug directory for a file
15193 named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
15194 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
15195 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
15196 hex characters, not 10.)
15199 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
15200 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
15201 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
15202 @code{abcdef1234}. If the global debug directory is
15203 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
15204 debug information files, in the indicated order:
15208 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
15210 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
15212 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
15214 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
15217 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
15218 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
15222 @kindex set debug-file-directory
15223 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
15224 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
15225 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple directory components can be set
15226 concatenating them by a directory separator.
15228 @kindex show debug-file-directory
15229 @item show debug-file-directory
15230 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
15235 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
15236 @cindex debug link sections
15237 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
15238 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
15242 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
15245 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
15246 boundary within the section, and
15248 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
15249 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
15250 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
15251 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
15254 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
15255 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
15258 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
15259 @cindex build ID sections
15260 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
15261 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
15262 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
15263 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
15264 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
15265 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
15266 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
15267 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
15268 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
15270 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
15271 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
15272 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
15273 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
15274 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
15275 in an ordinary executable.
15277 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
15278 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
15279 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
15280 following commands:
15283 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
15288 These commands remove the debugging
15289 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
15290 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
15295 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
15296 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
15299 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
15302 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
15303 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
15304 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
15305 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
15308 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
15309 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
15310 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
15311 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
15316 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
15317 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
15318 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
15320 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
15321 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
15322 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
15327 <em>x</em><sup>32</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>26</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>23</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>22</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>16</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>12</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>11</sup>
15328 + <em>x</em><sup>10</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>8</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>7</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>5</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>4</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>2</sup> + <em>x</em> + 1
15334 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
15335 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
15339 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
15340 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
15341 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
15342 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
15345 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
15346 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
15347 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
15348 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
15349 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
15350 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
15352 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
15353 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
15354 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
15355 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
15358 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
15361 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
15362 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
15364 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
15366 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
15367 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
15368 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
15369 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
15370 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
15371 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
15372 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
15373 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
15374 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
15375 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
15376 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
15377 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
15378 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
15379 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
15380 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
15381 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
15382 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
15383 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
15384 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
15385 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
15386 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
15387 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
15388 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
15389 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
15390 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
15391 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
15392 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
15393 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
15394 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
15395 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
15396 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
15397 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
15398 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
15399 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
15400 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
15401 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
15402 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
15403 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
15404 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
15405 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
15406 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
15407 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
15408 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
15409 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
15410 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
15411 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
15412 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
15413 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
15414 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
15415 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
15416 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
15419 unsigned char *end;
15421 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
15422 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
15423 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
15424 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
15429 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
15433 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
15434 @cindex index files
15435 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
15437 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
15438 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
15439 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
15440 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
15441 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
15444 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
15445 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
15446 using @command{objcopy}.
15448 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
15451 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
15452 @kindex save gdb-index
15453 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
15454 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
15455 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
15459 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
15460 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
15463 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
15464 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
15467 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
15468 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
15469 currently work for programs using Ada.
15471 @node Symbol Errors
15472 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
15474 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
15475 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
15476 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
15477 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
15478 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
15479 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
15480 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
15481 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
15482 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
15483 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15486 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
15489 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
15491 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
15492 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
15493 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
15494 in its outer scope blocks.
15496 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
15497 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
15498 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
15501 @item block at @var{address} out of order
15503 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
15504 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
15507 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
15508 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
15509 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
15510 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15513 @item bad block start address patched
15515 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
15516 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
15517 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
15519 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
15520 starting on the previous source line.
15522 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
15525 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
15526 larger than the size of the string table.
15528 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
15529 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
15532 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
15534 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
15535 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
15536 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
15538 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
15539 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
15540 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
15541 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
15542 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
15543 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
15545 @item stub type has NULL name
15547 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
15549 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
15550 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
15551 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
15554 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
15556 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
15561 @section GDB Data Files
15563 @cindex prefix for data files
15564 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
15565 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
15567 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
15568 is currently using.
15571 @kindex set data-directory
15572 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
15573 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
15574 to @var{directory}.
15576 @kindex show data-directory
15577 @item show data-directory
15578 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
15581 @cindex default data directory
15582 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
15583 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
15584 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
15585 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
15586 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
15587 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
15591 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
15593 @cindex debugging target
15594 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
15596 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
15597 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
15598 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
15599 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
15600 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
15601 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
15602 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
15603 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
15605 @cindex target architecture
15606 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
15607 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
15608 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
15612 @kindex set architecture
15613 @kindex show architecture
15614 @item set architecture @var{arch}
15615 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
15616 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
15617 supported architectures.
15619 @item show architecture
15620 Show the current target architecture.
15622 @item set processor
15624 @kindex set processor
15625 @kindex show processor
15626 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
15627 and @code{show architecture}.
15631 * Active Targets:: Active targets
15632 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
15633 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
15636 @node Active Targets
15637 @section Active Targets
15639 @cindex stacking targets
15640 @cindex active targets
15641 @cindex multiple targets
15643 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
15644 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
15645 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
15646 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
15647 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
15648 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
15649 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
15650 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
15651 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
15653 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
15654 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
15655 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
15656 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
15658 @node Target Commands
15659 @section Commands for Managing Targets
15662 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
15663 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
15664 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
15665 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
15666 protocol of the target machine.
15668 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
15669 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
15670 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
15672 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
15673 after executing the command.
15675 @kindex help target
15677 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
15678 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
15679 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
15681 @item help target @var{name}
15682 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
15685 @kindex set gnutarget
15686 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
15687 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
15688 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
15689 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
15690 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
15691 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
15694 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
15695 you must know the actual BFD name.
15699 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
15701 @kindex show gnutarget
15702 @item show gnutarget
15703 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
15704 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
15705 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
15706 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
15709 @cindex common targets
15710 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
15715 @item target exec @var{program}
15716 @cindex executable file target
15717 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
15718 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
15720 @item target core @var{filename}
15721 @cindex core dump file target
15722 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
15723 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
15725 @item target remote @var{medium}
15726 @cindex remote target
15727 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
15728 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
15729 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
15731 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
15732 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
15735 target remote /dev/ttya
15738 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
15739 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
15740 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
15741 clobbered by the download.
15743 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
15744 @cindex built-in simulator target
15745 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
15753 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
15754 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
15755 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
15756 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
15761 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
15765 @item target nrom @var{dev}
15766 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
15767 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
15771 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
15772 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
15774 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
15775 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
15776 various aspects of this process.
15781 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15782 @cindex hash mark while downloading
15783 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
15784 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
15785 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
15789 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15790 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
15792 @item set debug monitor
15793 @kindex set debug monitor
15794 @cindex display remote monitor communications
15795 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
15796 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15798 @item show debug monitor
15799 @kindex show debug monitor
15800 Show the current status of displaying communications between
15801 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15806 @kindex load @var{filename}
15807 @item load @var{filename}
15809 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
15810 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
15811 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
15812 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
15813 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
15814 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
15816 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
15817 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
15818 target is @dots{}}''
15820 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
15821 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
15822 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
15823 specifies a fixed address.
15824 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
15826 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
15827 load programs into flash memory.
15829 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
15833 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
15835 @cindex choosing target byte order
15836 @cindex target byte order
15838 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
15839 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
15840 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
15841 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
15842 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
15843 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
15847 @item set endian big
15848 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
15850 @item set endian little
15851 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
15853 @item set endian auto
15854 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
15858 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
15862 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
15863 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
15867 @node Remote Debugging
15868 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
15869 @cindex remote debugging
15871 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
15872 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
15873 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
15874 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
15875 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
15877 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
15878 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
15879 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
15880 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
15881 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
15882 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
15884 Other remote targets may be available in your
15885 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
15888 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
15889 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
15890 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
15891 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
15892 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
15896 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
15898 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
15899 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
15900 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
15901 program as the first argument.
15903 @cindex @code{target remote}
15904 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
15905 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
15906 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
15907 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
15908 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
15909 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
15913 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
15914 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
15915 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
15916 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
15919 target remote /dev/ttyb
15922 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
15923 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
15924 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
15925 @code{target} command.
15927 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
15928 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
15929 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
15930 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
15931 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
15932 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
15933 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
15934 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
15937 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
15941 target remote manyfarms:2828
15944 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
15945 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
15946 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
15947 port 1234 on your local machine:
15950 target remote :1234
15954 Note that the colon is still required here.
15956 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
15957 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
15958 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
15959 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
15962 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
15965 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
15966 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
15967 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
15968 cause havoc with your debugging session.
15970 @item target remote | @var{command}
15971 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
15972 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
15973 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
15974 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
15975 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
15976 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
15977 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
15978 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
15980 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
15981 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
15982 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
15986 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
15987 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
15988 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
15989 need to use @kbd{run}.
15991 @cindex interrupting remote programs
15992 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
15993 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
15994 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
15995 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
15996 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
15997 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
16000 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
16001 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
16004 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
16005 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
16006 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
16007 goes back to waiting.
16010 @kindex detach (remote)
16012 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
16013 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
16014 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
16015 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
16016 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
16020 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
16021 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
16022 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
16023 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
16026 @cindex send command to remote monitor
16027 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
16028 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
16030 @item monitor @var{cmd}
16031 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
16032 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
16033 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
16034 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
16038 @node File Transfer
16039 @section Sending files to a remote system
16040 @cindex remote target, file transfer
16041 @cindex file transfer
16042 @cindex sending files to remote systems
16044 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
16045 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
16046 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
16047 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
16048 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
16049 the only way to upload or download files.
16051 Not all remote targets support these commands.
16055 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
16056 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
16057 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
16060 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
16061 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
16062 on the host system.
16064 @kindex remote delete
16065 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
16066 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
16071 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
16074 @cindex remote connection without stubs
16075 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
16076 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
16077 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
16079 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
16080 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
16081 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
16082 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
16083 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
16084 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
16085 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
16086 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
16087 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
16088 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
16089 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
16090 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
16091 choice for debugging.
16093 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
16094 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
16098 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
16099 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
16100 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
16101 target system with the same privileges as the user running
16105 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
16106 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
16108 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
16109 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
16110 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
16111 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
16112 system does all the symbol handling.
16114 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
16115 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
16119 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
16122 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
16123 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
16124 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
16128 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
16131 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
16134 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
16137 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
16140 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
16141 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
16142 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
16143 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
16144 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
16145 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
16146 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
16147 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
16148 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
16149 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
16150 @code{target remote} command.
16152 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
16154 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
16155 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
16158 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
16161 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
16162 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
16165 @cindex attach to a program by name
16166 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
16167 @code{pidof} utility:
16170 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
16173 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
16174 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
16175 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
16177 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
16178 @cindex gdbserver, multiple processes
16179 @cindex multiple processes with gdbserver
16181 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
16182 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
16183 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
16184 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
16186 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
16187 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
16188 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
16189 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
16190 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
16191 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
16192 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
16193 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
16194 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
16196 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
16197 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
16198 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
16199 the program you want to debug.
16201 @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit in multi-process mode.
16202 You can terminate it by using @code{monitor exit}
16203 (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}).
16205 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
16207 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
16208 status information about the debugging process. The
16209 @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
16210 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
16211 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
16213 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
16214 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
16215 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
16216 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
16218 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
16219 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
16220 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
16221 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
16223 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
16224 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
16225 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
16226 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
16228 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
16229 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
16233 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
16236 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
16238 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
16240 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
16241 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
16242 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
16243 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
16245 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
16246 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
16247 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
16248 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
16249 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
16250 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
16253 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
16254 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
16255 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
16256 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
16257 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
16258 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
16259 already on the target.
16261 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
16262 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
16263 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
16265 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
16266 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
16267 Here are the available commands.
16271 List the available monitor commands.
16273 @item monitor set debug 0
16274 @itemx monitor set debug 1
16275 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
16277 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
16278 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
16279 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
16280 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
16282 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
16283 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
16284 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
16285 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
16286 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
16287 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to an empty list.
16290 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
16291 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
16292 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
16293 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
16294 of a multi-process mode debug session.
16298 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
16299 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
16301 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
16302 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
16304 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
16305 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
16306 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
16307 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
16308 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
16309 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
16310 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
16311 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
16312 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
16313 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
16314 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
16315 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
16317 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
16320 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
16322 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
16323 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
16324 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
16326 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
16328 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
16329 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
16330 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
16331 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
16332 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
16333 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
16335 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
16337 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
16338 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
16339 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
16340 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
16341 command for that. For example:
16344 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
16347 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
16348 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
16351 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
16352 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
16353 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
16354 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
16355 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
16356 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
16357 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
16358 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
16359 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
16360 @code{gdbserver} like so:
16363 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
16366 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
16370 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
16371 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
16372 (@value{GDBP}) b main
16373 (@value{GDBP}) continue
16376 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
16377 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
16378 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
16379 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
16380 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
16383 @node Remote Configuration
16384 @section Remote Configuration
16387 @kindex show remote
16388 This section documents the configuration options available when
16389 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
16390 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
16391 system-call-allowed}.
16394 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
16395 @cindex address size for remote targets
16396 @cindex bits in remote address
16397 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
16398 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
16399 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
16400 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
16402 @item show remoteaddresssize
16403 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
16405 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
16406 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
16407 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
16408 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
16411 @item show remotebaud
16412 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
16414 @item set remotebreak
16415 @cindex interrupt remote programs
16416 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
16417 @anchor{set remotebreak}
16418 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
16419 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
16420 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
16421 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
16422 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
16424 @item show remotebreak
16425 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
16426 interrupt the remote program.
16428 @item set remoteflow on
16429 @itemx set remoteflow off
16430 @kindex set remoteflow
16431 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
16432 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
16434 @item show remoteflow
16435 @kindex show remoteflow
16436 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
16438 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
16439 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
16440 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
16441 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
16444 @item show remotelogbase
16445 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
16448 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
16449 @cindex record serial communications on file
16450 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
16451 default is not to record at all.
16453 @item show remotelogfile.
16454 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
16455 serial communications.
16457 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
16458 @cindex timeout for serial communications
16459 @cindex remote timeout
16460 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
16461 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
16463 @item show remotetimeout
16464 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
16467 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
16468 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
16469 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
16470 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
16471 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
16472 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
16473 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
16474 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
16476 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
16477 @itemx show remote exec-file
16478 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
16479 @cindex executable file, for remote target
16480 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
16481 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
16482 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
16483 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
16485 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
16486 @cindex interrupt remote programs
16487 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
16488 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
16489 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
16490 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
16491 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
16492 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
16493 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
16494 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
16496 @item show interrupt-sequence
16497 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
16498 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
16499 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
16500 also known as Magic SysRq g.
16502 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
16503 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
16504 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
16505 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
16506 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
16507 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
16509 @item show interrupt-on-connect
16510 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
16511 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
16515 @item set tcp auto-retry on
16516 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
16517 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
16518 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
16519 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
16520 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
16521 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
16522 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
16523 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
16525 @item set tcp auto-retry off
16526 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
16528 @item show tcp auto-retry
16529 Show the current auto-retry setting.
16531 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
16532 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
16533 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
16534 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
16535 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
16536 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
16537 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
16540 @item show tcp connect-timeout
16541 Show the current connection timeout setting.
16544 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
16545 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
16546 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
16547 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
16548 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
16549 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
16550 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
16551 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
16552 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
16554 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
16555 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
16556 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
16557 @value{GDBN} developers.
16559 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
16560 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
16563 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
16566 @tab Related Features
16568 @item @code{fetch-register}
16570 @tab @code{info registers}
16572 @item @code{set-register}
16576 @item @code{binary-download}
16578 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
16580 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
16581 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
16582 @tab @code{info auxv}
16584 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
16585 @tab @code{qSymbol}
16586 @tab Detecting multiple threads
16588 @item @code{attach}
16589 @tab @code{vAttach}
16592 @item @code{verbose-resume}
16594 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
16600 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
16604 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
16608 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
16612 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
16616 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
16620 @item @code{target-features}
16621 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
16622 @tab @code{set architecture}
16624 @item @code{library-info}
16625 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
16626 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
16628 @item @code{memory-map}
16629 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
16630 @tab @code{info mem}
16632 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
16633 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
16634 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
16636 @item @code{read-spu-object}
16637 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
16638 @tab @code{info spu}
16640 @item @code{write-spu-object}
16641 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
16642 @tab @code{info spu}
16644 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
16645 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
16646 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
16648 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
16649 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
16650 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
16652 @item @code{threads}
16653 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
16654 @tab @code{info threads}
16656 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
16657 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
16658 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
16660 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
16661 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
16662 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
16664 @item @code{search-memory}
16665 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
16668 @item @code{supported-packets}
16669 @tab @code{qSupported}
16670 @tab Remote communications parameters
16672 @item @code{pass-signals}
16673 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
16674 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
16676 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
16677 @tab @code{vFile:close}
16678 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16680 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
16681 @tab @code{vFile:open}
16682 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16684 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
16685 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
16686 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16688 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
16689 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
16690 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16692 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
16693 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
16694 @tab @code{remote delete}
16696 @item @code{noack-packet}
16697 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
16698 @tab Packet acknowledgment
16700 @item @code{osdata}
16701 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
16702 @tab @code{info os}
16704 @item @code{query-attached}
16705 @tab @code{qAttached}
16706 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
16710 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
16712 @cindex debugging stub, example
16713 @cindex remote stub, example
16714 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
16715 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
16716 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
16717 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
16718 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
16719 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
16720 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
16721 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
16723 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
16724 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
16725 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
16726 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
16731 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
16732 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
16733 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
16736 A C subroutine library to support your program's
16737 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
16740 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
16741 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
16742 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
16746 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
16747 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
16748 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
16752 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
16753 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
16754 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
16756 @item On the target,
16757 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
16758 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
16759 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
16761 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
16762 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
16763 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
16766 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
16767 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
16770 @cindex remote serial stub list
16771 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
16776 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
16779 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
16782 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
16783 @cindex Motorola 680x0
16785 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
16788 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
16791 For Renesas SH architectures.
16794 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
16796 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
16798 @item sparcl-stub.c
16799 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
16802 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
16806 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
16807 recently added stubs.
16810 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
16811 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
16812 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
16815 @node Stub Contents
16816 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
16818 @cindex remote serial stub
16819 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
16823 @item set_debug_traps
16824 @findex set_debug_traps
16825 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
16826 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
16827 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
16828 beginning of your program.
16830 @item handle_exception
16831 @findex handle_exception
16832 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
16833 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
16834 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
16835 run when a trap is triggered.
16837 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
16838 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
16839 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
16840 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
16841 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
16842 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
16843 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
16844 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
16845 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
16849 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
16850 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
16851 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
16852 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
16853 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
16854 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
16855 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
16856 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
16857 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
16858 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
16859 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
16861 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
16862 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
16863 start of your debugging session.
16866 @node Bootstrapping
16867 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
16869 @cindex remote stub, support routines
16870 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
16871 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
16872 debugging target machine.
16874 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
16878 @item int getDebugChar()
16879 @findex getDebugChar
16880 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
16881 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
16882 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
16884 @item void putDebugChar(int)
16885 @findex putDebugChar
16886 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
16887 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
16888 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
16891 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
16892 @cindex interrupting remote targets
16893 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
16894 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
16895 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
16896 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
16897 remote system to stop.
16899 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
16900 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
16901 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
16902 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
16904 Other routines you need to supply are:
16907 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
16908 @findex exceptionHandler
16909 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
16910 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
16911 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
16912 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
16913 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
16914 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
16915 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
16916 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
16917 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
16918 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
16919 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
16920 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
16921 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
16923 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
16924 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
16925 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
16926 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
16927 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
16929 @item void flush_i_cache()
16930 @findex flush_i_cache
16931 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
16932 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
16933 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
16935 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
16936 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
16940 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
16943 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
16945 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
16946 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
16947 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
16948 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
16951 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
16952 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
16953 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
16954 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
16957 @node Debug Session
16958 @subsection Putting it All Together
16960 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
16961 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
16966 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
16967 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
16969 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
16970 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
16974 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
16982 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
16983 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
16986 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
16990 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
16991 function in your program, that function is called when
16992 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
16993 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
16994 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
16997 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
16998 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
17001 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
17002 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
17005 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
17006 @c document that. FIXME.
17007 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
17008 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
17011 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
17012 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
17016 @node Configurations
17017 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
17019 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
17020 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
17021 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
17023 There are three major categories of configurations: native
17024 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
17025 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
17026 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
17027 are quite different from each other.
17032 * Embedded Processors::
17039 This section describes details specific to particular native
17044 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
17045 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
17046 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
17047 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
17048 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
17049 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
17050 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
17056 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
17057 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
17058 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
17061 @node BSD libkvm Interface
17062 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
17065 @cindex kernel memory image
17066 @cindex kernel crash dump
17068 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
17069 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
17070 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
17071 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
17072 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
17073 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
17074 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
17078 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
17081 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
17085 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
17088 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
17094 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
17097 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
17098 modern FreeBSD systems.
17101 @node SVR4 Process Information
17102 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
17104 @cindex examine process image
17105 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
17107 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
17108 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
17109 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
17110 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
17111 proc} is available to report information about the process running
17112 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
17113 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
17114 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
17115 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
17121 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
17122 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
17123 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
17124 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
17125 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
17126 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
17127 executable file's absolute file name.
17129 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
17130 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
17131 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
17132 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
17133 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
17134 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
17136 @item info proc mappings
17137 @cindex memory address space mappings
17138 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
17139 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
17140 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
17141 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
17142 memory access rights to that range.
17144 @item info proc stat
17145 @itemx info proc status
17146 @cindex process detailed status information
17147 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
17148 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
17149 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
17150 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
17151 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
17152 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
17153 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
17155 @item info proc all
17156 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
17157 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
17160 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
17161 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
17162 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
17163 @kindex info proc times
17164 @item info proc times
17165 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
17168 @kindex info proc id
17170 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
17171 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
17174 @item set procfs-trace
17175 @kindex set procfs-trace
17176 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
17177 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
17179 @item show procfs-trace
17180 @kindex show procfs-trace
17181 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
17183 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
17184 @kindex set procfs-file
17185 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
17186 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
17187 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
17190 @item show procfs-file
17191 @kindex show procfs-file
17192 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
17194 @item proc-trace-entry
17195 @itemx proc-trace-exit
17196 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
17197 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
17198 @kindex proc-trace-entry
17199 @kindex proc-trace-exit
17200 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
17201 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
17202 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
17203 from the @code{syscall} interface.
17206 @kindex info pidlist
17207 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
17208 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
17209 processes and all the threads within each process.
17212 @kindex info meminfo
17213 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
17214 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
17218 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
17219 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
17220 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
17221 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
17224 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
17225 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
17226 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
17227 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
17229 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
17230 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
17231 subsection describes those commands.
17236 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
17237 information about the target system and important OS structures.
17240 @cindex MS-DOS system info
17241 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
17242 @item info dos sysinfo
17243 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
17244 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
17245 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
17250 @cindex segment descriptor tables
17251 @cindex descriptor tables display
17253 @itemx info dos ldt
17254 @itemx info dos idt
17255 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
17256 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
17257 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
17258 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
17259 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
17260 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
17263 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
17264 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
17265 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
17266 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
17267 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
17269 @cindex garbled pointers
17270 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
17271 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
17272 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
17273 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
17274 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
17275 debugged program's data segment:
17278 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
17279 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
17283 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
17284 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
17286 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
17288 @itemx info dos pte
17289 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
17290 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
17291 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
17292 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
17293 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
17294 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
17295 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
17296 that is currently in use.
17298 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
17299 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
17300 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
17301 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
17302 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
17303 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
17304 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
17306 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
17307 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
17308 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
17311 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
17313 @cindex physical address from linear address
17314 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
17315 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
17316 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
17317 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
17318 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
17319 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
17320 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
17323 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
17324 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
17325 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
17329 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
17330 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
17331 attributes of that page.
17333 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
17334 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
17335 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
17336 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
17337 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
17338 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
17340 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
17344 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
17345 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
17346 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
17350 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
17351 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
17352 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
17353 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
17354 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
17356 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
17359 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
17360 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
17361 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
17362 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
17365 @kindex set com1base
17366 @kindex set com1irq
17367 @kindex set com2base
17368 @kindex set com2irq
17369 @kindex set com3base
17370 @kindex set com3irq
17371 @kindex set com4base
17372 @kindex set com4irq
17373 @item set com1base @var{addr}
17374 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
17377 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
17378 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
17379 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
17381 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
17382 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
17385 @kindex show com1base
17386 @kindex show com1irq
17387 @kindex show com2base
17388 @kindex show com2irq
17389 @kindex show com3base
17390 @kindex show com3irq
17391 @kindex show com4base
17392 @kindex show com4irq
17393 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
17394 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
17395 lines used by the COM ports.
17398 @kindex info serial
17399 @cindex DOS serial port status
17400 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
17401 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
17402 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
17403 counts of various errors encountered so far.
17407 @node Cygwin Native
17408 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
17409 @cindex MS Windows debugging
17410 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
17411 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
17413 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
17414 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
17416 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
17417 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
17418 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
17419 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
17420 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
17421 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
17422 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
17425 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
17426 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
17427 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
17432 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
17433 information about the target system and important OS structures.
17435 @item info w32 selector
17436 This command displays information returned by
17437 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
17438 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
17439 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
17440 Without argument, this command displays information
17441 about the six segment registers.
17443 @item info w32 thread-information-block
17444 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
17445 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
17446 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
17450 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
17452 @kindex dll-symbols
17454 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
17455 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
17457 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
17458 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
17459 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
17460 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
17461 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
17462 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
17463 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
17464 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
17465 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
17466 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
17467 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
17469 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
17470 @item show cygwin-exceptions
17471 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
17472 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
17474 @kindex set new-console
17475 @item set new-console @var{mode}
17476 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
17477 be started in a new console on next start.
17478 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
17479 be started in the same console as the debugger.
17481 @kindex show new-console
17482 @item show new-console
17483 Displays whether a new console is used
17484 when the debuggee is started.
17486 @kindex set new-group
17487 @item set new-group @var{mode}
17488 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
17489 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
17490 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
17493 @kindex show new-group
17494 @item show new-group
17495 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
17497 @kindex set debugevents
17498 @item set debugevents
17499 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
17500 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
17501 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
17502 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
17503 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
17505 @kindex set debugexec
17506 @item set debugexec
17507 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
17508 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
17510 @kindex set debugexceptions
17511 @item set debugexceptions
17512 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
17513 debuggee seen by the debugger.
17515 @kindex set debugmemory
17516 @item set debugmemory
17517 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
17518 and writes by the debugger.
17522 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
17523 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
17527 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
17532 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
17535 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
17536 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
17537 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
17538 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
17540 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
17541 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
17542 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
17543 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
17544 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
17545 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
17546 ``minimal symbols''.
17548 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
17549 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
17550 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
17551 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
17552 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
17553 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
17554 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
17555 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
17556 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
17557 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
17559 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
17561 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
17562 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
17563 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
17564 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
17565 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
17566 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
17567 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
17568 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
17569 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
17571 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
17572 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
17573 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
17574 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
17575 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
17576 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
17579 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
17580 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
17582 Non-debugging symbols:
17583 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
17584 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
17588 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
17589 All functions matching regular expression "!":
17591 Non-debugging symbols:
17592 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
17593 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
17594 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
17598 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
17600 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
17601 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
17602 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
17603 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
17604 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
17605 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
17606 a function within a DLL without a running program.
17608 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
17609 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
17610 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
17611 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
17615 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
17620 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
17621 0x10021610: "\230y\""
17624 And two possible solutions:
17627 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
17628 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
17632 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
17633 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
17634 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
17635 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
17636 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
17637 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
17640 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
17641 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
17642 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
17643 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
17644 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
17647 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
17648 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
17651 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
17652 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
17656 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
17657 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
17659 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
17660 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
17665 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
17666 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
17667 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
17668 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
17669 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
17674 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
17675 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
17676 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
17678 @item set signal-thread
17679 @itemx set sigthread
17680 @kindex set signal-thread
17681 @kindex set sigthread
17682 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
17683 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
17684 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
17687 @item show signal-thread
17688 @itemx show sigthread
17689 @kindex show signal-thread
17690 @kindex show sigthread
17691 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
17692 delivered a signal.
17695 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
17696 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
17697 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
17698 continued by delivering a signal to it.
17701 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
17702 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
17705 @item set exceptions
17706 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17707 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
17708 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
17709 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
17712 @item show exceptions
17713 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17714 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
17716 @item set task pause
17717 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
17718 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17719 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17720 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
17721 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
17722 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
17723 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
17724 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
17725 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
17727 @item show task pause
17728 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
17729 Show the current state of task suspension.
17731 @item set task detach-suspend-count
17732 @cindex task suspend count
17733 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17734 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
17735 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
17737 @item show task detach-suspend-count
17738 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
17740 @item set task exception-port
17741 @itemx set task excp
17742 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17743 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
17744 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
17745 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
17747 @item set noninvasive
17748 @cindex noninvasive task options
17749 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
17750 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
17751 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
17752 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
17754 @item info send-rights
17755 @itemx info receive-rights
17756 @itemx info port-rights
17757 @itemx info port-sets
17758 @itemx info dead-names
17761 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17762 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17763 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17764 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17765 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17766 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
17767 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
17768 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
17769 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
17771 @item set thread pause
17772 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
17773 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17774 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17775 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
17776 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
17777 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
17778 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
17779 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
17780 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
17781 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
17782 only the current thread.
17784 @item show thread pause
17785 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
17786 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
17788 @item set thread run
17789 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17791 @item show thread run
17792 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17794 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
17795 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17796 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17797 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
17798 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
17799 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
17800 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
17802 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
17803 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
17806 @item set thread exception-port
17807 @itemx set thread excp
17808 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
17809 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
17810 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
17812 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
17813 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
17814 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
17815 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
17817 @item set thread default
17818 @itemx show thread default
17819 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17820 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
17821 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
17822 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
17823 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
17824 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
17825 the non-default commands.
17830 @subsection QNX Neutrino
17831 @cindex QNX Neutrino
17833 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
17837 @item set debug nto-debug
17838 @kindex set debug nto-debug
17839 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
17842 @item show debug nto-debug
17843 @kindex show debug nto-debug
17844 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
17851 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
17854 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
17855 @kindex set debug darwin
17856 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
17857 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
17859 @item show debug darwin
17860 @kindex show debug darwin
17861 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
17863 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
17864 @kindex set debug mach-o
17865 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
17866 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
17867 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
17868 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
17869 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
17872 @item show debug mach-o
17873 @kindex show debug mach-o
17874 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
17876 @item set mach-exceptions on
17877 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
17878 @kindex set mach-exceptions
17879 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
17880 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
17881 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
17882 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
17884 @item show mach-exceptions
17885 @kindex show mach-exceptions
17886 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
17891 @section Embedded Operating Systems
17893 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
17894 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
17898 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
17901 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
17902 various real-time operating systems.
17905 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
17911 @kindex target vxworks
17912 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
17913 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
17914 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
17918 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
17919 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
17921 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
17922 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
17923 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
17924 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
17925 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
17926 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
17927 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
17930 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
17931 @kindex vxworks-timeout
17932 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
17933 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
17934 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
17935 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
17936 of a thin network line.
17939 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
17940 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
17943 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
17944 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
17945 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
17946 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
17947 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
17948 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
17949 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
17950 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
17952 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
17954 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
17955 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
17956 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
17957 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
17959 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
17966 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
17967 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
17968 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
17971 @node VxWorks Connection
17972 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
17974 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
17975 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
17978 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
17982 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
17985 Attaching remote machine across net...
17990 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
17991 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
17992 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
17993 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
17994 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
17997 prog.o: No such file or directory.
18000 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
18001 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
18004 @node VxWorks Download
18005 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
18007 @cindex download to VxWorks
18008 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
18009 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
18010 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
18011 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
18012 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
18013 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
18014 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
18015 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
18016 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
18017 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
18018 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
18019 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
18020 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
18021 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
18022 program, type this on VxWorks:
18025 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
18029 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
18032 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
18033 (vxgdb) load prog.o
18036 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
18039 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
18042 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
18043 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
18044 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
18045 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
18046 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
18047 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
18050 @node VxWorks Attach
18051 @subsubsection Running Tasks
18053 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
18054 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
18058 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
18062 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
18063 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
18064 the time of attachment.
18066 @node Embedded Processors
18067 @section Embedded Processors
18069 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
18072 @cindex send command to simulator
18073 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
18074 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
18077 @item sim @var{command}
18078 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
18079 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
18080 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
18081 acceptable commands.
18087 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
18088 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
18089 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
18090 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
18091 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
18092 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
18093 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
18094 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
18095 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
18096 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
18099 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
18108 @item target rdi @var{dev}
18109 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
18110 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
18111 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
18114 @item target rdp @var{dev}
18119 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
18122 @item set arm disassembler
18124 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
18125 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
18127 @item show arm disassembler
18129 Show the current disassembly style.
18131 @item set arm apcs32
18132 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
18133 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
18135 @item show arm apcs32
18136 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
18138 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
18139 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
18140 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
18144 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
18146 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
18149 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
18151 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
18157 Show the current type of the FPU.
18160 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
18163 Show the currently used ABI.
18165 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
18166 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
18167 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
18168 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
18169 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
18170 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
18173 @item show arm fallback-mode
18174 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
18176 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
18177 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
18178 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
18179 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
18180 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
18182 @item show arm force-mode
18183 Show the current forced instruction mode.
18185 @item set debug arm
18186 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
18187 target support subsystem.
18189 @item show debug arm
18190 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
18193 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
18194 using the RDI interface:
18197 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18199 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
18200 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
18201 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
18202 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
18205 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
18206 @kindex rdilogenable
18207 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
18208 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
18209 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
18210 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
18211 are logged to a file.
18213 @item set rdiromatzero
18214 @kindex set rdiromatzero
18215 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
18216 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
18217 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
18218 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
18219 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
18221 @item show rdiromatzero
18222 @kindex show rdiromatzero
18223 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
18225 @item set rdiheartbeat
18226 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
18227 @cindex RDI heartbeat
18228 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
18229 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
18230 well as the Angel monitor.
18232 @item show rdiheartbeat
18233 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
18234 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
18238 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
18239 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
18242 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
18243 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
18244 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
18245 The default value is @code{all}.
18258 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
18261 @kindex target m32r
18262 @item target m32r @var{dev}
18263 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
18265 @kindex target m32rsdi
18266 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
18267 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
18270 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
18273 @item set download-path @var{path}
18274 @kindex set download-path
18275 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
18276 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
18278 @item show download-path
18279 @kindex show download-path
18280 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
18282 @item set board-address @var{addr}
18283 @kindex set board-address
18284 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
18285 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
18287 @item show board-address
18288 @kindex show board-address
18289 Show the current IP address of the target board.
18291 @item set server-address @var{addr}
18292 @kindex set server-address
18293 @cindex download server address (M32R)
18294 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
18297 @item show server-address
18298 @kindex show server-address
18299 Display the IP address of the download server.
18301 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18302 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
18303 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
18304 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
18305 executable file is uploaded.
18307 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18308 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
18309 Test the @code{upload} command.
18312 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
18317 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
18318 This command resets the SDI connection.
18322 This command shows the SDI connection status.
18325 @kindex debug_chaos
18326 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
18327 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
18329 @item use_debug_dma
18330 @kindex use_debug_dma
18331 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
18334 @kindex use_mon_code
18335 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
18338 @kindex use_ib_break
18339 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
18341 @item use_dbt_break
18342 @kindex use_dbt_break
18343 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
18349 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
18350 target command for the following ROM monitor.
18354 @kindex target dbug
18355 @item target dbug @var{dev}
18356 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
18361 @subsection MicroBlaze
18362 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
18363 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
18365 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
18366 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
18367 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
18368 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
18369 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
18370 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
18371 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
18372 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
18373 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
18374 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
18375 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
18377 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
18380 @item target remote :1234
18381 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
18382 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
18384 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
18385 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
18386 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
18389 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
18391 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
18392 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
18394 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
18395 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
18398 @node MIPS Embedded
18399 @subsection MIPS Embedded
18401 @cindex MIPS boards
18402 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
18403 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
18404 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
18407 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
18410 @item target mips @var{port}
18411 @kindex target mips @var{port}
18412 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
18413 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
18414 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
18415 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
18416 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
18417 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
18419 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
18420 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
18424 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
18425 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
18426 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
18427 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
18431 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
18432 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
18433 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
18434 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
18435 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
18437 @item target pmon @var{port}
18438 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
18441 @item target ddb @var{port}
18442 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
18443 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
18445 @item target lsi @var{port}
18446 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
18447 LSI variant of PMON.
18449 @kindex target r3900
18450 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
18451 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
18453 @kindex target array
18454 @item target array @var{dev}
18455 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
18461 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
18464 @item set mipsfpu double
18465 @itemx set mipsfpu single
18466 @itemx set mipsfpu none
18467 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
18468 @itemx show mipsfpu
18469 @kindex set mipsfpu
18470 @kindex show mipsfpu
18471 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
18472 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
18473 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
18474 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
18475 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
18476 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
18477 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
18478 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
18479 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
18480 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
18481 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
18482 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
18483 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
18485 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
18486 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
18487 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
18489 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
18490 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
18492 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
18493 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
18494 @itemx show timeout
18495 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
18496 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
18497 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
18498 @kindex set timeout
18499 @kindex show timeout
18500 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
18501 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
18502 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
18503 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
18504 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
18505 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
18506 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
18507 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
18508 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
18509 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
18511 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
18512 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
18513 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
18514 to run before stopping.
18516 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
18517 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
18518 @cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
18519 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
18520 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
18521 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
18523 @item show syn-garbage-limit
18524 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
18525 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
18526 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
18528 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
18529 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
18530 @cindex remote monitor prompt
18531 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
18532 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
18542 @item show monitor-prompt
18543 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
18544 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
18547 @item set monitor-warnings
18548 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
18549 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
18550 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
18551 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
18552 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
18554 @item show monitor-warnings
18555 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
18556 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
18558 @item pmon @var{command}
18559 @kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
18560 @cindex send PMON command
18561 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
18562 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
18565 @node OpenRISC 1000
18566 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
18567 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
18569 @cindex or1k boards
18570 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
18571 about platform and commands.
18575 @kindex target jtag
18576 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
18578 Connects to remote JTAG server.
18579 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
18580 connected via parallel port to the board.
18582 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
18585 @item or1ksim @var{command}
18586 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
18587 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
18589 @kindex info or1k spr
18590 @item info or1k spr
18591 Displays spr groups.
18593 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
18594 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
18595 Displays register names in selected group.
18597 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
18598 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
18599 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
18600 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
18601 Shows information about specified spr register.
18604 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
18605 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
18606 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
18607 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
18608 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
18611 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
18612 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
18613 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
18614 triggers can be set using:
18617 Load effective address/data
18619 Store effective address/data
18621 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
18626 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
18627 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
18629 @code{htrace} commands:
18630 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
18633 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
18634 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
18635 or Data. For example:
18637 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
18639 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
18643 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
18645 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
18646 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
18648 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
18649 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
18651 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
18652 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
18654 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
18655 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
18658 @item htrace enable
18659 @itemx htrace disable
18660 Enables/disables the HW trace.
18662 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
18663 Clears currently recorded trace data.
18665 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
18666 will be written there.
18668 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
18669 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
18671 @item htrace mode continuous
18672 Set continuous trace mode.
18674 @item htrace mode suspend
18675 Set suspend trace mode.
18679 @node PowerPC Embedded
18680 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
18682 @cindex DVC register
18683 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
18684 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
18687 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
18688 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
18691 The DVC register will be automatically used whenever @value{GDBN} detects
18692 such pattern in a condition expression. This feature is available in native
18693 @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34 or newer.
18695 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
18698 @kindex set powerpc
18699 @item set powerpc soft-float
18700 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
18701 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
18702 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
18703 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
18705 @item set powerpc vector-abi
18706 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
18707 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
18708 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
18709 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
18710 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
18711 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
18712 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
18714 @kindex target dink32
18715 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
18716 DINK32 ROM monitor.
18718 @kindex target ppcbug
18719 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
18720 @kindex target ppcbug1
18721 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
18722 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
18725 @item target sds @var{dev}
18726 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
18729 @cindex SDS protocol
18730 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
18734 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
18735 @kindex set sdstimeout
18736 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
18737 default is 2 seconds.
18739 @item show sdstimeout
18740 @kindex show sdstimeout
18741 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
18743 @item sds @var{command}
18744 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
18745 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
18750 @subsection HP PA Embedded
18754 @kindex target op50n
18755 @item target op50n @var{dev}
18756 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
18758 @kindex target w89k
18759 @item target w89k @var{dev}
18760 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
18765 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
18769 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
18770 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
18771 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
18772 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
18773 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
18776 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
18777 @kindex remotetimeout
18778 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
18779 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
18780 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
18783 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
18784 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
18785 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
18786 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
18787 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
18790 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
18793 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
18796 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
18799 @cindex running, on Sparclet
18801 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
18802 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
18803 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
18805 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
18812 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
18813 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
18814 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
18815 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
18818 @node Sparclet File
18819 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
18821 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
18824 (gdbslet) file prog
18828 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
18829 @value{GDBN} locates
18830 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
18832 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
18833 files will be searched as well.
18834 @value{GDBN} locates
18835 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
18836 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
18838 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
18841 prog: No such file or directory.
18844 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
18845 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
18846 @code{target} command again.
18848 @node Sparclet Connection
18849 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
18851 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
18852 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
18855 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
18856 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
18857 main () at ../prog.c:3
18861 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
18867 @node Sparclet Download
18868 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
18870 @cindex download to Sparclet
18871 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
18872 you can use the @value{GDBN}
18873 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
18874 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
18876 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
18877 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
18878 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
18879 of each of the file's sections.
18880 For instance, if the program
18881 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
18882 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
18885 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
18886 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
18889 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
18890 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
18891 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
18893 @node Sparclet Execution
18894 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
18896 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
18897 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
18898 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
18899 manual for the list of commands.
18903 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
18905 Starting program: prog
18906 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
18907 3 char *symarg = 0;
18909 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
18914 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
18918 @kindex target sparclite
18919 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
18920 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
18921 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
18922 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
18928 @subsection Zilog Z8000
18931 @cindex simulator, Z8000
18932 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
18934 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
18937 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
18938 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
18939 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
18940 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
18943 @item target sim @var{args}
18945 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
18946 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
18947 options, specify them via @var{args}.
18951 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
18952 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
18953 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
18954 to run your program, and so on.
18956 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
18957 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
18958 additional items of information as specially named registers:
18963 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
18966 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
18969 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
18973 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
18974 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
18975 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
18976 simulated clock ticks.
18979 @subsection Atmel AVR
18982 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
18983 following AVR-specific commands:
18986 @item info io_registers
18987 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
18988 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
18989 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
18990 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
18997 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
18998 following CRIS-specific commands:
19001 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
19002 @cindex CRIS version
19003 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
19004 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
19005 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
19007 @item show cris-version
19008 Show the current CRIS version.
19010 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
19011 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
19012 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
19013 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
19016 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
19017 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
19019 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
19021 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
19022 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
19023 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
19025 @item show cris-mode
19026 Show the current CRIS mode.
19030 @subsection Renesas Super-H
19033 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
19038 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
19039 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
19041 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
19042 @kindex set sh calling-convention
19043 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
19044 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
19045 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
19046 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
19047 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
19048 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
19049 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
19050 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
19051 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
19052 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
19054 @item show sh calling-convention
19055 @kindex show sh calling-convention
19056 Show the current calling convention setting.
19061 @node Architectures
19062 @section Architectures
19064 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
19065 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
19072 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
19073 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
19078 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
19081 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
19082 @kindex set struct-convention
19083 @cindex struct return convention
19084 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
19085 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
19086 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
19087 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
19088 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
19089 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
19090 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
19091 be returned in a register.
19093 @item show struct-convention
19094 @kindex show struct-convention
19095 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
19104 @kindex set rstack_high_address
19105 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
19106 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
19107 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
19108 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
19109 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
19110 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
19111 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
19112 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
19113 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
19114 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
19115 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
19118 @kindex show rstack_high_address
19119 @item show rstack_high_address
19120 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
19128 See the following section.
19133 @cindex stack on Alpha
19134 @cindex stack on MIPS
19135 @cindex Alpha stack
19137 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
19138 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
19139 find the beginning of a function.
19141 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
19142 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
19143 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
19144 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
19148 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
19149 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
19150 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
19151 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
19152 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
19153 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
19154 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
19155 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
19157 @item show heuristic-fence-post
19158 Display the current limit.
19162 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
19163 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
19165 Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
19169 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
19170 @kindex set mips abi
19171 @cindex set ABI for MIPS
19172 Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
19173 values of @var{arg} are:
19177 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
19188 @item show mips abi
19189 @kindex show mips abi
19190 Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
19193 @itemx show mipsfpu
19194 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
19196 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
19197 @kindex set mips mask-address
19198 @cindex MIPS addresses, masking
19199 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
19200 MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
19201 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
19202 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
19204 @item show mips mask-address
19205 @kindex show mips mask-address
19206 Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
19209 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19210 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19211 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
19212 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
19213 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
19214 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
19216 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19217 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19218 Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
19220 @item set debug mips
19221 @kindex set debug mips
19222 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
19223 target code in @value{GDBN}.
19225 @item show debug mips
19226 @kindex show debug mips
19227 Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
19233 @cindex HPPA support
19235 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
19236 following special commands:
19239 @item set debug hppa
19240 @kindex set debug hppa
19241 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
19242 messages are to be displayed.
19244 @item show debug hppa
19245 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
19247 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
19248 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
19249 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
19250 given @var{address}.
19256 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
19257 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
19260 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
19261 it provides the following special commands:
19264 @item info spu event
19266 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
19267 and pending event status.
19269 @item info spu signal
19270 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
19271 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
19272 notification channels.
19274 @item info spu mailbox
19275 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
19276 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
19277 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
19280 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
19281 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
19282 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
19284 @item info spu proxydma
19285 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
19286 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
19287 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
19291 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
19292 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
19296 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
19298 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
19299 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
19300 function. The default is @code{off}.
19302 @item show spu stop-on-load
19304 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
19306 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
19307 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
19308 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
19309 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
19310 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
19311 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
19313 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
19314 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
19319 @subsection PowerPC
19320 @cindex PowerPC architecture
19322 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
19323 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
19324 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
19325 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
19326 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
19328 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
19329 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
19330 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
19332 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
19333 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
19336 @node Controlling GDB
19337 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
19339 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
19340 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
19341 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
19346 * Editing:: Command editing
19347 * Command History:: Command history
19348 * Screen Size:: Screen size
19349 * Numbers:: Numbers
19350 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
19351 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
19352 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
19353 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
19361 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
19362 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
19363 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
19364 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
19365 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
19366 which one you are talking to.
19368 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
19369 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
19370 or a prompt that does not.
19374 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
19375 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
19377 @kindex show prompt
19379 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
19383 @section Command Editing
19385 @cindex command line editing
19387 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
19388 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
19389 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
19390 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
19391 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
19392 debugging sessions.
19394 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
19395 command @code{set}.
19398 @kindex set editing
19401 @itemx set editing on
19402 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
19404 @item set editing off
19405 Disable command line editing.
19407 @kindex show editing
19409 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
19412 @xref{Command Line Editing}, for more details about the Readline
19413 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
19414 encouraged to read that chapter.
19416 @node Command History
19417 @section Command History
19418 @cindex command history
19420 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
19421 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
19422 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
19425 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
19426 package, to provide the history facility. @xref{Using History
19427 Interactively}, for the detailed description of the History library.
19429 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
19430 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
19431 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
19432 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
19433 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
19434 pressed on a line by itself.
19436 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
19437 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
19438 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
19439 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
19441 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
19445 @cindex history substitution
19446 @cindex history file
19447 @kindex set history filename
19448 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
19449 @item set history filename @var{fname}
19450 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
19451 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
19452 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
19453 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
19454 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
19455 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
19456 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
19459 @cindex save command history
19460 @kindex set history save
19461 @item set history save
19462 @itemx set history save on
19463 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
19464 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
19466 @item set history save off
19467 Stop recording command history in a file.
19469 @cindex history size
19470 @kindex set history size
19471 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
19472 @item set history size @var{size}
19473 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
19474 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
19475 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
19478 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
19479 @xref{Event Designators}, for more details.
19481 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
19482 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
19483 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
19484 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
19485 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
19486 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
19487 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
19488 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
19490 The commands to control history expansion are:
19493 @item set history expansion on
19494 @itemx set history expansion
19495 @kindex set history expansion
19496 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
19498 @item set history expansion off
19499 Disable history expansion.
19502 @kindex show history
19504 @itemx show history filename
19505 @itemx show history save
19506 @itemx show history size
19507 @itemx show history expansion
19508 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
19509 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
19514 @kindex show commands
19515 @cindex show last commands
19516 @cindex display command history
19517 @item show commands
19518 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
19520 @item show commands @var{n}
19521 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
19523 @item show commands +
19524 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
19528 @section Screen Size
19529 @cindex size of screen
19530 @cindex pauses in output
19532 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
19533 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
19534 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
19535 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
19536 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
19537 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
19538 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
19539 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
19541 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
19542 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
19543 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
19544 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
19545 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
19552 @kindex show height
19553 @item set height @var{lpp}
19555 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
19557 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
19558 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
19559 commands display the current settings.
19561 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
19562 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
19563 file or to an editor buffer.
19565 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
19566 from wrapping its output.
19568 @item set pagination on
19569 @itemx set pagination off
19570 @kindex set pagination
19571 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
19572 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}. Note that
19573 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
19574 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
19576 @item show pagination
19577 @kindex show pagination
19578 Show the current pagination mode.
19583 @cindex number representation
19584 @cindex entering numbers
19586 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
19587 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
19588 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
19589 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
19590 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
19591 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
19592 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
19593 both input and output with the commands described below.
19596 @kindex set input-radix
19597 @item set input-radix @var{base}
19598 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
19599 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
19600 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
19604 set input-radix 012
19605 set input-radix 10.
19606 set input-radix 0xa
19610 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
19611 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
19612 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
19613 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
19614 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
19617 @kindex set output-radix
19618 @item set output-radix @var{base}
19619 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
19620 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
19621 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
19623 @kindex show input-radix
19624 @item show input-radix
19625 Display the current default base for numeric input.
19627 @kindex show output-radix
19628 @item show output-radix
19629 Display the current default base for numeric display.
19631 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
19635 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
19636 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
19637 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
19638 default value of 10.
19643 @section Configuring the Current ABI
19645 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
19646 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
19647 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
19654 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
19655 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
19656 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
19657 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
19658 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
19659 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
19660 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
19665 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
19668 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
19670 @item set osabi @var{abi}
19671 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
19674 @cindex float promotion
19676 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
19677 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
19678 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
19679 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
19680 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
19681 @code{double} and then passed.
19683 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
19684 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
19685 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
19688 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
19689 @item set coerce-float-to-double
19690 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
19691 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
19692 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
19694 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
19695 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
19698 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
19699 @item show coerce-float-to-double
19700 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
19704 @kindex show cp-abi
19705 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
19706 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
19707 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
19708 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
19709 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
19710 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
19711 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
19712 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
19713 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
19714 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
19719 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
19722 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
19724 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
19725 @itemx set cp-abi auto
19726 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
19729 @node Messages/Warnings
19730 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
19732 @cindex verbose operation
19733 @cindex optional warnings
19734 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
19735 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
19736 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
19737 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
19739 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
19740 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
19741 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
19744 @kindex set verbose
19745 @item set verbose on
19746 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
19748 @item set verbose off
19749 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
19751 @kindex show verbose
19753 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
19756 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
19757 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
19758 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
19763 @kindex set complaints
19764 @item set complaints @var{limit}
19765 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
19766 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
19767 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
19768 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
19770 @kindex show complaints
19771 @item show complaints
19772 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
19776 @anchor{confirmation requests}
19777 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
19778 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
19779 you try to run a program which is already running:
19783 The program being debugged has been started already.
19784 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
19787 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
19788 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
19792 @kindex set confirm
19794 @cindex confirmation
19795 @cindex stupid questions
19796 @item set confirm off
19797 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
19798 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
19799 automatically disables confirmation requests.
19801 @item set confirm on
19802 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
19804 @kindex show confirm
19806 Displays state of confirmation requests.
19810 @cindex command tracing
19811 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
19812 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
19813 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
19814 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
19817 @kindex set trace-commands
19818 @cindex command scripts, debugging
19819 @item set trace-commands on
19820 Enable command tracing.
19821 @item set trace-commands off
19822 Disable command tracing.
19823 @item show trace-commands
19824 Display the current state of command tracing.
19827 @node Debugging Output
19828 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
19829 @cindex optional debugging messages
19831 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
19832 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
19833 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
19834 section documents those commands.
19837 @kindex set exec-done-display
19838 @item set exec-done-display
19839 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
19840 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
19841 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
19842 @kindex show exec-done-display
19843 @item show exec-done-display
19844 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
19847 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
19848 @cindex architecture debugging info
19849 @item set debug arch
19850 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
19852 @item show debug arch
19853 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
19854 @item set debug aix-thread
19855 @cindex AIX threads
19856 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
19858 @item show debug aix-thread
19859 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
19860 @item set debug dwarf2-die
19861 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
19862 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
19863 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
19864 A value of zero turns off the display.
19865 @item show debug dwarf2-die
19866 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
19867 @item set debug displaced
19868 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
19869 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
19870 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
19871 @item show debug displaced
19872 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
19873 related to displaced stepping.
19874 @item set debug event
19875 @cindex event debugging info
19876 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
19878 @item show debug event
19879 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
19881 @item set debug expression
19882 @cindex expression debugging info
19883 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
19884 expression parsing. The default is off.
19885 @item show debug expression
19886 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
19887 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
19888 @item set debug frame
19889 @cindex frame debugging info
19890 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
19892 @item show debug frame
19893 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
19895 @item set debug gnu-nat
19896 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
19897 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
19898 @item show debug gnu-nat
19899 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
19900 @item set debug infrun
19901 @cindex inferior debugging info
19902 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
19903 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
19904 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
19905 @item show debug infrun
19906 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
19907 @item set debug lin-lwp
19908 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
19909 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
19910 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
19911 @item show debug lin-lwp
19912 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
19913 @item set debug lin-lwp-async
19914 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP async debug messages
19915 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
19916 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP async debug support.
19917 @item show debug lin-lwp-async
19918 Show the current state of Linux LWP async debugging messages.
19919 @item set debug observer
19920 @cindex observer debugging info
19921 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
19922 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
19923 @item show debug observer
19924 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
19925 @item set debug overload
19926 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
19927 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
19928 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
19930 @item show debug overload
19931 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
19933 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
19934 @cindex debug expression parser
19935 @item set debug parser
19936 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
19937 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
19938 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
19939 details. The default is off.
19940 @item show debug parser
19941 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
19942 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
19943 @cindex serial connections, debugging
19944 @cindex debug remote protocol
19945 @cindex remote protocol debugging
19946 @cindex display remote packets
19947 @item set debug remote
19948 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
19949 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
19950 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
19951 @item show debug remote
19952 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
19953 @item set debug serial
19954 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
19956 @item show debug serial
19957 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
19959 @item set debug solib-frv
19960 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
19961 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
19962 @item show debug solib-frv
19963 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
19965 @item set debug target
19966 @cindex target debugging info
19967 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
19968 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
19969 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
19970 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
19971 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
19972 @item show debug target
19973 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
19975 @item set debug timestamp
19976 @cindex timestampping debugging info
19977 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
19978 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
19980 @item show debug timestamp
19981 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
19983 @item set debugvarobj
19984 @cindex variable object debugging info
19985 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
19986 info. The default is off.
19987 @item show debugvarobj
19988 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
19990 @item set debug xml
19991 @cindex XML parser debugging
19992 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
19993 @item show debug xml
19994 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
19997 @node Other Misc Settings
19998 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
19999 @cindex miscellaneous settings
20002 @kindex set interactive-mode
20003 @item set interactive-mode
20004 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate interactively.
20005 If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate non-interactively,
20006 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} guesses which mode to use,
20007 based on whether the debugger was started in a terminal or not.
20009 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
20010 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
20011 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
20012 inside a cygwin window.
20014 @kindex show interactive-mode
20015 @item show interactive-mode
20016 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
20019 @node Extending GDB
20020 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
20021 @cindex extending GDB
20023 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for extension. The first is based
20024 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, and the second is based on the
20025 Python scripting language.
20027 To facilitate the use of these extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
20028 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
20029 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
20030 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
20031 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
20032 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
20034 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
20038 @kindex set script-extension
20039 @kindex show script-extension
20040 @item set script-extension off
20041 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
20043 @item set script-extension soft
20044 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
20045 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
20046 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
20047 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
20049 @item set script-extension strict
20050 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
20051 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
20052 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
20054 @item show script-extension
20055 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
20060 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
20061 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
20065 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
20067 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
20068 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
20069 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
20073 * Define:: How to define your own commands
20074 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
20075 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
20076 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
20080 @subsection User-defined Commands
20082 @cindex user-defined command
20083 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
20084 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
20085 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
20086 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
20087 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
20088 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
20092 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
20097 To execute the command use:
20104 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
20105 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
20106 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
20109 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
20110 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
20111 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
20112 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
20117 print $arg0 + $arg1
20120 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
20128 @item define @var{commandname}
20129 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
20130 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
20131 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
20132 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
20133 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
20134 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
20136 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
20137 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
20138 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
20141 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
20142 @item document @var{commandname}
20143 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
20144 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
20145 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
20146 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
20147 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
20148 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
20150 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
20151 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
20152 does not change the documentation.
20154 @kindex dont-repeat
20155 @cindex don't repeat command
20157 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
20158 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
20159 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
20161 @kindex help user-defined
20162 @item help user-defined
20163 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
20168 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
20169 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
20170 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
20171 definitions for all user-defined commands.
20173 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
20174 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
20175 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
20176 @item show max-user-call-depth
20177 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
20178 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
20179 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
20180 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
20183 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
20184 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
20186 When user-defined commands are executed, the
20187 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
20188 stops execution of the user-defined command.
20190 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
20191 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
20192 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
20193 messages when used in a user-defined command.
20196 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
20197 @cindex command hooks
20198 @cindex hooks, for commands
20199 @cindex hooks, pre-command
20202 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
20203 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
20204 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
20205 before that command.
20207 @cindex hooks, post-command
20209 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
20210 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
20211 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
20212 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
20213 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
20215 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
20216 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
20218 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
20219 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
20221 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
20222 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
20223 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
20224 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
20225 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
20227 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
20228 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
20233 handle SIGALRM nopass
20237 handle SIGALRM pass
20240 define hook-continue
20241 handle SIGALRM pass
20245 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
20246 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
20254 define hookpost-echo
20258 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
20259 <<<---Hello World--->>>
20264 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
20265 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
20266 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
20267 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
20269 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
20270 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
20271 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
20273 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
20274 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
20275 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
20277 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
20278 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
20280 @node Command Files
20281 @subsection Command Files
20283 @cindex command files
20284 @cindex scripting commands
20285 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
20286 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
20287 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
20288 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
20291 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
20292 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
20293 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
20294 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
20295 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
20299 @cindex execute commands from a file
20300 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
20301 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
20304 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
20305 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
20306 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
20307 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
20308 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
20310 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
20311 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
20312 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
20313 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
20314 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
20315 is not relevant to scripts.
20317 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
20318 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
20319 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
20320 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
20321 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
20322 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
20323 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
20324 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
20325 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
20326 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
20327 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
20328 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
20329 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
20330 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
20332 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
20333 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
20334 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
20336 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
20337 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
20338 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
20339 when called from command files.
20341 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
20342 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
20343 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
20344 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
20348 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
20351 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
20352 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
20353 would be directed to @file{log}.
20355 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
20356 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
20357 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
20358 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
20359 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
20360 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
20361 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
20362 conditionally, etc.
20369 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
20370 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
20371 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
20372 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
20373 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
20374 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
20375 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
20379 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
20380 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
20381 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
20382 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
20383 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
20384 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
20388 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
20389 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
20392 @kindex loop_continue
20393 @item loop_continue
20394 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
20395 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
20396 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
20397 the controlling expression.
20399 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
20401 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
20402 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
20407 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
20409 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
20410 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
20411 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
20412 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
20417 @item echo @var{text}
20418 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
20419 @c because it is not in ANSI.
20420 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
20421 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
20422 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
20423 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
20424 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
20425 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
20426 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
20427 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
20428 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
20430 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
20431 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
20434 echo This is some text\n\
20435 which is continued\n\
20436 onto several lines.\n
20439 produces the same output as
20442 echo This is some text\n
20443 echo which is continued\n
20444 echo onto several lines.\n
20448 @item output @var{expression}
20449 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
20450 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
20451 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
20454 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
20455 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
20456 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
20457 Formats}, for more information.
20460 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
20461 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
20462 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
20463 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
20464 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
20465 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
20466 executing the code below:
20469 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
20472 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
20473 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
20474 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
20475 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
20476 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
20479 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
20482 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
20485 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
20486 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
20487 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
20491 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
20494 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
20498 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
20499 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
20502 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
20506 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
20509 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
20513 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
20514 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
20515 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
20516 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
20518 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
20519 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
20520 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
20521 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
20524 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
20525 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
20526 together with a floating point specifier.
20531 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
20534 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
20537 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
20540 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
20541 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
20542 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
20544 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
20545 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
20547 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
20549 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
20553 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
20554 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
20555 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
20560 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
20561 @cindex python scripting
20562 @cindex scripting with python
20564 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
20565 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
20566 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
20568 @cindex python directory
20569 Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
20570 @file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
20571 the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}).
20572 This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
20573 is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
20574 the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
20577 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
20578 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
20579 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
20580 * Python modules:: Python modules provided by @value{GDBN}.
20583 @node Python Commands
20584 @subsection Python Commands
20585 @cindex python commands
20586 @cindex commands to access python
20588 @value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
20589 and one related setting:
20593 @item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
20594 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
20596 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
20597 argument as a Python command. For example:
20600 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
20604 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
20605 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
20606 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
20607 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
20608 containing @code{end}. For example:
20611 (@value{GDBP}) python
20613 End with a line saying just "end".
20619 @kindex maint set python print-stack
20620 @item maint set python print-stack
20621 By default, @value{GDBN} will print a stack trace when an error occurs
20622 in a Python script. This can be controlled using @code{maint set
20623 python print-stack}: if @code{on}, the default, then Python stack
20624 printing is enabled; if @code{off}, then Python stack printing is
20628 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
20632 @item source @file{script-name}
20633 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
20634 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
20635 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
20637 @item python execfile ("script-name")
20638 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
20639 and thus is always available.
20643 @subsection Python API
20645 @cindex programming in python
20647 @cindex python stdout
20648 @cindex python pagination
20649 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
20650 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
20651 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
20652 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
20653 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
20656 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
20657 * Exception Handling::
20658 * Values From Inferior::
20659 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
20660 * Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
20661 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
20662 * Writing a Pretty-Printer:: Writing a Pretty-Printer.
20663 * Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
20664 * Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
20665 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
20666 * Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
20667 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
20668 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
20669 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
20670 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
20671 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing frame blocks from Python.
20672 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
20673 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
20674 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
20675 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
20679 @subsubsection Basic Python
20681 @cindex python functions
20682 @cindex python module
20684 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
20685 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
20686 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
20687 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
20689 @findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
20691 A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
20694 @findex gdb.execute
20695 @defun execute command [from_tty] [to_string]
20696 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
20697 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
20698 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
20700 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
20701 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
20702 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
20704 By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
20705 @value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
20706 @code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
20707 returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
20708 return value is @code{None}. If @var{to_string} is @code{True}, the
20709 @value{GDBN} virtual terminal will be temporarily set to unlimited width
20710 and height, and its pagination will be disabled; @pxref{Screen Size}.
20713 @findex gdb.breakpoints
20715 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
20716 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
20719 @findex gdb.parameter
20720 @defun parameter parameter
20721 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
20722 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
20723 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
20724 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
20726 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
20727 @code{RuntimeError}. Otherwise, the parameter's value is converted to
20728 a Python value of the appropriate type, and returned.
20731 @findex gdb.history
20732 @defun history number
20733 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
20734 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
20735 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
20736 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
20737 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
20738 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
20739 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{RuntimeError} exception will be
20742 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
20743 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
20746 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
20747 @defun parse_and_eval expression
20748 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
20749 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
20750 @var{expression} must be a string.
20752 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
20753 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
20754 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
20755 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
20756 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
20759 @findex gdb.post_event
20760 @defun post_event event
20761 Put @var{event}, a callable object taking no arguments, into
20762 @value{GDBN}'s internal event queue. This callable will be invoked at
20763 some later point, during @value{GDBN}'s event processing. Events
20764 posted using @code{post_event} will be run in the order in which they
20765 were posted; however, there is no way to know when they will be
20766 processed relative to other events inside @value{GDBN}.
20768 @value{GDBN} is not thread-safe. If your Python program uses multiple
20769 threads, you must be careful to only call @value{GDBN}-specific
20770 functions in the main @value{GDBN} thread. @code{post_event} ensures
20774 (@value{GDBP}) python
20778 > def __init__(self, message):
20779 > self.message = message;
20780 > def __call__(self):
20781 > gdb.write(self.message)
20783 >class MyThread1 (threading.Thread):
20785 > gdb.post_event(Writer("Hello "))
20787 >class MyThread2 (threading.Thread):
20789 > gdb.post_event(Writer("World\n"))
20791 >MyThread1().start()
20792 >MyThread2().start()
20794 (@value{GDBP}) Hello World
20799 @defun write string
20800 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream.
20801 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
20802 call this function.
20807 Flush @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream. Flushing
20808 @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically call this
20812 @findex gdb.target_charset
20813 @defun target_charset
20814 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
20815 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
20816 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
20819 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
20820 @defun target_wide_charset
20821 Return the name of the current target wide character set
20822 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
20823 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
20827 @findex gdb.solib_name
20828 @defun solib_name address
20829 Return the name of the shared library holding the given @var{address}
20830 as a string, or @code{None}.
20833 @findex gdb.decode_line
20834 @defun decode_line @r{[}expression@r{]}
20835 Return locations of the line specified by @var{expression}, or of the
20836 current line if no argument was given. This function returns a Python
20837 tuple containing two elements. The first element contains a string
20838 holding any unparsed section of @var{expression} (or @code{None} if
20839 the expression has been fully parsed). The second element contains
20840 either @code{None} or another tuple that contains all the locations
20841 that match the expression represented as @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line}
20842 objects (@pxref{Symbol Tables In Python}). If @var{expression} is
20843 provided, it is decoded the way that @value{GDBN}'s inbuilt
20844 @code{break} or @code{edit} commands do (@pxref{Specify Location}).
20847 @node Exception Handling
20848 @subsubsection Exception Handling
20849 @cindex python exceptions
20850 @cindex exceptions, python
20852 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
20853 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
20854 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
20855 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
20856 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
20857 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
20858 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
20861 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
20862 Traceback (most recent call last):
20863 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
20864 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
20867 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by Python
20868 code are converted to Python @code{RuntimeError} exceptions. User
20869 interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
20870 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt}
20871 exception. If you catch these exceptions in your Python code, your
20872 exception handler will see @code{RuntimeError} or
20873 @code{KeyboardInterrupt} as the exception type, the @value{GDBN} error
20874 message as its value, and the Python call stack backtrace at the
20875 Python statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
20878 @findex gdb.GdbError
20879 When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
20880 it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
20881 traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
20882 command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
20883 to handle this case. Example:
20887 >class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
20888 > """Greet the whole world."""
20889 > def __init__ (self):
20890 > super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
20891 > def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
20892 > argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
20893 > if len (argv) != 0:
20894 > raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
20895 > print "Hello, World!"
20898 (gdb) hello-world 42
20899 hello-world takes no arguments
20902 @node Values From Inferior
20903 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
20904 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
20905 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
20907 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
20908 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
20909 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
20910 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
20911 fetching values when necessary.
20913 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
20914 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
20915 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
20922 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
20923 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
20925 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
20926 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
20927 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
20928 can access its @code{foo} element with:
20931 bar = some_val['foo']
20934 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
20936 A @code{gdb.Value} that represents a function can be executed via
20937 inferior function call. Any arguments provided to the call must match
20938 the function's prototype, and must be provided in the order specified
20941 For example, @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance
20942 representing a function that takes two integers as arguments. To
20943 execute this function, call it like so:
20946 result = some_val (10,20)
20949 Any values returned from a function call will be stored as a
20952 The following attributes are provided:
20955 @defivar Value address
20956 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
20957 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
20958 this attribute holds @code{None}.
20961 @cindex optimized out value in Python
20962 @defivar Value is_optimized_out
20963 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
20964 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
20967 @defivar Value type
20968 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
20969 @code{gdb.Type} object (@pxref{Types In Python}).
20972 @defivar Value dynamic_type
20973 The dynamic type of this @code{gdb.Value}. This uses C@t{++} run-time
20974 type information (@acronym{RTTI}) to determine the dynamic type of the
20975 value. If this value is of class type, it will return the class in
20976 which the value is embedded, if any. If this value is of pointer or
20977 reference to a class type, it will compute the dynamic type of the
20978 referenced object, and return a pointer or reference to that type,
20979 respectively. In all other cases, it will return the value's static
20982 Note that this feature will only work when debugging a C@t{++} program
20983 that includes @acronym{RTTI} for the object in question. Otherwise,
20984 it will just return the static type of the value as in @kbd{ptype foo}
20985 (@pxref{Symbols, ptype}).
20989 The following methods are provided:
20992 @defmethod Value __init__ @var{val}
20993 Many Python values can be converted directly to a @code{gdb.Value} via
20994 this object initializer. Specifically:
20997 @item Python boolean
20998 A Python boolean is converted to the boolean type from the current
21001 @item Python integer
21002 A Python integer is converted to the C @code{long} type for the
21003 current architecture.
21006 A Python long is converted to the C @code{long long} type for the
21007 current architecture.
21010 A Python float is converted to the C @code{double} type for the
21011 current architecture.
21013 @item Python string
21014 A Python string is converted to a target string, using the current
21017 @item @code{gdb.Value}
21018 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.Value}, then a copy of the value is made.
21020 @item @code{gdb.LazyString}
21021 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings In
21022 Python}), then the lazy string's @code{value} method is called, and
21023 its result is used.
21027 @defmethod Value cast type
21028 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
21029 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
21030 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
21031 reason, this method throws an exception.
21034 @defmethod Value dereference
21035 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
21036 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
21037 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
21044 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
21045 @code{foo} points to like this:
21048 bar = foo.dereference ()
21051 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
21052 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
21055 @defmethod Value dynamic_cast type
21056 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{dynamic_cast}
21057 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
21060 @defmethod Value reinterpret_cast type
21061 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{reinterpret_cast}
21062 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
21065 @defmethod Value string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}errors@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
21066 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
21067 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
21068 throw an exception.
21070 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
21071 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
21074 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
21075 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
21076 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
21077 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
21078 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
21080 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
21081 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
21082 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
21083 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
21084 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
21085 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
21086 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
21087 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
21088 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
21090 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
21091 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
21093 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
21094 fetched and converted to the given length.
21097 @defmethod Value lazy_string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
21098 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
21099 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
21100 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
21102 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
21103 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
21104 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
21105 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
21106 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
21108 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
21109 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
21110 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
21111 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
21112 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
21113 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
21115 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
21116 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
21117 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
21118 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
21122 @node Types In Python
21123 @subsubsection Types In Python
21124 @cindex types in Python
21125 @cindex Python, working with types
21128 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
21131 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21134 @findex gdb.lookup_type
21135 @defun lookup_type name [block]
21136 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
21137 type to look up. It must be a string.
21139 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
21140 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
21142 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
21143 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
21146 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
21150 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
21151 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
21154 @defivar Type sizeof
21155 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
21156 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
21157 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
21161 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
21162 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
21163 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
21164 @code{None} is returned.
21168 The following methods are provided:
21171 @defmethod Type fields
21172 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
21173 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
21174 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
21175 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
21176 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
21177 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
21179 Each field is an object, with some pre-defined attributes:
21182 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
21183 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
21184 position of the field.
21187 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
21190 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
21191 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
21192 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
21194 @item is_base_class
21195 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
21196 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
21197 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
21198 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
21201 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
21202 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
21203 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
21206 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
21207 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
21211 @defmethod Type array @var{n1} @r{[}@var{n2}@r{]}
21212 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an array of this
21213 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
21214 the array; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
21215 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the array, and the
21216 second argument is the upper bound of the array. An array's length
21217 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
21220 @defmethod Type const
21221 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
21222 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
21225 @defmethod Type volatile
21226 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
21227 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
21230 @defmethod Type unqualified
21231 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
21232 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
21236 @defmethod Type range
21237 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
21238 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
21239 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
21240 @code{RuntimeError} exception.
21243 @defmethod Type reference
21244 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
21248 @defmethod Type pointer
21249 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
21253 @defmethod Type strip_typedefs
21254 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
21255 after removing all layers of typedefs.
21258 @defmethod Type target
21259 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
21262 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
21263 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
21264 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
21265 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
21266 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
21267 target type is the aliased type.
21269 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
21273 @defmethod Type template_argument n [block]
21274 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
21275 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
21276 @var{n}th template argument.
21278 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
21279 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
21281 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
21282 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
21287 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
21288 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
21289 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
21292 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
21293 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
21294 @item TYPE_CODE_PTR
21295 The type is a pointer.
21297 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21298 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21299 @item TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21300 The type is an array.
21302 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21303 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21304 @item TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21305 The type is a structure.
21307 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
21308 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
21309 @item TYPE_CODE_UNION
21310 The type is a union.
21312 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21313 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21314 @item TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21315 The type is an enum.
21317 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21318 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21319 @item TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21320 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
21322 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21323 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21324 @item TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21325 The type is a function.
21327 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
21328 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
21329 @item TYPE_CODE_INT
21330 The type is an integer type.
21332 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
21333 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
21334 @item TYPE_CODE_FLT
21335 A floating point type.
21337 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
21338 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
21339 @item TYPE_CODE_VOID
21340 The special type @code{void}.
21342 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
21343 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
21344 @item TYPE_CODE_SET
21347 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21348 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21349 @item TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21350 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
21352 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
21353 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
21354 @item TYPE_CODE_STRING
21355 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
21356 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
21358 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21359 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21360 @item TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21363 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21364 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21365 @item TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21366 An unknown or erroneous type.
21368 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21369 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21370 @item TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21371 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
21373 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21374 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21375 @item TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21376 A pointer-to-member-function.
21378 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21379 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21380 @item TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21381 A pointer-to-member.
21383 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
21384 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
21385 @item TYPE_CODE_REF
21388 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21389 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21390 @item TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21393 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21394 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21395 @item TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21398 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21399 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21400 @item TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21401 A complex float type.
21403 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21404 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21405 @item TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21406 A typedef to some other type.
21408 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21409 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21410 @item TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21411 A C@t{++} namespace.
21413 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21414 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21415 @item TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21416 A decimal floating point type.
21418 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21419 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21420 @item TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21421 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
21422 convenience functions.
21425 Further support for types is provided in the @code{gdb.types}
21426 Python module (@pxref{gdb.types}).
21428 @node Pretty Printing API
21429 @subsubsection Pretty Printing API
21431 An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
21433 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
21434 specific interface, defined here.
21436 @defop Operation {pretty printer} children (self)
21437 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
21438 children of the pretty-printer's value.
21440 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
21441 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
21442 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
21443 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
21444 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
21446 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
21447 as though the value has no children.
21450 @defop Operation {pretty printer} display_hint (self)
21451 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
21452 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
21453 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
21456 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
21459 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
21463 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
21464 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
21465 @code{set print array}.
21468 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
21469 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
21473 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
21474 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
21475 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
21476 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
21477 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
21478 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
21482 @defop Operation {pretty printer} to_string (self)
21483 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
21484 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
21486 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
21487 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
21488 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
21489 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
21490 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
21491 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
21492 the result of @code{children}.
21494 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
21496 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
21497 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
21498 another pretty-printer.
21500 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
21501 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
21502 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
21503 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
21504 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
21506 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
21507 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
21509 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
21512 @value{GDBN} provides a function which can be used to look up the
21513 default pretty-printer for a @code{gdb.Value}:
21515 @findex gdb.default_visualizer
21516 @defun default_visualizer value
21517 This function takes a @code{gdb.Value} object as an argument. If a
21518 pretty-printer for this value exists, then it is returned. If no such
21519 printer exists, then this returns @code{None}.
21522 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
21523 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
21525 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
21526 functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
21527 as a pretty-printer. Printers in this list are called @code{global}
21528 printers, they're available when debugging all inferiors.
21529 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
21530 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
21533 Each function on these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
21534 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
21535 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
21536 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
21539 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
21540 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
21541 each enabled lookup routine in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile}
21542 until it receives a pretty-printer object.
21543 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
21544 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
21545 calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
21546 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
21547 @code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
21548 object is returned.
21550 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
21551 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
21552 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
21553 object is returned.
21555 For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
21556 For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
21557 the pretty-printer is out of date.
21559 The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
21560 @value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
21561 printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
21562 a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
21563 with a broken printer.
21565 Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
21566 attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
21567 is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
21568 the printer is enabled.
21570 @node Writing a Pretty-Printer
21571 @subsubsection Writing a Pretty-Printer
21572 @cindex writing a pretty-printer
21574 A pretty-printer consists of two parts: a lookup function to detect
21575 if the type is supported, and the printer itself.
21577 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
21578 written. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for details on the API this class
21582 class StdStringPrinter(object):
21583 "Print a std::string"
21585 def __init__(self, val):
21588 def to_string(self):
21589 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
21591 def display_hint(self):
21595 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
21596 example above might be written.
21599 def str_lookup_function(val):
21600 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
21601 if lookup_tag == None:
21603 regex = re.compile("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
21604 if regex.match(lookup_tag):
21605 return StdStringPrinter(val)
21609 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
21610 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
21611 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
21612 returns @code{None}.
21614 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
21615 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
21616 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
21617 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
21618 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
21621 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Auto-loading}) such that it
21622 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
21623 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
21624 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
21625 the current objfile.
21627 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
21628 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
21629 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
21630 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
21631 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
21632 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
21633 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
21634 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
21637 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
21638 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
21641 def register_printers(objfile):
21642 objfile.pretty_printers.add(str_lookup_function)
21646 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
21649 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
21650 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers(gdb.current_objfile())
21653 The previous example illustrates a basic pretty-printer.
21654 There are a few things that can be improved on.
21655 The printer doesn't have a name, making it hard to identify in a
21656 list of installed printers. The lookup function has a name, but
21657 lookup functions can have arbitrary, even identical, names.
21659 Second, the printer only handles one type, whereas a library typically has
21660 several types. One could install a lookup function for each desired type
21661 in the library, but one could also have a single lookup function recognize
21662 several types. The latter is the conventional way this is handled.
21663 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
21664 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
21666 The @code{gdb.printing} module provides a formal way of solving these
21667 problems (@pxref{gdb.printing}).
21668 Here is another example that handles multiple types.
21670 These are the types we are going to pretty-print:
21673 struct foo @{ int a, b; @};
21674 struct bar @{ struct foo x, y; @};
21677 Here are the printers:
21681 """Print a foo object."""
21683 def __init__(self, val):
21686 def to_string(self):
21687 return ("a=<" + str(self.val["a"]) +
21688 "> b=<" + str(self.val["b"]) + ">")
21691 """Print a bar object."""
21693 def __init__(self, val):
21696 def to_string(self):
21697 return ("x=<" + str(self.val["x"]) +
21698 "> y=<" + str(self.val["y"]) + ">")
21701 This example doesn't need a lookup function, that is handled by the
21702 @code{gdb.printing} module. Instead a function is provided to build up
21703 the object that handles the lookup.
21706 import gdb.printing
21708 def build_pretty_printer():
21709 pp = gdb.printing.RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter(
21711 pp.add_printer('foo', '^foo$', fooPrinter)
21712 pp.add_printer('bar', '^bar$', barPrinter)
21716 And here is the autoload support:
21719 import gdb.printing
21721 gdb.printing.register_pretty_printer(
21722 gdb.current_objfile(),
21723 my_library.build_pretty_printer())
21726 Finally, when this printer is loaded into @value{GDBN}, here is the
21727 corresponding output of @samp{info pretty-printer}:
21730 (gdb) info pretty-printer
21737 @node Inferiors In Python
21738 @subsubsection Inferiors In Python
21739 @cindex inferiors in python
21741 @findex gdb.Inferior
21742 Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
21743 (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
21744 information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
21745 via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
21747 The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21751 Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
21754 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
21757 @defivar Inferior num
21758 ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
21761 @defivar Inferior pid
21762 Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
21766 @defivar Inferior was_attached
21767 Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
21768 started by @value{GDBN} itself.
21772 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
21775 @defmethod Inferior threads
21776 This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
21777 when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
21778 return an empty tuple.
21781 @findex gdb.read_memory
21782 @defmethod Inferior read_memory address length
21783 Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
21784 @var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
21785 or a string. It can be modified and given to the @code{gdb.write_memory}
21789 @findex gdb.write_memory
21790 @defmethod Inferior write_memory address buffer @r{[}length@r{]}
21791 Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
21792 @var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
21793 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
21794 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
21795 determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
21798 @findex gdb.search_memory
21799 @defmethod Inferior search_memory address length pattern
21800 Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
21801 the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
21802 @var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
21803 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
21804 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
21805 containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
21806 the pattern could not be found.
21810 @node Threads In Python
21811 @subsubsection Threads In Python
21812 @cindex threads in python
21814 @findex gdb.InferiorThread
21815 Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
21816 controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
21818 The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21821 @findex gdb.selected_thread
21822 @defun selected_thread
21823 This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
21824 is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
21827 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
21830 @defivar InferiorThread num
21831 ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
21834 @defivar InferiorThread ptid
21835 ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
21836 tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
21837 is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
21838 Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
21839 does not use that identifier.
21843 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
21846 @defmethod InferiorThread switch
21847 This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
21851 @defmethod InferiorThread is_stopped
21852 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
21855 @defmethod InferiorThread is_running
21856 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
21859 @defmethod InferiorThread is_exited
21860 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
21864 @node Commands In Python
21865 @subsubsection Commands In Python
21867 @cindex commands in python
21868 @cindex python commands
21869 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
21870 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
21871 class, most commonly using a subclass.
21873 @defmethod Command __init__ name @var{command_class} @r{[}@var{completer_class}@r{]} @r{[}@var{prefix}@r{]}
21874 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
21875 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
21876 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
21878 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
21879 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
21880 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
21881 an exception is raised.
21883 There is no support for multi-line commands.
21885 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
21886 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
21887 new command in the help system.
21889 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
21890 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
21891 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
21892 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
21893 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
21894 error will occur when completion is attempted.
21896 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
21897 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
21900 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
21901 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
21902 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
21903 not documented.'' is used.
21906 @cindex don't repeat Python command
21907 @defmethod Command dont_repeat
21908 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
21909 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
21910 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
21911 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
21914 @defmethod Command invoke argument from_tty
21915 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
21917 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
21918 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
21920 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
21921 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
21922 that the command came from elsewhere.
21924 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
21925 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
21927 @findex gdb.string_to_argv
21928 To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
21929 @code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
21930 @value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
21931 It is recommended to use this for consistency.
21932 Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
21936 print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
21937 ['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
21942 @cindex completion of Python commands
21943 @defmethod Command complete text word
21944 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
21945 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
21946 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
21947 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
21950 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
21951 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
21952 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
21953 using a word-breaking heuristic.
21955 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
21958 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
21959 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
21960 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
21961 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
21962 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
21963 sequence are ignored.
21966 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
21967 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
21968 function is invoked, and its result is used.
21971 All other results are treated as though there were no available
21976 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
21977 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
21978 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
21979 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
21980 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
21981 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
21984 @findex COMMAND_NONE
21985 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
21987 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
21988 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
21990 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
21991 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
21992 @item COMMAND_RUNNING
21993 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
21994 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
21995 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
21996 commands in this category.
21998 @findex COMMAND_DATA
21999 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
22001 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
22002 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
22003 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
22006 @findex COMMAND_STACK
22007 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
22008 @item COMMAND_STACK
22009 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
22010 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
22011 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
22012 list of commands in this category.
22014 @findex COMMAND_FILES
22015 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
22016 @item COMMAND_FILES
22017 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
22018 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
22019 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22020 commands in this category.
22022 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
22023 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
22024 @item COMMAND_SUPPORT
22025 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
22026 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
22027 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
22028 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
22029 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22030 commands in this category.
22032 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
22033 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
22034 @item COMMAND_STATUS
22035 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
22036 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
22037 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
22038 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
22040 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22041 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22042 @item COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22043 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
22044 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
22045 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
22048 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22049 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22050 @item COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22051 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
22052 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
22053 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22054 commands in this category.
22056 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
22057 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
22058 @item COMMAND_OBSCURE
22059 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
22060 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
22061 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
22062 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
22065 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22066 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22067 @item COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22068 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
22069 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
22070 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22071 commands in this category.
22074 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
22075 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
22076 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
22077 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
22080 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
22081 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
22082 @item COMPLETE_NONE
22083 This constant means that no completion should be done.
22085 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
22086 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
22087 @item COMPLETE_FILENAME
22088 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
22090 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
22091 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
22092 @item COMPLETE_LOCATION
22093 This constant means that location completion should be done.
22094 @xref{Specify Location}.
22096 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
22097 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
22098 @item COMPLETE_COMMAND
22099 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
22102 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22103 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22104 @item COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22105 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
22109 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
22110 implemented in Python:
22113 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
22114 """Greet the whole world."""
22116 def __init__ (self):
22117 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
22119 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
22120 print "Hello, World!"
22125 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
22126 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
22127 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
22128 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
22130 @node Parameters In Python
22131 @subsubsection Parameters In Python
22133 @cindex parameters in python
22134 @cindex python parameters
22135 @tindex gdb.Parameter
22137 You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
22138 parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
22141 Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
22142 @code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
22144 There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
22145 @value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
22146 @code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
22147 behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
22148 can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
22150 @defmethod Parameter __init__ name @var{command-class} @var{parameter-class} @r{[}@var{enum-sequence}@r{]}
22151 The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
22152 parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
22153 from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
22155 @var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
22156 of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
22157 parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
22158 @code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
22159 @code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
22160 parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
22161 @value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
22163 If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
22164 can be found, an exception is raised.
22166 @var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
22167 (@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
22168 categorize the new parameter in the help system.
22170 @var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
22171 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
22172 parameter; this information is used for input validation and
22175 If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
22176 @var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
22177 represent the possible values for the parameter.
22179 If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
22180 of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
22182 The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
22183 documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
22184 there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
22187 @defivar Parameter set_doc
22188 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
22189 the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
22190 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
22194 @defivar Parameter show_doc
22195 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
22196 the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
22197 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
22201 @defivar Parameter value
22202 The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
22203 parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
22204 attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
22208 When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
22209 available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
22213 @findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
22214 @findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
22215 @item PARAM_BOOLEAN
22216 The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
22217 and @code{False} are the only valid values.
22219 @findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22220 @findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22221 @item PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22222 The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
22223 Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
22224 @samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
22226 @findex PARAM_UINTEGER
22227 @findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
22228 @item PARAM_UINTEGER
22229 The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
22230 interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
22232 @findex PARAM_INTEGER
22233 @findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
22234 @item PARAM_INTEGER
22235 The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
22236 to mean ``unlimited''.
22238 @findex PARAM_STRING
22239 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
22241 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
22242 sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
22243 translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
22246 @findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22247 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22248 @item PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22249 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
22250 passed through untranslated.
22252 @findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22253 @findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22254 @item PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22255 The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
22257 @findex PARAM_FILENAME
22258 @findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
22259 @item PARAM_FILENAME
22260 The value is a filename. This is just like
22261 @code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
22263 @findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
22264 @findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
22265 @item PARAM_ZINTEGER
22266 The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
22267 is interpreted as itself.
22270 @findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
22272 The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
22273 constants provided when the parameter is created.
22276 @node Functions In Python
22277 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
22279 @cindex writing convenience functions
22280 @cindex convenience functions in python
22281 @cindex python convenience functions
22282 @tindex gdb.Function
22284 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
22285 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
22286 class @code{gdb.Function}.
22288 @defmethod Function __init__ name
22289 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
22290 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
22291 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
22292 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
22293 the given @var{name}.
22295 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
22296 string for the new class.
22299 @defmethod Function invoke @var{*args}
22300 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
22301 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
22302 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
22303 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
22304 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
22305 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
22306 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
22308 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
22309 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
22310 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
22313 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
22314 be implemented in Python:
22317 class Greet (gdb.Function):
22318 """Return string to greet someone.
22319 Takes a name as argument."""
22321 def __init__ (self):
22322 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
22324 def invoke (self, name):
22325 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
22330 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
22331 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
22332 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
22333 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
22335 @node Progspaces In Python
22336 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
22338 @cindex progspaces in python
22339 @tindex gdb.Progspace
22341 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
22342 of an address space.
22343 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
22344 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
22345 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
22346 about program spaces.
22348 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
22351 @findex gdb.current_progspace
22352 @defun current_progspace
22353 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
22354 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
22357 @findex gdb.progspaces
22359 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
22362 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
22365 @defivar Progspace filename
22366 The file name of the progspace as a string.
22369 @defivar Progspace pretty_printers
22370 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
22371 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
22372 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
22373 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
22374 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
22378 @node Objfiles In Python
22379 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
22381 @cindex objfiles in python
22382 @tindex gdb.Objfile
22384 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
22385 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
22386 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
22387 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
22388 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
22390 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
22393 @findex gdb.current_objfile
22394 @defun current_objfile
22395 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
22396 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
22397 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
22398 this function returns @code{None}.
22401 @findex gdb.objfiles
22403 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
22404 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
22407 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
22410 @defivar Objfile filename
22411 The file name of the objfile as a string.
22414 @defivar Objfile pretty_printers
22415 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
22416 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
22417 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
22418 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
22419 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
22423 @node Frames In Python
22424 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
22426 @cindex frames in python
22427 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
22428 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
22429 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
22430 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
22431 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{RuntimeError}
22434 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
22438 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
22442 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
22444 @findex gdb.selected_frame
22445 @defun selected_frame
22446 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
22449 @defun frame_stop_reason_string reason
22450 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
22451 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
22452 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
22455 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
22458 @defmethod Frame is_valid
22459 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
22460 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
22461 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
22462 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
22465 @defmethod Frame name
22466 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
22470 @defmethod Frame type
22471 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of
22472 @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, @code{gdb.DUMMY_FRAME}, @code{gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME}
22473 or @code{gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME}.
22476 @defmethod Frame unwind_stop_reason
22477 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
22478 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
22479 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
22480 function to a string.
22483 @defmethod Frame pc
22484 Returns the frame's resume address.
22487 @defmethod Frame block
22488 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
22491 @defmethod Frame function
22492 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
22493 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
22496 @defmethod Frame older
22497 Return the frame that called this frame.
22500 @defmethod Frame newer
22501 Return the frame called by this frame.
22504 @defmethod Frame find_sal
22505 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
22506 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
22509 @defmethod Frame read_var variable @r{[}block@r{]}
22510 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
22511 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
22512 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
22513 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
22514 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
22515 @code{gdb.Block} object.
22518 @defmethod Frame select
22519 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
22524 @node Blocks In Python
22525 @subsubsection Accessing frame blocks from Python.
22527 @cindex blocks in python
22530 Within each frame, @value{GDBN} maintains information on each block
22531 stored in that frame. These blocks are organized hierarchically, and
22532 are represented individually in Python as a @code{gdb.Block}.
22533 Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more in-depth discussion on
22534 frames. Furthermore, see @ref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}, for more
22535 detailed technical information on @value{GDBN}'s book-keeping of the
22538 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22541 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
22542 @defun block_for_pc pc
22543 Return the @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc} value. If the
22544 block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified, the function
22545 will return @code{None}.
22548 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
22551 @defivar Block start
22552 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
22556 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
22559 @defivar Block function
22560 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
22561 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
22562 attribute is not writable.
22565 @defivar Block superblock
22566 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
22567 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
22571 @node Symbols In Python
22572 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
22574 @cindex symbols in python
22577 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
22578 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
22579 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
22580 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
22582 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22585 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
22586 @defun lookup_symbol name [block] [domain]
22587 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
22588 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
22591 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
22592 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
22593 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
22594 @code{gdb.Block} object. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
22595 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
22596 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
22600 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
22603 @defivar Symbol symtab
22604 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
22605 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
22606 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
22609 @defivar Symbol name
22610 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
22613 @defivar Symbol linkage_name
22614 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
22615 This attribute is not writable.
22618 @defivar Symbol print_name
22619 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
22620 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
22621 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
22624 @defivar Symbol addr_class
22625 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
22626 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
22627 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
22630 @defivar Symbol is_argument
22631 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
22634 @defivar Symbol is_constant
22635 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
22638 @defivar Symbol is_function
22639 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
22642 @defivar Symbol is_variable
22643 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
22647 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
22648 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
22651 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
22652 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
22653 @item SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
22654 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
22655 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
22656 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
22657 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
22658 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
22659 @item SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
22660 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
22662 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
22663 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
22664 @item SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
22665 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
22666 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
22667 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
22668 @item SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
22669 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
22670 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
22671 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
22672 @item SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
22673 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
22674 contains everything minus functions and types.
22675 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
22676 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
22677 @item SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
22678 This domain contains all functions.
22679 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
22680 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
22681 @item SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
22682 This domain contains all types.
22685 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
22686 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
22689 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
22690 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
22691 @item SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
22692 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
22693 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
22694 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
22695 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
22696 @item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
22697 Value is constant int.
22698 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
22699 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
22700 @item SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
22701 Value is at a fixed address.
22702 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
22703 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
22704 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
22705 Value is in a register.
22706 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
22707 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
22708 @item SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
22709 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
22710 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
22711 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
22712 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
22713 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
22714 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
22715 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
22716 offset, not the value itself.
22717 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
22718 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
22719 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
22720 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
22721 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
22723 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
22724 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
22725 @item SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
22726 Value is a local variable.
22727 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
22728 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
22729 @item SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
22730 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
22732 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
22733 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
22734 @item SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
22736 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
22737 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
22738 @item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
22739 Value is a byte-sequence.
22740 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
22741 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
22742 @item SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
22743 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
22744 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
22746 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
22747 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
22748 @item SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
22749 The value does not actually exist in the program.
22750 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
22751 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
22752 @item SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
22753 The value's address is a computed location.
22756 @node Symbol Tables In Python
22757 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
22759 @cindex symbol tables in python
22761 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
22763 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
22764 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
22765 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
22766 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
22767 @xref{Frames In Python}.
22769 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
22770 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
22772 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
22775 @defivar Symtab_and_line symtab
22776 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
22777 This attribute is not writable.
22780 @defivar Symtab_and_line pc
22781 Indicates the current program counter address. This attribute is not
22785 @defivar Symtab_and_line line
22786 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
22787 attribute is not writable.
22791 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
22794 @defivar Symtab filename
22795 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
22798 @defivar Symtab objfile
22799 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
22800 This attribute is not writable.
22804 The following methods are provided:
22807 @defmethod Symtab fullname
22808 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
22812 @node Breakpoints In Python
22813 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
22815 @cindex breakpoints in python
22816 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
22818 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
22821 @defmethod Breakpoint __init__ spec @r{[}type@r{]} @r{[}wp_class@r{]}
22822 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
22823 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
22824 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
22825 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
22826 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
22827 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
22828 either: @code{BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
22829 defaults to @code{BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{wp_class}
22830 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
22831 defined as @code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not
22832 provided, it is assumed to be a @var{WP_WRITE} class.
22835 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
22840 @findex gdb.WP_READ
22842 Read only watchpoint.
22845 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
22847 Write only watchpoint.
22850 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
22852 Read/Write watchpoint.
22855 @defmethod Breakpoint is_valid
22856 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
22857 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
22858 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
22859 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
22860 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
22861 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
22864 @defivar Breakpoint enabled
22865 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
22866 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
22869 @defivar Breakpoint silent
22870 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
22871 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
22873 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
22874 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
22875 @code{silent} attribute.
22878 @defivar Breakpoint thread
22879 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
22880 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
22881 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
22884 @defivar Breakpoint task
22885 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
22886 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
22887 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
22891 @defivar Breakpoint ignore_count
22892 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
22893 This attribute is writable.
22896 @defivar Breakpoint number
22897 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
22898 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
22901 @defivar Breakpoint type
22902 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
22903 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
22907 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
22911 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
22912 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
22913 @item BP_BREAKPOINT
22914 Normal code breakpoint.
22916 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
22917 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
22918 @item BP_WATCHPOINT
22919 Watchpoint breakpoint.
22921 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
22922 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
22923 @item BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
22924 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
22926 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
22927 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
22928 @item BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
22929 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
22931 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
22932 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
22933 @item BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
22934 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
22937 @defivar Breakpoint hit_count
22938 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
22939 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
22942 @defivar Breakpoint location
22943 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
22944 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
22945 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
22946 attribute is not writable.
22949 @defivar Breakpoint expression
22950 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
22951 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
22952 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
22953 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
22956 @defivar Breakpoint condition
22957 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
22958 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
22959 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
22962 @defivar Breakpoint commands
22963 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
22964 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
22965 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
22966 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
22969 @node Lazy Strings In Python
22970 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
22972 @cindex lazy strings in python
22973 @tindex gdb.LazyString
22975 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
22976 encoded until it is needed.
22978 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
22979 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
22980 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
22981 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
22982 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
22983 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
22984 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
22985 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
22986 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
22988 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
22990 @defmethod LazyString value
22991 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
22992 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
22993 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
22994 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
22997 @defivar LazyString address
22998 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
23002 @defivar LazyString length
23003 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
23004 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
23005 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
23008 @defivar LazyString encoding
23009 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
23010 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
23011 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
23012 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
23016 @defivar LazyString type
23017 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
23018 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
23019 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
23020 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
23025 @subsection Auto-loading
23026 @cindex auto-loading, Python
23028 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
23029 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
23030 @value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
23031 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section.
23034 * objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
23035 * .debug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23036 * Which flavor to choose?::
23039 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
23040 debugging commands and scripts.
23042 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled.
23045 @kindex maint set python auto-load
23046 @item maint set python auto-load [yes|no]
23047 Enable or disable the Python auto-loading feature.
23049 @kindex maint show python auto-load
23050 @item maint show python auto-load
23051 Show whether Python auto-loading is enabled or disabled.
23054 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
23055 @dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
23056 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
23057 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
23059 @node objfile-gdb.py file
23060 @subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
23061 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
23063 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
23064 a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py},
23065 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
23066 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
23067 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
23068 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
23070 If this file does not exist, and if the parameter
23071 @code{debug-file-directory} is set (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}),
23072 then @value{GDBN} will look for @var{real-name} in all of the
23073 directories mentioned in the value of @code{debug-file-directory}.
23075 Finally, if this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
23076 a file named @file{@var{data-directory}/python/auto-load/@var{real-name}}, where
23077 @var{data-directory} is @value{GDBN}'s data directory (available via
23078 @code{show data-directory}, @pxref{Data Files}), and @var{real-name}
23079 is the object file's real name, as described above.
23081 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
23082 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
23083 @var{objfile} is opened.
23084 So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
23085 is evaluated more than once.
23087 @node .debug_gdb_scripts section
23088 @subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23089 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23091 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
23092 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
23093 it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
23094 If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
23096 @value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
23097 current directory and then along the source search path
23098 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
23099 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
23100 directory is not relevant to scripts.
23102 Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
23103 for example, this GCC macro:
23106 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
23107 #define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
23109 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
23111 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
23117 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
23120 DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
23123 The script name may include directories if desired.
23125 If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
23126 using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
23128 @node Which flavor to choose?
23129 @subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
23131 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
23132 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
23134 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
23138 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
23141 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
23143 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
23144 in the source search path.
23145 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
23146 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
23149 Doesn't require source code additions.
23152 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
23156 Works with static linking.
23158 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
23159 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
23160 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
23161 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
23164 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
23166 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
23167 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
23170 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
23172 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
23173 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
23174 @file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
23175 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
23176 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
23177 top of the source tree to the source search path.
23180 @node Python modules
23181 @subsection Python modules
23182 @cindex python modules
23184 @value{GDBN} comes with a module to assist writing Python code.
23187 * gdb.printing:: Building and registering pretty-printers.
23188 * gdb.types:: Utilities for working with types.
23192 @subsubsection gdb.printing
23193 @cindex gdb.printing
23195 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
23199 @item PrettyPrinter (@var{name}, @var{subprinters}=None)
23200 This class specifies the API that makes @samp{info pretty-printer},
23201 @samp{enable pretty-printer} and @samp{disable pretty-printer} work.
23202 Pretty-printers should generally inherit from this class.
23204 @item SubPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
23205 For printers that handle multiple types, this class specifies the
23206 corresponding API for the subprinters.
23208 @item RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
23209 Utility class for handling multiple printers, all recognized via
23210 regular expressions.
23211 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for an example.
23213 @item register_pretty_printer (@var{obj}, @var{printer})
23214 Register @var{printer} with the pretty-printer list of @var{obj}.
23218 @subsubsection gdb.types
23221 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
23222 @code{gdb.Types} objects.
23225 @item get_basic_type (@var{type})
23226 Return @var{type} with const and volatile qualifiers stripped,
23227 and with typedefs and C@t{++} references converted to the underlying type.
23232 typedef const int const_int;
23234 const_int& foo_ref (foo);
23235 int main () @{ return 0; @}
23242 (gdb) python import gdb.types
23243 (gdb) python foo_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo_ref")
23244 (gdb) python print gdb.types.get_basic_type(foo_ref.type)
23248 @item has_field (@var{type}, @var{field})
23249 Return @code{True} if @var{type}, assumed to be a type with fields
23250 (e.g., a structure or union), has field @var{field}.
23252 @item make_enum_dict (@var{enum_type})
23253 Return a Python @code{dictionary} type produced from @var{enum_type}.
23257 @chapter Command Interpreters
23258 @cindex command interpreters
23260 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
23261 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
23262 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
23264 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
23265 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
23266 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
23267 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
23269 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
23270 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
23271 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
23272 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
23276 @cindex console interpreter
23277 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
23278 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
23279 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
23282 @cindex mi interpreter
23283 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
23284 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
23285 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
23289 @cindex mi2 interpreter
23290 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
23293 @cindex mi1 interpreter
23294 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
23298 @cindex invoke another interpreter
23299 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
23300 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
23301 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
23302 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
23303 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
23304 the IDE inoperable!
23306 @kindex interpreter-exec
23307 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
23308 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
23309 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
23310 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
23313 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
23316 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
23317 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
23320 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
23322 @cindex Text User Interface
23325 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
23326 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
23327 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
23328 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
23329 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
23332 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
23333 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
23334 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
23335 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
23336 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
23339 @pindex @value{GDBTUI}
23340 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
23341 either @samp{@value{GDBTUI}} or @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
23342 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
23343 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
23344 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
23347 @section TUI Overview
23349 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
23353 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
23354 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
23355 managed using readline.
23358 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
23359 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
23362 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
23365 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
23366 when their values change.
23369 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
23370 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
23371 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
23372 indicates the breakpoint type:
23376 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
23379 Breakpoint which was never hit.
23382 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
23385 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
23388 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
23392 Breakpoint is enabled.
23395 Breakpoint is disabled.
23398 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
23399 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
23402 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
23403 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
23414 source and assembly,
23417 source and registers, or
23420 assembly and registers.
23423 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
23427 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
23428 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
23431 Gives the current process or thread number.
23432 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
23435 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
23436 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
23437 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
23438 the string @code{??} is displayed.
23441 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
23442 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
23445 Indicates the current program counter address.
23449 @section TUI Key Bindings
23450 @cindex TUI key bindings
23452 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
23453 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}). The following key bindings
23454 are installed for both TUI mode and the @value{GDBN} standard mode.
23463 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
23464 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
23465 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
23466 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
23467 The screen is then refreshed.
23471 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
23472 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
23473 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
23475 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
23479 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
23480 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
23481 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
23482 previous layout and the new one.
23484 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
23488 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
23489 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
23490 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
23492 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
23496 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
23497 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
23500 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
23505 Scroll the active window one page up.
23509 Scroll the active window one page down.
23513 Scroll the active window one line up.
23517 Scroll the active window one line down.
23521 Scroll the active window one column left.
23525 Scroll the active window one column right.
23529 Refresh the screen.
23532 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
23533 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
23534 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
23535 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
23536 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
23538 @node TUI Single Key Mode
23539 @section TUI Single Key Mode
23540 @cindex TUI single key mode
23542 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
23543 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
23544 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
23547 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23551 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23555 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23559 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23563 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23565 exit the SingleKey mode.
23567 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23571 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23575 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23579 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23583 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23588 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
23589 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
23590 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
23591 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
23592 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
23593 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
23597 @section TUI-specific Commands
23598 @cindex TUI commands
23600 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
23601 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
23602 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
23603 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
23605 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
23606 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
23607 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
23608 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
23609 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
23614 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
23618 Display the next layout.
23621 Display the previous layout.
23624 Display the source window only.
23627 Display the assembly window only.
23630 Display the source and assembly window.
23633 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
23637 Make the next window active for scrolling.
23640 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
23643 Make the source window active for scrolling.
23646 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
23649 Make the register window active for scrolling.
23652 Make the command window active for scrolling.
23656 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
23658 @item tui reg float
23660 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
23662 @item tui reg general
23663 Show the general registers in the register window.
23666 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
23667 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
23668 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
23669 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
23671 @item tui reg system
23672 Show the system registers in the register window.
23676 Update the source window and the current execution point.
23678 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
23679 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
23681 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
23682 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
23685 @item tabset @var{nchars}
23687 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
23690 @node TUI Configuration
23691 @section TUI Configuration Variables
23692 @cindex TUI configuration variables
23694 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
23697 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
23698 @kindex set tui border-kind
23699 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
23700 The possible values are the following:
23703 Use a space character to draw the border.
23706 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
23709 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
23710 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
23713 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
23714 @kindex set tui border-mode
23715 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
23716 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
23717 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
23718 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
23721 Use normal attributes to display the border.
23727 Use reverse video mode.
23730 Use half bright mode.
23732 @item half-standout
23733 Use half bright and standout mode.
23736 Use extra bright or bold mode.
23738 @item bold-standout
23739 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
23744 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
23747 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
23748 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
23749 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
23752 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
23753 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
23754 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
23755 created Emacs buffer.
23756 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
23758 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
23763 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
23766 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
23767 and output done by the program you are debugging.
23769 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
23770 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
23773 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
23774 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
23775 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
23779 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
23781 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
23782 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
23783 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
23784 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
23787 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
23788 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
23791 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
23792 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
23793 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
23794 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
23796 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
23797 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
23798 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
23799 sets your current working directory to to the directory associated
23800 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
23801 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
23802 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
23803 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
23804 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
23806 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
23807 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
23808 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
23809 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
23811 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
23812 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
23813 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
23814 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
23817 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
23818 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
23822 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
23825 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
23826 update the display window to show the current file and location.
23829 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
23830 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
23831 to show the current file and location.
23834 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
23835 display window accordingly.
23838 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
23839 @code{finish} command.
23842 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
23846 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
23847 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
23848 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
23851 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
23852 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
23855 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
23856 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
23858 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
23859 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
23860 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
23861 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
23862 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
23863 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
23864 speedbar displays watch expressions.
23866 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
23867 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
23868 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
23869 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
23872 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
23873 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
23874 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
23875 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
23876 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
23877 to correspond properly with the code.
23879 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
23880 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
23883 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
23886 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
23890 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
23891 called the @code{epoch}
23892 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
23893 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
23894 each value is printed in its own window.
23899 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
23901 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
23903 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
23904 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
23905 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
23906 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
23907 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
23908 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
23910 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
23911 in the form of a reference manual.
23913 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
23914 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
23915 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
23917 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
23919 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
23920 This chapter uses the following notation:
23924 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
23927 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
23928 it may or may not be given.
23931 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
23932 may repeat zero or more times.
23935 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
23936 may repeat one or more times.
23939 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
23943 @heading Dependencies
23947 * GDB/MI General Design::
23948 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
23949 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
23950 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
23951 * GDB/MI Output Records::
23952 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
23953 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
23954 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
23955 * GDB/MI Program Context::
23956 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
23957 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
23958 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
23959 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
23960 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
23961 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
23962 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
23963 * GDB/MI File Commands::
23965 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
23966 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
23967 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
23969 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
23970 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
23971 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
23974 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23975 @node GDB/MI General Design
23976 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
23977 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
23979 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
23980 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
23981 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
23982 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
23983 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
23984 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
23985 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
23986 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
23987 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
23988 a command and reported as part of that command response.
23990 The important examples of notifications are:
23994 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
23995 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
23996 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
23997 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
23998 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
23999 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
24000 command itself was successfully executed.
24003 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
24004 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
24005 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
24006 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
24007 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
24008 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
24011 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
24012 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
24013 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
24014 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
24015 orthogonal frontend design.
24019 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
24020 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
24021 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
24022 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
24023 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
24024 the user interface.
24028 * Context management::
24029 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
24033 @node Context management
24034 @subsection Context management
24036 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
24037 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
24038 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
24039 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
24040 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
24041 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
24042 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
24043 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
24044 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
24046 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
24047 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
24048 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
24049 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
24050 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
24051 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
24052 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
24053 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
24054 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
24055 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
24056 for thread and frame to operate on.
24058 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
24059 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
24060 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
24061 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
24062 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
24063 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
24064 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
24065 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
24066 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
24067 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
24069 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
24070 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
24071 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
24072 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
24073 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
24074 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
24075 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
24076 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
24077 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
24078 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
24079 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
24080 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
24081 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
24082 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
24083 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
24084 @samp{--frame} options.
24086 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
24087 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
24089 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
24090 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
24091 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
24092 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
24093 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
24094 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
24095 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
24096 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
24097 @code{-list-target-features} command.
24099 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
24100 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
24101 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
24102 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
24103 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
24106 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
24107 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
24108 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
24109 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
24110 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
24111 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
24112 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
24113 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
24114 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
24115 @samp{--thread} option).
24117 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
24118 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
24119 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
24120 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
24122 @node Thread groups
24123 @subsection Thread groups
24124 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
24125 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
24126 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
24127 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
24128 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
24130 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
24131 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
24132 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
24133 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
24134 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
24135 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
24136 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
24139 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
24140 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
24141 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
24142 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
24143 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
24144 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
24145 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
24146 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
24147 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
24148 the members of specific thread group.
24150 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
24151 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
24152 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
24153 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
24154 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
24155 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
24156 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
24157 after attaching to that thread group.
24159 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
24160 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
24161 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
24162 such thread groups.
24164 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24165 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
24166 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
24169 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
24170 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
24173 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
24174 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
24176 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
24177 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
24179 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
24180 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
24182 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
24183 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
24184 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
24186 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
24187 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
24188 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
24190 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
24191 "any sequence of digits"
24193 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
24194 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
24196 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
24197 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
24199 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
24200 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
24202 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
24203 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
24204 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
24206 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
24207 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
24209 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
24218 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
24219 output is described below.
24222 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
24226 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
24227 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
24228 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
24229 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
24230 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
24237 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
24240 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
24243 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
24244 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
24246 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
24247 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
24248 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
24249 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
24250 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
24251 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
24253 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
24254 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
24258 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
24259 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
24261 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
24262 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
24264 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
24265 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
24267 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
24268 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
24270 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
24271 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
24273 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
24274 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
24276 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
24277 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
24279 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
24280 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
24282 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
24283 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
24285 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
24286 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
24287 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
24289 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
24290 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
24292 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
24293 @code{ @var{string} }
24295 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
24296 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
24298 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
24299 @code{@var{c-string}}
24301 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
24302 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
24304 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
24305 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
24306 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
24308 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
24309 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
24311 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
24312 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
24314 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
24315 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
24317 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
24318 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
24320 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
24323 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
24324 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
24332 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
24335 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
24336 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
24337 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
24338 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
24339 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
24340 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
24344 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24345 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
24346 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
24347 prefixed by @samp{+}.
24350 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24351 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
24352 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
24356 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24357 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
24358 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
24359 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
24362 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24363 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
24364 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
24365 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
24368 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24369 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
24370 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
24373 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24374 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
24375 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
24376 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
24379 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24380 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
24386 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
24387 details about the various output records.
24389 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24390 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
24391 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
24393 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
24394 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
24396 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
24397 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
24398 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
24399 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
24400 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
24401 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
24403 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
24404 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
24405 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
24407 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24408 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
24409 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
24410 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
24412 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
24413 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
24415 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
24416 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
24417 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
24418 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
24421 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
24422 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
24423 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
24424 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
24428 New MI commands may be added.
24431 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
24434 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
24435 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
24437 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
24438 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
24440 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
24441 @c resolve inconsistencies.
24444 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
24445 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
24446 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
24447 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
24448 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
24450 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
24453 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
24454 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
24455 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
24456 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
24457 @cindex mailing lists
24459 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24460 @node GDB/MI Output Records
24461 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
24464 * GDB/MI Result Records::
24465 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
24466 * GDB/MI Async Records::
24467 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
24468 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
24471 @node GDB/MI Result Records
24472 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
24474 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
24475 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
24476 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
24477 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
24481 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
24482 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
24487 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
24488 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
24489 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
24490 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
24491 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
24492 which threads are resumed.
24496 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
24498 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
24500 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
24505 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
24509 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
24510 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
24512 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
24513 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
24514 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
24515 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
24516 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
24518 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
24519 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
24520 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
24521 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
24522 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
24525 @item "~" @var{string-output}
24526 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
24527 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
24529 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
24530 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
24531 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
24532 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
24534 @item "&" @var{string-output}
24535 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
24539 @node GDB/MI Async Records
24540 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
24542 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
24543 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
24544 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
24545 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
24546 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
24547 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
24549 The following is the list of possible async records:
24553 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
24554 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
24555 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
24556 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
24557 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
24558 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
24559 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
24560 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
24561 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
24562 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
24564 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
24565 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
24569 @item breakpoint-hit
24570 A breakpoint was reached.
24571 @item watchpoint-trigger
24572 A watchpoint was triggered.
24573 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
24574 A read watchpoint was triggered.
24575 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
24576 An access watchpoint was triggered.
24577 @item function-finished
24578 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
24579 @item location-reached
24580 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
24581 @item watchpoint-scope
24582 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
24583 @item end-stepping-range
24584 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
24585 similar CLI command was accomplished.
24586 @item exited-signalled
24587 The inferior exited because of a signal.
24589 The inferior exited.
24590 @item exited-normally
24591 The inferior exited normally.
24592 @item signal-received
24593 A signal was received by the inferior.
24596 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
24597 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
24598 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
24599 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
24600 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
24601 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
24602 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
24603 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
24604 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
24605 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
24606 if such information is not available.
24608 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
24609 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
24610 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
24611 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
24612 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
24613 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
24614 cannot be used in any way.
24616 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
24617 A thread group became associated with a running program,
24618 either because the program was just started or the thread group
24619 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
24620 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
24621 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
24623 @itemx =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"
24624 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
24625 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
24626 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
24629 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
24630 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
24631 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
24632 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
24633 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
24635 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
24636 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
24637 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
24638 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
24639 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
24640 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
24641 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
24643 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
24644 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
24647 @item =library-loaded,...
24648 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
24649 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
24650 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
24651 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
24652 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
24653 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
24654 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
24655 @var{symbols-loaded} field reports if the debug symbols for this
24656 library are loaded. The @var{thread-group} field, if present,
24657 specifies the id of the thread group in whose context the library was loaded.
24658 If the field is absent, it means the library was loaded in the context
24659 of all present thread groups.
24661 @item =library-unloaded,...
24662 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
24663 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
24664 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
24665 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
24666 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
24667 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
24672 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
24673 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
24675 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
24676 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
24681 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
24682 zero. This field is always present.
24685 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
24686 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
24689 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
24692 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
24693 address. This field may be absent.
24696 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
24700 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
24701 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
24705 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
24706 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
24708 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
24709 uses a tuple with the following fields:
24713 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
24717 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
24720 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
24721 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
24722 frontend. This field is optional.
24725 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
24726 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
24729 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
24730 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
24734 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24735 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
24736 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
24737 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
24739 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
24740 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
24741 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
24742 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
24744 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
24745 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
24747 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
24749 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
24750 information of the breakpoint.
24753 -> -break-insert main
24754 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
24755 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
24756 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
24760 @subheading Program Execution
24762 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
24763 reason that execution stopped.
24769 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
24770 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
24771 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
24772 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
24777 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
24781 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
24783 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
24791 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
24792 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
24793 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
24794 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
24795 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
24796 fails to exit in reasonable time.
24798 @subheading A Bad Command
24800 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
24804 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
24809 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24810 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
24811 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
24813 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
24814 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
24816 @subheading Motivation
24818 The motivation for this collection of commands.
24820 @subheading Introduction
24822 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
24824 @subheading Commands
24826 For each command in the block, the following is described:
24828 @subsubheading Synopsis
24831 -command @var{args}@dots{}
24834 @subsubheading Result
24836 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24838 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
24840 @subsubheading Example
24842 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
24843 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
24846 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24847 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
24848 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
24850 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
24851 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
24852 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
24855 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
24856 @findex -break-after
24858 @subsubheading Synopsis
24861 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
24864 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
24865 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
24866 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
24867 @samp{-break-list} command below.
24869 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24871 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
24873 @subsubheading Example
24878 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
24879 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
24880 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
24887 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
24888 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24889 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24890 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24891 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24892 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24893 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24894 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24895 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
24896 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
24901 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
24902 @findex -break-catch
24905 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
24906 @findex -break-commands
24908 @subsubheading Synopsis
24911 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
24914 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
24915 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
24916 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
24917 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
24918 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
24919 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
24921 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24923 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
24925 @subsubheading Example
24930 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
24931 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
24932 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
24934 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
24939 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
24940 @findex -break-condition
24942 @subsubheading Synopsis
24945 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
24948 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
24949 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
24950 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
24953 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24955 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
24957 @subsubheading Example
24961 -break-condition 1 1
24965 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
24966 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24967 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24968 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24969 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24970 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24971 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24972 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24973 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
24974 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
24978 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
24979 @findex -break-delete
24981 @subsubheading Synopsis
24984 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
24987 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
24988 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
24990 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24992 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
24994 @subsubheading Example
25002 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
25003 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25004 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25005 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25006 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25007 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25008 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25013 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
25014 @findex -break-disable
25016 @subsubheading Synopsis
25019 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25022 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
25023 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
25025 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25027 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
25029 @subsubheading Example
25037 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25038 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25039 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25040 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25041 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25042 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25043 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25044 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
25045 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25046 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
25050 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
25051 @findex -break-enable
25053 @subsubheading Synopsis
25056 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25059 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
25061 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25063 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
25065 @subsubheading Example
25073 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25074 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25075 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25076 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25077 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25078 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25079 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25080 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25081 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25082 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
25086 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
25087 @findex -break-info
25089 @subsubheading Synopsis
25092 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
25096 Get information about a single breakpoint.
25098 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25100 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
25102 @subsubheading Example
25105 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
25106 @findex -break-insert
25108 @subsubheading Synopsis
25111 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
25112 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
25113 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{location} ]
25117 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
25124 @item filename:linenum
25125 @item filename:function
25129 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
25133 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
25135 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
25136 @item -c @var{condition}
25137 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
25138 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
25139 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
25141 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
25142 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
25143 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
25144 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
25147 Create a disabled breakpoint.
25149 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
25150 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
25153 @subsubheading Result
25155 The result is in the form:
25158 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
25159 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
25160 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
25161 times="@var{times}"@}
25165 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
25166 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
25167 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
25168 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
25169 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
25170 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
25171 which use the same output).
25173 Note: this format is open to change.
25174 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
25176 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25178 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
25179 @samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
25181 @subsubheading Example
25186 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
25187 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
25189 -break-insert -t foo
25190 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
25191 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
25194 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25195 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25196 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25197 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25198 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25199 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25200 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25201 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25202 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
25203 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
25204 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
25205 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
25206 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
25208 -break-insert -r foo.*
25209 ~int foo(int, int);
25210 ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
25211 "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
25215 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
25216 @findex -break-list
25218 @subsubheading Synopsis
25224 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
25228 number of the breakpoint
25230 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
25232 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
25235 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
25237 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
25239 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
25242 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
25245 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
25246 @code{body} field is an empty list.
25248 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25250 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
25252 @subsubheading Example
25257 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25258 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25259 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25260 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25261 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25262 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25263 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25264 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25265 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
25266 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25267 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25268 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
25272 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
25277 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
25278 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25279 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25280 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25281 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25282 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25283 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25288 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
25289 @findex -break-passcount
25291 @subsubheading Synopsis
25294 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
25297 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
25298 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
25299 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
25300 command @samp{passcount}.
25302 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
25303 @findex -break-watch
25305 @subsubheading Synopsis
25308 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
25311 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
25312 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
25313 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
25314 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
25315 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
25316 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
25317 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
25318 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
25320 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
25321 breakpoints inserted.
25323 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25325 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
25328 @subsubheading Example
25330 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
25335 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
25340 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
25341 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
25342 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
25343 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
25347 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
25348 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
25349 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
25354 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
25359 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
25360 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
25361 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
25362 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25363 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
25368 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
25369 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
25370 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
25371 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25372 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
25376 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
25377 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
25383 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
25386 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25387 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25388 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25389 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25390 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25391 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25392 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25393 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25394 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
25395 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25396 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
25397 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
25398 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
25403 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
25404 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
25405 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
25406 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25407 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
25410 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25411 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25412 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25413 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25414 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25415 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25416 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25417 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25418 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
25419 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25420 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
25421 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
25422 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
25426 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
25427 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
25428 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
25429 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25430 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
25433 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25434 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25435 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25436 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25437 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25438 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25439 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25440 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25441 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
25442 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25443 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
25448 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25449 @node GDB/MI Program Context
25450 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
25452 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
25453 @findex -exec-arguments
25456 @subsubheading Synopsis
25459 -exec-arguments @var{args}
25462 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
25465 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25467 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
25469 @subsubheading Example
25473 -exec-arguments -v word
25480 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
25481 @findex -exec-show-arguments
25483 @subsubheading Synopsis
25486 -exec-show-arguments
25489 Print the arguments of the program.
25491 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25493 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
25495 @subsubheading Example
25500 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
25501 @findex -environment-cd
25503 @subsubheading Synopsis
25506 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
25509 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
25511 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25513 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
25515 @subsubheading Example
25519 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
25525 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
25526 @findex -environment-directory
25528 @subsubheading Synopsis
25531 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
25534 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
25535 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
25536 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
25537 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
25539 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
25540 multiple directories in a single command
25541 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
25542 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
25543 If blanks are needed as
25544 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
25545 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
25546 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
25547 character must not be used
25548 in any directory name.
25549 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
25551 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25553 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
25555 @subsubheading Example
25559 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
25560 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
25562 -environment-directory ""
25563 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
25565 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
25566 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
25568 -environment-directory -r
25569 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
25574 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
25575 @findex -environment-path
25577 @subsubheading Synopsis
25580 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
25583 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
25584 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
25585 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
25586 supplied in addition to the
25587 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
25589 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
25590 multiple directories in a single command
25591 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
25592 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
25593 If blanks are needed as
25594 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
25595 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
25596 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
25597 character must not be used
25598 in any directory name.
25599 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
25602 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25604 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
25606 @subsubheading Example
25611 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
25613 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
25614 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
25616 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
25617 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
25622 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
25623 @findex -environment-pwd
25625 @subsubheading Synopsis
25631 Show the current working directory.
25633 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25635 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
25637 @subsubheading Example
25642 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
25646 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25647 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
25648 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
25651 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
25652 @findex -thread-info
25654 @subsubheading Synopsis
25657 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
25660 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
25661 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
25662 threads. When printing information about all threads,
25663 also reports the current thread.
25665 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25667 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
25670 @subsubheading Example
25675 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
25676 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
25677 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
25678 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
25679 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}],
25680 current-thread-id="1"
25684 The @samp{state} field may have the following values:
25688 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
25692 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
25697 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
25698 @findex -thread-list-ids
25700 @subsubheading Synopsis
25706 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
25707 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
25709 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
25710 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
25712 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25714 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
25716 @subsubheading Example
25721 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
25722 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
25727 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
25728 @findex -thread-select
25730 @subsubheading Synopsis
25733 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
25736 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
25737 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
25739 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
25740 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
25742 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25744 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
25746 @subsubheading Example
25753 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
25754 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
25758 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
25759 number-of-threads="3"
25762 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
25763 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
25764 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
25765 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
25769 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25770 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
25771 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
25773 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
25774 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
25775 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
25778 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
25779 @findex -exec-continue
25781 @subsubheading Synopsis
25784 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
25787 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
25788 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
25789 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
25790 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
25793 breakpoints or watchpoints
25795 signals or exceptions
25797 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
25799 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
25801 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
25802 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
25803 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
25804 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
25805 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
25806 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
25808 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25810 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
25812 @subsubheading Example
25819 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
25820 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
25826 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
25827 @findex -exec-finish
25829 @subsubheading Synopsis
25832 -exec-finish [--reverse]
25835 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
25836 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
25837 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
25838 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
25839 function was called.
25841 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25843 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
25845 @subsubheading Example
25847 Function returning @code{void}.
25854 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
25855 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
25859 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
25860 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
25867 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
25868 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
25869 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25870 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
25875 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
25876 @findex -exec-interrupt
25878 @subsubheading Synopsis
25881 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
25884 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
25885 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
25886 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
25887 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
25888 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
25890 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
25891 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
25892 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
25893 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
25895 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
25896 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
25897 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
25898 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
25900 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25902 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
25904 @subsubheading Example
25915 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
25916 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
25917 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
25922 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
25926 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
25929 @subsubheading Synopsis
25932 -exec-jump @var{location}
25935 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
25936 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
25937 different forms of @var{location}.
25939 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25941 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
25943 @subsubheading Example
25946 -exec-jump foo.c:10
25947 *running,thread-id="all"
25952 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
25955 @subsubheading Synopsis
25958 -exec-next [--reverse]
25961 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
25962 of the next source line is reached.
25964 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
25965 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
25966 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
25967 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
25968 source line where the function was called.
25971 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25973 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
25975 @subsubheading Example
25981 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
25986 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
25987 @findex -exec-next-instruction
25989 @subsubheading Synopsis
25992 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
25995 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
25996 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
25997 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
26000 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
26001 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
26002 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
26003 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
26004 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
26006 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26008 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
26010 @subsubheading Example
26014 -exec-next-instruction
26018 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26019 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
26024 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
26025 @findex -exec-return
26027 @subsubheading Synopsis
26033 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
26034 Displays the new current frame.
26036 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26038 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
26040 @subsubheading Example
26044 200-break-insert callee4
26045 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
26046 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
26051 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
26052 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
26053 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26054 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
26060 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
26061 args=[@{name="strarg",
26062 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
26063 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26064 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
26069 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
26072 @subsubheading Synopsis
26075 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
26078 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
26079 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
26080 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
26081 the program has exited exceptionally.
26083 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
26084 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
26085 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
26086 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
26088 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26090 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
26092 @subsubheading Examples
26097 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
26102 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
26103 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
26104 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
26109 Program exited normally:
26117 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
26122 Program exited exceptionally:
26130 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
26134 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
26135 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
26139 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
26140 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
26144 @c @subheading -exec-signal
26147 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
26150 @subsubheading Synopsis
26153 -exec-step [--reverse]
26156 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
26157 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
26158 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
26159 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
26160 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
26161 previously executed source line.
26163 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26165 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
26167 @subsubheading Example
26169 Stepping into a function:
26175 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26176 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
26177 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
26178 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
26188 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
26193 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
26194 @findex -exec-step-instruction
26196 @subsubheading Synopsis
26199 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
26202 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
26203 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
26204 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
26205 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
26206 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
26207 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
26210 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26212 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
26214 @subsubheading Example
26218 -exec-step-instruction
26222 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26223 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
26224 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
26226 -exec-step-instruction
26230 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26231 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
26232 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
26237 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
26238 @findex -exec-until
26240 @subsubheading Synopsis
26243 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
26246 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
26247 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
26248 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
26249 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
26251 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26253 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
26255 @subsubheading Example
26259 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
26263 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
26264 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
26269 @subheading -file-clear
26270 Is this going away????
26273 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26274 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
26275 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
26278 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
26279 @findex -stack-info-frame
26281 @subsubheading Synopsis
26287 Get info on the selected frame.
26289 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26291 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
26292 (without arguments).
26294 @subsubheading Example
26299 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
26300 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26301 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
26305 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
26306 @findex -stack-info-depth
26308 @subsubheading Synopsis
26311 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
26314 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
26315 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
26317 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26319 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
26321 @subsubheading Example
26323 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
26330 -stack-info-depth 4
26333 -stack-info-depth 12
26336 -stack-info-depth 11
26339 -stack-info-depth 13
26344 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
26345 @findex -stack-list-arguments
26347 @subsubheading Synopsis
26350 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
26351 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
26354 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
26355 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
26356 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
26357 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
26358 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
26359 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
26360 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
26361 which case only existing frames will be returned.
26363 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
26364 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
26365 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
26366 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
26367 structures and unions.
26369 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
26370 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
26372 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26374 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
26375 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
26376 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
26378 @subsubheading Example
26385 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26386 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26387 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
26388 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
26389 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26390 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
26391 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
26392 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26393 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
26394 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
26395 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26396 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
26397 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
26398 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26399 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
26401 -stack-list-arguments 0
26404 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
26405 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
26406 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
26407 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
26408 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
26410 -stack-list-arguments 1
26413 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
26415 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
26416 frame=@{level="2",args=[
26417 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
26418 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
26419 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
26420 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
26421 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
26422 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
26423 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
26425 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
26426 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
26428 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
26429 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
26430 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
26431 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
26435 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
26438 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
26439 @findex -stack-list-frames
26441 @subsubheading Synopsis
26444 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
26447 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
26452 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
26454 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
26458 File name of the source file where the function lives.
26459 @item @var{fullname}
26460 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
26462 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
26464 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
26465 if the frame's function is not known.
26468 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
26469 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
26470 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
26471 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
26472 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
26473 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
26474 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
26476 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26478 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
26480 @subsubheading Example
26482 Full stack backtrace:
26488 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
26489 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
26490 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26491 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26492 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26493 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26494 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26495 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26496 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26497 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26498 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26499 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26500 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26501 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26502 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26503 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26504 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26505 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26506 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26507 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26508 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26509 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26510 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
26511 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
26515 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
26519 -stack-list-frames 3 5
26521 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26522 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26523 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26524 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26525 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26526 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
26530 Show a single frame:
26534 -stack-list-frames 3 3
26536 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26537 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
26542 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
26543 @findex -stack-list-locals
26545 @subsubheading Synopsis
26548 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
26551 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
26552 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
26553 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
26554 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
26555 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
26556 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
26557 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
26558 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
26561 This command is deprecated in favor of the
26562 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
26564 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26566 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
26568 @subsubheading Example
26572 -stack-list-locals 0
26573 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
26575 -stack-list-locals --all-values
26576 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
26577 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
26578 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
26579 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
26580 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
26584 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
26585 @findex -stack-list-variables
26587 @subsubheading Synopsis
26590 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
26593 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
26594 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
26595 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
26596 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
26597 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
26598 structures and unions.
26600 @subsubheading Example
26604 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
26605 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
26610 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
26611 @findex -stack-select-frame
26613 @subsubheading Synopsis
26616 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
26619 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
26622 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
26623 option to every command.
26625 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26627 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
26628 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
26630 @subsubheading Example
26634 -stack-select-frame 2
26639 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26640 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
26641 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
26645 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
26647 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
26648 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
26649 used by @code{Insight}.
26651 The two main reasons for that are:
26655 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
26658 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
26662 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
26663 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
26664 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
26665 hints about their use.
26667 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
26668 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
26669 least, the following operations:
26672 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
26673 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
26674 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
26675 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
26680 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
26682 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
26684 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
26685 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
26686 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
26687 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
26688 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
26689 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
26690 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
26691 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
26692 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
26693 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
26694 object, or to change display format.
26696 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
26697 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
26698 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
26699 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
26700 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
26701 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
26702 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
26703 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
26704 child will be created.
26706 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
26707 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
26708 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
26709 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
26710 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
26712 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
26713 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
26714 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
26715 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
26716 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
26717 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
26718 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
26719 variables that frontend has created.
26721 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
26722 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
26723 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
26724 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
26725 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
26726 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
26727 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
26728 implicitly updated.
26730 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
26731 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
26732 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
26733 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
26734 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
26735 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
26736 frame. Consider this example:
26741 struct work_state state;
26748 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
26749 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the the variable
26750 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
26751 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
26752 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
26754 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
26755 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
26756 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
26757 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
26758 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
26759 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
26761 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
26762 access this functionality:
26764 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
26765 @item @strong{Operation}
26766 @tab @strong{Description}
26768 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
26769 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
26770 @item @code{-var-create}
26771 @tab create a variable object
26772 @item @code{-var-delete}
26773 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
26774 @item @code{-var-set-format}
26775 @tab set the display format of this variable
26776 @item @code{-var-show-format}
26777 @tab show the display format of this variable
26778 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
26779 @tab tells how many children this object has
26780 @item @code{-var-list-children}
26781 @tab return a list of the object's children
26782 @item @code{-var-info-type}
26783 @tab show the type of this variable object
26784 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
26785 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
26786 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
26787 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
26788 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
26789 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
26790 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
26791 @tab get the value of this variable
26792 @item @code{-var-assign}
26793 @tab set the value of this variable
26794 @item @code{-var-update}
26795 @tab update the variable and its children
26796 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
26797 @tab set frozeness attribute
26798 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
26799 @tab set range of children to display on update
26802 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
26803 how it can be used.
26805 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
26807 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
26808 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
26811 -enable-pretty-printing
26814 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
26815 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
26816 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
26817 request that this functionality be enabled.
26819 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
26821 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
26822 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
26824 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
26825 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
26827 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
26828 @findex -var-create
26830 @subsubheading Synopsis
26833 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
26834 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
26837 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
26838 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
26841 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
26842 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
26843 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
26844 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
26845 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
26847 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
26848 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
26849 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
26850 object must be created.
26852 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
26853 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
26857 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
26860 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
26863 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
26866 @cindex dynamic varobj
26867 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
26868 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
26869 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
26870 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
26871 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
26872 compatibility for existing clients.
26874 @subsubheading Result
26876 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
26881 The name of the varobj.
26884 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
26885 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
26886 @samp{has_more} attribute.
26889 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
26890 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
26891 will not be interesting.
26894 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
26895 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI.
26898 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
26899 thread's identifier.
26902 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
26903 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
26906 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
26907 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
26908 then this attribute will not be present.
26911 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
26912 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
26913 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
26916 Typical output will look like this:
26919 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
26920 has_more="@var{has_more}"
26924 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
26925 @findex -var-delete
26927 @subsubheading Synopsis
26930 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
26933 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
26934 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
26936 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
26939 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
26940 @findex -var-set-format
26942 @subsubheading Synopsis
26945 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
26948 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
26951 @anchor{-var-set-format}
26952 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
26955 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
26956 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
26959 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
26960 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
26961 for pointers, etc.).
26963 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
26964 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
26966 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
26967 @findex -var-show-format
26969 @subsubheading Synopsis
26972 -var-show-format @var{name}
26975 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
26978 @var{format} @expansion{}
26983 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
26984 @findex -var-info-num-children
26986 @subsubheading Synopsis
26989 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
26992 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
26998 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
26999 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
27003 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
27004 @findex -var-list-children
27006 @subsubheading Synopsis
27009 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
27011 @anchor{-var-list-children}
27013 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
27014 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
27015 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
27016 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
27017 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
27018 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
27019 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
27022 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
27023 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
27024 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
27025 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
27028 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
27029 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
27030 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
27031 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
27032 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
27033 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
27034 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
27035 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
27038 For each child the following results are returned:
27043 Name of the variable object created for this child.
27046 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
27047 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
27049 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
27050 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
27052 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
27053 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
27054 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
27055 type and value are not present.
27057 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
27058 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
27059 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
27062 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
27066 The type of the child.
27069 If values were requested, this is the value.
27072 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
27073 Otherwise this result is not present.
27076 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
27079 The result may have its own attributes:
27083 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
27084 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
27085 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
27088 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
27089 remaining after the end of the selected range.
27092 @subsubheading Example
27096 -var-list-children n
27097 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
27098 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
27100 -var-list-children --all-values n
27101 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
27102 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
27106 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
27107 @findex -var-info-type
27109 @subsubheading Synopsis
27112 -var-info-type @var{name}
27115 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
27116 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
27120 type=@var{typename}
27124 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
27125 @findex -var-info-expression
27127 @subsubheading Synopsis
27130 -var-info-expression @var{name}
27133 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
27134 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
27135 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
27137 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
27138 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
27141 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
27142 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
27146 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
27148 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
27149 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
27152 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
27153 @findex -var-info-path-expression
27155 @subsubheading Synopsis
27158 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
27161 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
27162 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
27163 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
27164 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
27165 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
27166 watchpoint from a variable object.
27168 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
27169 and will give an error when invoked on one.
27171 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
27172 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
27173 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
27174 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
27175 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
27177 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
27178 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
27181 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
27182 @findex -var-show-attributes
27184 @subsubheading Synopsis
27187 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
27190 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
27193 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
27197 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
27199 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
27200 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
27202 @subsubheading Synopsis
27205 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
27208 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
27209 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
27210 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
27211 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
27212 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
27213 the current display format will be used. The current display format
27214 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
27220 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
27221 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
27223 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
27224 @findex -var-assign
27226 @subsubheading Synopsis
27229 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
27232 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
27233 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
27234 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
27235 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
27237 @subsubheading Example
27245 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
27249 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
27250 @findex -var-update
27252 @subsubheading Synopsis
27255 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
27258 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
27259 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
27260 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
27261 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
27262 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
27263 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
27264 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
27265 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
27266 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
27267 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
27268 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
27269 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
27270 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
27272 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
27273 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
27276 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
27277 only the selected range of children will be reported.
27279 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
27282 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
27286 The name of the varobj.
27289 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
27290 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
27293 @anchor{-var-update}
27294 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
27298 The variable object's current value is valid.
27301 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
27302 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
27306 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
27307 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
27308 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
27309 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
27313 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
27314 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
27317 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
27318 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
27322 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
27325 @item new_num_children
27326 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
27327 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
27329 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
27330 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
27331 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
27332 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
27333 children which may be available.
27335 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
27336 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
27337 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
27338 only happen at the end of the update range).
27341 The display hint, if any.
27344 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
27345 available outside the varobj's update range.
27348 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
27349 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
27350 then this attribute will not be present.
27353 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
27354 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
27355 be listed in this attribute.
27358 @subsubheading Example
27365 -var-update --all-values var1
27366 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
27367 type_changed="false"@}]
27371 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
27372 @findex -var-set-frozen
27373 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
27375 @subsubheading Synopsis
27378 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
27381 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
27382 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
27383 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
27384 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
27385 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
27386 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
27387 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
27388 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
27389 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
27390 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
27391 @code{-var-update} does.
27393 @subsubheading Example
27397 -var-set-frozen V 1
27402 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
27403 @findex -var-set-update-range
27404 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
27406 @subsubheading Synopsis
27409 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
27412 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
27413 @code{-var-update}.
27415 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
27416 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
27417 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
27418 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
27420 @subsubheading Example
27424 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
27428 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
27429 @findex -var-set-visualizer
27430 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
27432 @subsubheading Synopsis
27435 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
27438 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
27440 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
27441 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
27443 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
27444 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
27445 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
27446 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
27447 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
27448 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
27449 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
27451 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
27452 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
27453 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
27454 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
27456 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
27457 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
27458 can be used to check this.
27460 @subsubheading Example
27462 Resetting the visualizer:
27466 -var-set-visualizer V None
27470 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
27474 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
27478 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
27479 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
27483 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
27487 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27488 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
27489 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
27491 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
27492 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
27493 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
27494 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
27496 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
27497 @c @subheading -data-assign
27498 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
27499 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
27501 @c @subsubheading Example
27504 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
27505 @findex -data-disassemble
27507 @subsubheading Synopsis
27511 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
27512 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
27520 @item @var{start-addr}
27521 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
27522 @item @var{end-addr}
27524 @item @var{filename}
27525 is the name of the file to disassemble
27526 @item @var{linenum}
27527 is the line number to disassemble around
27529 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
27530 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
27531 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
27532 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
27533 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
27534 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
27535 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
27538 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly) or 1 (meaning mixed source and
27542 @subsubheading Result
27544 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
27553 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
27554 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
27556 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27558 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
27560 @subsubheading Example
27562 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
27566 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
27569 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
27570 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
27571 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
27572 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
27573 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
27574 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
27575 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
27576 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
27577 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
27578 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
27582 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
27586 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
27588 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
27589 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
27590 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
27591 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
27592 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
27593 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
27595 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
27596 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
27600 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
27604 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
27606 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
27607 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
27608 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
27609 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
27610 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
27611 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
27615 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
27619 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
27621 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
27622 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
27623 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
27624 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
27625 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
27626 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
27627 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
27628 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
27629 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
27630 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
27631 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
27632 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
27637 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
27638 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
27640 @subsubheading Synopsis
27643 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
27646 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
27647 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
27648 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
27650 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27652 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
27653 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
27654 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
27656 @subsubheading Example
27658 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
27659 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
27660 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
27664 211-data-evaluate-expression A
27667 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
27668 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
27670 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
27673 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
27679 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
27680 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
27682 @subsubheading Synopsis
27685 -data-list-changed-registers
27688 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
27690 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27692 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
27693 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
27695 @subsubheading Example
27697 On a PPC MBX board:
27705 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
27706 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
27709 -data-list-changed-registers
27710 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
27711 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
27712 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
27717 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
27718 @findex -data-list-register-names
27720 @subsubheading Synopsis
27723 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
27726 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
27727 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
27728 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
27729 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
27730 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
27731 include empty register names.
27733 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27735 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
27736 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
27737 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
27739 @subsubheading Example
27741 For the PPC MBX board:
27744 -data-list-register-names
27745 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
27746 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
27747 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
27748 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
27749 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
27750 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
27751 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
27753 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
27754 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
27758 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
27759 @findex -data-list-register-values
27761 @subsubheading Synopsis
27764 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
27767 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
27768 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
27769 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
27770 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
27772 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
27789 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27791 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
27792 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
27794 @subsubheading Example
27796 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
27797 don't appear in the actual output):
27801 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
27802 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
27803 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
27805 -data-list-register-values x
27806 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
27807 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
27808 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
27809 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
27810 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
27811 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
27812 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
27813 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
27814 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
27815 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
27816 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
27817 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
27818 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
27819 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
27820 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
27821 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
27822 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
27823 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
27824 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
27825 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
27826 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
27827 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
27828 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
27829 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
27830 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
27831 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
27832 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
27833 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
27834 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
27835 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
27836 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
27837 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
27838 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
27839 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
27840 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
27841 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
27846 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
27847 @findex -data-read-memory
27849 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
27851 @subsubheading Synopsis
27854 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
27855 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
27856 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
27863 @item @var{address}
27864 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
27865 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
27866 quoted using the C convention.
27868 @item @var{word-format}
27869 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
27870 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
27873 @item @var{word-size}
27874 The size of each memory word in bytes.
27876 @item @var{nr-rows}
27877 The number of rows in the output table.
27879 @item @var{nr-cols}
27880 The number of columns in the output table.
27883 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
27884 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
27885 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
27886 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
27888 @item @var{byte-offset}
27889 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
27892 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
27893 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
27894 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
27895 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
27896 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
27897 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
27898 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
27901 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
27902 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
27905 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27907 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
27908 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
27910 @subsubheading Example
27912 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
27913 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
27914 word. Display each word in hex.
27918 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
27919 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
27920 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
27921 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
27922 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
27923 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
27924 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
27928 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
27929 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
27933 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
27934 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
27935 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
27936 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
27937 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
27941 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
27942 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
27943 used as the non-printable character.
27947 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
27948 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
27949 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
27950 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
27951 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
27952 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
27953 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
27954 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
27955 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
27956 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
27957 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
27958 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
27962 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
27963 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
27965 @subsubheading Synopsis
27968 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
27969 @var{address} @var{count}
27976 @item @var{address}
27977 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
27978 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
27979 quoted using the C convention.
27982 The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
27984 @item @var{byte-offset}
27985 The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
27986 reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
27987 so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
27988 perform address arithmetics itself.
27992 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
27993 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
27994 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
27995 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
27996 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
27997 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
27999 In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
28000 and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
28001 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
28002 attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
28003 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
28004 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
28005 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
28006 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
28008 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
28009 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
28010 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
28011 and has the following fields:
28015 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
28018 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
28021 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
28022 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
28025 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
28031 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28033 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
28035 @subsubheading Example
28039 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
28040 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
28042 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
28047 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
28048 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
28050 @subsubheading Synopsis
28053 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
28060 @item @var{address}
28061 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
28062 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
28063 quoted using the C convention.
28065 @item @var{contents}
28066 The hex-encoded bytes to write.
28070 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28072 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
28074 @subsubheading Example
28078 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
28084 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28085 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
28086 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
28088 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
28089 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
28091 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
28092 @findex -trace-find
28094 @subsubheading Synopsis
28097 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
28100 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
28101 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
28102 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
28107 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
28110 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
28113 @item tracepoint-number
28114 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
28115 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
28118 An address is required as parameter. Finds
28119 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
28122 @item pc-inside-range
28123 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
28124 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
28125 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
28127 @item pc-outside-range
28128 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
28129 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
28130 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
28133 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
28134 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
28135 the specified location.
28139 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
28140 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
28144 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
28145 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
28148 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
28149 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
28152 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
28153 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
28156 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
28157 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
28158 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
28162 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28164 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
28166 @subheading -trace-define-variable
28167 @findex -trace-define-variable
28169 @subsubheading Synopsis
28172 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
28175 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
28176 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
28177 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
28178 with the @samp{$} character.
28180 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28182 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
28184 @subheading -trace-list-variables
28185 @findex -trace-list-variables
28187 @subsubheading Synopsis
28190 -trace-list-variables
28193 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
28194 table has the following fields:
28198 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
28201 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
28202 field is always present.
28205 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
28206 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
28207 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
28212 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28214 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
28216 @subsubheading Example
28220 -trace-list-variables
28221 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
28222 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
28223 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
28224 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
28225 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
28226 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
28230 @subheading -trace-save
28231 @findex -trace-save
28233 @subsubheading Synopsis
28236 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
28239 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
28240 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
28241 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
28242 to perform the save.
28244 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28246 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
28249 @subheading -trace-start
28250 @findex -trace-start
28252 @subsubheading Synopsis
28258 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
28261 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28263 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
28265 @subheading -trace-status
28266 @findex -trace-status
28268 @subsubheading Synopsis
28274 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
28275 the following fields:
28280 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
28281 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
28282 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
28283 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
28284 started. This field is always present.
28287 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
28288 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
28289 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
28292 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
28293 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
28294 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
28295 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
28296 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
28297 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
28298 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
28299 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
28300 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
28302 @item stopping-tracepoint
28303 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
28304 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
28308 @itemx frames-created
28309 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
28310 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
28311 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
28312 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
28316 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
28317 remaining space. These fields are optional.
28320 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
28321 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
28322 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
28326 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
28327 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
28328 that the trace run will stop.
28332 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28334 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
28336 @subheading -trace-stop
28337 @findex -trace-stop
28339 @subsubheading Synopsis
28345 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
28346 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
28347 @samp{running} fields are not output.
28349 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28351 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
28354 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28355 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
28356 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
28360 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
28361 @findex -symbol-info-address
28363 @subsubheading Synopsis
28366 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
28369 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
28371 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28373 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
28375 @subsubheading Example
28379 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
28380 @findex -symbol-info-file
28382 @subsubheading Synopsis
28388 Show the file for the symbol.
28390 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28392 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
28393 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
28395 @subsubheading Example
28399 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
28400 @findex -symbol-info-function
28402 @subsubheading Synopsis
28405 -symbol-info-function
28408 Show which function the symbol lives in.
28410 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28412 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
28414 @subsubheading Example
28418 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
28419 @findex -symbol-info-line
28421 @subsubheading Synopsis
28427 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
28429 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28431 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
28432 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
28434 @subsubheading Example
28438 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
28439 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
28441 @subsubheading Synopsis
28444 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
28447 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
28449 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28451 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
28453 @subsubheading Example
28457 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
28458 @findex -symbol-list-functions
28460 @subsubheading Synopsis
28463 -symbol-list-functions
28466 List the functions in the executable.
28468 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28470 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
28471 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
28473 @subsubheading Example
28478 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
28479 @findex -symbol-list-lines
28481 @subsubheading Synopsis
28484 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
28487 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
28488 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
28489 ascending PC order.
28491 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28493 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
28495 @subsubheading Example
28498 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
28499 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
28505 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
28506 @findex -symbol-list-types
28508 @subsubheading Synopsis
28514 List all the type names.
28516 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28518 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
28519 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
28521 @subsubheading Example
28525 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
28526 @findex -symbol-list-variables
28528 @subsubheading Synopsis
28531 -symbol-list-variables
28534 List all the global and static variable names.
28536 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28538 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
28540 @subsubheading Example
28544 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
28545 @findex -symbol-locate
28547 @subsubheading Synopsis
28553 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28555 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
28557 @subsubheading Example
28561 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
28562 @findex -symbol-type
28564 @subsubheading Synopsis
28567 -symbol-type @var{variable}
28570 Show type of @var{variable}.
28572 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28574 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
28575 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
28577 @subsubheading Example
28582 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28583 @node GDB/MI File Commands
28584 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
28586 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
28587 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
28589 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
28590 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
28592 @subsubheading Synopsis
28595 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
28598 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
28599 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
28600 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
28601 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
28602 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
28605 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28607 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
28609 @subsubheading Example
28613 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
28619 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
28620 @findex -file-exec-file
28622 @subsubheading Synopsis
28625 -file-exec-file @var{file}
28628 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
28629 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
28630 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
28631 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
28634 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28636 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
28638 @subsubheading Example
28642 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
28649 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
28650 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
28652 @subsubheading Synopsis
28655 -file-list-exec-sections
28658 List the sections of the current executable file.
28660 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28662 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
28663 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
28664 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
28666 @subsubheading Example
28671 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
28672 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
28674 @subsubheading Synopsis
28677 -file-list-exec-source-file
28680 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
28681 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
28682 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
28683 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
28685 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28687 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
28689 @subsubheading Example
28693 123-file-list-exec-source-file
28694 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
28699 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
28700 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
28702 @subsubheading Synopsis
28705 -file-list-exec-source-files
28708 List the source files for the current executable.
28710 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
28711 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
28713 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28715 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
28716 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
28718 @subsubheading Example
28721 -file-list-exec-source-files
28723 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
28724 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
28725 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
28730 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
28731 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
28733 @subsubheading Synopsis
28736 -file-list-shared-libraries
28739 List the shared libraries in the program.
28741 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28743 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
28745 @subsubheading Example
28749 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
28750 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
28752 @subsubheading Synopsis
28755 -file-list-symbol-files
28760 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28762 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
28764 @subsubheading Example
28769 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
28770 @findex -file-symbol-file
28772 @subsubheading Synopsis
28775 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
28778 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
28779 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
28780 produced, except for a completion notification.
28782 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28784 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
28786 @subsubheading Example
28790 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
28796 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28797 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
28798 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
28800 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
28802 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
28804 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
28806 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
28808 @c @subheading -overlay-map
28810 @c @subheading -overlay-off
28812 @c @subheading -overlay-on
28814 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
28816 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28817 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
28818 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
28820 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
28822 @c @subheading -signal-handle
28824 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
28826 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
28830 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28831 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
28832 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
28835 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
28836 @findex -target-attach
28838 @subsubheading Synopsis
28841 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
28844 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
28845 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
28846 group, the id previously returned by
28847 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
28849 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28851 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
28853 @subsubheading Example
28857 =thread-created,id="1"
28858 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
28864 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
28865 @findex -target-compare-sections
28867 @subsubheading Synopsis
28870 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
28873 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
28874 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
28876 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28878 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
28880 @subsubheading Example
28885 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
28886 @findex -target-detach
28888 @subsubheading Synopsis
28891 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
28894 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
28895 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
28896 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
28898 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28900 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
28902 @subsubheading Example
28912 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
28913 @findex -target-disconnect
28915 @subsubheading Synopsis
28921 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
28922 generally not resumed.
28924 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28926 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
28928 @subsubheading Example
28938 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
28939 @findex -target-download
28941 @subsubheading Synopsis
28947 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
28948 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
28952 The name of the section.
28954 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
28956 The size of the section.
28958 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
28960 The size of the overall executable to download.
28964 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
28965 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
28967 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
28968 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
28972 The name of the section.
28974 The size of the section.
28976 The size of the overall executable to download.
28980 At the end, a summary is printed.
28982 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28984 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
28986 @subsubheading Example
28988 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
28989 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
28994 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
28995 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
28996 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
28997 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
28998 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
28999 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
29000 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
29001 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
29002 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
29003 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
29004 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
29005 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
29006 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
29007 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
29008 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
29009 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
29010 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
29011 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
29012 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
29013 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
29014 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
29015 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
29016 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
29017 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
29018 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
29019 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
29020 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
29021 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
29022 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
29023 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
29024 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
29025 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
29026 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
29027 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
29028 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
29029 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
29030 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
29031 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
29032 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
29033 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
29034 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
29035 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
29036 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
29043 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
29044 @findex -target-exec-status
29046 @subsubheading Synopsis
29049 -target-exec-status
29052 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
29053 not, for instance).
29055 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29057 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
29059 @subsubheading Example
29063 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
29064 @findex -target-list-available-targets
29066 @subsubheading Synopsis
29069 -target-list-available-targets
29072 List the possible targets to connect to.
29074 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29076 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
29078 @subsubheading Example
29082 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
29083 @findex -target-list-current-targets
29085 @subsubheading Synopsis
29088 -target-list-current-targets
29091 Describe the current target.
29093 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29095 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
29098 @subsubheading Example
29102 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
29103 @findex -target-list-parameters
29105 @subsubheading Synopsis
29108 -target-list-parameters
29114 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29118 @subsubheading Example
29122 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
29123 @findex -target-select
29125 @subsubheading Synopsis
29128 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
29131 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
29135 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
29136 @item @var{parameters}
29137 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
29138 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
29141 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
29142 which the target program is, in the following form:
29145 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
29146 args=[@var{arg list}]
29149 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29151 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
29153 @subsubheading Example
29157 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
29158 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
29162 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29163 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
29164 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
29167 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
29168 @findex -target-file-put
29170 @subsubheading Synopsis
29173 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
29176 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
29177 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
29179 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29181 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
29183 @subsubheading Example
29187 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
29193 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
29194 @findex -target-file-get
29196 @subsubheading Synopsis
29199 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
29202 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
29203 on the host system.
29205 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29207 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
29209 @subsubheading Example
29213 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
29219 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
29220 @findex -target-file-delete
29222 @subsubheading Synopsis
29225 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
29228 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
29230 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29232 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
29234 @subsubheading Example
29238 -target-file-delete remotefile
29244 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29245 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
29246 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
29248 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
29250 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
29253 @subsubheading Synopsis
29259 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
29261 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29263 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
29265 @subsubheading Example
29275 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
29276 @findex -exec-abort
29278 @subsubheading Synopsis
29284 Kill the inferior running program.
29286 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29288 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
29290 @subsubheading Example
29295 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
29298 @subsubheading Synopsis
29304 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
29305 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
29307 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29309 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
29311 @subsubheading Example
29321 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
29324 @subsubheading Synopsis
29330 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
29332 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29334 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
29336 @subsubheading Example
29345 @c @subheading -gdb-source
29348 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
29349 @findex -gdb-version
29351 @subsubheading Synopsis
29357 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
29359 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29361 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
29362 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
29364 @subsubheading Example
29366 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
29372 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
29373 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
29374 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
29375 ~ certain conditions.
29376 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
29377 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
29379 ~This GDB was configured as
29380 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
29385 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
29386 @findex -list-features
29388 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
29389 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
29390 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
29391 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
29392 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
29395 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
29396 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
29397 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
29403 (gdb) -list-features
29404 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
29407 The current list of features is:
29410 @item frozen-varobjs
29411 Indicates presence of the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
29412 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
29413 of @code{-varobj-create}.
29414 @item pending-breakpoints
29415 Indicates presence of the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert} command.
29417 Indicates presence of Python scripting support, Python-based
29418 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
29419 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
29421 Indicates presence of the @code{-thread-info} command.
29422 @item data-read-memory-bytes
29423 Indicates presense of the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
29424 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
29428 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
29429 @findex -list-target-features
29431 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
29432 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
29433 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
29434 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
29435 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
29436 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
29437 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
29441 (gdb) -list-features
29442 ^done,result=["async"]
29445 The current list of features is:
29449 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
29450 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
29451 while the target is running.
29454 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
29455 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
29459 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
29460 @findex -list-thread-groups
29462 @subheading Synopsis
29465 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
29468 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
29469 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
29470 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
29471 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
29472 top-level thread groups.
29474 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
29475 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
29476 available on the target.
29478 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
29479 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
29480 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
29481 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
29482 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
29483 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
29484 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
29485 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
29487 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
29488 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
29489 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
29490 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
29491 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
29492 @samp{threads} field.
29494 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
29495 the following caveats:
29499 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
29500 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
29501 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
29504 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
29505 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
29506 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
29507 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
29508 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
29509 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
29513 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
29514 have the following fields:
29518 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
29519 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
29520 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
29523 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
29527 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
29528 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
29531 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
29532 absent for an available thread group.
29535 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
29536 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
29537 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
29540 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
29541 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
29542 such information is not available.
29545 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
29546 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
29547 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
29551 @subheading Example
29555 -list-thread-groups
29556 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
29557 -list-thread-groups 17
29558 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
29559 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
29560 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
29561 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
29562 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
29563 -list-thread-groups --available
29564 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
29565 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
29566 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
29567 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
29568 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
29569 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
29570 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
29571 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
29572 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
29576 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
29577 @findex -add-inferior
29579 @subheading Synopsis
29585 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
29586 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
29587 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
29588 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
29589 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
29590 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
29592 @subheading Example
29597 ^done,thread-group="i3"
29600 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
29601 @findex -interpreter-exec
29603 @subheading Synopsis
29606 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
29608 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
29610 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
29612 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
29614 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
29616 @subheading Example
29620 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
29621 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
29622 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
29623 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
29628 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
29629 @findex -inferior-tty-set
29631 @subheading Synopsis
29634 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
29637 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
29639 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
29641 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
29643 @subheading Example
29647 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
29652 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
29653 @findex -inferior-tty-show
29655 @subheading Synopsis
29661 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
29663 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
29665 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
29667 @subheading Example
29671 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
29675 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
29679 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
29680 @findex -enable-timings
29682 @subheading Synopsis
29685 -enable-timings [yes | no]
29688 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
29689 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
29690 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
29691 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
29693 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
29697 @subheading Example
29705 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29706 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
29707 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
29708 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
29716 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
29717 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
29718 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
29719 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
29724 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
29726 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
29727 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
29728 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
29729 relatively high level.
29731 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
29735 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
29739 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
29740 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
29741 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
29742 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
29743 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
29744 * Annotations for Running::
29745 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
29746 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
29749 @node Annotations Overview
29750 @section What is an Annotation?
29751 @cindex annotations
29753 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
29754 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
29755 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
29756 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
29757 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
29758 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
29759 cannot contain newline characters.
29761 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
29762 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
29763 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
29764 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
29765 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
29766 means those three characters as output.
29768 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
29769 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
29770 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
29771 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
29772 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
29773 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
29774 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
29775 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
29776 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
29779 @kindex set annotate
29780 @item set annotate @var{level}
29781 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
29782 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
29784 @item show annotate
29785 @kindex show annotate
29786 Show the current annotation level.
29789 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
29791 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
29794 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
29796 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
29797 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
29798 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
29799 under certain conditions.
29800 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
29801 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
29803 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
29814 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
29815 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
29816 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
29817 output from @value{GDBN}.
29819 @node Server Prefix
29820 @section The Server Prefix
29821 @cindex server prefix
29823 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
29824 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
29825 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
29826 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
29827 a transparent manner.
29829 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
29830 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
29831 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
29832 @code{print} command.
29834 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
29835 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
29838 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
29840 @cindex annotations for prompts
29841 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
29842 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
29845 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
29846 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
29847 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
29848 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
29849 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
29850 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
29851 features the following annotations:
29859 The input types are
29862 @findex pre-prompt annotation
29863 @findex prompt annotation
29864 @findex post-prompt annotation
29866 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
29868 @findex pre-commands annotation
29869 @findex commands annotation
29870 @findex post-commands annotation
29872 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
29873 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
29875 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
29876 @findex overload-choice annotation
29877 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
29878 @item overload-choice
29879 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
29881 @findex pre-query annotation
29882 @findex query annotation
29883 @findex post-query annotation
29885 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
29887 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
29888 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
29889 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
29890 @item prompt-for-continue
29891 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
29892 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
29893 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
29894 presence of annotations.
29899 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
29901 @findex quit annotation
29906 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
29908 @findex error annotation
29913 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
29915 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
29916 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
29917 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
29918 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
29919 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
29920 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
29923 @findex error-begin annotation
29924 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
29930 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
29933 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
29934 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
29935 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
29938 @section Invalidation Notices
29940 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
29941 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
29945 @findex frames-invalid annotation
29946 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
29948 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
29951 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
29952 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
29954 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
29955 deleted a breakpoint.
29958 @node Annotations for Running
29959 @section Running the Program
29960 @cindex annotations for running programs
29962 @findex starting annotation
29963 @findex stopping annotation
29964 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
29965 @code{step} or @code{continue},
29971 is output. When the program stops,
29977 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
29978 annotations describe how the program stopped.
29981 @findex exited annotation
29982 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
29983 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
29984 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
29986 @findex signalled annotation
29987 @findex signal-name annotation
29988 @findex signal-name-end annotation
29989 @findex signal-string annotation
29990 @findex signal-string-end annotation
29991 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
29992 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
29993 annotation continues:
29999 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
30003 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
30008 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
30009 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
30010 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
30011 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
30012 user's benefit and have no particular format.
30014 @findex signal annotation
30016 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
30017 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
30018 terminated with it.
30020 @findex breakpoint annotation
30021 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
30022 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
30024 @findex watchpoint annotation
30025 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
30026 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
30029 @node Source Annotations
30030 @section Displaying Source
30031 @cindex annotations for source display
30033 @findex source annotation
30034 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
30037 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
30040 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
30041 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
30042 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
30043 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
30044 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
30045 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
30046 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
30047 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
30048 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
30049 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
30050 depend on the language).
30052 @node JIT Interface
30053 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
30054 @cindex just-in-time compilation
30055 @cindex JIT compilation interface
30057 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
30058 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
30059 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
30060 performance while maintaining platform independence.
30062 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
30063 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
30064 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
30065 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
30066 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
30067 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
30069 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
30070 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
30071 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
30072 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
30075 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
30076 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
30077 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
30078 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
30079 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
30080 out about additional code.
30083 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
30084 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
30085 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
30089 @section JIT Declarations
30091 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
30092 implement the interface:
30102 struct jit_code_entry
30104 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
30105 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
30106 const char *symfile_addr;
30107 uint64_t symfile_size;
30110 struct jit_descriptor
30113 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
30114 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
30115 uint32_t action_flag;
30116 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
30117 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
30120 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
30121 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
30123 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
30124 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
30125 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
30128 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
30129 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
30130 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
30132 @node Registering Code
30133 @section Registering Code
30135 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
30139 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
30140 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
30143 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
30147 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
30150 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
30153 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
30154 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
30157 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
30158 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
30159 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
30160 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
30162 @node Unregistering Code
30163 @section Unregistering Code
30165 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
30169 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
30172 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
30175 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
30176 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
30179 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
30180 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
30183 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
30184 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
30185 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
30187 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
30189 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
30190 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
30191 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
30192 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
30194 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
30195 information that enables us to fix the bug.
30198 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
30199 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
30203 @section Have You Found a Bug?
30204 @cindex bug criteria
30206 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
30209 @cindex fatal signal
30210 @cindex debugger crash
30211 @cindex crash of debugger
30213 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
30214 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
30216 @cindex error on valid input
30218 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
30219 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
30220 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
30222 @cindex invalid input
30224 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
30225 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
30226 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
30227 for traditional practice''.
30230 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
30231 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
30234 @node Bug Reporting
30235 @section How to Report Bugs
30236 @cindex bug reports
30237 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
30239 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
30240 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
30241 contact that organization first.
30243 You can find contact information for many support companies and
30244 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
30246 @c should add a web page ref...
30249 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
30250 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
30251 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
30252 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
30253 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
30256 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
30257 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
30258 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
30261 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
30262 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
30263 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
30264 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
30265 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
30266 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
30267 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
30268 bug reports to the mailing list.
30270 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
30271 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
30272 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
30276 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
30277 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
30278 fact or leave it out, state it!
30280 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
30281 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
30282 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
30283 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
30284 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
30285 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
30286 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
30287 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
30288 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
30290 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
30291 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
30292 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
30295 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
30296 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
30297 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
30300 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
30304 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
30305 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
30308 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
30309 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
30312 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
30316 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
30317 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
30320 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
30321 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
30322 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
30323 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
30327 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
30328 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
30329 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
30330 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
30332 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
30333 and then we might not encounter the bug.
30336 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
30340 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
30341 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
30343 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
30344 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
30345 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
30346 a chance to make a mistake.
30348 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
30349 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
30350 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
30351 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
30352 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
30353 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
30354 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
30355 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
30358 @cindex recording a session script
30359 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
30360 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
30361 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
30362 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
30364 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
30365 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
30368 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
30369 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
30370 it by context, not by line number.
30372 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
30373 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
30377 Here are some things that are not necessary:
30381 A description of the envelope of the bug.
30383 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
30384 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
30385 changes will not affect it.
30387 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
30388 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
30389 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
30390 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
30392 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
30393 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
30394 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
30395 less time, and so on.
30397 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
30398 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
30401 A patch for the bug.
30403 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
30404 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
30405 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
30406 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
30408 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
30409 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
30410 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
30411 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
30413 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
30414 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
30415 help us to understand.
30418 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
30420 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
30421 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
30424 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
30425 @c and consists of the two following files:
30427 @c inc-hist.texinfo
30428 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
30429 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
30430 @include rluser.texi
30431 @include inc-hist.texinfo
30434 @node Formatting Documentation
30435 @appendix Formatting Documentation
30437 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
30438 @cindex reference card
30439 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
30440 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
30441 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
30442 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
30443 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
30444 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
30446 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
30447 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
30453 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
30454 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
30455 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
30456 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
30457 your @sc{dvi} output program.
30459 @cindex documentation
30461 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
30462 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
30463 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
30464 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
30465 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
30466 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
30468 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
30469 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
30470 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
30471 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
30472 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
30473 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
30474 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
30475 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
30477 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
30478 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
30481 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
30482 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
30483 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
30490 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
30491 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
30492 Texinfo definitions file.
30494 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
30495 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
30496 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
30497 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
30498 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
30499 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
30500 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
30502 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
30503 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
30504 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
30505 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
30506 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
30509 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
30510 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
30511 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
30512 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
30518 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
30520 @node Installing GDB
30521 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
30522 @cindex installation
30525 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
30526 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
30527 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
30528 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
30529 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
30530 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
30534 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
30535 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
30537 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
30538 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
30540 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
30542 @item ISO C90 compiler
30543 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
30544 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
30548 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
30552 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
30553 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
30554 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
30555 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
30556 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
30557 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
30563 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
30565 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
30567 Remote shared library lists (@pxref{Library List Format})
30569 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
30573 @cindex compressed debug sections
30574 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
30575 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
30576 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
30577 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
30578 information in such binaries.
30580 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
30581 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
30582 @url{http://zlib.net}.
30585 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
30586 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
30587 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
30588 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
30590 On systems with @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
30591 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
30592 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
30594 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
30595 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
30596 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
30597 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
30598 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
30599 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
30600 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
30601 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
30604 @node Running Configure
30605 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
30606 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
30607 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
30608 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
30609 build the @code{gdb} program.
30611 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
30612 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
30613 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
30614 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
30617 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
30618 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
30619 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
30621 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
30622 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
30625 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
30626 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
30628 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
30629 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
30631 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
30632 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
30634 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
30635 @sc{gnu} include files
30637 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
30638 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
30640 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
30641 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
30643 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
30644 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
30646 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
30647 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
30649 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
30650 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
30653 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
30654 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
30655 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
30657 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
30658 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
30659 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
30665 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
30666 ./configure @var{host}
30671 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
30672 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
30673 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
30674 correct value by examining your system.)
30676 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
30677 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
30678 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
30679 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
30682 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
30683 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
30684 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
30687 sh configure @var{host}
30690 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
30691 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
30692 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
30694 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
30695 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
30697 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
30698 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
30699 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
30700 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
30701 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
30702 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
30703 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
30704 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
30705 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
30707 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
30708 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
30709 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
30710 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
30711 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
30713 @node Separate Objdir
30714 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
30716 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
30717 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
30718 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
30719 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
30720 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
30721 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
30722 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
30723 program specified there.
30725 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
30726 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
30727 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
30728 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
30729 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
30730 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
30732 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
30733 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
30737 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
30740 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
30745 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
30746 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
30747 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
30748 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
30749 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
30750 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
30752 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
30753 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
30754 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
30755 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
30756 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
30758 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
30759 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
30760 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
30761 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
30762 You specify a cross-debugging target by
30763 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
30765 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
30766 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
30767 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
30769 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
30770 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
30771 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
30772 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
30773 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
30775 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
30776 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
30777 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
30781 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
30783 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
30784 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
30785 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
30786 of information in the following pattern:
30789 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
30792 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
30793 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
30794 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
30796 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
30797 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
30798 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
30799 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
30800 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
30801 abbreviations---for example:
30804 % sh config.sub i386-linux
30806 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
30807 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
30808 % sh config.sub hp9k700
30810 % sh config.sub sun4
30811 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
30812 % sh config.sub sun3
30813 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
30814 % sh config.sub i986v
30815 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
30819 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
30820 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
30822 @node Configure Options
30823 @section @file{configure} Options
30825 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
30826 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
30827 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
30828 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
30831 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
30832 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
30833 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
30834 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
30835 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
30836 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
30841 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
30842 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
30847 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
30849 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
30850 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
30853 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
30854 Configure the source to install programs under directory
30857 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
30859 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
30860 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
30861 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
30862 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
30863 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
30864 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
30865 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
30866 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
30867 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
30868 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
30871 @item --norecursion
30872 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
30873 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
30875 @item --target=@var{target}
30876 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
30877 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
30878 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
30880 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
30882 @item @var{host} @dots{}
30883 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
30885 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
30888 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
30889 needed for special purposes only.
30891 @node System-wide configuration
30892 @section System-wide configuration and settings
30893 @cindex system-wide init file
30895 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
30896 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
30897 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
30899 Here is the corresponding configure option:
30902 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
30903 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
30907 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
30908 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
30912 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
30913 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
30914 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
30915 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
30916 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
30917 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
30920 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
30921 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
30922 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
30923 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
30924 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
30927 @node Maintenance Commands
30928 @appendix Maintenance Commands
30929 @cindex maintenance commands
30930 @cindex internal commands
30932 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
30933 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
30934 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
30935 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
30936 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
30939 @kindex maint agent
30940 @kindex maint agent-eval
30941 @item maint agent @var{expression}
30942 @itemx maint agent-eval @var{expression}
30943 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
30944 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
30945 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
30946 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
30947 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
30948 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
30949 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
30950 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
30951 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
30952 addition and return the sum.
30954 @kindex maint info breakpoints
30955 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
30956 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
30957 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
30958 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
30959 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
30964 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
30967 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
30970 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
30971 @code{longjmp} calls.
30973 @item longjmp resume
30974 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
30977 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
30980 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
30983 Shared library events.
30987 @kindex set displaced-stepping
30988 @kindex show displaced-stepping
30989 @cindex displaced stepping support
30990 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
30991 @item set displaced-stepping
30992 @itemx show displaced-stepping
30993 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
30994 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
30995 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
30996 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
30997 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
31000 @item set displaced-stepping on
31001 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
31002 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
31004 @item set displaced-stepping off
31005 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
31006 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
31008 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
31009 @item set displaced-stepping auto
31010 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
31011 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
31012 architecture supports displaced stepping.
31015 @kindex maint check-symtabs
31016 @item maint check-symtabs
31017 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
31019 @kindex maint cplus first_component
31020 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
31021 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
31023 @kindex maint cplus namespace
31024 @item maint cplus namespace
31025 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
31027 @kindex maint demangle
31028 @item maint demangle @var{name}
31029 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
31031 @kindex maint deprecate
31032 @kindex maint undeprecate
31033 @cindex deprecated commands
31034 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
31035 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
31036 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
31037 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
31038 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
31039 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
31040 the replacement as part of the warning.
31042 @kindex maint dump-me
31043 @item maint dump-me
31044 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
31045 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
31046 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
31047 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
31049 @kindex maint internal-error
31050 @kindex maint internal-warning
31051 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
31052 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
31053 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
31054 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
31055 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
31056 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
31057 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
31058 @value{GDBN} session.
31060 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
31061 used as the text of the error or warning message.
31063 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
31066 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
31067 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
31068 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
31069 debugging may prove unreliable.
31070 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
31071 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
31075 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
31076 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
31078 @kindex maint set internal-error
31079 @kindex maint show internal-error
31080 @kindex maint set internal-warning
31081 @kindex maint show internal-warning
31082 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
31083 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
31084 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
31085 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
31086 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
31087 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
31088 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
31089 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
31090 described in the table below.
31094 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
31095 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
31098 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
31099 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
31102 @kindex maint packet
31103 @item maint packet @var{text}
31104 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
31105 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
31106 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
31107 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
31110 @kindex maint print architecture
31111 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31112 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
31113 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
31115 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
31116 @item maint print c-tdesc
31117 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
31118 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
31119 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
31121 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
31122 @item maint print dummy-frames
31123 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
31126 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
31128 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
31129 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
31131 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
31133 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
31134 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
31135 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
31136 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
31140 Takes an optional file parameter.
31142 @kindex maint print registers
31143 @kindex maint print raw-registers
31144 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
31145 @kindex maint print register-groups
31146 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31147 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31148 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31149 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31150 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
31152 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
31153 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print cooked-registers}
31154 includes the (cooked) value of all registers, including registers which
31155 aren't available on the target nor visible to user; and the
31156 command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the groups that each
31157 register is a member of. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
31158 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
31160 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
31161 write the information.
31163 @kindex maint print reggroups
31164 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31165 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
31166 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
31169 The register groups info looks like this:
31172 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
31185 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
31187 @kindex maint print objfiles
31188 @cindex info for known object files
31189 @item maint print objfiles
31190 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
31191 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
31194 @kindex maint print section-scripts
31195 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
31196 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
31197 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
31198 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
31199 matching @var{regexp}.
31200 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
31201 and the full path if known.
31202 @xref{.debug_gdb_scripts section}.
31204 @kindex maint print statistics
31205 @cindex bcache statistics
31206 @item maint print statistics
31207 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
31208 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
31209 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
31210 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
31211 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
31212 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
31213 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
31214 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
31215 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
31216 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
31219 @kindex maint print target-stack
31220 @cindex target stack description
31221 @item maint print target-stack
31222 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
31223 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
31224 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
31225 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
31226 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
31229 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
31230 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
31232 @kindex maint print type
31233 @cindex type chain of a data type
31234 @item maint print type @var{expr}
31235 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
31236 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
31237 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
31238 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
31239 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
31241 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
31242 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
31243 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
31244 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
31245 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
31248 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
31249 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
31250 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
31251 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
31252 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
31253 always see the disassembly form.
31255 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
31258 (gdb) info addr argc
31259 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
31263 For more information on these expressions, see
31264 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
31266 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
31267 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
31268 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
31269 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
31270 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
31272 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
31273 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
31274 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
31275 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
31276 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
31277 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
31278 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
31279 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
31280 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
31282 @kindex maint set profile
31283 @kindex maint show profile
31284 @cindex profiling GDB
31285 @item maint set profile
31286 @itemx maint show profile
31287 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
31289 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
31290 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
31291 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
31292 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
31293 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
31294 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
31295 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
31297 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
31298 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
31300 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
31301 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
31302 @cindex hardware debug registers
31303 @item maint set show-debug-regs
31304 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
31305 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
31306 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
31307 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
31308 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
31309 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
31311 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
31312 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
31313 @item maint set show-all-tib
31314 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
31315 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
31316 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
31319 @kindex maint space
31320 @cindex memory used by commands
31322 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
31323 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
31324 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
31325 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
31326 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
31329 @cindex time of command execution
31331 Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
31332 set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
31333 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
31334 The time is not printed for the commands that run the target, since
31335 there's no mechanism currently to compute how much time was spend
31336 by @value{GDBN} and how much time was spend by the program been debugged.
31337 it's not possibly currently
31338 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
31339 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
31341 @kindex maint translate-address
31342 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
31343 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
31344 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
31345 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
31346 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
31347 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
31348 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
31350 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
31351 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
31352 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
31356 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
31357 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
31360 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
31361 @kindex set watchdog
31362 @cindex watchdog timer
31363 @cindex timeout for commands
31364 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
31365 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
31366 reports and error and the command is aborted.
31368 @item show watchdog
31369 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
31372 @node Remote Protocol
31373 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
31378 * Stop Reply Packets::
31379 * General Query Packets::
31380 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
31381 * Tracepoint Packets::
31382 * Host I/O Packets::
31384 * Notification Packets::
31385 * Remote Non-Stop::
31386 * Packet Acknowledgment::
31388 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
31389 * Library List Format::
31390 * Memory Map Format::
31391 * Thread List Format::
31397 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
31398 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
31399 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
31400 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
31402 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
31403 transmitted and received data, respectively.
31405 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
31406 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
31407 @cindex remote serial protocol
31408 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
31409 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
31410 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
31411 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
31412 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
31415 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
31419 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
31421 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
31422 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
31423 eight bit unsigned checksum).
31425 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
31426 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
31429 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
31432 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
31434 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
31435 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
31436 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
31438 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
31439 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
31440 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
31444 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
31449 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
31450 once a connection is established.
31451 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
31453 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
31454 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
31455 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
31456 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
31457 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
31458 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
31459 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
31461 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
31462 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
31465 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
31466 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
31467 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
31468 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
31470 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
31471 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
31472 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
31474 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
31475 @anchor{Binary Data}
31476 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
31477 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
31478 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
31479 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
31480 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
31483 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
31484 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
31485 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
31486 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
31487 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
31488 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
31489 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
31490 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
31491 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
31494 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
31495 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
31496 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
31497 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
31498 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
31499 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
31500 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
31501 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
31502 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
31503 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
31504 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
31507 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
31508 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
31509 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
31510 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
31513 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
31514 error number. That number is not well defined.
31516 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
31517 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
31518 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
31519 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
31522 A stub is required to support the @samp{g}, @samp{G}, @samp{m}, @samp{M},
31523 @samp{c}, and @samp{s} @var{command}s. All other @var{command}s are
31529 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
31530 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
31531 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
31532 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
31534 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
31535 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
31536 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
31537 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
31538 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
31539 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
31540 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
31541 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
31542 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
31545 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
31546 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
31547 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
31548 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
31549 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
31550 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
31553 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
31554 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
31555 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
31556 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
31557 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
31558 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
31559 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
31560 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
31561 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
31562 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
31563 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
31564 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
31565 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
31567 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
31568 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
31569 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
31572 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
31573 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
31575 Here are the packet descriptions.
31580 @cindex @samp{!} packet
31581 @anchor{extended mode}
31582 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
31583 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
31589 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
31593 @cindex @samp{?} packet
31594 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
31595 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
31596 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
31599 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31601 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
31602 @cindex @samp{A} packet
31603 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
31604 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
31605 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
31610 The arguments were set.
31616 @cindex @samp{b} packet
31617 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
31618 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
31620 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
31621 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
31622 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
31624 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
31625 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
31626 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
31627 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
31628 of view, nothing actually happened.}
31630 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
31631 @cindex @samp{B} packet
31632 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
31633 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
31635 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
31636 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
31638 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
31641 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
31642 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
31645 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31647 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
31650 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
31651 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
31654 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31656 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
31657 @cindex @samp{c} packet
31658 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
31659 resume at current address.
31662 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31664 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
31665 @cindex @samp{C} packet
31666 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
31667 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
31670 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31673 @cindex @samp{d} packet
31676 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
31677 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
31681 @cindex @samp{D} packet
31682 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
31683 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
31684 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
31686 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
31687 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
31688 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
31689 big-endian hex string.
31699 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
31700 @cindex @samp{F} packet
31701 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
31702 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
31703 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
31706 @anchor{read registers packet}
31707 @cindex @samp{g} packet
31708 Read general registers.
31712 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
31713 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
31714 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
31715 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
31716 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
31717 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
31718 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
31723 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
31724 @cindex @samp{G} packet
31725 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
31726 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
31736 @item H @var{c} @var{thread-id}
31737 @cindex @samp{H} packet
31738 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
31739 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} depends on the operation to be performed: it
31740 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations, @samp{g} for other
31741 operations. The thread designator @var{thread-id} has the format and
31742 interpretation described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
31753 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
31754 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
31755 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
31756 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
31757 @c described. For example:
31759 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
31760 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
31761 @c otherwise returns current registers.
31763 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
31764 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
31765 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
31767 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
31768 @anchor{cycle step packet}
31769 @cindex @samp{i} packet
31770 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
31771 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
31772 step starting at that address.
31775 @cindex @samp{I} packet
31776 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
31780 @cindex @samp{k} packet
31783 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
31784 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
31787 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
31788 @cindex @samp{m} packet
31789 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
31790 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
31792 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
31793 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
31794 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
31795 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
31796 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
31797 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
31798 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
31799 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
31803 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
31804 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
31805 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
31806 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
31811 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
31812 @cindex @samp{M} packet
31813 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
31814 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
31815 hexadecimal number.
31822 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
31827 @cindex @samp{p} packet
31828 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
31829 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
31830 register value is encoded.
31834 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
31835 the register's value
31839 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
31842 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
31843 @anchor{write register packet}
31844 @cindex @samp{P} packet
31845 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
31846 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
31847 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
31857 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
31858 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
31859 @cindex @samp{q} packet
31860 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
31861 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
31862 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
31865 @cindex @samp{r} packet
31866 Reset the entire system.
31868 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
31871 @cindex @samp{R} packet
31872 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
31873 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
31875 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
31877 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
31878 @cindex @samp{s} packet
31879 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
31880 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
31883 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31885 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
31886 @anchor{step with signal packet}
31887 @cindex @samp{S} packet
31888 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
31889 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
31892 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31894 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
31895 @cindex @samp{t} packet
31896 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
31897 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
31898 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
31900 @item T @var{thread-id}
31901 @cindex @samp{T} packet
31902 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
31907 thread is still alive
31913 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
31914 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
31916 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
31917 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
31918 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
31919 The process ID is a
31920 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
31921 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
31922 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
31924 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
31925 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
31926 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
31927 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
31928 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
31929 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
31930 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
31931 @c stopping or restarting threads.
31933 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
31939 @item @r{Any stop packet}
31940 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
31942 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
31945 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
31946 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
31947 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
31948 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
31949 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
31950 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
31951 in their current state in non-stop mode.
31952 Specifying multiple
31953 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
31954 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
31956 Currently supported actions are:
31962 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
31966 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
31971 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
31972 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
31973 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
31975 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
31976 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
31977 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
31978 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
31979 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
31980 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
31981 as an implementation detail.
31984 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31987 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
31988 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
31992 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
31993 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
31994 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
31996 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
31999 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
32000 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
32001 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
32002 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
32004 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
32005 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
32006 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
32007 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
32008 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
32009 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
32010 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
32011 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
32012 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
32013 packet is received.
32015 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
32016 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
32017 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
32018 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
32029 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
32030 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
32031 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
32032 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
32033 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
32034 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
32035 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
32036 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
32037 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
32038 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
32039 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
32040 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
32048 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
32054 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
32055 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
32056 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
32057 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
32058 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
32059 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
32060 request is completed.
32062 @item vKill;@var{pid}
32063 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
32064 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
32065 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
32066 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
32067 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
32077 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
32078 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
32079 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
32080 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
32081 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
32082 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
32085 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
32087 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
32093 @item @r{Any stop packet}
32094 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
32098 @anchor{vStopped packet}
32099 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
32101 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
32102 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
32106 @item @r{Any stop packet}
32107 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
32109 if there are no unreported stop events
32112 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
32114 @cindex @samp{X} packet
32115 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
32116 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
32117 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
32127 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
32128 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
32129 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
32130 @cindex @samp{z} packet
32131 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
32132 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
32133 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
32135 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
32138 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
32139 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
32140 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
32141 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
32142 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
32143 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
32145 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32146 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32147 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
32148 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
32149 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
32150 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
32152 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
32153 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
32154 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
32155 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
32156 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
32157 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
32158 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
32160 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
32161 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
32162 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
32163 target, is not defined.}
32175 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32176 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32177 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
32178 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
32179 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
32180 address @var{addr}.
32182 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
32183 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
32184 has the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
32186 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
32199 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32200 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32201 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
32202 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
32203 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
32204 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
32216 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32217 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32218 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
32219 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
32220 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
32221 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
32233 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32234 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32235 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
32236 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
32237 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
32238 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
32252 @node Stop Reply Packets
32253 @section Stop Reply Packets
32254 @cindex stop reply packets
32256 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
32257 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
32258 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
32259 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
32260 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
32261 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
32262 @value{GDBN} source code.
32264 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
32265 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
32266 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
32272 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
32273 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
32274 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
32276 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
32277 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
32278 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
32279 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
32280 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
32281 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
32282 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
32283 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
32287 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
32288 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
32289 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
32290 two-digit hex number.
32293 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
32294 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
32297 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
32298 the core on which the stop event was detected.
32301 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
32302 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
32303 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
32304 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
32307 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
32308 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
32312 The currently defined stop reasons are:
32318 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
32321 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
32323 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
32324 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
32325 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
32327 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
32329 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
32330 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
32331 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
32332 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
32333 for more information.
32337 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
32338 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
32339 applicable to certain targets.
32341 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
32342 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
32343 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
32344 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
32347 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
32348 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
32350 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
32351 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
32352 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
32353 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
32355 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
32356 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
32357 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
32358 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
32359 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
32361 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
32362 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
32363 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
32364 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
32365 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
32368 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
32369 this very system call.
32371 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
32372 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
32373 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
32374 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
32375 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
32376 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
32380 @node General Query Packets
32381 @section General Query Packets
32382 @cindex remote query requests
32384 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
32385 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
32386 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
32387 sending information to and from the stub.
32389 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
32390 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
32391 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
32392 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
32397 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
32399 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
32402 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
32403 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
32404 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
32405 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
32408 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
32409 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
32410 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
32411 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
32412 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
32413 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
32414 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
32415 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
32416 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
32417 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
32420 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
32421 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
32422 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
32423 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
32424 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
32426 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
32430 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
32431 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
32432 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
32433 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
32434 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
32435 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
32436 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
32437 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
32438 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
32439 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
32440 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
32443 @cindex current thread, remote request
32444 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
32445 Return the current thread ID.
32449 @item QC @var{thread-id}
32450 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
32451 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
32452 @item @r{(anything else)}
32453 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
32456 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
32457 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
32458 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
32459 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
32460 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
32461 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
32462 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
32464 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
32465 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
32466 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
32467 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
32468 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
32469 detect trailing zeros.
32474 An error (such as memory fault)
32475 @item C @var{crc32}
32476 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
32480 @itemx qsThreadInfo
32481 @cindex list active threads, remote request
32482 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
32483 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
32484 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
32485 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
32486 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
32487 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
32488 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
32489 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
32491 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
32495 @item m @var{thread-id}
32497 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
32498 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
32500 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
32503 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
32504 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
32505 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
32506 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
32507 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
32508 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
32511 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
32512 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
32513 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
32514 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
32515 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
32517 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
32518 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
32520 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
32521 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
32522 information associated with the variable.)
32524 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
32525 the load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
32526 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
32527 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
32528 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
32529 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
32533 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
32534 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
32535 local storage requested.
32538 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
32541 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
32544 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
32545 @cindex get thread information block address
32546 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
32547 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
32549 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
32553 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
32554 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
32555 thread information block.
32558 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
32559 address could not be retrieved.
32562 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
32565 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
32566 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
32567 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
32568 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
32569 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
32570 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
32571 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
32573 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
32577 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
32578 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
32579 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
32580 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
32581 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
32582 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
32583 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
32587 @cindex section offsets, remote request
32588 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
32589 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
32594 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
32595 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
32596 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
32597 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
32598 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
32599 segments by the supplied offsets.
32601 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
32602 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
32603 to the @code{Bss} section.}
32605 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
32606 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
32607 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
32608 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
32609 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
32610 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
32611 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
32612 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
32613 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
32616 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
32617 @cindex thread information, remote request
32618 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
32619 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
32620 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
32621 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
32623 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
32626 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
32630 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
32631 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
32633 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
32634 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
32639 The request succeeded.
32642 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
32645 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
32649 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32650 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
32651 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
32652 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
32654 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
32655 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
32656 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
32657 @anchor{QPassSignals}
32658 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
32659 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
32660 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
32661 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
32662 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
32663 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
32664 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
32665 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
32666 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
32671 The request succeeded.
32674 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
32677 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
32681 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
32682 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
32683 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32684 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
32686 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
32687 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
32688 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
32689 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
32690 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
32691 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
32692 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
32693 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
32694 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
32699 A command response with no output.
32701 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
32703 Indicate a badly formed request.
32705 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
32708 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
32709 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
32710 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
32713 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
32714 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
32715 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
32716 @anchor{qSearch memory}
32717 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
32718 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
32719 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
32724 The pattern was not found.
32726 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
32728 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
32730 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
32733 @item QStartNoAckMode
32734 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
32735 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
32736 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
32737 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
32742 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
32743 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
32744 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
32745 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
32747 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
32750 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
32751 @cindex supported packets, remote query
32752 @cindex features of the remote protocol
32753 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
32754 @anchor{qSupported}
32755 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
32756 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
32757 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
32758 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
32759 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
32760 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
32761 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
32762 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
32763 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
32764 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
32765 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
32766 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
32767 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
32768 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
32772 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
32773 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
32774 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
32777 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
32778 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
32781 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
32782 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
32786 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
32787 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
32788 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
32789 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
32791 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
32792 need an associated value.
32794 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
32796 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
32797 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
32798 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
32799 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
32802 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
32803 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
32804 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
32805 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
32806 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
32808 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
32813 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
32814 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
32815 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
32816 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
32817 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
32820 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
32821 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
32822 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
32826 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
32827 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
32828 instruction reply packet}).
32831 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
32832 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
32833 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
32834 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
32835 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
32836 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
32837 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
32838 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
32839 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
32840 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
32841 all the features it supports.
32843 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
32844 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
32846 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
32847 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
32848 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
32851 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
32852 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
32853 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
32854 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
32856 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
32857 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
32858 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
32859 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
32860 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
32862 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
32864 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
32865 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
32866 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
32868 @tab Value Required
32872 @item @samp{PacketSize}
32877 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
32882 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
32887 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
32892 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
32897 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
32902 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
32907 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
32912 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
32917 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
32922 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
32928 @item @samp{QNonStop}
32933 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
32938 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
32943 @item @samp{multiprocess}
32948 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
32953 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
32958 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
32963 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
32968 @item @samp{QAllow}
32975 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
32978 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
32979 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
32980 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
32981 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
32982 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
32983 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
32984 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
32985 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
32986 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
32987 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
32989 @item qXfer:auxv:read
32990 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
32991 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
32993 @item qXfer:features:read
32994 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
32995 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
32997 @item qXfer:libraries:read
32998 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
32999 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
33001 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
33002 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
33003 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
33005 @item qXfer:sdata:read
33006 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
33007 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
33009 @item qXfer:spu:read
33010 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
33011 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
33013 @item qXfer:spu:write
33014 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
33015 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
33017 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
33018 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
33019 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
33021 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
33022 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
33023 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
33025 @item qXfer:threads:read
33026 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
33027 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
33030 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
33031 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
33034 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
33035 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
33037 @item QStartNoAckMode
33038 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
33039 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
33042 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
33043 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
33044 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
33045 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
33046 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
33047 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
33048 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
33049 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
33050 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
33051 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
33052 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
33054 @item qXfer:osdata:read
33055 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
33056 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
33058 @item ConditionalTracepoints
33059 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
33060 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
33062 @item ReverseContinue
33063 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
33067 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
33070 @item TracepointSource
33071 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
33072 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
33075 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
33077 @item StaticTracepoint
33078 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
33079 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
33084 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
33085 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
33086 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
33087 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
33092 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
33093 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
33094 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
33095 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
33096 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
33100 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
33101 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
33103 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
33104 target has previously requested.
33106 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
33107 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
33113 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
33114 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
33115 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
33116 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
33117 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
33122 @item QTDisconnected
33129 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
33131 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
33132 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
33133 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
33134 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
33135 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
33136 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
33137 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
33138 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
33139 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
33140 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
33141 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
33145 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
33146 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
33147 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
33148 the thread's attributes.
33151 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
33152 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
33153 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
33168 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
33170 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33171 @cindex read special object, remote request
33172 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
33173 @anchor{qXfer read}
33174 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
33175 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
33176 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
33177 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
33178 additional details about what data to access.
33180 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
33181 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
33182 formats, listed below.
33185 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33186 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
33187 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
33188 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
33190 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33191 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33193 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33194 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
33195 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
33196 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
33197 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
33199 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33200 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33202 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33203 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
33204 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
33205 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
33206 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33208 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
33209 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
33210 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
33212 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33213 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33215 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33216 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
33217 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
33218 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
33219 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33221 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33222 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33224 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33225 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
33227 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
33228 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
33229 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
33232 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33233 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
33234 (@pxref{qSupported}).
33236 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33237 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
33238 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
33239 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
33240 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33242 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33243 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
33244 (@pxref{qSupported}).
33246 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33247 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
33248 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
33249 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
33250 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
33251 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
33252 in that context to be accessed.
33254 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33255 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
33256 (@pxref{qSupported}).
33258 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33259 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
33260 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
33261 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
33262 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33264 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33265 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33267 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33268 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
33269 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
33270 @xref{Operating System Information}.
33277 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
33278 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
33279 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
33280 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
33281 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
33285 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
33286 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
33287 than the @var{length} in the request.
33290 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
33291 There is no more data to be read.
33294 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
33297 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
33298 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
33301 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
33302 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
33305 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
33306 @cindex write data into object, remote request
33307 @anchor{qXfer write}
33308 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
33309 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
33310 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
33311 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
33312 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
33315 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
33316 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
33317 formats, listed below.
33320 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
33321 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
33322 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
33323 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
33324 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
33326 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33327 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
33328 (@pxref{qSupported}).
33330 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
33331 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
33332 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
33333 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
33334 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
33335 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
33336 in that context to be accessed.
33338 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33339 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33345 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
33346 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
33349 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
33352 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
33353 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
33356 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
33357 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
33360 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
33361 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
33362 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
33363 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
33364 must respond with an empty packet.
33366 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
33367 @cindex query attached, remote request
33368 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
33369 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
33370 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
33371 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
33372 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
33373 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
33374 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
33376 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
33377 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
33378 the @code{quit} command.
33383 The remote server attached to an existing process.
33385 The remote server created a new process.
33387 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
33392 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
33393 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
33395 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
33396 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
33397 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
33401 @subsubsection Breakpoint Kinds
33403 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
33408 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
33411 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
33414 32-bit ARM mode breakpoint.
33420 @subsubsection Register Packet Format
33422 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
33423 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
33424 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
33425 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
33426 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
33427 most-significant - least-significant.
33433 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
33434 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
33435 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
33439 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
33440 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
33445 @node Tracepoint Packets
33446 @section Tracepoint Packets
33447 @cindex tracepoint packets
33448 @cindex packets, tracepoint
33450 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
33451 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
33455 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
33456 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
33457 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
33458 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
33459 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
33460 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
33461 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
33462 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
33463 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
33464 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
33465 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
33466 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
33472 The packet was understood and carried out.
33474 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
33476 The packet was not recognized.
33479 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
33480 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
33481 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
33482 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
33483 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
33484 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
33485 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
33487 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
33488 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
33489 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
33490 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
33491 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
33492 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
33493 tracepoint actions.
33495 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
33496 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
33502 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
33503 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
33504 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
33505 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
33506 not fit in a 32-bit word.
33508 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
33509 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
33510 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
33511 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
33512 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
33513 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
33514 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
33516 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
33517 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
33518 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
33519 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
33520 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
33521 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
33526 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
33527 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
33528 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
33529 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
33530 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
33531 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
33532 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
33533 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
33538 The packet was understood and carried out.
33540 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
33542 The packet was not recognized.
33545 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
33546 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
33547 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
33548 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
33549 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
33550 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
33551 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
33552 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
33554 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
33555 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
33556 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
33557 fit in a single packet.
33558 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
33559 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
33561 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
33562 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
33563 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
33564 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
33566 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
33567 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
33570 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
33571 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
33572 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
33573 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
33574 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
33575 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
33576 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
33579 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
33580 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
33581 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
33582 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
33583 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
33584 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
33585 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
33586 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
33587 mentioned in expressions.
33589 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
33590 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
33591 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
33592 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
33594 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
33595 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
33596 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
33597 one of the following forms:
33601 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
33602 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
33603 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
33606 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
33607 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
33611 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
33612 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
33613 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
33614 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
33616 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
33617 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
33618 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
33619 is a hexadecimal number.
33621 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
33622 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
33623 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
33624 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
33627 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
33628 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
33629 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
33632 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
33633 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
33634 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
33635 instruction reply packet}).
33638 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
33641 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
33643 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
33644 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
33645 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
33646 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
33648 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
33649 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
33650 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
33651 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
33653 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
33654 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
33655 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
33656 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
33657 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
33660 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
33662 The reply has the form:
33666 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
33667 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
33668 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
33669 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
33673 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
33674 explanations as one of the optional fields:
33679 No trace has been run yet.
33682 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command.
33685 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
33687 @item tdisconnected:0
33688 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
33690 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
33691 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
33693 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
33694 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
33695 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
33696 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
33697 @var{text} is hex encoded.
33700 The trace stopped for some other reason.
33704 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
33705 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
33706 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
33707 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
33712 @item tframes:@var{n}
33713 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
33715 @item tcreated:@var{n}
33716 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
33717 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
33719 @item tsize:@var{n}
33720 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
33722 @item tfree:@var{n}
33723 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
33725 @item circular:@var{n}
33726 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
33727 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
33728 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
33731 @item disconn:@var{n}
33732 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
33733 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
33734 that the trace run will stop.
33738 @item qTV:@var{var}
33739 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
33740 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
33741 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
33746 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
33747 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
33748 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
33749 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
33750 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
33751 program is running.
33754 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
33755 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
33761 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
33762 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
33763 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
33764 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
33765 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
33769 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
33770 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
33771 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
33772 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
33773 trace state variables.
33777 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
33778 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
33779 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
33780 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
33784 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
33786 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
33787 a comma-separated list of markers
33789 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
33791 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
33793 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
33797 @var{address} is encoded in hex.
33798 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
33800 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
33801 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
33802 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
33803 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
33806 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
33807 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
33808 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
33809 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
33810 tracepoint markers.
33812 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
33813 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
33814 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
33815 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
33816 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
33818 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
33819 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
33820 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
33821 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
33822 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
33823 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
33824 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
33827 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
33828 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
33829 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
33833 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
33834 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
33835 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
33836 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
33837 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
33838 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
33839 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
33840 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
33841 it had executed in the original location.
33843 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
33844 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
33845 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
33846 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
33847 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
33848 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
33849 format of the request is:
33852 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
33854 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
33855 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
33856 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
33857 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
33858 memory starting at @var{to}.
33863 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
33864 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
33865 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
33867 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
33868 relocating the instruction.
33871 @node Host I/O Packets
33872 @section Host I/O Packets
33873 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
33874 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
33876 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
33877 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
33878 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
33879 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
33880 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
33881 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
33882 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
33883 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
33884 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
33885 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
33887 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
33888 its arguments. They have this format:
33892 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
33893 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
33894 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
33895 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
33896 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
33897 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
33898 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
33899 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
33900 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
33904 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
33908 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
33909 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
33910 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
33911 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
33912 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
33913 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
33914 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
33915 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
33916 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
33920 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
33924 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
33927 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
33928 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
33929 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
33930 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
33931 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
33932 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
33933 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
33935 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
33936 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
33937 -1 if an error occurs.
33939 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
33940 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
33941 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
33942 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
33943 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
33944 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
33945 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
33946 @var{count} was zero.
33948 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
33949 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
33950 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
33951 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
33952 some characters were escaped.
33954 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
33955 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
33956 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
33957 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
33958 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
33959 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
33960 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
33963 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
33964 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
33965 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
33970 @section Interrupts
33971 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
33973 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
33974 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
33975 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
33976 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
33978 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
33979 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
33980 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
33981 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
33982 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
33984 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
33985 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
33986 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
33987 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
33988 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
33989 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
33990 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
33991 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
33993 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
33994 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
33995 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
33997 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
33998 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
33999 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
34000 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
34001 currently-executing threads and processes.
34002 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
34003 running program, it should send one of the stop
34004 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
34005 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
34006 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
34007 Interrupts received while the
34008 program is stopped are discarded.
34010 @node Notification Packets
34011 @section Notification Packets
34012 @cindex notification packets
34013 @cindex packets, notification
34015 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
34016 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
34017 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
34018 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
34019 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
34020 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
34023 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
34024 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
34025 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
34026 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
34027 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
34028 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
34029 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
34031 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
34032 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
34034 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
34035 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
34036 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
34037 not they understand it.
34039 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
34040 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
34041 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
34042 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
34045 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
34046 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
34047 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
34048 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
34049 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
34051 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
34055 @item Stop: @var{reply}
34056 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
34057 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
34058 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
34059 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
34063 @node Remote Non-Stop
34064 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
34066 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
34067 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
34068 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
34069 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34071 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
34072 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
34073 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
34074 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
34075 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
34076 probe the target state after a mode change.
34078 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
34079 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
34080 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
34081 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
34082 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
34083 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
34084 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
34085 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
34086 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
34087 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
34088 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
34090 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
34091 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
34092 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
34093 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
34094 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
34095 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
34096 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
34097 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
34098 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
34099 sending any queued stop events.
34101 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
34102 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
34103 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
34104 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
34105 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
34106 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
34107 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
34109 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
34110 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
34111 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
34112 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
34113 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
34116 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
34117 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
34118 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
34119 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
34120 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
34121 should process normally.
34123 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
34124 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
34125 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
34126 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
34127 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
34129 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
34130 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
34131 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
34132 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
34133 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
34134 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
34135 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
34136 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
34137 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
34138 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
34139 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
34142 @node Packet Acknowledgment
34143 @section Packet Acknowledgment
34145 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
34146 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
34147 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
34148 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
34149 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
34150 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
34151 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
34153 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
34154 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
34155 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
34156 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
34157 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
34159 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
34160 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
34161 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
34162 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
34164 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
34165 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
34166 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
34167 @pxref{qSupported}.
34168 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
34169 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
34170 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
34171 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
34172 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
34173 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
34174 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
34176 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
34177 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
34178 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
34180 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
34181 new connection is established,
34182 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
34183 for the current connection, once disabled.
34188 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
34189 does not get any direct output:
34194 @emph{target restarts}
34197 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
34201 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
34204 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
34209 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
34213 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
34217 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
34218 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
34219 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
34222 * File-I/O Overview::
34223 * Protocol Basics::
34224 * The F Request Packet::
34225 * The F Reply Packet::
34226 * The Ctrl-C Message::
34228 * List of Supported Calls::
34229 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
34231 * File-I/O Examples::
34234 @node File-I/O Overview
34235 @subsection File-I/O Overview
34236 @cindex file-i/o overview
34238 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
34239 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
34240 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
34241 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
34242 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
34243 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
34245 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
34246 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
34247 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
34248 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
34249 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
34251 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
34252 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
34253 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
34254 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
34255 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
34256 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
34257 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
34259 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
34260 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
34261 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
34262 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
34263 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
34266 (@value{GDBP}) continue
34267 <- target requests 'system call X'
34268 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
34269 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
34270 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
34271 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
34274 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
34275 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
34276 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
34277 system are not supported by this protocol.
34279 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
34281 @node Protocol Basics
34282 @subsection Protocol Basics
34283 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
34285 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
34286 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
34287 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
34288 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
34289 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
34290 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
34291 to call the appropriate host system call:
34295 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
34298 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
34299 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
34300 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
34301 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
34305 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
34309 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
34310 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
34311 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
34312 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
34316 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
34317 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
34320 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
34323 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
34326 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
34327 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
34328 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
34329 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
34334 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
34335 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
34342 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
34349 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
34350 the latest continue or step action.
34352 @node The F Request Packet
34353 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
34354 @cindex file-i/o request packet
34355 @cindex @code{F} request packet
34357 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
34360 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
34362 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
34363 This is just the name of the function.
34365 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
34366 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
34367 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
34368 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
34369 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
34370 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
34371 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
34377 @node The F Reply Packet
34378 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
34379 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
34380 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
34382 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
34386 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
34388 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
34390 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
34392 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
34394 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
34395 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
34396 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
34403 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
34410 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
34415 @node The Ctrl-C Message
34416 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
34417 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
34419 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
34420 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
34421 the target should behave as if it had
34422 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
34423 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
34424 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
34427 It's important for the target to know in which
34428 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
34432 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
34435 The system call on the host has been finished.
34439 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
34440 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
34441 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
34442 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
34443 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
34444 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
34446 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
34447 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
34448 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
34449 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
34450 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
34451 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
34452 or the full action has been completed.
34455 @subsection Console I/O
34456 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
34458 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
34459 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
34460 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
34461 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
34462 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
34463 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
34468 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
34470 system call is treated as finished.
34473 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
34477 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
34478 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
34482 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
34483 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
34484 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
34485 is stopped at the user's request.
34488 @node List of Supported Calls
34489 @subsection List of Supported Calls
34490 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
34507 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
34508 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
34513 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
34514 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
34518 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
34521 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
34525 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
34526 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
34530 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
34531 an error and open() fails.
34534 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
34535 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
34536 truncated to zero length.
34539 The file is opened in append mode.
34542 The file is opened for reading only.
34545 The file is opened for writing only.
34548 The file is opened for reading and writing.
34552 Other bits are silently ignored.
34556 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
34560 User has read permission.
34563 User has write permission.
34566 Group has read permission.
34569 Group has write permission.
34572 Others have read permission.
34575 Others have write permission.
34579 Other bits are silently ignored.
34582 @item Return value:
34583 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
34590 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
34593 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
34596 The requested access is not allowed.
34599 @var{pathname} was too long.
34602 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
34605 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
34608 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
34609 write access was requested.
34612 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
34615 No space on device to create the file.
34618 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
34621 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
34625 The call was interrupted by the user.
34631 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
34632 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
34641 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
34643 @item Return value:
34644 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
34650 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
34653 The call was interrupted by the user.
34659 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
34660 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
34665 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
34669 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
34671 @item Return value:
34672 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
34673 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
34674 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
34680 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
34684 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
34687 The call was interrupted by the user.
34693 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
34694 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
34699 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
34703 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
34705 @item Return value:
34706 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
34707 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
34714 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
34718 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
34721 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
34722 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
34725 No space on device to write the data.
34728 The call was interrupted by the user.
34734 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
34735 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
34740 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
34744 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
34746 @var{flag} is one of:
34750 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
34753 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
34757 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
34761 @item Return value:
34762 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
34763 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
34764 value of -1 is returned.
34770 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
34773 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
34776 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
34779 The call was interrupted by the user.
34785 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
34786 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
34791 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
34795 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
34797 @item Return value:
34798 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
34804 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
34808 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
34811 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
34815 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
34819 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
34820 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
34821 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
34824 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
34827 No access to the file or the path of the file.
34831 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
34834 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
34837 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
34840 The device containing the file has no room for the new
34844 The call was interrupted by the user.
34850 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
34851 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
34856 int unlink(const char *pathname);
34860 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
34862 @item Return value:
34863 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
34869 No access to the file or the path of the file.
34872 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
34875 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
34876 being used by another process.
34879 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
34882 @var{pathname} was too long.
34885 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
34888 A component of the path is not a directory.
34891 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
34894 The call was interrupted by the user.
34900 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
34901 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
34902 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
34907 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
34908 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
34912 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
34913 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
34915 @item Return value:
34916 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
34922 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
34925 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
34926 path is an empty string.
34929 A component of the path is not a directory.
34932 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
34935 No access to the file or the path of the file.
34938 @var{pathname} was too long.
34941 The call was interrupted by the user.
34947 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
34948 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
34953 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
34957 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
34959 @item Return value:
34960 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
34966 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
34969 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
34975 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
34976 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
34981 int isatty(int fd);
34985 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
34987 @item Return value:
34988 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
34994 The call was interrupted by the user.
34999 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
35000 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
35001 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
35002 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
35007 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
35008 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
35013 int system(const char *command);
35017 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
35019 @item Return value:
35020 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
35021 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
35022 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
35023 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
35024 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
35025 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
35026 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
35032 The call was interrupted by the user.
35037 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
35038 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
35039 the host is simplified before it's returned
35040 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
35041 is discarded, and the return value consists
35042 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
35044 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
35045 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
35046 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
35049 @item set remote system-call-allowed
35050 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
35051 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
35052 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
35054 @item show remote system-call-allowed
35055 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
35056 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
35060 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
35061 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
35062 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
35065 * Integral Datatypes::
35067 * Memory Transfer::
35072 @node Integral Datatypes
35073 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
35074 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
35076 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
35077 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
35078 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
35080 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
35081 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
35083 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
35085 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
35086 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
35088 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
35090 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
35091 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
35094 @node Pointer Values
35095 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
35096 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
35098 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
35099 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
35100 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
35101 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
35108 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
35109 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
35110 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
35111 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
35117 @node Memory Transfer
35118 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
35119 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
35121 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
35122 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
35123 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
35124 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
35125 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
35126 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
35127 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
35131 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
35132 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
35134 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
35135 is defined as follows:
35139 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
35140 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
35141 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
35142 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
35143 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
35144 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
35145 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
35146 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
35147 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
35148 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
35149 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
35150 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
35151 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
35155 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
35156 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
35157 structure is of size 64 bytes.
35159 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
35165 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
35168 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
35171 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
35172 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
35177 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
35182 These values have a host and file system dependent
35183 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
35184 support exact timing values.
35187 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
35188 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
35191 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
35192 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
35193 get truncated on the target.
35195 @node struct timeval
35196 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
35197 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
35199 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
35200 is defined as follows:
35204 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
35205 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
35209 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
35210 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
35211 structure is of size 8 bytes.
35214 @subsection Constants
35215 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
35217 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
35218 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
35219 values before and after the call as needed.
35230 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
35231 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
35233 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
35245 @node mode_t Values
35246 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
35247 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
35249 All values are given in octal representation.
35266 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
35267 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
35269 All values are given in decimal representation.
35294 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
35295 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
35298 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
35299 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
35308 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
35309 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
35311 All values are given in decimal representation.
35314 INT_MIN -2147483648
35316 UINT_MAX 4294967295
35317 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
35318 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
35319 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
35322 @node File-I/O Examples
35323 @subsection File-I/O Examples
35324 @cindex file-i/o examples
35326 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
35327 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
35330 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
35331 @emph{request memory read from target}
35334 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
35338 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
35339 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
35342 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
35343 @emph{request memory write to target}
35344 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
35345 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
35349 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
35350 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
35353 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
35357 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
35361 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
35366 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
35370 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
35371 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
35375 @node Library List Format
35376 @section Library List Format
35377 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
35379 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
35380 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
35381 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
35382 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
35383 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
35384 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
35385 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
35386 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
35387 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
35390 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
35391 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
35392 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
35393 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
35395 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
35396 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
35397 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
35398 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
35399 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
35400 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
35402 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
35403 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
35405 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
35406 offset, looks like this:
35410 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
35411 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
35416 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
35417 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
35421 <library name="sharedlib.o">
35422 <section address="0x10000000"/>
35423 <section address="0x20000000"/>
35424 <section address="0x30000000"/>
35429 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
35432 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
35433 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
35434 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
35435 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
35436 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
35437 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
35438 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
35439 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
35440 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
35443 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
35444 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
35445 section for each library.
35447 @node Memory Map Format
35448 @section Memory Map Format
35449 @cindex memory map format
35451 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
35452 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
35455 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
35456 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
35457 lists memory regions.
35459 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
35460 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
35462 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
35465 <?xml version="1.0"?>
35466 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
35467 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
35468 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
35474 Each region can be either:
35479 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
35483 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
35488 A region of read-only memory:
35491 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
35496 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
35500 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
35501 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
35507 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
35508 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
35509 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
35511 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
35514 <!-- ................................................... -->
35515 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
35516 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
35517 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
35518 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
35519 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
35520 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
35521 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
35522 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
35523 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
35524 and its type, or device. -->
35525 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
35526 start CDATA #REQUIRED
35527 length CDATA #REQUIRED
35528 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
35529 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
35530 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
35531 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
35534 @node Thread List Format
35535 @section Thread List Format
35536 @cindex thread list format
35538 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
35539 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
35540 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
35541 the following structure:
35544 <?xml version="1.0"?>
35546 <thread id="id" core="0">
35547 ... description ...
35552 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
35553 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
35554 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
35555 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
35556 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
35558 @include agentexpr.texi
35560 @node Trace File Format
35561 @appendix Trace File Format
35562 @cindex trace file format
35564 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
35565 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
35567 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
35568 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
35569 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
35572 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
35573 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
35574 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
35575 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
35576 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
35579 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
35581 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
35582 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
35583 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
35584 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
35585 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
35586 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
35587 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
35590 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
35593 @item R @var{bytes}
35594 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
35595 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
35596 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
35597 hexadecimal encoding.
35599 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
35600 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
35601 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
35602 @var{length} bytes.
35604 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
35605 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
35606 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
35610 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
35613 @node Target Descriptions
35614 @appendix Target Descriptions
35615 @cindex target descriptions
35617 @strong{Warning:} target descriptions are still under active development,
35618 and the contents and format may change between @value{GDBN} releases.
35619 The format is expected to stabilize in the future.
35621 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
35622 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
35623 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
35624 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or MIPS, for example ---
35625 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
35626 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
35627 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
35631 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
35632 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
35634 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
35635 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
35636 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
35638 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
35639 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
35640 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
35643 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
35644 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
35645 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
35646 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
35647 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
35649 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
35650 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
35653 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
35654 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
35655 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
35657 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
35660 @node Retrieving Descriptions
35661 @section Retrieving Descriptions
35663 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
35664 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
35665 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
35666 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
35667 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
35668 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
35669 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
35672 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
35673 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
35674 specify a file are:
35677 @cindex set tdesc filename
35678 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
35679 Read the target description from @var{path}.
35681 @cindex unset tdesc filename
35682 @item unset tdesc filename
35683 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
35684 will use the description supplied by the current target.
35686 @cindex show tdesc filename
35687 @item show tdesc filename
35688 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
35692 @node Target Description Format
35693 @section Target Description Format
35694 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
35696 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
35697 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
35698 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
35699 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
35700 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
35701 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
35702 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
35704 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
35705 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
35706 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
35707 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
35708 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
35710 Here is a simple target description:
35713 <target version="1.0">
35714 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
35719 This minimal description only says that the target uses
35720 the x86-64 architecture.
35722 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
35723 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
35724 are explained further below.
35727 <?xml version="1.0"?>
35728 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
35729 <target version="1.0">
35730 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
35731 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
35732 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
35733 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
35738 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
35739 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
35740 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
35741 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
35742 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
35743 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
35744 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
35745 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
35746 the version mismatch.
35748 @subsection Inclusion
35749 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
35752 @cindex <xi:include>
35755 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
35756 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
35757 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
35758 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
35759 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
35762 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
35766 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
35767 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
35768 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
35769 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
35770 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
35771 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
35772 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
35773 original description.
35775 @subsection Architecture
35776 @cindex <architecture>
35778 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
35781 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
35784 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
35785 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
35788 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
35790 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
35791 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
35793 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
35796 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
35799 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
35800 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
35802 @subsection Compatible Architecture
35803 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
35805 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
35806 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
35808 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
35811 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
35814 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
35815 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
35817 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
35818 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
35819 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
35820 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
35821 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
35822 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
35823 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
35826 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
35827 <compatible>spu</compatible>
35830 @subsection Features
35833 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
35834 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
35835 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
35839 <feature name="@var{name}">
35840 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
35846 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
35847 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
35848 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
35849 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
35853 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
35854 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
35855 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
35856 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
35857 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
35859 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
35860 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
35861 Types must be defined before they are used.
35864 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
35865 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
35866 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
35870 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
35874 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
35875 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
35876 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
35877 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
35880 <union id="@var{id}">
35881 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
35887 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
35888 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
35889 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
35890 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
35891 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
35892 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
35893 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
35894 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
35897 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
35898 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
35903 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
35904 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
35907 <struct id="@var{id}">
35908 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
35914 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
35915 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
35916 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
35917 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
35921 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
35922 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
35927 @subsection Registers
35930 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
35933 <reg name="@var{name}"
35934 bitsize="@var{size}"
35935 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
35936 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
35937 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
35938 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
35942 The components are as follows:
35947 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
35950 The register's size, in bits.
35953 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
35954 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
35955 a preceeding feature); the first register in the target description
35956 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
35957 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
35958 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
35959 in order of increasing register number.
35962 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
35963 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
35964 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
35965 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
35969 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
35970 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
35971 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
35972 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
35973 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
35974 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
35977 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
35978 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
35979 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
35980 in @code{info registers}.
35984 @node Predefined Target Types
35985 @section Predefined Target Types
35986 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
35988 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
35989 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
35990 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
35991 types. The currently supported types are:
36000 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
36007 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
36011 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
36012 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
36013 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
36014 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
36015 may be marked as data pointers.
36018 Single precision IEEE floating point.
36021 Double precision IEEE floating point.
36024 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
36027 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
36030 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
36033 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
36037 @node Standard Target Features
36038 @section Standard Target Features
36039 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
36041 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
36042 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
36043 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
36044 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
36045 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
36046 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
36047 can recognize them.
36049 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
36050 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
36051 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
36052 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
36053 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
36054 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
36055 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
36056 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
36058 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
36059 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
36060 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
36062 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
36063 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
36064 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
36065 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
36067 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
36068 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
36069 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
36076 * PowerPC Features::
36081 @subsection ARM Features
36082 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
36084 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
36086 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
36087 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
36089 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
36090 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
36091 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
36094 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
36095 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
36097 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
36098 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
36099 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
36100 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
36102 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
36103 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
36104 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
36105 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
36106 halves of the double-precision registers.
36108 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
36109 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
36110 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
36111 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
36112 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
36113 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
36115 @node i386 Features
36116 @subsection i386 Features
36117 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
36119 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
36120 targets. It should describe the following registers:
36124 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
36126 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
36128 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
36129 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
36131 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
36133 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
36134 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
36137 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
36139 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
36140 describe registers:
36144 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
36146 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
36151 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
36152 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
36153 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
36157 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
36159 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
36162 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
36163 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
36165 @node MIPS Features
36166 @subsection MIPS Features
36167 @cindex target descriptions, MIPS features
36169 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for MIPS targets.
36170 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
36171 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
36174 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
36175 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
36176 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
36178 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
36179 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
36180 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
36181 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
36183 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
36184 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
36185 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
36187 @node M68K Features
36188 @subsection M68K Features
36189 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
36192 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
36193 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
36194 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
36195 One of those features must be always present.
36196 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
36197 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
36198 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
36199 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
36201 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
36202 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
36203 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
36207 @node PowerPC Features
36208 @subsection PowerPC Features
36209 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
36211 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
36212 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
36213 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
36214 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
36216 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
36217 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
36219 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
36220 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
36223 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
36224 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
36225 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
36226 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
36227 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
36228 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
36230 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
36231 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
36232 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
36233 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
36234 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
36235 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
36238 @node Operating System Information
36239 @appendix Operating System Information
36240 @cindex operating system information
36246 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
36247 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
36248 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
36249 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
36250 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
36251 on a different aspect of target.
36253 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
36254 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
36255 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
36256 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
36259 @appendixsection Process list
36260 @cindex operating system information, process list
36262 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
36263 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
36264 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
36265 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
36267 An example document is:
36270 <?xml version="1.0"?>
36271 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
36272 <osdata type="processes">
36274 <column name="pid">1</column>
36275 <column name="user">root</column>
36276 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
36277 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
36282 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
36283 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
36284 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
36285 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
36286 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
36287 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
36288 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
36292 @node GNU Free Documentation License
36293 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
36302 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
36304 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
36305 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
36306 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
36307 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
36308 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
36309 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
36310 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
36311 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
36312 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}